Tomorrowland organiser opens Flanders' first innovation hub

The organisation behind the Tomorrowland music festival, WEAREONE.world, has opened the Lab of Tomorrow in Boom. It is the first innovation centre in Flanders, intended to strengthen the link between entertainment and technology

Located near the festival site, the building offers 3,000 square metres of space for offices, meeting rooms and studios. The aim is to support young companies, researchers and creatives working in the field of entertainment and technology through an accelerator programme and shared infrastructure.

The facility includes six studios with advanced equipment for lighting design, post-production and related disciplines. In addition to hosting start-ups and scale-ups, the Lab of Tomorrow will offer workshops, networking opportunities and masterclasses open to artists, academics and industry professionals.

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ET Valley

Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele said the Lab is an early step toward Flanders' goal of creating an 'Entertainment Technology (ET) Valley' in the Rupel region. That should turn the are into a focal point for the creative and technological sectors.

"We are investing not just in infrastructure, but in the future of our creative and technology sectors," Diependaele said. "This is a place where talent flourishes and where technology, entrepreneurship and creativity converge. Our region is an absolute pioneer and leader in Europe in terms of innovation."

The ET Valley concept is based on five pillars: ecological, cultural, economic, social and educational. Organisers hope the initiative will evolve into a major Flemish innovation driver under the recently launched Flanders Technology & Innovation (FTI) programme.

Funding for the project includes approximately 1 million euro from the EU, 2.7 million euro from Flanders, and nearly 8 million euro from the private sector. Within three years, the Lab is expected to generate up to 150 direct and 250 indirect jobs.

^{#FlandersNewsService | PHOTO © Lab of Tomorrow}

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