W.Alter

About W.Alter

W.ALTER is a public financial partner for social and cooperative economy projects in Wallonia. It supports entrepreneurs and cooperatives from the earliest idea stage through creation and growth, with financing solutions adapted to each project’s development stage and needs.

The company positions itself as an alternative to traditional finance for businesses that put social purpose, collective governance, and local impact first. Beyond capital, it also provides project challenge, expertise, and networking to help social enterprises build on solid foundations and develop over time.

Core Values

• Human-centered economy: W.ALTER backs businesses that place people, social purpose, and collective benefit ahead of profit maximization.
• Durability and resilience: It promotes projects that strengthen a more local, resilient, and sustainable Walloon economy.
• Cooperation and democracy: The company values collective ownership, participatory governance, and the cooperative model as a way to share risk and decision-making.
• Long-term accompaniment: W.ALTER emphasizes being present throughout the project lifecycle, not only at the moment of financing.

Unique Aspects

• Public specialist in social-economy finance: Created by the Walloon Government and partners in 1995, W.ALTER has nearly 30 years of experience financing social and cooperative enterprises.
• Part of Wallonie Entreprendre: Since 1 January 2023, W.ALTER has been part of the Wallonie Entreprendre group, the Walloon economic and financial tool for businesses.
• Deep portfolio experience: The company says it has handled more than 650 files and financed hundreds of enterprises, giving it specific expertise in cooperative and social-economy financing.
• Ecosystem-building role: W.ALTER also helped launch iES!, the Walloon social-economy incubator, reinforcing its role as a connector and enabler for the sector.