It is going to be even more productive on the campus of the University of Cologne at the new InnoDom. But first there was an opening ceremony on Tuesday. In the presence of NRW Economics Minister Mona Neubaur, NRW Science Minister Ina Brandes and Mayor Andreas Wolter, the innovative rooms were officially opened. The InnoDom, which has now been opened, is the new home for the GATEWAY Excellence Start-up Center of the University of Cologne, funded as part of the state initiative "Excellence Start-up Center.NRW".
The InnoDom houses with the Gateway Excellence Start-up Centre, founding teams, start-ups and service providers on almost 4000 square metres and five floors. It houses 204 workstations, 14 home bases (closed offices), modern technology and equipment, two so-called Like IT's as special spaces for innovative work and meetings, as well as early morning and sundowner roof terraces.
The founders can use office and prototyping space in the ESC Gateway free of charge for a period of time. They are closely supported in their projects by start-up advisors and experienced mentors, who have often already successfully founded companies themselves, until the company and the first financing are in place.
Minister Neubaur: "University founders need spaces to develop their ideas and viable business concepts. They will find a home in the InnoDom. It provides the urgently needed working space, meeting and event rooms. With the start-up centre on the campus of the University of Cologne, a central contact point has been created that will permanently strengthen the start-up ecosystem in Cologne and the Rhineland."
Science Minister Brandes: "The InnoDom is an excellent example of how the transfer of science 'made in North Rhine-Westphalia' into practical use can succeed. The active exchange between research and industry strengthens North Rhine-Westphalia as a location for science and industry. Young companies in innovation sectors will help us to master the great challenges of our time and make people's lives better."
The construction of the start-up centre on campus was made possible by private donations of 20 million euros. With the construction of the InnoDom, the University of Cologne is showing how the state-financed university can tap private-sector sources of funding without jeopardising the independence of research and teaching.
The 23 million euros in state funding for the Excellence Start-up Centre GATEWAY has already created eight professorships with an affinity for start-ups and set up almost 50 new non-scientific start-up advice centres. The successes are measurable: In the current nationwide start-up radar of the Stifterverband, the University of Cologne has risen from 33rd to 6th place.