VIL

What VIL does

VIL (Vlaams Instituut voor de Logistiek), founded in 2003 and headquartered in Antwerp with a secondary office in Niel, is a Belgian non-profit (vzw) that operates as the Flemish spearhead cluster for logistics innovation. It serves transport companies, logistics service providers, freight forwarders, retailers, shippers, logistics startups, and knowledge institutions primarily in Flanders, with European reach via Horizon Europe participation.

The organization structures its activity around three pillars: Innovation (project-based research co-funded by VLAIO and the European Commission, executed with research partners such as VITO, Sirris, IMEC, University of Antwerp, Vlerick, UHasselt, and UCLL), Demonstration (LogiVille innovation centre, expanding into circular logistics from September 2025), and Connection (Multimodaal.Vlaanderen platform and a continuous events programme). The productized outputs of these projects are surfaced through the Logibox (toolbox.vil.be), which hosts TCO and ROI calculators for battery-electric trucks, AGV/AMR fleet sizing via AGVSim, warehouse automation ROI models, and the Smart Driver Pass access-control product, alongside the VILBib (bib.vil.be) research library, the Future Proof Warehousing digital tool, the Smartdrop consumer sustainability calculator, and the Logistics Sustainability Index.

VIL monetizes through tiered annual membership (€440 for startups up to €1,870 for 1,000+ employee firms in Flanders; €1,430 lump-sum for associated members outside Flanders), bespoke advisory at €980/day for members and €1,260/day for non-members (with KMO Portfolio government subsidy eligibility), workshops and training (including the VIL Summer School), and project-based funding administered through VLAIO and the European Commission. Customer logos on record include Coca-Cola, Indaver, Eutraco, ING Belgium, DP World, and De Boer, with projects typically aggregating 15-30+ partner companies.

Name

VIL

Legal name

VIL vzw

Website

https://vil.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VIL (Vlaams Instituut voor de Logistiek) is the Flemish non-profit spearhead cluster for logistics, delivering membership services, VLAIO/European Commission-funded research, advisory, workshops, and the LogiVille innovation centre to transport, logistics, retail, and startup firms primarily in Flanders with European project reach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Logistics Innovation and Consulting

NAICS

Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services (541614), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Circularity Consulting & Program Management (EPR, Design-for-Circularity, LCA) (EUAIANAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM)

Keywords

• Logistics innovation
• Supply chain consulting
• Warehousing automation
• Sustainable logistics
• Multimodal transport

Headquarters

HQ city

Berchem

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Tiered annual membership fees based on company size in Flanders, with separate rates for associated members outside Flanders and logistics startups. Fees range from €440/year for startups to €1,870/year for companies with 1000+ employees.
2. Workshops and Training: In-house and digital workshops on logistics topics including Future Proof Warehousing, RFID & RTLS, and Exoskeletons. Also includes group coaching programs.
3. Custom Advisory Services: Tailored consulting services delivered by experienced logistics professionals. Rates are €980/day for members and €1,260/day for non-members (excluding VAT). KMO Portfolio government support available.
4. Innovation Project Funding: VIL manages reserved budget with VLAIO to financially support innovative projects from companies. Both R&D and ICON projects are eligible, with no-cure-no-pay compensation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

VIL (Vlaams Instituut voor de Logistiek) operates as the Flemish spearhead cluster for logistics, delivering innovation research projects, a physical demonstration centre (LogiVille), and a multimodal transport platform (Multimodaal.Vlaanderen) to logistics companies and shippers in Flanders. It also provides member companies with practical digital tools (Logibox, Future Proof Warehousing Tool, TCO/ROI calculators), expert consulting, workshops, and VLAIO funding support for sustainable and digital transformation initiatives.

Product overview

VIL (Vlaams Instituut voor de Logistiek) is the Flemish logistics innovation cluster that operates as a research and knowledge organization rather than a software product company. The core offerings center around three pillars: innovation (project-based research), demonstration (LogiVille innovation center), and connection (Multimodaal.Vlaanderen platform). The main digital products include Logibox (a toolbox containing TCO tools, ROI tools, and AGVSim for logistics calculations), VILBib (knowledge library), and specialized tools like the Future Proof Warehousing Tool, Smartdrop, and Smart Driver Pass. Services include custom consulting and advisory, VLAIO project support, and professional training programs including VIL Summer School.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LogiVille: Landmark innovation centre for the logistics ecosystem operated by VIL

Products and services

• Logibox Digital toolbox at toolbox.vil.be containing TCO tools for battery-electric trucks, ROI tools for warehouse automation, and AGVSim tools for logistics companies to evaluate investments.
• VILBib Online bibliographic resource and knowledge library for logistics research at bib.vil.be, supporting VIL's research and knowledge dissemination activities for members.
• Future Proof Warehousing Tool Digital tool that provides insights into possibilities for digitization and automation of warehouses, guiding companies in making meaningful choices by realistically transforming their warehouses.
• Logibat TCO Tool Total Cost of Ownership tool developed with VUB to compare costs of battery-electric trucks versus diesel vehicles, available free in the VIL Logibox.
• AGVSim Tool Tool developed in the FlexIn2Log project that estimates the number of transport robots (AGVs and AMRs) needed for specific logistics tasks, available in the VIL Logibox.
• FlexIn2Log ROI Tool User-friendly web application developed in the FlexIn2Log project to calculate the business case for automating internal transport within warehouses and production logistics.
• Smartdrop Tool developed by VUB Mobilise with VIL and Comeos that displays the most sustainable delivery option per purchase at zip code level, helping consumers make informed delivery choices.
• Smart Driver Pass (SDP) Fully digital and fraud-free solution for access control at logistics sites, offered by VIL as a product for the logistics sector.
• Logistics Sustainability Index (LSI) First index that provides insight into the general sustainability performance of a company's logistics activities, a yearly index serving as an instrument for calculating a sustainability score based on defined criteria.
• Custom Consulting and Advisory Services Expert-led workshops and personalized consulting services covering Future Proof Warehousing, RFID & RTLS tracking, and Exoskeletons at EUR 980/day for members and EUR 1,260/day for non-members.
• VLAIO Project Support Services Assistance in finding technical and academic partners and preparing VLAIO project files, with reserved VIL-managed budget to financially support R&D and ICON innovation projects.
• LogiVille Innovation Centre Physical innovation centre for the logistics ecosystem that demonstrates logistics technologies and processes, hosting workshops, training, and collaborative sessions for members.
• Multimodaal.Vlaanderen Platform focused on multimodal transport and connectivity in Flanders, part of VIL's core connection and network-building activities for the logistics community.
• VIL Summer School Annual training program offering workshops on topics including Safety & Ergonomy and Warehousing Automation, providing education to logistics professionals.
• Project-based Innovation Research Innovative research projects carried out with and for companies, supported by VLAIO or the European Commission, covering applied and scientific research within VIL's areas of expertise.

Quantifiable outcome

• 21% reduction in sustainability costs when consumers always choose most sustainable delivery option (Green Last Mile project)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability12 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Open Logistics Foundation (OLF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026VIL and Open Logistics Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation on open innovation and digital transformation in logistics. The agreement was officially signed on 28 May in Antwerp and marks a new step in the further expansion of VIL's international network.
• VITOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Research partner in multiple VIL projects including Duurzame Logistieke Terreinen, Green Last Mile (E-Pack), and others. VITO provides expertise in sustainability, energy, and environmental assessment.
• University of Antwerp (UAntwerpen)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Research partner in DuLoTe-project (Duurzame Logistieke Terreinen) and SYTaDeL project. Provides academic expertise in sustainable business parks and logistics.
• SirriscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2023Research partner in Floating Battery and FlexIn2Log projects. Sirris provides expertise in smart technology and manufacturing innovation.
• UCLL (UC Leuven-Limburg)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2022Research partner in Gamification in Logistics project. UCLL provides expertise in education, digital media, and learning platforms.
• IMECcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in SYTaDeL and DISCO projects. IMEC provides expertise in digital technologies and data spaces for logistics applications.
• UHasseltcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in BILOG project. UHasselt provides expertise in business intelligence and data analytics for logistics companies.
• Vlerick Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in SYTaDeL project. Provides expertise in business models, governance, and strategic planning for logistics data spaces.
• VLAIO (Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship)coreOthersPrimary government partner providing funding for VIL's innovation projects and spearhead cluster activities. VLAIO business advisors are specifically appointed for VIL and the logistics sector.
• European CommissioncoreOthersFunding source for European projects including Horizon Europe initiatives such as GREEN-LOG, ReNEW, SETO, and BOOSTLOG. Supports international logistics research and innovation.
• Port of Antwerp-BrugesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject participant in Floating Battery project. Provides expertise in port operations and sustainable shipping solutions.
• De Vlaamse WaterwegminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject participant in Floating Battery and SYTaDeL projects. Provides expertise in inland waterway infrastructure and navigation.
• ComeosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in Green Last Mile project. Comeos represents the Belgian trade and services sector and helped develop the Smartdrop sustainability calculation tool.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• DSP Valley: DSP Valley is a Flemish spearhead cluster for smart electronic systems and IoT, operating under the same VLAIO spearhead cluster model as VIL. It is directly comparable on cluster structure, government funding model, member tiers and applied research project pipeline.
• TKI Dinalog: TKI Dinalog is the Dutch top consortium for knowledge and innovation in logistics, operating as a public-private partnership with similar project-driven, member-funded innovation activities. It is the closest geographically adjacent peer that competes for cross-border logistics innovation projects and European Commission funding.
• Flanders Make: Flanders Make is the Flemish spearhead cluster for advanced manufacturing, structured as a non-profit research hub driving collaborative industry projects. It mirrors VIL's model of member-tiered subscription, VLAIO co-funding and applied research partnership with universities and research centres.
• Agoria: Agoria is the Belgian federation for the technology industry, providing membership services, innovation support and policy advocacy. Comparable to VIL because of its membership-driven, sectoral representation model in Belgium and its role connecting member companies with research institutions and government funding programmes.

Regional players

• Innoviris: Innoviris is the Brussels-Capital Region's funding agency for science, research and innovation. It is comparable to VIL's VLAIO backing mechanism — providing innovation funding and policy support to organisations and companies — but operates in the parallel Brussels region with its own cluster priorities and programmes.

Broad incumbents

• European Logistics Association (ELA): ELA is the pan-European umbrella federation of 30+ national logistics associations, providing networking, knowledge and policy representation at a wider European level. Comparable to VIL as a sector federation, but broader in scope and primarily focused on advocacy and conferences rather than regional project execution.
• Bundesvereinigung Logistik (BVL): BVL is the German logistics management association, providing membership, conferences, training and research dissemination at a national scale. Comparable to VIL through its industry-federation model and knowledge services, but operates at substantially larger breadth and scale across all logistics topics in Germany.
• Logistics Valley Sweden: Logistics Valley Sweden is a Swedish cluster organisation dedicated to logistics and SCM innovation. Comparable to VIL through its triple-helix cluster model and government-backed project portfolio, though it serves a different national ecosystem with its own member and partner structures.

Others

• Sirris: Sirris is the Belgian collective centre for the Belgian technology industry, providing applied research and innovation support. It is comparable as a Flemish innovation partner and research collaborator (VIL and Sirris jointly run Floating Battery and FlexIn2Log projects) and serves a similar cluster-member audience with technical consulting, though Sirris's remit spans all industrial sectors rather than logistics specifically.
• B.I.L.O.G. (Business Intelligence for Logistics): B.I.L.O.G. is a European initiative/business intelligence platform for logistics sustainability reporting. It is comparable because it overlaps with VIL's BILOG project and Logistics Sustainability Index work, addressing sustainability performance data for logistics companies. It operates as an enabling/EU-thematic entity rather than directly competing with VIL's cluster services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VILogistiek

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 VIL