The new "innoclub" brings start-ups and established companies together. The "Clubhouse" in the Technology Center will become the new center for networking science and Business Studies. The "innoclub" is also supported by Fachhochschule Dortmund.
Everyone involved agrees: Business Studies has been waiting for a format like this. The "innoclub" has been open since January 24. Around 130 guests attended the opening event in the 300 square meter rooms - the "Clubhouse" - at the TechnologieZentrumDortmund (TZDo), including NRW Science Minister Ina Brandes, IHK Managing Director Stefan Schreiber, Heike Marzen, Managing Director of Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund, Prof. Manfred Bayer, Rector of TU Dortmund University, Prof. Tamara Appel, Rector of Fachhochschule Dortmund, and Prof. Kai Rommel, Vice President Research at ISM.
"I am delighted that the innoclub is bringing science and Business Studies even closer together in Dortmund. The networking will help both universities and start-ups as well as established companies to develop new innovations and accelerate the transfer from research to application. I congratulate everyone involved and look forward to the positive results for our city and beyond," says Ina Brandes.
The innoclub, which was launched by the Dortmund Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Dortmund Economic Development Corporation, Dortmund University of Technology, Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts and the International School of Management (ISM), is pursuing precisely these ambitious goals. "We are very encouraged by the great response from Business Studies. With the innoclub, we are creating an exclusive network to strengthen innovation in Dortmund and the Westphalian Ruhr region," says Stefan Schreiber.
Voices of the initiators
Business Development - "With the innoclub, we are creating a new instrument that will further drive the transformation of Dortmund's Business Studies and accelerate innovation in and from our city," says Heike Marzen, Managing Director of Dortmund Business Development.
FachhochschuleDortmund - "As a university of applied sciences, knowledge transfer and business start-ups from science are part of our Fachhochschule Dortmund DNA. At the same time, we provide sustainable impetus for the city and the region. For us, the innoclub represents a significant enrichment of the Dortmund start-up ecosystem," explains Prof. Tamara Appel.
TU Dortmund University - Prof. Manfred Bayer adds: "The innoclub combines our proven start-up programs at TU Dortmund University with a strong network of Dortmund partners. In this way, we are creating another important building block for the region's innovation landscape and continuing the established contact point at TZDo for start-ups."
International School of Management - "As a private university of applied sciences with international AACSB accreditation, ISM is impressed by the great interest shown in innoclub by the Dortmund start-up scene and local companies. We expect this to be a lasting benefit for the region and look forward to continuing to contribute our expertise, networks and project experience to the innoclub's start-up support," says Prof. Kai Rommel.
How does the exchange in the innoclub work?
In the innoclub, SMEs and corporations meet a curated selection of excellent start-ups to inspire each other and share experience, knowledge, skills and resources. To this end, "Corporate Partners" on the one hand and "Start-up Partners" on the other are part of the club. The rooms in the TZDO - the "Clubhouse" - benefit from the proximity to innovative companies and excellent research and science. The Clubhouse provides coworking, meeting rooms and office space for the start-ups. All exclusive events also take place there.
Prof. Dr. Tamara Appel, Rector of Fachhochschule DortmundFor us, the innoclub represents a significant enrichment of the start-up ecosystem in Dortmund.
What opportunities are there to get involved?
Start-up partners must apply for admission to the club. Only the best start-ups are accepted. The target group is mature start-ups that already have several employees and are active on the market. In the first year, accepted start-ups receive a wide range of support, as in a classic
accelerator, they receive a variety of services to help them grow at the location. They have 10,000 euros at their disposal, which they can invest individually in counseling, office space or national/international travel and trade fair appearances, for example. They also receive mentoring and exclusive events via the innoclub.
Corporate partners must pay an annual fee for their participation, which varies depending on the size of the company and the service package. The benefits for companies and reasons for getting involved are many and varied:
- On the cutting edge: companies get access to the latest technological trends and innovations right on their doorstep to broaden their horizons and transfer new ideas.
- Exclusive exchange: In various formats, companies come into contact with start-ups and innovation managers from other companies and exchange ideas in an atmosphere of trust.
- Visibility/marketing: As an innoclub partner, you position yourself as an innovative, attractive company to other companies and future employees.
- Support for the region: By making their own contribution, companies help start-ups to grow in concrete terms and thus support the start-up and innovation ecosystem in the region.
What do innoclub members already say?
The concept is catching on. More than 20 established companies and start-ups are already on board. Among them is the VAHLE Group, headquartered in Kamen, a global system provider for mobile industrial applications. VAHLE has made a name for itself as a specialist for flexible energy and data transmission, positioning and control. The company's main target sectors include intralogistics, crane technology, automotive production, port technology and other industries.
"Our involvement in the innoclub offers us the opportunity to further develop our innovative strength in a targeted manner and at the same time expand our network in one of the most dynamic regions in Germany," explains Achim Dries, CEO of the VAHLE Group. "We see the innoclub as an ideal platform for providing new impetus together with other companies and start-ups and for creating innovative solutions through the exchange of knowledge, resources and experience. Together with our experts, mentors and partners, we want to promote promising technologies and ideas that will make a positive contribution to society in the long term."
Ralf Sturhan, who founded Cybersense together with Sebastian Struwe in the Technology Park at TU Dortmund University in 2021, also emphasizes the special network character of the innoclub. The start-up, which currently has 20 employees, develops cybersecurity software and is one of the first start-ups to make it into the new network. Sturhan: "We are delighted to be part of innoclub right from the start. We were immediately impressed by the concept - especially because it is different from traditional accelerator programs. For start-ups like us, who already have a finished product on the market, this is a great opportunity to exchange ideas with other innovators and move forward together. We are excited to see what new impulses and connections will be created here."