Tuesday’s sold-out event dedicated to innovative start-ups certainly lived up to expectations. Technoport was packed to the rafters with guests ready to party! Over 500 entrepreneurs, start-ups, and members of business incubators and accelerators came along to discover the latest tech from the region’s start-ups and take part in the evening’s activities.

Over the course of this festive night celebrating the geeky side of the start-up ecosystem, guests were able to test out cutting-edge innovations from virtual reality experts Virtual Rangers, VR World One and VR-Land, and take a sneak peek at Mu Design’s latest prototype “Lua”: a flowerpot that turns into a virtual pet! A little further along, Keymitt’s smart lock attracted the more curious minds, as did innovations from Lion Nano System, ARSPECTRA, Polaar Energy and Firis. For the first time, a French Tech East space was also set up especially for start-ups from the east of France. Different companies were on show, such as CockpIT and its application for construction professionals, Gowork&Co and its coworking spaces in hotels and restaurants, Chrono-Caisse and its touch-screen cash register, Aqoona, Fair&Smart amongst others.

Robots were in the spotlight this year, with a robotics competition organised by Planète Sciences and PM-Robotix: this impressive and exciting display showcased a combination of both technology and passion.

A thrilling escape game orchestrated by 216K, simulation games, cosplay demonstrations and activities organised by LuxCon and 11F Gaming were also on the agenda at this quirky, gourmet night.

“Celebrating the entire start-up ecosystem”

In 2016, BIL organised the very first Startuppers Night. After a successful first few years, the bank decided to make it an annual event, dedicated to innovative companies and start-ups.

For Pierre-Olivier Rotheval, Head of Marketing and Innovation at BIL, “The evening offers the entire Luxembourgish start-up community the chance to celebrate their ecosystem in a completely different environment. While most events are centred around pitches and round tables, Startuppers Night takes a different approach. The idea is to get to know each other, relax and have fun. Entrepreneurs can discuss their latest round of fund-raising over a cocktail, then test their reflexes on a vintage arcade game. The event is just like the community: innovative, fun, open and geeky!

BIL is deeply committed to working alongside start-ups. Providing them with support and making connections are part of our core values. So it was only natural that we would organise an opportunity for them to let their hair down in their own special way.”

Startuppers Night reflects BIL’s continued commitment to the local innovation ecosystem. It supports business accelerators and incubators like Technoport, Paul Wurth InCub, InnoHub, Nyuko and co-working space The Office. BIL is a stakeholder in the Digital Tech Fund set up by the Ministry of the Economy in 2016, and in July 2015 it became the first Luxembourg bank to sign the InnovFin guarantee agreement for innovative SMEs as part of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).

The undeniable success of this fourth event once again confirms the positive energy driving entrepreneurs and the region’s ecosystem!

Very soon, you will be able to take a look at all the photos from the event at www.bil.com/startuppers-night