As Fit 4 Start celebrates its 10th anniversary, Luxembourg’s flagship accelerator is entering a new chapter, marked by a resurgence in international interest and a notable uptick in homegrown talent. With 420 applications received from 70 countries, the 2025 edition of the programme is not only setting records but also aligning with Luxembourg’s strategic emphasis on artificial intelligence, sustainability, and data-driven innovation.
Two of Luxinnovation’s startup relations advisors, Martin Guerin and Mickael Borger, shared insights into how the programme has evolved, the reasoning behind the launch of a new alumni network, and what’s driving the latest wave of startups to Luxembourg.
Reflecting on this year’s cohort, they noted a clear shift in the origin of candidates.
“It’s always difficult to compare two editions directly, as the nature of startups means the landscape evolves constantly with new trends and technologies,” said Guerin, adding: “That said, we’ve noticed a stronger presence of startups originally from Luxembourg this year, which reflects the growing maturity and quality of the local ecosystem.”
Behind the scenes, candidate selection is overseen by an independent committee of ecosystem players and programme partners. The selection criteria remain robust and targeted.
“While Luxinnovation provides guidance, the committee focuses on several core criteria: the level of innovation, the strength and commitment of the team, the scalability of the solution, and its relevance to Luxembourg’s priorities,” explained Borger. “The expertise of the committee members—each coming from relevant industries—is also a key factor in identifying high-potential startups. Solutions tackling global challenges or offering strong technological differentiation tend to stand out.”
In terms of themes and innovation, the latest application pool reflects broader global shifts in technology and investment focus.
Guerin said: “Yes, we’ve seen increased interest in areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainable technologies, and data-driven solutions across a variety of industries. These reflect broader market shifts and growing investor attention in these domains.”
This year also marks a return to pre-pandemic levels of international engagement.
Borger said: “We received 420 applications from around 70 countries — a level we haven’t reached since before the pandemic. The number of applications continues to rise steadily, confirming the programme’s international appeal and the growing visibility of Luxembourg as an innovation hub.”
But it’s not just about what happens during the programme. Fit 4 Start is thinking long-term. A new alumni network has been rolled out, intended to maintain strong connections and foster ongoing collaboration among past participants.
Guerin explained: “The alumni programme was launched to strengthen long-term engagement with former Fit 4 Start participants. Its key goals are to build a strong community, support continued learning, and offer opportunities for collaboration and visibility well beyond the duration of the programme.”
And there’s more than just goodwill behind the initiative — it offers tangible benefits including exclusive networking events, thematic sessions, and strategic introductions to relevant stakeholders such as investors, corporates, and ecosystem players.
Current participants also stand to benefit from this newly structured alumni engagement.
Borger said: “We consider alumni as active contributors to the ongoing success of the programme. Opportunities for engagement include peer-to-peer ‘parrainage,’ mentorship initiatives, joint events, and informal meetups — all designed to encourage exchange and cross-cohort collaboration.”
Over the years, Fit 4 Start has evolved significantly to stay in step with the changing needs of the startup world and Luxembourg’s own strategic objectives.
“Today, it’s not just a startup accelerator — it’s also a key instrument to implement Luxembourg’s national innovation strategy.”
Martin Guerin, Luxinnovation’s startup relations advisor
The introduction of sector-specific tracks such as HealthTech and Space reflects the country’s priorities in strategic technologies. Over time, the coaching methodology has been refined, and the engagement from the local ecosystem has strengthened.
The impact of the programme is visible through the many success stories of past participants, even if individual names remain under wraps.
Borger explained: “Many alumni have secured funding, expanded into international markets, or formed strategic partnerships. They have established a strong presence in Luxembourg, which is a key outcome for the ecosystem.”
And when it comes to measuring long-term success, Luxinnovation looks beyond the pitch decks and demo days. Indicators include company survival, job creation, fundraising rounds, and the maintenance of operations in Luxembourg. Guerin said “We track alumni progress via tools like Dealroom and through ongoing direct contact. Also, many former participants still proudly mention Fit 4 Start during their investor pitches or public appearances, which shows the programme’s strong reputation and benefits.”
On an international level, Fit 4 Start is seen as one of the country’s flagship initiatives for startups.
As Fit 4 Start enters its second decade, the accelerator continues to adapt to a changing startup environment, shaped by both local developments and international trends. With a growing focus on long-term engagement through its alumni network and an evolving programme structure, Fit 4 Start remains a key component of Luxembourg’s broader innovation strategy, supporting startups at different stages of their development.
