Since 2006, Hinicio has been charting a bold and sustainable path. Headquartered in Brussels, the company advises businesses, industries, investors and public institutions across four continents. Following successful expansions to Paris, Rotterdam, and Washington, D.C., Hinicio is now deepening its footprint in Latin America, with Chile serving as a strategic hub. This global growth trajectory has been closely supported by hub.brussels.
“Nothing is permanent except change.” Heraclitus said it; Hinicio lives it. From day one, the fearless startup boldly entered the field of energy transition. At the time, it was a pioneer in what was still a niche sector: low-carbon hydrogen and synthetic fuels (e-fuels). Nearly two decades later, much of the world has caught up with this vision. Hinicio, meanwhile, continues to lead the way – with over 900 projects in 45 countries.
Patrick Maio: the visionary behind Hinicio
Hinicio’s driving force is Patrick Maio — a leading voice in Europe’s sustainable energy landscape. An electrical engineer with an MBA in international strategy and finance, he brings 25 years of experience in renewable energy, mobility and climate-related sectors. Maio serves on the boards of several renewable energy companies in Europe and Latin America, and is also a trusted expert for both the European Parliament and the European Commission.
Headquartered in Brussels: an obvious choice
As the heart of Europe, home to its institutions and a pool of diverse talent, Brussels quickly emerged as the natural choice for Hinicio’s headquarters. “Brussels is the decision-making centre for European energy and climate policy. It also offers a wealth of human capital, language skills and expertise. From here, you can reach all of Europe – the decision was easy!”
hub.brussels supported Hinicio from the very beginning, helping the company grow its roots in Brussels before expanding to Paris and Rotterdam., … but its international ambitions didn’t stop there. “Thinking globally is part of Hinicio’s DNA,” explains Patrick Maio. “hub.brussels provided concrete support – helping us find the right contacts, structure our approach and secure funding. Their teams understand the unique challenges faced by SMEs that export.”
Expanding in every direction
After establishing itself in Europe, Hinicio turned to South America. In 2015, it opened an office in Bogotá and soon after signed strategic commercial agreements in Asia and the MENA region.
“When you start expanding abroad, every bit of support counts. The prospecting missions funded by the Brussels Region helped us access the right networks at just the right time.”
Hinicio later set up a presence in Washington D.C., contributing to U.S. federal energy policies and projects.
From the old continent to the new world
In 2024, Hinicio reached a new milestone with the acquisition of its long-time partner in Chile. This strategic move not only strengthened its expertise and legitimacy but also accounts for 20 to 25% of the company’s revenue. The Santiago office has since become a regional hub and gateway to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.
In June 2025, Hinicio took part in the Belgian State Visit to Chile, led by Minister-President Rudi Vervoort. It was a unique opportunity to highlight the success of a Brussels-based company making a global impact in a country where green hydrogen is a national priority.
On the horizon: new partnerships, greater visibility with political stakeholders and further consolidation of Hinicio’s status as a leading expert in the global hydrogen sector.
Hinicio’s message is straightforward: a Brussels-based SME with the capacity to support major industrial projects, guided by a long-term vision and strong local roots.