Dealflash

Ghent-based start-up Alkmist has secured 1.8 million euros in funding to expand its audit management platform and enter new sectors.

Belgium-based digital enabler team.blue has further strengthened its position in the European e-commerce market with the acquisition of Shoptet, one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading online shop-building platforms.

Cowboy, the Brussels-based e-bike manufacturer, has raised more than 100 million euros to date and once enjoyed a valuation of 172 million euros. Yet the company still faces a high risk of insolvency, according to its 2024 annual report filed this week.

Belgian pharmaceutical company A.forall has announced a major strategic shift, selling its Retail & Hospital division, known as The Pharmacy House, to Abacus Medicine.

Belgian insurer AG has taken an equity stake in Doktr, the Belgian video consultation app launched by Proximus in 2021. The deal, subject to regulatory approval, adds AG alongside Proximus, CM Gezondheidsfonds and Solidaris as core shareholders in the platform.

US energy major ExxonMobil is considering divesting its chemical operations in Belgium and the United Kingdom, according to the Financial Times.

Dutch home furnishings group Homefashion Group is exploring a sale of its Kwantum retail chain, following last week’s news that its Belgian Leen Bakker stores are up for sale.

Dekimo has announced that design agency Pars Pro Toto is joining the group, expanding its capabilities in complete product development.

Limburg-based coach company De Zigeuner is entering a new chapter. Tom De Troyer, son-in-law of the Vanheusden family, is taking over the business while continuing to build on its strong family roots.

The Belgian federal government has instructed state-owned bank Belfius to prepare for a partial privatization, according to CEO Marc Raisière.

The Belgian communications landscape is seeing further consolidation with the merger of FINN and Gosselin & de Walque, two established players in strategic communications and public affairs.

The investment is aligned with the Gimv ambition of investing in sustainable businesses together with talented management teams.

U.S. private equity firm Vector Capital Management has agreed to acquire Showpad, the Belgian-founded sales enablement and revenue technology company with dual headquarters in Ghent and Chicago.

Furniture and interior retailer Leen Bakker is putting its 44 Belgian stores up for sale under court supervision after years of mounting losses and intensifying competition from rivals such as IKEA, Jysk, Bol.com, Amazon, and discount chain Action.

Cordeel Group, together with SDM Corporate Finance Group and Imtech’s management, has completed a strategic capital increase via the Smart Deal platform.

Leuven-based tech holding Crescent has attracted a new strategic investor and sold control of a Dutch subsidiary to bolster its finances.

Belgian private equity fund Sofindev has acquired a majority stake in Dutch transport software specialist Euphoria Mobility to accelerate its European growth.

Dutch AI chipmaker Axelera AI is in talks with investors to raise over €150 million for further product development.

Belgium’s last chip factory may rise again. Thema Foundries plans to invest €200 million in Oudenaarde, creating 500 jobs and transforming the former BelGaN site into Europe’s first large-scale photonic chip production and service center.

Ghent-based BetterPic, profitable since launch, secures $2.5 million seed funding to scale AI-driven headshot and fashion photography.

Liège-based EVS acquires US firm Telemetrics, strengthening its presence in broadcast robotics and expanding production options in America.

Belgian industrialist Joris Ide has acquired a 5.56% stake in carpet maker Belysse, making him one of the company’s largest shareholders. Based on current market prices, his investment is worth around €1.5 million.

Ahold Delhaize will sell 87 supermarkets in Romania to local retailer Annabella, fulfilling competition requirements tied to its acquisition of Profi earlier this year.

Walloon satellite builder Aerospacelab secures €12 million from investors including Imec Xpand and BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity.

Singapore-based Coda has completed the €400 million acquisition of Amsterdam fintech Recharge, marking the largest fintech takeover in the Netherlands.

The planned sale of British private school network Cognita is faltering, posing a potential blow to Belgian holding Sofina.

Belgium’s Construx Group, a specialist in formwork systems for contractors and precast manufacturers, has acquired French company CBE, the global leader in moulds for precast concrete tunnel segments.

Belgian kitchen builder Bossuyt Kitchen, supplier to Hof van Cleve, The Jane and Denmark’s Noma, changes hands.

Turkish glassmaker Ciner Glass has finalised a €504 million loan with a consortium of international and Belgian banks to finance its new bottle plant in Lommel, Limburg.

Belgium’s Vendis Capital plans to acquire the Dutch Obesity Clinic, expanding its healthcare portfolio after previous cosmetic clinic deals.

Brussels-based e-bike maker Cowboy has secured short-term financing and signed a term sheet with France’s Rebirth Group, marking a potential turning point after severe operational challenges.

Belgium’s Construx Group has acquired France’s CBE Group, strengthening its global leadership in moulds and carousel systems for precast tunnel segments.

Luceda Photonics, a Belgian pioneer in photonic chip design software, has been acquired by China’s Semitronix via its Singapore arm SMTX Technologies.

Swiss-based MET Group has acquired a 68.5% stake in Belgian energy supplier Mega, aiming to expand into the B2B segment in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Belgian entrepreneur Marc Coucke has acquired Ice of Queens, a Limburg-based company that builds and restores ice cream carts, expanding his growing ice cream ventures.

Brussels-based Prothya Biosolutions, a key producer of plasma-derived medicines, will be acquired by India’s Intas Pharmaceuticals to expand its global plasma footprint.

Ghent-based EDGX secures €2.3M to accelerate AI edge computing for satellites, aiming to boost in-orbit data processing and autonomy.

Antwerp-based Contour Lab raises €570,000 to expand its AI-driven digital stylist platform.

Belgian media group IPM, owned by the Le Hodey family, has acquired a majority stake in luxury travel organiser World of Travel, reinforcing its ambition to consolidate Europe’s high-end travel sector through its Bscovery division.

U.S. battery maker Lyten has acquired the remaining assets of bankrupt Swedish firm Northvolt, reigniting hopes for European battery production. The deal includes facilities in Sweden and a planned factory in Germany, marking a major shift after Northvolt's collapse earlier this year due to weakening EV market demand.

Partnership positions both companies to serve Belgian and Dutch clients more effectively amid rising demand for sustainable solutions across borders.

Belgian limestone leader Carmeuse has launched a $505 million bid for Chile’s Cementos Bío Bío, securing agreements from shareholders holding 64.6% of shares. The move, via Carmel Holding, aims to strengthen Carmeuse’s footprint in the global cement market.

OpenAI is in talks to buy back employee-held shares, valuing the ChatGPT creator at $500 billion—signalling a new benchmark for AI startups in Europe.

Brussels-based Afriwise expands its footprint in Africa with the acquisition of South Africa’s LawExplorer, enhancing AI-driven legal research across 40+ jurisdictions.

Paris-based EssilorLuxottica has agreed to acquire Belgium’s Automation & Robotics, strengthening its automation and digital control of optical-lens manufacturing to boost quality, efficiency and service across its global production network.

West Flemish entrepreneur Christ Vandamme has acquired Vive la Vie, parent of the VRT-licensed fashion brand Vive le Vélo, from founder Caroline Vereenooghe, aiming to triple revenue and expand product range domestically and abroad.

SAP strengthens its SuccessFactors suite by acquiring SmartRecruiters, enhancing AI-driven recruitment.

British investors Peter Gould, Simon Van Kerckhoven and Charlie Methven have acquired 65% of RAEC Mons, aiming to develop Caribbean talent and propel the historic Belgian club back up the ladder.

Belgian hosting firm Level27 has acquired managed-service provider Xenius to strengthen its position in the national cloud market. The deal expands Level27’s service portfolio and geographic reach in Flanders and Brussels, while ensuring continuity for Xenius’s specialist SME clientele.

Dutch ICT integrator Esprit ICT has acquired Belgian healthcare ICT specialist Televic Healthcare Solutions. The deal marks Esprit’s first international move and strengthens its presence in the Benelux healthcare technology market.

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has launched a €4.60-per-share takeover offer for Ceconomy, MediaMarkt’s parent, marking one of the largest Chinese acquisitions in Europe since Tencent’s €1.5 billion purchase of Techland.

Belgian-Dutch compounding specialist Fagron has closed four deals in Q2—valued at €13 million—expanding its footprint in the UK, debuting in Serbia and Australia, and laying the groundwork for wider APAC growth.

Iveco is in advanced talks to sell its defence division to Leonardo for €1.6 billion and its truck arm to Tata.

New York‑based Evercore has agreed to buy London’s elite M&A boutique Robey Warshaw for $196 million, reinforcing its European foothold and adding five high‑profile dealmakers to its ranks.

Union Pacific will acquire Norfolk Southern in a landmark $85 billion deal to create America’s first transcontinental railroad, reshaping U.S. freight logistics and supply chains.

Neele-Vat Group has acquired Cool Solutions Belgium through its Mammoet Ferry Transport subsidiary, strengthening its cold chain logistics offering and expanding its reach in the UK and Irish markets.

YouBuild has found buyers for 11 of its 19 Belgian outlets, raising €6.5 million—but still faces nearly €40 million in debt.

CK Hutchison may bring Cosco into its $23 billion consortium to win Beijing’s approval for the Panama ports sale.

Luxury giant explores offloading iconic fashion label.

Belgian regulators may wait until late 2025 to approve a year‑old fibre‑sharing agreement.

Brussels suspects an unfair advantage granted by state support.

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com is in advanced talks to acquire Ceconomy, the German parent company of MediaMarkt and Saturn, for €2.2 billion. The deal could significantly expand JD.com's footprint in Europe’s consumer electronics market.

Nestlé is evaluating a sale of underperforming vitamin and supplement brands.

A consortium of Belgian entrepreneurs including Marc  Coucke, Jan Boone and Louis Jonckheere has injected fresh capital into Tout Bien, the beer brand launched by influencer Average Rob, to accelerate volume growth and market presence.

French charging network leader Electra has raised €433 million in bank financing to accelerate its rollout of 15,000 ultra‑fast chargers across Europe, reinforcing its position in Belgium with over 700 charging points at 113 locations.

A group of investors from Kempen has acquired Galaxy Studios in Mol after its 2023 bankruptcy, aiming to build on its world‑class recording legacy.

Gimv reinvests in the newly formed Bugaboo‑Joolz venture, taking a minority stake alongside Mubadala Capital and Bain Capital to support the combined premium stroller leader.

Belgian investment firm Gimv takes a majority stake in Hemink, the Dutch sustainable renovation and maintenance specialist, to drive national expansion and boost eco‑friendly property services.

U.S. specialist Concentra Biosciences has acquired failing Walloon biotech firm Iteos Therapeutics for $384 million, offering shareholders a swift exit and terminating ongoing clinical programs.

Belgium’s federal government approved a €61 million convertible loan to save Lineas, the country’s largest rail freight operator serving Antwerp and Zeebrugge.

Belgian pet‑product wholesaler Flamingo Pet Products expands its European reach by acquiring Dutch distributor Plenty Gifts, adding calendars, puzzles and seasonal gifts to its existing 8,500‑item portfolio.

Belgian investor Cobepa has expanded its U.S. footprint with two acquisitions: a minority stake in New Jersey advisor Sax and a majority holding in Virginia fire‑protection specialist Eagle Fire, leveraging over €1.2 billion in cash reserves to drive growth across accounting, cybersecurity and safety services.

Consultancy and accounting firm Moore Belgium has completed its largest takeover to date.

Delay despite recent clearances from German and Dutch regulators.

Belgian IT company Alistar, formerly known as ESC Group from Ghent, has acquired Harbers Group, an IT services provider based in Lichtenvoorde, the Netherlands.

Canadian institutional investor CPP Investments has acquired a 20 percent stake in team.blue, one of Europe’s largest digital service providers for SMEs, in a transaction valuing the company at 4.8 billion euros.

Gheeraert Group, a well-established name in Belgian transport and logistics, has announced the acquisition of Group De Rudder, further consolidating its footprint in the sector. The move unites two family-run businesses with complementary strengths and a shared long-term vision.

Belgian software company SOFICO, a leading provider of vehicle lifecycle management solutions, has announced the integration of UBench, a specialist in claims and damage management. The move marks a key milestone in the digital transformation of mobility services for leasing companies, fleet operators, and automotive finance providers in Belgium and across Europe.

The move strengthens Dentius' position in the Netherlands and propels the group into the top three dental chains in the Benelux region, according to Belgian business newspaper De Tijd.

Belgium’s largest producer of frozen fries, Clarebout Potatoes, has been officially acquired by the American agribusiness giant J.R. Simplot Company, marking a significant consolidation in the global potato industry.

Leading Belgian IT company ConXioN continues its growth trajectory with the acquisition of Cats&Dogs, a technology firm based at the Corda Campus innovation hub in Hasselt.

Belgian energy company EnergyVision has made its stock market debut on Euronext Brussels, becoming the first Belgian company to go public in four years. Founders Maarten Michielssens, Hassan Mourhit, and Koen Decourt rang the opening bell this morning at 9:00 a.m., officially launching the company’s IPO under the ticker symbol ENRGY.

The Belgian family invests in sustainable and conscious consumption.

The dgtgroup from Belgium, formerly known as Digitopia until 2023, has acquired Dutch companies NFGD from Zoetermeer and TSS from Utrecht.

Belgian-based Aminolabs Nutrition has announced the strategic acquisition of Zoka Pharma, a Valencia-based producer of nutritional supplements, in a move to expand its European footprint and diversify its product offerings.

Dutch IT group Odin Groep has strengthened its presence in the Belgian market with the acquisition of Assyst Europe, an IT services provider based in Waals-Brabant. The move is part of Odin’s strategy to expand internationally while maintaining a strong local presence.

European tech investor Fortino Capital has acquired MEHRWERK, a leading process intelligence software company, in a move aimed at accelerating innovation in AI-driven process automation.

BC Partners has acquired a majority stake in Dutch healthcare tooling specialist IGS GeboJagema, in partnership with existing investor Smile Invest and the company’s management team.

Unikoo, the rapidly growing strategic and operational partner for start-ups, scale-ups, and SMEs, has acquired Ghent-based marketing agency Marked.

SAP consulting firm Persolis has officially joined the Expertum Group, a strategic move that strengthens both companies' capabilities in delivering comprehensive SAP services across the Benelux region and beyond.

European growth investment firm Verdane has announced a strategic partnership with mobile application security leader Guardsquare. The investment aims to scale Guardsquare’s reach and address the rising threats in the mobile app security landscape.

Dutch waste-tech company Seenons has announced a major investment from private equity firm Fortino Capital, marking a significant step in its mission to scale circular waste management across Europe.

The merger between MS Amlin Insurance SE and MSIG Insurance Europe AG has officially been completed, creating the new entity MSIG Europe SE, headquartered in Brussels.

Belgian infrastructure investor TINC has completed its previously announced investment in Azulatis, a specialist in industrial water management.

Belgian media group strengthens position as leading player in the Benelux.

French food giant Danone has acquired The Akkermansia Company (TAC), a Belgian biotech firm based in Mont-Saint-Guibert, in a move to strengthen its position in the gut health and probiotics market.

John Cockerill Hydrogen has finalized a 116 million euros capital increase to support its strategic development and global expansion plans.

Distrilog Group is expanding once again. As of July 1st, Transport Michiels, a specialist in exceptional and oversized transport, will officially join the Distrilog family.

The Irish IT services company Org Group has acquired Brussels-based Enterprise Digital Resources (EDR), a recruitment and consulting firm specializing in enterprise technology solutions.

Private equity firm Gimv has acquired a majority stake in Alpine, a leading Dutch provider of premium consumer hearing protection solutions.