Start-up Center.NRW

Knowledge and innovative solutions from research ensure long-term competitiveness in North Rhine-Westphalia. With the "Start-up Center.NRW" funding call, the state is supporting universities in tapping into their potential for business start-ups, preparing start-ups and developing a sustainable start-up culture. The aim of the call is to increase the quality and number of start-ups from universities. In addition, the competition aims to permanently strengthen the role of universities within regional start-up ecosystems.

A total of 18 million euros from EU and state funds are available to support projects. Applications can be submitted for funding of up to 500,000 euros per year or 1.5 million euros per project for a period of up to 36 months.

Projects that are eligible for funding include

• raising awareness of entrepreneurship and helping to tap into start-up potential through public relations work at the university,
• training founders and providing support for start-up projects,
• Establish start-up-supporting activities in research, teaching, transfer and administration in the long term,
• Promote networking with neighboring universities, non-university research institutions, start-ups and established companies, business angels and venture capitalists, foundations and associations and other players in the start-up ecosystem.

In addition, material expenses for the construction, expansion, conversion and furnishing of premises in universities in which start-up centers, incubators, maker spaces and FabLabs are housed are also eligible for funding. In this context, the personnel expenses of employees for qualification (train the trainer) as well as for practical use in start-up support can be financed.