MicroStart

What MicroStart does

MicroStart is a Belgium-based microfinance institution founded in 2011 that provides financial and non-financial support services to entrepreneurs. Its offering spans consulting, advice, training, e-learning, and microfinance grants, combining capital delivery with capacity-building support. The organization targets micro-entrepreneurs, a segment typically underserved by mainstream banking, and operates as a privately held for-profit entity headquartered in Anderlecht, Belgium, with a workforce of 11–50 employees under a two-person executive team (CEO Dirk Dewitte and Chief Development Officer David Taquin). It maintains a web presence at microstart.be.

The business model is a hybrid of financial services and advisory services. On the financial side, MicroStart provides micro-grant and presumably micro-loan capital to entrepreneurs. On the non-financial side, it generates revenue and impact through consulting, training programs, and e-learning content. This bundled approach is characteristic of mission-driven microfinance institutions that combine capital with human-capital development to improve repayment performance and entrepreneur outcomes. Pricing models, fee structures, and customer counts are not disclosed in the available data.

Operationally, the entity is small and stable, having operated for over 13 years without a disclosed parent, subsidiary, funding round, or M&A event. No technology stack, product roadmap, customer logos, or partnership information is available, which limits deeper diligence. Geographic scope is centered on Belgium, with no international markets disclosed. The combination of for-profit status and microfinance mission places MicroStart in a hybrid social-enterprise category where impact funding, public guarantees, and EU inclusion programs typically play a meaningful upstream role, although none are explicitly identified in the source material.

Name

MicroStart

Website

https://microstart.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MicroStart is a Belgium-based microfinance institution founded in 2011 that provides consulting, training, e-learning, and micro-grant financing to entrepreneurs. It operates as a privately held for-profit entity headquartered in Anderlecht with 11–50 employees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Microfinance

NAICS

Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (522), Other Nondepository Credit Intermediation (52229), Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers (52231)

SIC

Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Personal Credit Institutions (6141)

akta.pro primary industry

Microloans & Working Capital Loans (FSAKAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Microfinance, Financial Inclusion & Inclusive Markets (BPAGABAM), Small Business & Self-Employment Personal Finance (Income, Expenses, Cash Reserves) (EDAAAJAL), Microenterprise Group Lending (Joint Liability) (FSAKAGAH)

Keywords

• Microfinance services
• Microcredit for entrepreneurs
• Small business loans
• Entrepreneur training
• Business consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Anderlecht

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Core offering

MicroStart offers consulting, advice, training, e-learning, and financial support as well as grants microfinance services to entrepreneurs. The company primarily provides microcredit and accompanying non-financial services (advisory, training) designed for entrepreneurs who lack access to traditional banking channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Microfinance / Microcredit Loans Small-scale credit products (microcredit) and broader microfinance services extended to entrepreneurs who lack access to traditional banking in Belgium.
• Financial Support and Grants Grant-based financial support provided alongside microfinance to help entrepreneurs fund or grow their micro-enterprises.
• Entrepreneur Consulting and Advice Consulting and advisory services supporting Belgian micro-entrepreneurs in launching and operating their businesses.
• Training and E-Learning Training programmes and e-learning content designed to build business and financial management capabilities of micro-entrepreneurs.

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Kiva: Large global P2P microlending nonprofit that crowdfunds small loans for entrepreneurs worldwide. Comparable mission and customer base (underserved micro-entrepreneurs), but operates at vastly greater scale and with a digital-first model.
• PlaNet Finance (Positive Planet): International NGO supporting microfinance institutions and entrepreneurship programs globally. Comparable mission of financial inclusion and entrepreneurial support, though operating at a broader ecosystem level rather than direct Belgian micro-lending.
• Oikocredit: International cooperative providing credit to microfinance institutions and small enterprises in emerging markets. Tangentially comparable: both operate in financial inclusion/microfinance, though Oikocredit is a wholesale funder rather than a direct lender.

Direct peers

• Qredits: Dutch microfinance institution offering microloans and business coaching to small entrepreneurs in the Netherlands and parts of Belgium. Closely comparable in service bundle (credit + coaching) and borrower profile to MicroStart.
• ADIE: Association pour le Droit à l'Initiative Économique is a leading European microfinance institution providing microloans and support to entrepreneurs excluded from traditional banking. Directly comparable to MicroStart in mission, product, and target borrower segment.
• Crédal: Belgian cooperative focused on ethical and social finance, providing loans and savings products to individuals, social enterprises, and entrepreneurs. Operates in the same Belgian market with overlapping microcredit/entrepreneur support activities.
• Microkrediet / Stichting Microkrediet Nederland: Dutch foundation offering microloans and business mentoring to small entrepreneurs unable to access bank financing. Comparable product suite and target customer to MicroStart's entrepreneur lending.

Emerging players

• Babyloan: European online P2P microfinance platform connecting individual lenders with micro-entrepreneurs, mostly in developing countries. Comparable in microfinance mission; differs in delivery model (digital P2P vs. in-person Belgian microlender).
• Initiative France: Network offering zero-interest loans and support to small business creators across France, similar to a public microfinance + advisory hybrid. Comparable in mission and product structure to MicroStart.
• Réseau Entreprendre: French-origin association providing interest-free loans ('prêts d'honneur') and mentoring to entrepreneurs creating or taking over businesses. Strong overlap in advisory + credit offering aimed at the same entrepreneur segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/microStart_be

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MicroStart