DORTMUND

IS EUROPEANCAPITAL OF INNOVATION 2021!

Innovation
next door

FUTURE FROM THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

Innovations are not based on a single brilliant idea from a genius. They come about when people work together on a shared vision for a better future.
That’s why we offer innovators in Dortmund a good breeding ground and involve all stakeholders through an open communication culture and broad participation processes.

FOR OUR DORTMUND

OF
TOMORROW

Future from the
neighbourhood

On our doorstep, in the neighbourhood next door and across cities: In Dortmund, we create innovations by the people, for the people. With creativity, courage and changing perspectives, we are transforming our city into the innovative and sustainable living space we want for our future. Together. 🤝 

We Dortmunders take unconventional paths and meet challenges in times of crisis with united force. Our Corona strategy "New Strength!" has proven how we quickly implement pragmatic and innovative solutions that the people of our city need now.

In Dortmund, we stick together.

The illuminated "Dortmunder U".Project participants of the Dezentrale Dortmund.

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DORTMUND

AS THE INNOVATION CAPITAL 2021

Your city has won.

Dortmund is an innovation capital that thrives on many ideas, both large and small – developed at eye level by all participants in an open and creative environment. A unique innovation ecosystem, which the city has established in recent years, makes it possible: Diverse networks and a broad-based culture of communication bring people from civil society, science, business, culture and politics together to address the big questions of our time. The result: highly innovative projects and approaches with which we entered the race in Brussels for the title of European Innovation Capital 2021.

The focus of our social, technological & sustainable innovations:

  • Small innovations count just as much as large projects
  • Progress through urban transformation and sustainable, participatory urban development
  • Dortmund empowers all citizens of the city to participate
  • Maker Spaces, Idea Workshops and Networks for the Promotion of Dortmund’s Innovators

We think ahead together for the Dortmund of tomorrow:

  • Dortmund develops long-term concepts and strategies for a sustainable future of our city
  • In innovation networks, all relevant stakeholders have been working closely together for years with citizen participation
  • Dortmund offers innovative ideas custom-fit support through a comprehensive start-up ecosystem – from the initial idea to the growth strategy
Project participant of Pandorra 2.0.

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Voices from Dortmund

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The illuminated "Dortmunder U".

TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

A great action, the city reacted quickly and strengthened us through solidarity.
Heike Regener, meineHeimat.ruhr
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

A whole village of small-scale living confines itself to the essentials and the carbon footprint.
Gerald Kampert, Urban Planning and Building Regulation Office
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

The TechnologieZentrumDortmund is one of the central development drivers and network nodes at the science and business location Dortmund and an example of successful technology transfer.
Dirk Stürmer, Managing Director of the TechnologieZentrumDortmund
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

The innovative strength of a project is measured by how it enriches our everyday life.
Christoph Thelen, Managing Partner Thelen Group
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

In Rhinotopia, cooperative social and technical innovations for life, work and living in tomorrow’s world are developed.
Moritz Hans, Coordination office "nordwärts", City of Dortmund
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

At the heart of the project are the participation of the people, the sense of commitment and the will to shape urban society.
Michaela Bonan, Ombudswoman for Citizens' Interests and Initiatives, City of Dortmund
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

The Masterplan stimulates discussions, arouses curiosity and triggers processes that improve our lives and revitalise our economy.
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Herbert Waldmann, Representative for the Master Plan Science 2.0, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology and TU Dortmund University
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

ML2R combines cutting-edge international machine learning research with a vital AI ecosystem.
Prof. Dr Katharina Morik, Spokesperson for the Rhine-Ruhr Machine Learning Competence Centre
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

The synchronicity is original: Proximity to urban society and digital innovations!
Stephanie Bund, Social Research Centre, TU Dortmund University
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

We make a virtue out of necessity. In the Helpathon, we bring together the urban community to co-produce new ideas.
Dr. Arne Elias, Business Development Dortmund
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

Our conference room with VR glasses and green screen technology connects the world of tomorrow.
Katja Kortmann, Master of Hospitality and Tourism, Hotel Manager
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

The central green citizens' park ("Bürgerpark") and the integrated station concourse are innovative!
Jon Prengel, Architect raumwerk
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

We offer founders tailor-made, scientifically sound programs and a unique ecosystem.
Dr Ronald Kriedel, Managing Director CET TU Dortmund University
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

I am most positively surprised that despite the Corona pandemic, the projects have moved forward at full speed.
Prof. Dr. Fabian Dittrich, Department of Economics at the University of Applied Sciences Dortmund
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

Through the project, the port opens up to the city, and the city to the port.
Uwe Büscher, Executive Board Dortmunder Hafen AG / Managing Director d-Port21
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

With the topics of energy transition and hydrogen, we are shaping a new innovation location in Dortmund."
Horst-Günter Nehm, Head of Special Assets, Technology Centre
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

With the emission-free city centre, the traffic revolution in Dortmund has begun.
Andreas Meißner, Project Manager Emission-Free City Centre
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

The Drug Discovery Hub Dortmund makes an important contribution to strengthening Dortmund as a biotechnology location, and North Rhine-Westphalia as an innovation location, and takes on a pioneering role in the early-stage discovery of drug research.
Prof. Dr Daniel Rauh, TU Dortmund University
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

In the model project, we are working together with the City of Schwerte on smart and digital solutions for urban space. The focus for us is on the citizens.
Dr. Jan Fritz Rettberg, City policy guidelines/CIIO, City of Dortmund
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

The Digital Learning Factory is an interactive showcase for young people to experience digital careers in traditional industries.
Wenke Völkmann-Gröne, Managing Director Maschinenfabrik Völkmann GmbH
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

We are simply open to all people who have ideas and want to implement them together with us.
Julia Krayer, DEZENTRALE Dortmund
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

With the help of the Living Lab, we are demonstrating how rescue robotics can help protect lives and efficiently support emergency services.
Robert Grafe - Managing Director DRZ
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

The personal contact directly in the neighborhood helps us a lot in attracting young people.
Master Painter Michael Döbbel, Dortmund
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

Allianz is a functioning socio-economic ecosystem that accompanies the city on its way to becoming a smart city.
Alexander von Schweinitz, Allianz Smart City Dortmund
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TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE

An international innovation area with ideas for the future of cities is being created here.
PascalLedune, Chief Economic Development Officer World of Walas
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IDEAS FROM TODAY FOR TOMORROW

DISCOVER INNOVATIONS ON YOUR DOORSTEP

These projects are helping Dortmund to advance:

OUR VOICES,
OUR IDEAS.

HONEST, DIVERSE AND OPEN TO ALL.

That's what makes Dortmund innovative for us:

1 of 3 dynamic text fields
A GREEN PLACE
Tilda, 6 years from Dortmund
A CITY FULL
OF SMART HUBS
Moritz, 27 years from Dortmund
Networking all Around
Julia, 33 years from Dortmund
Summer evening at Dortmund harbour.