The Rhineland is considered an important economic engine for Germany – with a strong industrial base. Around 10 million people live here. This means that the region offers top market access not only for B2B but also for B2C startups. The talent pool is huge – with more than 10,000 researchers and around 100,000 students at the participating universities in Cologne and Aachen alone.

The Gateway Factory combines technological expertise and experience with industrial cooperations in Aachen with the management and financial expertise in the business metropolis of Cologne. The Start2 Group adds its scaling know-how and international networks.

Gateway Factory focuses on industry-specific support for scaleups in four verticals. They form the interfaces through which scaleups, corporates and universities are integrated.

• state-of-the-art production technology
• advice on state-of-the-art target customer selection and pricing
• data: Pilot projects with partner companies
• capital: Campus Capital Fund, industry, SMEs, VC
• international markets: with Start2 to the USA and Asia
• IT resources required
• mentors from the partner companies and established scaleups

Gateway Factory offers partnership and sponsorship packages for companies. These include customized benefits such as ...

• infrastructure-as-a-service: coworking space, production facilities, laboratories
• venture clienting support
• pilot project budgets for startup collaborations
• in-house accelerator
• access to startup talent