Expanding the Network and the Horizon
Going to Japan and North America with WORLDFACTORY international
How do start-ups work on the other side of the world? What does the innovation landscape look like in North America or Japan? What spin-off trends and new ideas do they have? The annual delegation trip of WORLDFACTORY international provides an opportunity for individual insights, exchange and the expansion of global networks.

Who is invited?
- start-ups
- researchers interested in start-ups and applications
- start-up consultants
- start-up coaches in the Incubators
- other opinion leaders and facilitators in the WORLDFACTORY Start-up Center

What are the objectives?
- building relationships with international start-up experts and universities with a strong commitment to start-ups
- exchange of best practice models
- establishing collaborative projects such as joint events and teaching programmes
- supporting start-ups in their internationalisation
- boosting the international visibility of Ruhr-Universität and the city of Bochum as a location for start-ups
CREATING INNOVATION NETWORKS
Our networking trip to North America in 2021
Due to the pandemic, our first networking trip will be to North America will take place online. Assisted by Business Metropole Ruhr, we invite start-ups, any RUB actors interested in start-ups and the start-up ecosystem of the Ruhr Area to get to know the North American start-up ecosystem. In the course of six events, we will network with North American start-up experts and universities with a strong commitment to start-ups, and we will also have the opportunity to convince North America’s innovation drivers of the strengths of RUB, the city of Bochum and the region as a location for innovative transfer and start-up projects.
14.04., 3.00 - 5.00 pm (CET) / Kick-off: The North American start-up ecosystem
Introduction to the North American Start-up ecosystem
Introduction to the North American Start-up ecosystem by representatives of the German American Chamber of Commerce (CACC) New York and Toronto. Professor Christof Paar, founding director of the Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy, and Dr. Thomas Wollinger, managing director of Escrypt, talk about the potentials of internationalization for start-ups.
Target group: RUB start-ups, opinion leaders and facilitators at RUB and the start-up ecosystem in the Ruhr Area
20. – 22.4. / Tech conference “Collision”
Participation in trade fair and networking opportunities
Tickets for RUB start-ups, opinion leaders and facilitators, including exhibition stands, pre-event start-up bootcamp, workshops, mentor hours, investor meetings, pitch opportunities and inspiring keynotes from more than 400 speakers.
Target group: Start-ups and multipliers of the RUB
03. – 06.05., 3.00 - 6.00 pm (CET) / Step USA
Start-up & Entrepreneur Programme
Exclusive 4-day bootcamp by AHK New York on opening up the US market
Target group: RUB start-ups
19.05., 3.30 – 6.00 pm (CET) / From Science to Startups in Germany and North America
RUB Meets North America – (University) Networking in Transfer & Entrepreneurship
Keynotes and panel discussions with North American and RUB start-up experts on the topics of “Transfer from research excellence” and “Building an international start-up ecosystem”.
Target group: Start-up and application-focused researchers, opinion leaders and facilitators from RUB and the start-up ecosystem of the Ruhr Area, as well as from North America
29.06., 2.15 – 2:35 Uhr pm (CET) / Think Big - Innovation Bridge North America @ RuhrSummit2021
Thinking big from the very beginning
To consider the international market potentials during the founding process, especially within digital business models, is one of the most important lessons learned during the North America activities of Business Metropole Ruhr and the WORLDFACTORY Start-up Center “Creating Innovation Networks”. Start-ups of the Ruhr region being already successful in North America will discuss chances and pitfalls.
Target group: Regional start-ups, opinion leaders and facilitators from RUB and the start-up ecosystem of the Ruhr area