Belgium has long been known for chocolate, beer, and castles. Now, Wallonia - the Southern, French-speaking part of the country - is also emerging as the high-tech heart of Europe.

Capitalizing on this trend, Wallonia's Agency for Export and Investment (AWEX) has recently launched WalloniaTech, a new program designed to assist international startups looking for strategic alliances, capital and networking in Europe, the world's second largest technology marketplace.