What Wintercircus Ghent does

Wintercircus Ghent (operated by TENT BV, Belgian enterprise number BE0801426074) is a 15,000m² technology hub, innovation ecosystem, and event venue housed in a revamped historic building in central Ghent (Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 11). The company was officially opened in 2024 and combines four integrated business lines under one roof: the Startup Campus, which hosts 35-36 early-stage tech startups across multiple building levels in Private Offices, Team Desks, and Flex Desks on year or month-to-month contracts; the Collective, a curated individual membership network of 1,500+ changemakers with annual tiers at €1,200 (Regular), €900 (NextGen under-30) and free Wildcard; the Academy, which delivers educational programs (Engineering Leadership Program, Growth by Design at €7,000/€6,000, Scaling Readiness, and AI Camp for Kids at €315) in partnership with Vlerick Business School, Winning by Design, N8N, Vasco, and CodeFever; and OverMorgen, a public thinking platform hosting triannual debates on technology and society. The facility generates additional revenue through venue rentals across seven configurable event spaces (Arena 680m² up to 850 standing, Grand Expo 300m², Auditorium & Foyer 400m², Inner Circle 175m², Boardroom 20m², Meeting Rooms 30m², Club Wintercircus 295m² up to 600 standing) and through six on-site food and beverage venues (Bar Bougie, Rooftop Bar Bassie, Tribune, Sakas by Chef Yoshi, Bakker Klaas, Studio Mario) with Sircus Catering as exclusive event caterer.

The business model is hybrid: subscription-recurring revenue from Collective memberships and Startup Campus rentals (with two-month security deposits and three-month notice on annual contracts) is complemented by transactional venue rentals, F&B sales, and unit-priced Academy programs eligible for the Belgian KMO-portefeuille SME subsidy. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with curated application processes for both the Collective and Startup Campus, weekly programming, an OverMorgen debate series, and brand amplification via founding partners including the founders of Showpad, Silverfin, Itineris, Deliverect, and Anacura. The company operates exclusively in Ghent/Flanders, Belgium, with no disclosed expansion outside Belgium.

As of April 1, 2026, the company is led by Dorien Van Steenberge (CEO and CTO), who succeeded co-founder Louis Jonckheere. Core operations are organized into Events, Community, Operations, Studio, Technology, Solo, and Hospitality divisions with approximately 35+ named employees. Strategic partnerships extend to Voka Oost-Vlaanderen, Stad Gent, UGent, KU Leuven, Imec, IJV-IFAS, Belfius, Eneco, De Tijd, and several ecosystem partners (Quindo, Impact Shakers, Ekoli, Demain, Nerlab). No public listing, external funding rounds, or institutional equity investment are disclosed; the entity appears founder-owned.

Name

Wintercircus Ghent

Legal name

TENT BV

Website

https://wintercircus.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wintercircus Ghent is a 15,000m² technology hub in central Ghent operating a Startup Campus for 35+ early-stage tech startups, a 1,500+ member Collective of entrepreneurs and changemakers, an Academy of executive education programs, and seven event venues with six food and beverage outlets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Innovation Hub and Coworking

akta.pro primary industry

Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues (THAHAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Educational & Edutainment Parks (Science/Discovery/Children’s Parks) (THAJAEAG)

Keywords

• Innovation hub
• Startup coworking
• Event venue rental
• Tech ecosystem membership
• Hospitality venue Ghent

Headquarters

HQ city

Ghent

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Collective Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees for individual changemakers providing access to coworking spaces, events, gym facilities, meeting rooms, and partner discounts. Membership tiers include Regular (€1,200/year), NextGen under-30 (€900/year), and Wildcard (free for those in need).
2. Startup Campus Resident Fees: Monthly/annual fees for early-stage tech startups occupying Private Offices, Team Desks, or Flex Desks within the campus. Private Offices and Team Desks operate on year contracts with 3-month notice; Flex Desks are month-to-month.
3. Event Space Rentals: Revenue from renting out event venues including the Arena (680m²), Grand Expo, Auditorium & Foyer, Inner Circle, Boardroom, Meeting Rooms, and Club Wintercircus. Catering exclusively through partner Sircus Catering.
4. Food & Beverage Operations: On-site food and beverage venues including Bar Bougie (cafe in former car workshop), Rooftop Bar Bassie, Tribune restaurant, Sakas by Chef Yoshi, Bakker Klaas bakery, and Studio Mario (evening pizza). Revenue from food and beverage sales to visitors and members.
5. Wintercircus Academy Programs: Educational programs including the Engineering Leadership Program (10 monthly sessions), Growth by Design (7 weekly days), and Scaling Readiness Program (2-day bootcamp). Programs delivered in partnership with Vlerick Business School. Eligible for KMO-portefeuille subsidies (30% discount for SMEs).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Wintercircus Ghent is a 15,000m² technology hub and innovation ecosystem housed in a renovated historic circus arena in central Ghent, Belgium. It operates the Startup Campus coworking space for 35+ early-stage tech startups, the Collective membership community of 1,500+ entrepreneurs, the Academy educational programs in partnership with Vlerick Business School, multiple event venues for rent, and seven on-site food & beverage venues. The facility is operated by TENT BV and combines workspace, hospitality, education, and public programming under one roof.

Product overview

Wintercircus Ghent is a technology hub and event venue in Ghent, Belgium, comprising multiple integrated offerings: the Startup Campus (co-working for 35+ early-stage tech startups), the Collective (membership network for entrepreneurs with over 1,500 members), the Academy (educational programs with Vlerick Business School), and OverMorgen (public debate platform). The venue offers diverse event spaces including the Arena (680m²), Grand Expo, Auditorium, Inner Circle, Boardroom, Meeting Rooms, and Club Wintercircus. Food and beverage venues include Bar Bougie, Rooftop Bar Bassie, Tribune, Sakas, Bakker Klaas, and Studio Mario. Catering is provided exclusively through Sircus Catering. Educational offerings include the Engineering Leadership Program, Growth by Design Program, and AI Camps for Kids. The 15,000m² facility is a revamped circus arena and former car garage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wintercircus Arena: Public city square and events venue within Wintercircus, transformed from an old circus arena and former car garage
• Wintercircus Collective
• Wintercircus Academy
• OverMorgen
• Club Wintercircus
• Bar Bougie
• Rooftop Bar Bassie
• Tribune
• Sakas by Chef Yoshi
• Bakker Klaas
• Studio Mario
• Sircus Catering

Products and services

• Startup Campus A startup campus encircling the Arena across multiple levels of Wintercircus, hosting over 35 early-stage tech startups at the cutting edge of technology. Offers coworking spaces including Private Offices (teams of 5-15), Team Desks for startup teams, and Flex Desks for individuals on month-to-month terms, with fast internet, coffee/tea/water, meeting rooms, and network access. Selection via jury evaluation with live pitches.
• Collective A curated membership network of 1,500+ entrepreneurial minds and forward-thinkers offering co-working access (weekdays 8am-8pm), curated events program, gym access at member rates, meeting rooms at member rates, hospitality discounts, and external partner discounts. Three tiers: Regular €1,200/year (30+), NextGen €900/year (under 30), and Wildcard (free for those in need).
• Academy Educational programs delivered in partnership with Vlerick Business School, including the Engineering Leadership Program (10 monthly sessions), Growth by Design Program (7 weekly days), and Scaling Readiness Program (2-day bootcamp). Programs combine academic frameworks with real-world tech industry cases. Eligible for KMO-portefeuille subsidies (30% discount for SMEs).
• OverMorgen A public thinking platform by Wintercircus that organizes debates three times per year on the impact of technology on society, bringing together voices from policy, technology, and science.
• Arena A 680m² central public square and event space accommodating up to 850 standing or 600 theater setup, suitable for conferences, product launches, award shows, epic dinners, and hospitality events. Catering exclusively through Sircus Catering.
• Grand Expo A 300m² multifunctional space on the ground floor with capacity for 250 guests, suitable for lectures, art exhibitions, workshops, trainings, and breakout sessions.
• Auditorium & Foyer A 400m² venue with advanced audio and video technology, offering views of the Arena. Suitable for presentations, performances, and conferences for up to 100 people in theater setup.
• Inner Circle A 175m² cozy event space in the heart of the Arena, ideal for afterwork drinks, conferences, epic dinners, and hospitality, accommodating up to 160 standing.
• Boardroom A 20m² luxury meeting room suitable for board meetings, lunch or dinner gatherings, accommodating up to 20 seated.
• Meeting Rooms Meeting rooms located on level -1 equipped with modern facilities, suitable for team sessions, brainstorms, and interactive workshops for up to 12 people.
• Club Wintercircus An underground club venue with impressive sound system and stunning audiovisual effects, spanning 295m² and accommodating up to 600 standing. Suitable for keynotes, immersive gatherings, ceremonies, and conference after-parties.
• Bar Bougie A 250m² café located in the former car workshop of Wintercircus serving seasonal cocktails, local brews, homemade lemonades, and coffee. Capacity for up to 100 standing or 65 seated. Available for private event rental exclusively through in-house catering.
• Rooftop Bar Bassie A rooftop bar on level +4 offering panoramic views over Ghent, serving cocktails, mocktails, craft beers, artisanal wines, and bar bites. Open afternoons and evenings.
• Tribune A restaurant on the top floor of Wintercircus serving seasonal dishes with views over the city and the Arena.
• Sakas by Chef Yoshi Japanese restaurant offering authentic Japanese cuisine, including izakaya hand rolls, sashimi, and homemade drinks.
• Bakker Klaas Bakery producing daily fresh sourdough bread with rich flavor and crispy crust, also offering breakfast, brunch, and lunch options.
• Studio Mario Wood-fired sourdough pizza venue operating in the evenings, transforming the Bakker Klaas space into a pizza restaurant after bakery hours.
• Sircus Catering Exclusive catering partner for all Wintercircus events, focusing on local and seasonal products. Offers both walking and seated formulas ranging from informal networking drinks to seated dinners for 200 guests. Also operates Bar Bassie and Tribune venues.
• AI Camp for Kids Creative summer camps for children aged 10-13 where they learn about AI technology by building their own AI Escape Room. Offered in partnership with CodeFever, which provides professional teachers and assistants. Maximum 60 children per camp with 1:5 teacher ratio. €315 for 5 days; social rate €157.50 (50% discount).

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vlerick Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for Wintercircus Academy educational programs. Combines academic frameworks with real-world tech industry cases from the Wintercircus network. Programs include Engineering Leadership Program and Growth by Design.
• Voka Kamer van Koophandel Oost-VlaanderencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner and Chamber of Commerce representing East Flanders business community. Supports the Wintercircus innovation ecosystem.
• Stad Gent (City of Ghent)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner and municipal government. Supports Wintercircus as a key initiative for Ghent's innovation and cultural development.
• Universiteit GentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner and major university in Ghent. Provides academic connections, talent pipeline, and research collaboration opportunities.
• KU LeuvencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner and leading Belgian university. Contributes academic expertise and connections to the innovation ecosystem.
• ImeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner and world-leading research institute in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. Provides tech expertise and innovation connections.
• IJV-IFASminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner supporting the Wintercircus ecosystem.
• BelfiusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial services partner and sponsor of Wintercircus events and activities.
• EnecominorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnergy partner supporting Wintercircus sustainability initiatives.
• De TijdminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBelgian financial newspaper partner for media and thought leadership content.
• QuindominorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in the Collective ecosystem, contributing to the diverse and inspiring community.
• Impact ShakersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner bringing social impact focus to the Collective community.
• EkoliminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner providing sustainable mobility solutions for Wintercircus community.
• DemainminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner contributing to the cultural and societal impact dimension of Wintercircus Collective.
• NerlabminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in the creative and innovation space for the Wintercircus community.
• Sircus CateringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive catering partner for all Wintercircus events. Knows the building inside and out, guaranteeing quality, efficiency, and seamless coordination. Also operates Bar Bassie and Tribune venues.
• CodeFeverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for AI camps for kids (ages 10-13). CodeFever provides professional teachers and assistants for 5-day AI Escape Room camps held at Wintercircus. Maximum 60 children per camp with 1:5 ratio.
• Winning by DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal expertise partner for Growth by Design Academy program. Provides revenue architecture and growth system design expertise alongside Wintercircus Academy.
• LighthouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering Leadership Program supporter and company with team membership at Wintercircus. Co-founded by Matthias Geeroms.
• SeatGeekminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering Leadership Program supporter, contributing industry expertise to the program.
• itsmeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering Leadership Program supporter. CEO Stephanie De Bruyne serves on the Startup Campus jury.
• In the PocketminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering Leadership Program supporter and company with team membership at Wintercircus. Founded by Jeroen Lemaire.
• ShowpadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering Leadership Program supporter. Founded by Louis Jonckheere (former CEO of Wintercircus) and Pieterjan Bouten.
• Gentse GidsenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for Saturday guided tours of Wintercircus for groups up to 20 persons.
• GandanteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for Saturday guided tours of Wintercircus for groups up to 20 persons.
• TechWolfminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-Founder & COO Mikaël Wornoo serves on the Startup Campus jury, evaluating pitches.
• AcquiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-Founder & CTO Dries Buytaert serves on the Startup Campus jury, contributing tech industry expertise.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/barbougie.wintercircus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wintercircusghent

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Wintercircus Ghent