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Brand Visibility
Placement of your brand across the deep tech ecosystem's platforms: Production Campus, websites, newsletter and events.
Ecosystem Enabler: For established companies
Direct access to Europe’s deep tech ecosystem: visibility, networks and partnerships
Position your company where tomorrow’s industry leaders are being built today. As a Gateway Factory Ecosystem Enabler, you gain direct, curated access to high potential deep tech startups from the Rhineland and across Europe before everyone else does.
Part of the German federal Startup Factories initiative: A joint initiative of RWTH Aachen, Gateway Hochschulen Cologne, HHU Düsseldorf and Start2.
Your path
A structured path to partnership
Choose the depth of access that matches your strategic goals.
01Connect
02Engage
03Partner
Built for established companies
Grow alongside deep tech startups
Deep tech founders need strong partners as they scale: the right tools, advice and services at the right time. The Ecosystem Enabler program helps you build relationships that create value on both sides.
Software and Cloud VendorsLegal and Tax AdvisorsInvestment and M&A AdvisorsBanks and InsurersHR and Recruiting Services
What you get
Six ways we put you inside the ecosystem
Every Enabler package combines visibility, curated access and collaboration formats at the level of intensity that fits your goals.
Exclusive Network
Curated events and digital formats for direct exchange with startups and innovators: the right people, not just any crowd.
Infrastructure
Co-working spaces, event venues and equipment access for startups: build early relationships through shared R&D resources.
Trend Reporting
Regular briefings on technology trends, ecosystem developments and startup success stories: stay ahead of your market.
Access to Top Startups
Exclusive updates and exchange formats with the most promising deep tech startups: meet them before they scale.
Strategic Collaboration
Joint innovation projects and prototype development with startups: create new synergies beyond sponsorship.
Why it works
From logo placement to trusted partner
Deep tech founders work with partners they know and trust from their own ecosystem. The program builds that trust over time: visible where startups work, present where they meet and familiar when they look for support.
Be present early
Your brand becomes part of the ecosystem startups grow up in: on campus, in the newsletter and at events from their earliest stages.
Build real relationships
Workshops and curated formats create genuine exchange with founders: sharing expertise rather than pitching services.
Become the natural choice
When startups raise, scale or hire, they turn to partners they already know and value. Long term relationships outperform cold outreach.
Enabler packages
Three levels of access and exposure
Pre defined packages from focused visibility to strategic partnership. All packages run for 12 months and can be tailored to your industry and goals.
Brand Visibility and Marketing
Events and Ecosystem Interaction
Exclusive Ecosystem Reporting
Startup Networking
Light
Brand Visibility and Marketing
Presence on website, social media and newsletter
Events and Ecosystem interaction
Event tickets and expert talk at a Vertical PULSE format
Exclusive Ecosystem Reporting
Ecosystem newsletter 6 times per year and monitor 2 times per year
Startup Networking
Participation in the Startup Board
Moderate
Brand Visibility and Marketing
Extended presence, including Gateway Factory events
Events and Ecosystem interaction
Individual partner event plus invitations to pre events and side events
Exclusive Ecosystem Reporting
Ecosystem newsletter 6 times per year and monitor 2 times per year
Startup Networking
Participation in the Startup Board
Strong
Brand Visibility and Marketing
Full presence across all channels, formats and events
Events and Ecosystem interaction
Involvement in the Ready to Scale program
Exclusive Ecosystem Reporting
Annual ecosystem report on relevant startups
Startup Networking
Curated speed dating and meet and greet formats
Package scope, duration and investment levels are discussed in a personal conversation.
The ecosystem
The growth engine for European deep tech champions
Gateway Factory connects Europe’s brightest scientific minds with mentors, investors, industry and infrastructure across the Rhineland: Aachen, Cologne and Düsseldorf, supported by scouting across Europe. Since October 2025, Gateway Factory has been part of the nationwide Startup Factories initiative funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
Innovation verticals: Sustainable Infrastructures, Future Regulatory Demands, Future Health & Life Sciences, Future Computing & Engineering
Hub cities: Aachen, Cologne and Düsseldorf, anchored by RWTH, Gateway Hochschulen and HHU
The growth phase where startups choose long term vendors, advisors and partners
Federal Startup Factory for the Rhineland deep tech region
Get started
Let’s talk about your Enabler package
Tell us who you are and what you want to achieve. We will use the existing Partner and Enabler onboarding flow to route your request to the right Gateway Factory contact.
