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Your day-to-day
Skilled labor shortages, rising quality requirements, and cost pressure increase the urgency to act: every single day.
From complex industry challenges to validated opportunities: we connect strategy, deep tech and the right innovators to turn ambitious ideas into measurable progress.
Launch with usThe challenge
The pressure is growing: and so is the gap
How do new technologies actually make it into your company? That's exactly where Gateway Factory comes in: with a structured way into the deep tech ecosystem and a clear path from challenge to result.
Skilled labor shortages, rising quality requirements, and cost pressure increase the urgency to act: every single day.
The challenge
The pressure is growing: and so is the gap
How do new technologies actually make it into your company? That's exactly where Gateway Factory comes in: with a structured way into the deep tech ecosystem and a clear path from challenge to result.
Time, resources, and the right network are missing: so technological potential stays untapped.
The challenge
The pressure is growing: and so is the gap
How do new technologies actually make it into your company? That's exactly where Gateway Factory comes in: with a structured way into the deep tech ecosystem and a clear path from challenge to result.
Gateway Factory opens access to precisely matched tech solutions: through structured, proven formats.
The challenge
The pressure is growing: and so is the gap
How do new technologies actually make it into your company? That's exactly where Gateway Factory comes in: with a structured way into the deep tech ecosystem and a clear path from challenge to result.
Concrete pilot projects with leading deep tech startups: tailored to your individual challenges.
How it works
From challenge to pilot: one structured journey
We start with your business, not with technology. Every engagement follows a proven path from understanding your priorities to a fact based partnering decision.
Together with your team, we take a close look at the innovation challenges your company is facing and identify the ones with the highest priority right now. From these, we select one or two challenges and scope a focused scouting project around them.
How it works
From challenge to pilot: one structured journey
We start with your business, not with technology. Every engagement follows a proven path from understanding your priorities to a fact based partnering decision.
We systematically identify startups working on your challenge: from the Gateway Factory region (Aachen, Cologne, Düsseldorf) and across all of Europe. Candidates pass through defined stage gates: from a broad long list to a qualified short list of teams worth your attention, evaluated against your specific requirements.
How it works
From challenge to pilot: one structured journey
We start with your business, not with technology. Every engagement follows a proven path from understanding your priorities to a fact based partnering decision.
Building on the scouting results, we set up a joint project to evaluate and pilot the most promising solutions in your real-world context. Gateway Factory runs the complete program management: from requirement specifications and legal frameworks through evaluation and selection: moving your team and the startups through every stage.
How it works
From challenge to pilot: one structured journey
We start with your business, not with technology. Every engagement follows a proven path from understanding your priorities to a fact based partnering decision.
At the end, you hold hard data and validated results: which solutions work, which teams deliver, and where a long-term partnership makes business sense. You decide on facts: not on pitch decks.
Deep dive · Technology Scouting
Systematic identification of relevant technologies & partners
Four phases, each with a concrete deliverable: from understanding your needs to a final report you can act on.
Deep dive · Technology Scouting
Systematic identification of relevant technologies & partners
Four phases, each with a concrete deliverable: from understanding your needs to a final report you can act on.
Deep dive · Technology Scouting
Systematic identification of relevant technologies & partners
Four phases, each with a concrete deliverable: from understanding your needs to a final report you can act on.
Deep dive · Technology Scouting
Systematic identification of relevant technologies & partners
Four phases, each with a concrete deliverable: from understanding your needs to a final report you can act on.
Our scouting engine finds the right startups
The engine combines tech-based screening across multiple data sources with our partner and university networks: including leading VCs, innovation hubs, and platforms across the European deep tech ecosystem.
Broad market research across Germany and Europe for startups with a potential thematic fit.
Our scouting engine finds the right startups
The engine combines tech-based screening across multiple data sources with our partner and university networks: including leading VCs, innovation hubs, and platforms across the European deep tech ecosystem.
First evaluation and selection based on strategic relevance for your specific challenges.
Our scouting engine finds the right startups
The engine combines tech-based screening across multiple data sources with our partner and university networks: including leading VCs, innovation hubs, and platforms across the European deep tech ecosystem.
Selection of the top teams for direct outreach and conversations.
Deep dive · Innovation Projects
Fast access to external innovation know-how through structured collaboration
Work on your challenges with matching deep tech startups. A genuine win-win: your company tests new technologies under real conditions, startups validate their solutions with a serious industry partner.
Deep dive · Innovation Projects
Fast access to external innovation know-how through structured collaboration
Work on your challenges with matching deep tech startups. A genuine win-win: your company tests new technologies under real conditions, startups validate their solutions with a serious industry partner.
Deep dive · Innovation Projects
Fast access to external innovation know-how through structured collaboration
Work on your challenges with matching deep tech startups. A genuine win-win: your company tests new technologies under real conditions, startups validate their solutions with a serious industry partner.
Deep dive · Innovation Projects
Fast access to external innovation know-how through structured collaboration
Work on your challenges with matching deep tech startups. A genuine win-win: your company tests new technologies under real conditions, startups validate their solutions with a serious industry partner.
Deep dive · Innovation Projects
Fast access to external innovation know-how through structured collaboration
Work on your challenges with matching deep tech startups. A genuine win-win: your company tests new technologies under real conditions, startups validate their solutions with a serious industry partner.
Five steps from first call to demo day
We introduce the format and check the fit for your situation.
Five steps from first call to demo day
Analysis of your challenges, grounded in practical examples.
Five steps from first call to demo day
Curation and selection of the startups that fit your challenges.
Five steps from first call to demo day
Project timeline, roles, and milestones: agreed before kickoff.
Five steps from first call to demo day
Kick-off, regular coaching sessions, and a closing demo day.
Illustrative focus topics
Robotics · Quality Inspection · Process Optimization · Supply Chain · Workflow Automation · Knowledge Management
Focus topics are illustrative: every project is scoped around your individual challenges, from a first exploration to deep co-creation.
Illustrative focus topics
Robotics · Quality Inspection · Process Optimization · Supply Chain · Workflow Automation · Knowledge Management
Focus topics are illustrative: every project is scoped around your individual challenges, from a first exploration to deep co-creation.
Illustrative focus topics
Robotics · Quality Inspection · Process Optimization · Supply Chain · Workflow Automation · Knowledge Management
Focus topics are illustrative: every project is scoped around your individual challenges, from a first exploration to deep co-creation.
Illustrative focus topics
Robotics · Quality Inspection · Process Optimization · Supply Chain · Workflow Automation · Knowledge Management
Focus topics are illustrative: every project is scoped around your individual challenges, from a first exploration to deep co-creation.
Illustrative focus topics
Robotics · Quality Inspection · Process Optimization · Supply Chain · Workflow Automation · Knowledge Management
Focus topics are illustrative: every project is scoped around your individual challenges, from a first exploration to deep co-creation.
Illustrative focus topics
Robotics · Quality Inspection · Process Optimization · Supply Chain · Workflow Automation · Knowledge Management
Focus topics are illustrative: every project is scoped around your individual challenges, from a first exploration to deep co-creation.
Two example formats, one journey: from fast exploration to co-creation
Formats shown with robotics as an example: both can be run for any of our focus areas.
Participants: 3–5 companies, 10–15 startups
Venue: Production Campus Aachen
Program: Day 1: challenge briefing by the companies and solution development. Day 2: demos and pitches to all companies.
Outcome: solution concepts, identified startup matches, and pilot candidates to pursue.
Two example formats, one journey: from fast exploration to co-creation
Formats shown with robotics as an example: both can be run for any of our focus areas.
Participants: 2–3 companies, 5–8 startups
Venue: Production Campus & company sites
Program: Week 1: concept workshop to define challenges and match startups. Weeks 2–6: co-creation with regular sparring, mentoring, and feedback, closing with a demo.
Outcome: validated solutions, scoped pilot projects, and potential venture-client relationships.
Case study
From 300+ startups to four pilot studies
A hidden champion in motion plastics from our region faced a materials-related innovation challenge. Here's what the journey looked like:
Gateway Factory managed the full program: from requirement specifications and legal frameworks through materials evaluation to the final selection. The company now has validated data on four candidate materials and clear evidence for its partnering decisions.
Case study
From 300+ startups to four pilot studies
A hidden champion in motion plastics from our region faced a materials-related innovation challenge. Here's what the journey looked like:
Gateway Factory managed the full program: from requirement specifications and legal frameworks through materials evaluation to the final selection. The company now has validated data on four candidate materials and clear evidence for its partnering decisions.
Case study
From 300+ startups to four pilot studies
A hidden champion in motion plastics from our region faced a materials-related innovation challenge. Here's what the journey looked like:
Gateway Factory managed the full program: from requirement specifications and legal frameworks through materials evaluation to the final selection. The company now has validated data on four candidate materials and clear evidence for its partnering decisions.
Case study
From 300+ startups to four pilot studies
A hidden champion in motion plastics from our region faced a materials-related innovation challenge. Here's what the journey looked like:
Gateway Factory managed the full program: from requirement specifications and legal frameworks through materials evaluation to the final selection. The company now has validated data on four candidate materials and clear evidence for its partnering decisions.
What we take off your plate
End-to-end, so your team stays focused
Innovation projects fail on overhead, not on ideas. We run the process so your experts only invest time where their judgment matters.
Systematic identification and screening of startups: regional and Europe-wide: with transparent stage gates and evaluation criteria agreed with you.
What we take off your plate
End-to-end, so your team stays focused
Innovation projects fail on overhead, not on ideas. We run the process so your experts only invest time where their judgment matters.
Requirement specifications, legal frameworks, timelines, and communication between all parties: one accountable partner from kickoff to decision.
What we take off your plate
End-to-end, so your team stays focused
Innovation projects fail on overhead, not on ideas. We run the process so your experts only invest time where their judgment matters.
Structured pilots and testing designed to produce hard data: so your partnering decision stands on facts, not impressions.
