For 40 years, Wallonie Entreprendre (formerly known as S.R.I.W. Société Régionale d’Investissement de Wallonie or Regional Investment Company of Wallonia) has been contributing to the development of the economy in the Walloon region of Belgium. It financially supports projects of companies located in Wallonia that are active in a wide range of sectors (aerospace, digital, environment, agro-food, chemistry, energy, biotechnology/life sciences,…).
The strategy of Wallonie Entreprendre in the life sciences sector
The strategy of Wallonie Entreprendre in the life sciences sector is based on qualitative excellence, from the investment decision process to the follow-up and support of portfolio companies. This contributes to the development of an ecosystem in the biotech field that generates jobs, creates value and is attractive to foreign investors. The role of Wallonie Entreprendre as a risk capital provider in the life sciences sector is crucial, considering its capital-intensive nature and the high degree of risk associated.
The investment criteria that have been applied over the past decade in that specific sector, were defined and implemented to build and manage a balanced portfolio in terms of financial performance, risk and liquidity.
These can be summarized as follows:
- Significant activity/added value creation and employment in Wallonia.
- Investments under the form of equity in pre-revenue companies.
- Investments under the form of equity or debt in commercial companies with recurring revenues.
- Maximum investment depending on the maturity, the size and the specific activity of the company.
- Minority investments with private investors, the role of lead being performed by a specialized investor with proven track record in pre-revenue companies.
- Validation of human, technological, commercial, legal and financial risks.
The current composition of the portfolio is very diverse. It includes companies active in the development and/or commercialization of:
- Therapeutics, diagnostics and services (CRO’s, CDMO’s, …).
- Drugs (small molecules, biologics, cell therapy, vaccines, …), medical devices and e-health.
- Specialized investment funds.
Investment funds and ecosystem-related companies appear indeed essential to the proper functioning and sustainability of the biotech sector within the region.
In addition to the investments, Wallonie Entreprendre is also aiming:
- To foster the networking of companies, in portfolio or not, with all the identified added value professionals.
- To share the experience of the Wallonie Entreprendre Life Sciences team with companies, in portfolio or not, with the same expectation to provide them with added value.
Wallonie Entreprendre Life Sciences Facts & Figures (06/30/2024)
- Evergreen fund investing in Wallonia.
- 60+ companies in portfolio.
- 235 million € invested.
- Network of > 1,500 experts, managers, consultants…
- +140 million € cumulated return on investments.
https://www.wallonie-entreprendre.be/fr/expertises/life-sciences/
