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Panoramic view on the North Campus © Jürgen Huhn​/​TU Dortmund
Start-up Funding

Innoclub Opens in TZDO

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In the foreground of the picture, part of an audience can be seen from behind. In the foreground on a raised platform are UAS Rector Prof. Tamara Appel, IHK Managing Director Stefan Schreiber, Managing Director of Business Development Heike Marzen, TU Rector Prof. Manfred Bayer and ISM Vice President Prof. Audrey Mehn. © IHK zu Dortmund​/​Stephan Schütze
At the opening of the innoclub, partners spoke about their commitment to supporting start-ups in Dortmund (from left to right, sitting): FH President Prof. Tamara Appel, IHK Chief Executive Officer Stefan Schreiber, Managing Director of the Dortmund Office for Economic Development Heike Marzen, TU Dortmund University President Prof. Manfred Bayer, and ISM Vice President Prof. Audrey Mehn.
Around 130 guests attended the opening event of the innoclub at the TechnologieZentrumDortmund (TZDO, TechnologyCenterDortmund) on 24 January. The project supports more mature start-ups on site and connects them with universities and companies in the region. Four of the first seven fellows are young companies from the university’s environment. The Center for Entrepreneurship and Transfer (CET) of TU Dortmund University participates in the new program to strengthen scientific start-ups.

Ina Brandes, Science Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia and Member of the State Parliament, also took part in the opening ceremony. She said: “I am very pleased that the innoclub brings science and business closer together in Dortmund. Networking will help universities, start-ups, and established companies develop new innovations and accelerate the transfer of research to application. I congratulate all involved and look forward to the positive outcomes for our city and beyond.”

Start-ups had to apply for membership in the innoclub. The program targets new companies with multiple employees that are already active in the market. As fellows, they receive funding of 10,000 euros in the first year and access to mentoring and exclusive events. The Clubhouse in the TZDO offers over 300 square meters of co-working spaces, meeting rooms, and offices. The first seven selected young companies include four tech-based spin-offs from TU Dortmund University: Building Information Cloud and Valoon, which offer different platforms to facilitate testing procedures and project communication in construction, respectively; SLAPstack, a logistics company selling software for rackless block bottom storage; and the IT start-up Ziya, which develops individual AI solutions and secured its membership through a convincing pitch at the opening event. The other three fellows are Cybersense, ANT Maschinen, and CUNA, operating in IT security, electric tractors, and reusable dishware sectors, respectively.

Cooperation partners supporting start-ups

Through networking with regional partners, start-ups have the chance to develop and grow further. They are supported by the Dortmund Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK zu Dortmund), the Dortmund Office for Economic Development, and the three major local universities: TU Dortmund University, Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts (FH Dortmund), and the International School of Management (ISM). Corporate partners include mid-sized companies and large corporations in the region, such as Audalis, Concisco, Diagramm Halbach, Green IT, Murtfeldt Group, Sparkasse Dortmund, Vahle, and Techniker Krankenkasse.

“The strong support from the business community encourages us greatly,” says Stefan Schreiber, CEO of IHK Dortmund. “With the innoclub, we create an exclusive network to strengthen innovation in Dortmund and the Westphalian Ruhr area.” Prof. Manfred Bayer, President of TU Dortmund University, explains how the project complements the university’s existing start-up support: “The innoclub connects our established start-up programs at TU Dortmund University with a strong network of Dortmund partners. Thus, we create another important building block for the region’s innovation landscape and continue the established contact point at TZDO for start-ups.” The CET, which was located at the Clubhouse in TZDO until the end of 2024, has now moved to the university’s premises on the South Campus.

Press release from IHK Dortmund with further information and comments

Link to innoclub

The picture shows people who were present at the opening of the Innoclub network of the Dortmund Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Among them were Ilirjan Bytyqi and Haris Yalcinkaya as well as Dirk Stürmer (Managing Director TechnologieZentrumDortmund), TU Rector Prof. Manfred Bayer, Stefan Schreiber (Managing Director IHK zu Dortmund), NRW Science Minister Ina Brandes and Rector of Dortmund University of Applied Sciences Prof. Tamara Appel.
Happy winners of the pitch: Two founders of Ziya, Ilirjan Bytyqi (right) and Haris Yalçinkaya (left), next to NRW Science Minister Ina Brandes (center).
The picture shows the first six start-ups of the innoclub. They are standing in a row and smiling at the camera. You can also see the black floor, a kind of desk and a pointed roof.
The first six start-ups of the innoclub together with start-up advisor Christoph Gallus from the Dortmund Office for Economic Development (left) and CET Managing Director Dr. Ronald Kriedel (right).


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