Introduction to the Ruhr Region’s Next-Generation Industrial Powerhouse
The week sees further plans to advance the Ruhr region, a polycentric urban area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, as a next-generation industrial powerhouse. This region is home to a dense network of universities, research centers, and businesses, making it an ideal location for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The BRYCK Startup Alliance
The BRYCK Startup Alliance is a collaboration between the RAG-Stiftung, the University Alliance Ruhr, the business network Initiativkreis Ruhr, and the innovation and startup center BRYCK. This alliance aims to establish a leading European center for the development of high-growth deep-tech startups by supporting science-based spin-offs and accelerating the transfer of cutting-edge research into industry.
Goals and Objectives
The BRYCK Startup Alliance combines the full strength of industry, academia, and capital to accelerate university-based spin-offs, optimize technology transfer, and attract international startups. By doing so, it aims to create a thriving ecosystem for deep-tech startups and establish the Ruhr region as a major player in the European startup scene.
Advisory Board
This week, the BRYCK Startup Alliance announced its advisory board, which includes high-ranking individuals from the startup scene, industry, and academia. The board members will support the alliance in achieving its strategic goals while also enhancing technology transfer and access to capital for startups.
Members of the Advisory Board
The advisory board consists of experienced individuals with proven expertise and strong international networks. Some of the notable members include:
- Gisbert Rühl, Chair (CHEPSTOW CAPITAL)
- Prof. Gerhard Schembecker, Vice Chair (TU Dortmund, UA Ruhr Transfer)
- Christian Miele (Headline)
- Christoph Keese (Axel Springer/WORLD.MINDS)
- Prof. Dietmar Harhoff (Director, Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition / Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich)
The Ruhr Region’s Potential
The Ruhr region is the home of 22 universities and colleges, 248,000 students, and 150 research centers—the densest university landscape in Germany. It encompasses 160,000 businesses, with one-third of Germany’s “Hidden Champions” based in North Rhine-Westphalia and 100 of these in the Ruhr region. This makes the Ruhr region an ideal location for startups and businesses to thrive.
Quotes from Key Figures
Gisbert Rühl, Chair of the Advisory Board, comments: "The BRYCK Startup Alliance has tremendous potential to breathe new life into Germany as a business location. With this new board, we will support the leadership team in developing a leading European deeptech hotspot."
Zarah Bruhn from socialbee adds: "That’s why I support the BRYCK Startup Alliance in turning research-based ideas into businesses with positive economic, social, and environmental impact—by passing on my experiences as a founder to the next generation of entrepreneurs."
Conclusion
In conclusion, the BRYCK Startup Alliance has the potential to establish the Ruhr region as a leading European center for deep-tech startups. With the support of its advisory board and the region’s dense network of universities and research centers, the alliance is well on its way to achieving its goals. As the Ruhr region continues to grow and develop, it is likely to become a major player in the European startup scene, attracting businesses and startups from around the world.
