About Upgrade Estate
Business as usual is not for us
As passionate and determined entrepreneurs, we are building a well thought-out concept: housing for students, young professionals and companies. This with a unique integrated management and absolute focus on social & societal added value. We strive daily to increase our social impact in a value-driven context.
Nele Van Damme & Koenraad Belsack
Founders & believers of Upgrade Estate
The members of the Management Team are committed to implementing the company's strategy and acting in accordance with its vision and values.
40%
Returning
investors
11
Partnerships with
educational institutions
+120
Proud
employees
How it all started
1999
Food truck at
the Gentse Feesten
Upgrade Estate was born as a business of (life & business) partners Koenraad Belsack and Nele Van Damme. They used the profit from their food truck with Keizer Karel Bread as a financial leverage to buy an old house and convert it into six student rooms. But it tasted like more...
2000
Spaghetti as a
connector
From the start, Nele and Koenraad connected with their tenants during the famous "spaghetti nights". It was immediately clear that students develop a network for life. The student room itself was only the decor. Letting students connect in the common areas became a mission.
2012
Our concept
was established
Nele & Koenraad started their business in Ghent, where the number of students increased massively in a short time. It meant that they had to learn to think on a different scale. To be able to continually meet the quality requirements that student housing demands, they developed a first Upkot project in Ghent where they could combine everything: creating a community feeling through lovely, shared spaces in a sustainable context. Upkot was born...
2018
Go Your Own Way
Graduated Upkotters can now move into Upliving. We are happy to give them a kick-start in their professional career in a pleasant living environment.
2021
Good vibes only
Launch of Upoffiz, because companies also have certain accommodation needs that we meet with this state-of-the-art office concept.
Our logo,
our pilars
Our employees drive our business. They afford us the opportunity to enter other markets in the future and to expand as a business. Their enthusiasm has a positive impact on customer and tenant satisfaction.
Connection &
Community
Project development
& sales
Sustainable
energy solutions
& tenant awareness
Construction manager |
contractor | study
Great Place To Work
In 2025, we achieved the Great Place To Work certification for the fourth time. We are already awarded twice as Best Workplace. For us, participation goes beyond recognition: it provides valuable input from employees to strengthen our corporate culture.Would you like to get a taste of our culture and values?
Great Place To Work Certified 2025 - 2026 | Charter Duurzaam Ondernemen 2024 | Expo real Impact Awards 2024 | Realty Awards 2024 | Hartelijke verhuurder 2024 | Work Beats 2024 | Sustainability Professional 2022 | SDG Ambassador | SDG Pioneer | SDG Champion | KMO van het Jaar 2019 | Oost-Vlaamse Jonge Ondernemer van het jaar JCI | Duurzaam bosbeheer | Best Finance Team SME 2018 | Real Estate Awards 2019
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