Opportunities for foreign companies
Under the umbrella of Innovation Bridges, the Business Metropole Ruhr would like to deepen its relations and exchange with other countries. The goal is to build a strong network in international innovation ecosystems.
Are international relations with the Ruhr in demand?
Prof. Dr. Julia Frohne: They are in demand to and from the Ruhr region. Foreign business development agencies contact us to learn how the region has managed the challenges of structural change so well so far. We in the Ruhr Metropolis also know the immense challenges of our time demand international cooperation. Be it climate change, energy transition, industrial transformation or IT security, companies from the Ruhr region have long since emerged from the shadows of the coal and steel era and are contributing to technical and entrepreneurial solutions for the most pressing problems of our time.
Frank Speer: The Ruhr region is now an international leader in many areas. For example, the companies, startups and research in the field of IT security in Bochum, Essen and Gelsenkirchen have been playing in the Champions League for years and travel around the world for guest lectures and conferences. The 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry went to Mülheim an der Ruhr.
How does BMR go about its international activities?
Prof. Dr. Julia Frohne: Innovation through cooperation is our motto. We are big enough as a region and actually relevant for international corporations. We therefore confidently position the Ruhr Metropolis at leading international trade fairs and tech conferences, organize webinars and international events, and arrange business contacts and real estate in the Ruhr region.
With our Innovation Bridges, we network business, science and administration as well as foreign innovation centers and bring them together with our innovation ecosystem. We highlight topics, such as those mentioned above, in which we can offer strengths for foreign companies and institutions. We highlight companies and research centers that are potential customers or cooperation partners for foreign countries. Here we see ourselves as regional economic development in the role of networkers and bridge builders.
Frank Speer: Young, fast-growing companies that are interested in the German and European market and are looking for an attractive location then come to us via these strong networks. Those who want to set up shop abroad prefer to go to a place where they know someone. We form these networks with our Innovation Bridges. The good networking among each other in the Ruhr region then means that the right contacts can be established more quickly.
What are the opportunities and advantages for foreign companies settling in the Ruhr region?
“As Germany's largest conurbation, the Ruhr Metropolis has a mature industrial structure in the B2B sector. Its location in the middle of Europe favors the logistics location with excellent connections to road, rail and water. The Ruhr region has the highest density of universities in Europe, first-class research centers and has well-trained specialists. The high industrial density, the large DAX corporations, and a heterogeneous and diversely positioned middle class make the Ruhr area so attractive as a location for innovation. But last but not least, the Ruhr Metropolis is also convincing with its moderate cost of living, affordable housing and a great range of leisure and cultural activities.”
Managing Director of the Business Metropole RuhrThis could also interest you:
Do you have questions about our international activities?
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