Besides Maserati, Granstudio’s portfolio includes various other impressive names. A few years ago, for example, the company designed the first family car featuring solar panels for Dutch company Lightyear. And for the 80th anniversary of renowned Italian race car manufacturer Gian Paolo Dallara, Granstudio designed the Dallara Stradale sports car, which often prompts “Bella!” as a reaction in the Italian streets. 

But Granstudio does more than just design sleek cars. “We work on innovative vehicles and mobility plans on an urban scale,” explains Lowie Vermeersch, CEO of Granstudio. In this respect, the company has designed Digiphy, a physical platform featuring car seats and a steering wheel on which 3D printed elements can be mounted to simulate a specific design. This is complemented by a virtual reality (VR) headset, in which an exact digital version of a car is shown. 

Granstudio’s journey to and in Flanders was made possible through the support of Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT). “Thanks to the helpfulness and trustworthiness of FIT employees Marleentje Verstreken and Peter Verplancken, we were able to learn about all the opportunities offered in a clear and concise way,” says Carlo Limongi, managing director at Granstudio. “They also put us in touch with the professionals needed for the preliminary study and later for the implementation of the plan.”

“Our investment project in Flanders became concrete through the acquisition of a digital start-up born in the Hangar K business incubator,” adds Vermeersch. “Hangar K is the glue that makes all the valuable elements we found in Flanders stick together, a cradle that facilitates the natural growth of a business ecosystem consisting of financial institutions, universities, large corporations and digital entrepreneurship.”