AcceleratorEquity-free

Start it @KBC

Remote

KBC Bank's no-equity, no-strings incubator program spanning seven Belgian hubs, with 1,000+ startups in its community.

Location:
Remote
Duration:
52 weeks

What you need to qualify

  • Startups that are committed, innovative and scalable.
  • Open to all industries and every stage of growth, from ideation to scale-up.
  • Founders of all backgrounds, genders, ages and nationalities.
  • Expect to commit about 24 hours a month; the Start it @KBC cohort has 65 places.

Eligibility

Eligible stages
All stages
Countries
Global, subject to the provider’s eligibility and approval

How to apply

  1. 1

    Join an info session first (optional)

    Start it runs info sessions in the week of 31.08.2026 across Belgian locations, including Antwerp on 31 August and Brussels on 1 September, plus an online info session on 8.09.2026 where the programme manager answers questions.

  2. 2

    Submit the application before the deadline

    Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort close on 14.09.2026. The apply button on the programme page opens the Start it application portal at startit.acceleratorapp.co.

  3. 3

    Wait for the file screening

    On 29.09.2026, after reading all the submitted files, Start it invites a first selection of startups to its pitch days by email.

  4. 4

    Pitch live in Antwerp

    Pitch days run 14.10.2026 to 15.10.2026: you pitch your startup in three minutes to a jury in Antwerp.

  5. 5

    Get the selection decision

    Final selections are made on 16.10.2026, after pitch days.

  6. 6

    Start the one year programme

    The programme starts on 28.10.2026 with a two day bootcamp, then runs through Accelerate (six months), a Pulse Session, Grow (six months) and Graduation.

Frequently asked

Nothing, and no. Start it @KBC answers the cost question with: In a word: NOTHING! That's right: no money, no shares, no special rights for mentors or partners.

Start it @KBC says it is there for startups in all industries, at all stages of growth, from ideation to scale-up.

Apply through the Start it portal linked from the programme page. The Fall 2026 application deadline is 14.09.2026, pitch days are 14 to 15 October 2026 and the cohort starts on 28.10.2026.

One year. Start it @KBC describes an intensive, challenging and founder-centric one-year acceleration programme, structured as bootcamp, six months of Accelerate, a Pulse Session, six months of Grow and Graduation.

The accelerator overview page states a time investment of 24 hours a month, with 65 selected participants in the Start it @KBC track.
General

Related programs

Applications close 14 September 2026.Closes today

Do I qualify?

2 things decide this one. Check yourself against them before you spend time on the form.

Stage
Idea, Pre-seed
Where it runs
Remote, so your country is not a blocker (based in Belgium)
What you give up
No equity stated
Deadline
14 Sep 2026

That is the rulebook. What we cannot show you here is whether your startup clears it, how this ranks against the other programs you qualify for, and what to fix if you do not.

Check what I qualify for

Five questions, about a minute, no account needed.

Last verified against the official page. Report an error

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