We are creating the European hub for deeptech startups
Join us und start the Wirtschaftswunder 2.0
Join us
We boost the ecosystem in the Rhineland
What we have in mind
The start-up-friendly universities in Aachen and Cologne are founding Gateway Factory Startup GmbH together with Start2 Group to develop established startups into internationally successful scaleups.
Gateway Factory Startup
Who we are
Gateway Factory Startup unites strong partners and an ecosystem that is second to none. According to the German Startup Monitor, the University of Cologne is the most start-up-friendly non-technical university, while RWTH Aachen University is the most start-up-friendly university in Germany. Start2 Group are considered the scaling and internationalization experts in Germany.
500 Startups in 5 years
Over 500 start-ups have been created at the universities in Aachen and Cologne in the last five years. We support the best ones in developing into internationally successful scaleups. And we want to attract the best national and international startups. We not only promote their growth, but we also offer the best location.
Startups take off with us
Our region is the economic engine of Germany – with a strong industrial base. Around 10 million people live here. This means that we offer the best market access not only for B2B but also for B2C start-ups. Our talent pool is huge – with more than 10,000 researchers and around 100,000 students at the participating universities in Cologne and Aachen alone.
What sets us apart: The horizontals
Approach
Nobody can copy us: We combine the 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.
Where research excellence meets strong economic sectors: the verticals
We focus on industry-specific support for scaleups in four verticals. They form the interfaces through which we unite scaleups, corporates and universities.
Personal Health
- Digital Health/Life Science/Sport
- Personalized Medicine
- Biotech
- Medical Devices
- Pharma Drug Discovery
- AgriTech
- FoodTech
Sustainable Infrastructure Mobility
- Future Energy
- Future Mobility
- PropTech
- Construction Tech
- Materials Resources
- Infrastructure
- Circular Economy
Future Computing Engineering
- Next Generation Computing
- Quantencomputing
- Artifical Intelligence
- Information Communication Technologies
- Hardware Production
Future Regulatory Demands
- Legal Tech
- InsurTech
- GovTech
- RegTech
We create access for start-ups to …
modern 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 partner companies and established scale-ups
Take Germany to a new level as a center of innovation now
Our partner benefits
Join us
We offer membership and sponsorship packages for companies. These include customized benefits such as ...
Infrastructure-as-a-Service
Coworking workstations, production facilities, laboratories.
Venture Clienting Support
Cooperate pragmatically and quickly with suitable start-ups.
Pilot project budgets
First steps with startups included.
In-House Accelerator
Tailor-made programs with our expertise.
Access to startup talent
The most innovative minds with the right know-how.
Shape the strategy
Helping to shape the strategy of Gateway Factory Startup GmbH.
Contact us and start the Wirtschaftswunder 2.0 with us
Marc Kley
Managing Director Gateway Excellence Start-up Center University of Cologne
