iES!

iES! is an incubator for social economy entrepreneurship in Wallonia, Belgium. It acts as a single entry point for people and organizations that want to create or develop a social enterprise, combining guidance, training, incubation, networking, and practical resources in one place. The organization positions itself as a supportive partner throughout the entrepreneurial journey, from early-stage project design to business development. Its mission is to help social economy actors structure their projects, strengthen their governance and strategy, and connect with the wider ecosystem in Wallonia. iES! presents social economy as a way of doing business that puts people and social usefulness at the center, while remaining economically viable. It emphasizes democratic governance, collective action, and a more ethical and responsible economy as the basis for the projects it supports. Key Offerings Incubation programs : Collective incubation pathways tailored to the stage of the project, including a launch program for early-stage social enterprise founders and a development program for established social enterprises. Training sessions : Targeted training courses for social economy entrepreneurs and teams, covering topics such as strategy, finance, administration, and other practical management needs. Entrepreneurship resources : A guide and resource hub with tools and information on strategy, financing, legal structure, governance, impact, and digitalization. Networking events : Events and meetups designed to create exchanges, peer learning, inspiration, and connections within the social economy ecosystem. Coworking space : A workspace in Liège where entrepreneurs can work on their projects in a supportive and convivial environment. Core Values Collective action : iES! sees collaboration, cooperation, participation, and sharing as foundational to building social economy projects and a common vision. Vision and innovation : The organization promotes a creative, disruptive, and ambitious approach to social economy entrepreneurship, aiming to open new paths rather than follow conventional models. Optimism : iES! frames social economy as a practical way to build a better future through joint action for the common good. Consistency : It stresses alignment between principles and actions, both in its own work and in the enterprises it supports, with attention to ethics and social responsibility. Unique Aspects Single-entry-point role in Wallonia : iES! presents itself as a unique gateway for social economy entrepreneurship in Wallonia, bringing together guidance, incubation, training, tools, and ecosystem orientation. Strong ecosystem links : Its programs are built in partnership with a network of Walloon social economy agencies and actors, helping projects access specialized expertise and the right support at the right time. Two-stage incubation offer : iES! distinguishes between a launch pathway for new projects and a development pathway for existing social enterprises, allowing support to match the project lifecycle. Broad thematic resource hub : Beyond direct support, iES! curates practical resources on strategy, financing, legal matters, governance, impact, and digitalization, making it both an incubator and an information platform.