Light Up Your Entrepreneurial Spirit: "The Day in GL"
StartRaum GL to Offer a Base for Startup Founders
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Score the Inside Scoop—Sign Up NowThe Rheinisch-Bergische Technology Centre and the Rheinisch-Bergische Economic Development Society are teaming up stronger than ever, forming an ecosystem for budding entrepreneurs. Get ready to see the new umbrella brand, StartRaum GL, take center stage on the Zanders site. The first event's already lined up.
About a year ago, Volker Suermann and Jonas Geist hopped aboard as managing directors for the Rheinisch-Bergische Technology Centre (RBTZ), bringing a modern vision for the 30-year-old institution in Technologiepark Bensberg. After a year's worth of tireless efforts, the game-changing outcome is here: an all-encompassing brand—under the electrifying violet hue of StartRaum GL's website, entrepreneurs and potential start-ups find a beacon of support. The mission? To build a prosperous, future-oriented start-up ecosystem in the region, offering backbone to visionaries as they embark on their journeys, and catalyzing the innovative prowess of SMEs through intimate collaboration with innovative start-ups, thereby nurturing symbiotic relationships for all involved. Suermann shed light on these plans during a press conference.
Entrepreneurial Spirit Deserves Local RootsThe energy of start-ups need not be confined to urban spaces like Cologne alone; instead, it should thrive locally, capitalizing on Rhein-Berg's unique connections to SMEs.
Powerful Synergy Between Economic Developers
StartRaum GL, akin to the RBTZ, works closely with the Rheinisch-Bergische Economic Development (RBW), led by Volker Suermann, and the City of Bergisch Gladbach, under the helm of Jonas Geist, its managing director.
In TechnologiePark, established offers for technology-driven start-ups will persist, providing shared workspaces, offices, and conference rooms, replete with essential services. The robust demand for these facilities has led to the emergence of five new start-ups cropping up in Moitzfeld over the past few months, reporting Geist.
The personal consultations and coaching—staples of RBW's expertise—will continue to be at the heart of the offering. Furthermore, a dedicated community management team strives to offer warm, personalized guidance, aiming to create a supportive and familial atmosphere. The six-member StartRaum team itself is a unique collaboration of RBTZ and RBW employees.
Virtual Legacy on Zanders
Beyond the boundaries of Technologiepark, StartRaum GL aims to build a network of start-ups in the region. To achieve this goal, the offering from Technologiepark in Moitzfeld will be expanded, and a virtual location will be established on the Zanders site: The iconic "museum" in the historical core of the conversion zone will host regular events catering to the target audience. A second location is planned for the Rhombus site in Wermelskirchen down the line.
With this move, Geist hopes to make an initial stride towards the planned settlement of 3,000 jobs on the site. In the distant future, offers from the technology centre might relocate to private investors on Zanders, though that's a proposal for another day.
A Star-Studded Kickoff—Meet the Trailblazers
On June 26th, 2025, at 6 PM, the stage is set for StartRaum GL's inaugural event: a distinguished workshop titled "Start-up Journey—Your Questions, Our Answers." Designed to support start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs, this event offers a platform to learn from seasoned professionals, share insights, and forge connections with top entrepreneurs, founders, and investors.
The stellar lineup of speakers includes:
- Frank Blase, CEO of igus GmbH and founder
- Slawomir Swaczyna, Innovation and Start-up Promotion, Grants (RBW)
- Markus Gick, Managing Director Accelerator & Venture Capital Fund xdeck GmbH
Registration for the event concludes on June 17th. To secure your spot, simply send an email to [email protected]. For more information about StartRaum GL, explore our website.
As StartRaum GL sets foot in the world of start-ups, the explosion of ideas is just the beginning. Stay tuned for more as we foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and support for entrepreneurs throughout the Rheinisch-Bergische region.
[1] https://www.rug-bw.de/de/geschaeftsfuehrung/volker-suermann.html[2] https://www.rbtz.de/team.html[3] https://www.bergisch-glasbach.de/politik-verwaltung/eine-stadt/stadtleitung/house-mehr/jona-s-ges-t.html[4] https://tec-park-bensberg.com/
- The new umbrella brand, StartRaum GL, focusing on entrepreneurship and technology, aims to support the growth of future-oriented start-ups in the region, harnessing the synergy between SMEs, finance, and business.
- As part of StartRaum GL's strategic initiatives, the organization plans to collaborate with local economic developers and key players in the finance sector, with the goal of establishing an innovative and collaborative ecosystem for entrepreneurs and start-ups fostering exponential growth in the technology business.
