CBTC

What CBTC does

CBTC (China Belgium Technology Center) is a purpose-built business and technology park operated by United Investment Europe, a Belgian subsidiary of Chinese conglomerate United Investment & Development Co. Ltd (UI Group / East Lake High-Tech Group). Headquartered in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium within the UCLouvain Science Park, CBTC was established in 2014 via a bilateral agreement witnessed by President Xi Jinping and former Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, and is the first Chinese business and technology park created outside Chinese territory. The 57,000 sqm campus comprises 20,000 sqm of tailor-made offices and BSL-2 laboratories, 4,000 sqm of coworking and incubator space, a 3,000 sqm conference centre, a 170-room business hotel and 600 parking bays, configurable for companies of 2 to 500 employees.

CBTC monetises this infrastructure through multi-year subscriptions on offices and laboratories, alongside two professional-services revenue streams: 'Landing Services' (company formation, entry strategy, translation, regulatory advice) and 'Business Services' (partner/investor matching, cultural training, IP protection, international fair support, logistics). It serves two bi-directional customer segments — Chinese B2B High Tech firms seeking a European landing point (Life Sciences, ICT, Smart Manufacturing, Cleantech, Fintech, Agrilife) and European/Belgian firms seeking a Chinese market entry — supported by strategic partnerships with AWEX, EU SME Centre, UCLouvain and East Lake High-Tech Group, and anchored by tenants such as LIMS-MBnext (5,000 sqm medical lab), Huibo Medical, GMAX Bio, Hubei Guangji Pharmaceuticals, HiTHIUM Energy Storage and ETSC.

The go-to-market is event-driven enterprise field sales, with CBTC co-hosting recurring forums (China-Belgium Science & Technology Exchange Symposium, FCPAE European Forum, China-Europe Renewable Energy Industry Forum) that double as MOU-signing and business-matching venues, complemented by direct outreach, AWEX referrals and a 6x/year bilingual newsletter. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the firm is privately held, grouped under UI Group's ~30 subsidiaries across China, Russia, Australia and Belgium, and is positioned at the intersection of commercial real estate, cross-border advisory and bi-directional High Tech ecosystem brokerage.

Name

CBTC

Legal name

United Investment Europe

Website

https://cbtc.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CBTC (China Belgium Technology Center) operates a 57,000 sqm business and technology park within Belgium's UCLouvain Science Park, renting offices, BSL-2 laboratories, coworking, conferencing and a 170-room hotel to Chinese and European B2B high-tech firms, while providing landing and cross-border business services between the two markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Park & Cross-Border Incubation Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)

SIC

Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552)

akta.pro primary industry

Large-Scale Headquarters Convention Hotels (THAGALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues (THAHAAAB), Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)

Keywords

• Business incubation services
• Technology park operations
• Office space rentals
• Market entry consulting
• China-Europe business services

Headquarters

HQ city

Louvain-la-neuve

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Infrastructure Rental: CBTC generates revenue primarily through the rental of office spaces, laboratories, coworking areas, and meeting facilities. Office spaces can accommodate companies from 2 to 500 persons (from 15 sqm to an entire tower of 3,000 sqm). Laboratories range from 325 sqm to 2,500 sqm targeting ICT, Life Sciences, Smart Manufacturing, Cleantech, Fintech, and Agrilife tech sectors.
2. Landing Services: One-stop service platform providing market research, regulatory and IP advice, business matching, marketing and communication support, project management, cultural and business training, and government relations assistance. Revenue is generated through service fees for consulting and support.
3. Business Services: Services include identifying strategic partners and investors, ensuring partner reliability, cultural and language training, support during international fairs, communication strategy development, IP protection in China, and logistics support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CBTC operates a 57,000 sqm business and technology park within the UCLouvain Science Park in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, providing tailor-made offices (15 sqm to 3,000 sqm), BSL 2-grade laboratories (325 sqm to 2,500 sqm), coworking and incubator space, a conference center, a 170-room business hotel, a technological exhibition hall, and a Smart Valley retail/service area. It bundles this physical infrastructure with one-stop landing services (company creation, regulatory analysis, entry strategy, translation) and business services (partner/investor identification, IP protection, cultural training, international fair support) for Chinese and European high-tech companies.

Product overview

CBTC (China Belgium Technology Center) is a business and technology park ecosystem offering a comprehensive 'One-stop' service platform for Chinese and European high-tech companies. The portfolio consists of two core service categories (Landing Services and Business Services) supported by physical infrastructure including Premium Offices, Coworking Space, Laboratories (BSL 2 grade), Conference Center, Premium Business Hotel (170 rooms), and Technological Exhibition Hall. The ecosystem serves companies from 2 to 500 persons across ICT, Life Sciences, Smart Manufacturing, Cleantech, Fintech, and Agrilife sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Landing Services Start-up and market entry support services for European and Chinese companies, including company creation, analysis of local policies, elaboration of entry strategy, quality translation, and geographic consulting to identify the most suitable areas for a company.
• Business Services Comprehensive business support for Chinese and European B2B clients, including strategic partner and investor identification, partner reliability assurance, cultural and language training, international fair support, communication strategy development, IP protection in China, and logistics support.
• Premium Offices Tailor-made, brand-new office spaces accommodating companies from 2 to 500 persons, ranging from 15 sqm to entire towers of 3,000 sqm, with custom design, furniture, and data infrastructure services. Located in the CBTC tower within UCLouvain Science Park.
• Coworking Space A dynamic coworking and incubator environment with tech and innovation focus, offering fully equipped flexible workspaces from individual workstations to private offices with shared facilities.
• Laboratories Grade B or BSL 2 laboratories ranging from 325 sqm to 2,500 sqm, targeting ICT, Life Sciences, Smart Manufacturing, Cleantech, Fintech, and Agrilife tech sectors, equipped with shared lab facilities.
• Conference Center A 3,000 sqm conference facility hosting seminars, conferences, and workshops focused on China-EU business cooperation, enabling companies to exchange information and expand networks.
• Premium Business Hotel A prestigious 170-room business hotel offering comfort for short stays, with catering and conference packages available.
• Technological Exhibition Hall A dedicated venue for technological exhibitions showcasing the latest research and innovations, located on the CBTC premises.
• Smart Valley An integrated business center within the CBTC ecosystem, accessible via autonomous shuttle service, featuring proximity retail shops and restaurants (1,500 sqm retail area).

Quantifiable outcome

• 65% of European market reachable within few hours due to strategic location
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and moderate.

• Shenzhen Battery Industry AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024CBTC, AWEX, and Shenzhen Battery Industry Association signed a tripartite strategic cooperation agreement to provide a platform for exchanges, cooperation, and industrial development for Chinese and European enterprises in the renewable energy sector.
• Botree Recycling TechnologiesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Botree Recycling Technologies (an expert in battery material recycling) signed an MOU with CBTC during the China-Europe Renewable Energy Industry Forum in April 2024.
• HiTHIUM Energy StoragemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024HiTHIUM Energy Storage (a leader in Battery Energy Storage Solution/BESS) signed an MOU with CBTC during the China-Europe Renewable Energy Industry Forum in April 2024.
• HICI Digital Power Technology Co., Ltd.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024HICI Digital Power Technology (specializing in new energy charging solutions) signed an MOU with CBTC during the China-Europe Renewable Energy Industry Forum in April 2024.
• EU SME CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2021EU SME Centre signed an MoU with CBTC to provide comprehensive support for European SMEs entering the Chinese market. The partnership focuses on joint planning and organizing business activities, enhancing synergies with other EU initiatives, and supporting SMEs in second and third tier Chinese cities.
• AWEX (Wallonia Export-Investment Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2018AWEX is a Public Interest Organization responsible for Wallonia's international economic relations. AWEX established the China Welcome Office at CBTC to provide services to Chinese companies. The partnership supports Chinese companies in establishing in Wallonia and promotes Walloon exports. CBTC and AWEX co-organize events including the China-Europe Renewable Energy Industry Forum and collaborate on MOU signings.
• Nanjing/Qixia High-Tech Industrial Development ZonemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Following a framework agreement signed in 2018, Qixia High-Tech Industrial Development Zone collaborated with CBTC to build the 'Nanjing Europe Innovation Center' and provide services including consultation, translation, public relations support with Belgian local governments, event organization, and business matchmaking.
• UCLouvain - Louvain-la-Neuve Science ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBTC is located within the UCLouvain Science Park, the first and largest science park in Belgium spanning 231 hectares with over 275 companies and 6,292 jobs. The partnership provides CBTC access to academic, scientific, and business networks in Belgium and Europe.
• East Lake High-Tech GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEast Lake High-Tech Group (东湖高新集团) is the listed company and operator of CBTC in Europe. It owns 42 science parks in China hosting 12,000 companies. The group supports European companies in landing in China and finding partners, suppliers, and distributors in China.
• United Investment Europe (UIE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Investment Europe is the operator of CBTC, established by United Investment & Development Co.Ltd (UI Group). UIE's main role is to construct and operate the CBTC project in Europe.
• InBW (Intermunicipal Authority of Walloon Brabant Province)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerInBW is the economic and environmental partner of Walloon Brabant Province, providing know-how in economic development and business services for municipalities, citizens, and companies.
• EasymilemoderateTechnology or IntegrationFrench company from Toulouse providing technology support for the NAVAJO autonomous shuttle project at Louvain-la-Neuve. Easymile specializes in intelligent mobility solutions and autonomous driving technology.
• USHmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBelgian shared mobility solutions company collaborating with Easymile on the NAVAJO autonomous shuttle project, preparing shuttle routes, installing necessary terminals and equipment.
• Cathay CapitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading global investment firm (PE/VC) specializing in CN-EU investment and global innovation. Eric Touati visited their Shanghai office during the December 2023 Mission to China.
• Syensqo (formerly Solvay China)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian chemical group with growing R&I Center in Shanghai. Syensqo focuses on New Energy, Renewable materials, and Biotechnology. Eric Touati visited their Shanghai R&I Center during the December 2023 Mission to China.
• Aden GroupmoderateTechnology or IntegrationCompany visited during December 2023 Mission to China, specializing in cutting-edge ESG and Digital Twin Platform Akila for Building/Real Estate/Industrial Asset management to reduce CO2 footprint. Present in China, Asia, and Europe.
• LIMS-MBnextcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgium's largest private medical analysis laboratory (in terms of floor space) and European leader in preventive investigation biology. First tenant of CBTC since June 2023. Occupies 5,000 sqm on 7 floors with 140 scientists. Specializes in functional and preventive medicine, particularly intestinal microbiota analysis.
• Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (BCECC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized the China-Europe Renewable Energy Industry Forum at CBTC in April 2024.
• China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized the China-Europe Renewable Energy Industry Forum at CBTC in April 2024.
• FCPAE (Federation of Chinese Professional Associations in Europe)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBTC co-hosted the 14th FCPAE European Forum and 5th China-Belgium Science & Technology Exchange Symposium in October 2023 with ACPB.
• ACPB (Association of Chinese Professionals in Belgium)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBTC co-hosted the 5th China-Belgium Science & Technology Exchange Symposium with ACPB, which served as the rotating chair of FCPAE for 2023.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cbtc-uieurope

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries12 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 CBTC