How to build a business network in Luxembourg as an international founder

Jenny Hällen Hedberg has spent six years as Head of International Business Relationships at Luxinnovation helping innovative international companies find their footing in Luxembourg. One question she hears very often is: how do I actually meet the right people? And how do I get to know them when I don’t speak the local language?

“Luxembourg is a multilingual country – speaking three or four different languages is common here – but networking is almost always done in English,” Jenny reassures.

Find your community: start networking in Luxembourg’s incubators and institutions

Her number one piece of advice to start establishing your network is simple: don’t isolate yourself. Renting a desk or an office in an incubator is a good starting point. You immediately become part of a community of entrepreneurs and can benefit from events and support to get in contact with potential clients and partners. “In my experience, companies that start their Luxembourg journey in an incubator such as Technoport or the Luxembourg City Incubator have a high success rate.”

The second action point she recommends often surprises people: call a ministry. “Officials are open to discussing with innovative businesses that fit into our economic fabric and can provide helpful guidance. We can introduce you to the right people to speak to.”

In my experience, companies that start their Luxembourg journey in an incubator have a high success rate.
Jenny Hällen Hedberg, Luxinnovation

Establishing contacts with major corporates can be more challenging, but Jenny and her colleagues are willing to help. “Most companies that come to Luxembourg have a proof of concept (PoC) or collaboration project with a partner here in mind – that’s a good way to start your business. We can facilitate the search for and introductions to potential partners.”

Business events and trade missions: where connections actually happen

No matter how busy you are with starting your Luxembourg operations, take time to attend business events. Your options range from major international summits such as Nexus Luxembourg, SCynergy and the Luxembourg Venture Days to niche workshops and information sessions where you can both gain knowledge and meet key people. “This is what Luxembourg thrives on,” Jenny points out.

For several days, you travel with global corporates, startups, scaleups and officials. Few other countries offer similar opportunities.
Jenny Hällen Hedberg, Luxinnovation

Once your company has been incorporated in Luxembourg, you can also join international trade missions organised by the Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. This is a great way of exploring new markets – but the most valuable business relationships are often formed within the Luxembourg delegation itself.

“For several days, you travel with global corporates, startups, scaleups and officials. You have plenty of time to get to know key decision makers,” Jenny explains. “Few other countries offer similar opportunities.”

Three networking principles that decide whether it works

Luxembourg is small, which means the network is finite and reputation travels fast. "You have to work really hard to establish yourself here," Jenny says. "But if you put in the effort, you can be very successful.”

She notes that people in the business community are willing to help each other and introduce newcomers further. “Luxembourg is open, international and accessible. There is a strong culture of collaboration.”

To make the most of this, she suggests the following:

• Move fast when the door opens. In Luxembourg, your network is key to help you find new opportunities. When they appear, be ready to act.
• Adapt the product. What sells at home may not sell here. Founders who treat European requirements as a translation exercise rather than a redesign tend to stall.
• Rethink the default. Your team, clients and partners will come from a dozen countries. The business culture you arrive with is one option among many, not the baseline. Be open-minded about working in new ways.

There’s one more essential point: think further than just your own business. “Show your contacts that you are not just out for your own good, but that you have a win-win mentality in your dealings with them,” Jenny says. “Once you are in a new country, you are outside your comfort zone and can’t fall back on your reputation. Your personality is central to success.”

Support to build your Luxembourg network

Jenny points out that in some countries, business introductions come with a hefty price tag. In Luxembourg, innovative companies can benefit from the support of Luxinnovation (the national innovation agency), the Chamber of Commerce and the ministries. “Make sure that you benefit. You can contact us at any time.”

Luxembourg won't hand you a network. But it's small enough that you can build one in months rather than years – and there are people who can help you accelerate.