The StartupDorf Unicorn Pitch Series The Düsseldorf startup pitch competition enters its fourth year. In its fourth consecutive year, the StartupDorf e.V. Unicorn Pitches will continue with four events spread throughout the year. In May, July, September, and November, digital startups from all over Germany, with a special focus on NRW, will compete in Düsseldorf for a spot in the annual pitch finale. The fourth Pitch Competition Series of NRW’s oldest startup association kicks off this year on May 15th. Up to four startups, younger than 3 years, will have the chance to pitch their innovative d ..read more

3rd Unicorn Pitch Grand Final On March 6, 2024, the 3rd Unicorn Pitch Grand Final took place, marking an exclusive and unforgettable finale event for all participants. StartupDorf invited its members, key influencers of the startup scene, successful founders, and entrepreneurs to a special event that combined the best of pitch competition, fine dining, and networking. The splendid event location, Canonicus, hosted over 100 guests this time to showcase and celebrate the best startup ideas. StartupDorf Unicorn of the Year The five qualified finalists competed for the title “StartupDorf Unicorn o ..read more

Join us for the Unicorn Pitch on September 28th!   Where? At the Wacom Experience Center in Düsseldorf’s Media Harbor. When? The doors open at 7 pm. Hosted by? The event will be led by Hanns Tappen.   Why should you attend? At the Unicorn Pitch by StartupDorf e.V., you have the opportunity to witness three – four innovative startups live. And the best part: As an audience member, you play a central role in the jury – public voting! Secure your spot now before it’s too late, and watch groundbreaking ideas compete for the legendary Unicorn Trophy. Join and RSVP now to reserve a seat ..read more

StartupDorf – A Voice for Startups: Why Your Experience and Opinion on Coworking Spaces Matters The startup scene in Düsseldorf and its surroundings is growing, and we at StartupDorf e.V. are proud to have been an active part of this ecosystem from the very beginning, 10 years ago. Since our inception, we’ve been dedicated to supporting founders like you by providing platforms and resources that contribute to success. However, there’s still much to be done, especially when it comes to spaces for startups. “One thing’s for sure: For many startups, alongside the right mindset, the right coworkin ..read more

Hey StartupDorf Family! Ten fantastic years have passed, and we’re going back to our roots. Do you remember our very first public meetings on the sidewalk in front of Seifen Horst? How the roundtable has grown over time, from small and exquisite gatherings to 115 smashing events that have shaped the founder and startup scene in Düsseldorf and its surroundings? Now we invite you to come and celebrate with us, to revive old times – at the Retro Roundtable! Our 10-year anniversary is around the corner and we’re celebrating it with a traditional roundtable. No agenda, no program – just good conver ..read more

Am 3. März 2023 ging es für ausgewählte Gründerinnen in NRW hoch hinaus! Denn das StartupDorf e.V., die Women Entrepreneurs in Science und Climb & Rise luden ein zum „Climb & Rise Leadership Workshop – Female Founder NRW-Edition“. Gemeinsam wollte man zeigen, wie die richtige Umgebung und gezielte Impulse dazu beitragen können, dass Menschen in nur 8 Stunden über sich hinauswachsen können. Das Klischee, dass Frauen weniger risikobereit seien und sich häufiger nicht trauen, in Führungspositionen zu gehen oder zu gründen, ist allgegenwärtig. Doch was passiert, wenn Frauen die richtige U ..read more

On March 1, the 2nd Unicorn Pitch Grand Final took place – an exclusive and unforgettable final event for all involved. StartupDorf invited its members, multipliers of the startup scene and successful founders to a very special event that offered the best of pitch competition, fine dining and networking. Nearly 70 guests gathered at the wonderful event location Canonicus to present and celebrate the best startup ideas. StartupDorf Unicorn of the Year The five qualified finalists competed for the title “StartupDorf Unicorn of the Year”, while Ingo Köthschneider and his team spoiled the guests w ..read more

The Collective Expo Appearance On August 17th, the moment arrived: The Startup Club, StartupDorf e.V., showcased itself with an impressive 322.9 sq ft joint booth at the Digital Demo Day (DDD) in Düsseldorf. Organized by the digihub Düsseldorf/Rheinland, a close partner of StartupDorf, the day promised to be a true celebration of digital innovations!   Club Solidarity in Action During the setup day on August 16th, we once again experienced the strength and communal spirit of our club. Our motto “By founders, for founders” resonated throughout every corner of our booth. This special momen ..read more

StartupDorf Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary: A Decade of Innovation, Community, and Growth Honoring a decade of community, collaboration, and catalyzing change Looking back, it all began with a tiny seed in a grassroots initiative. StartupDorf planted that seed, not quite knowing what it would grow into. The founders’ meetups were the fertilizer for this seeding, where such seemingly “crazy players” talked about and embarked on a journey to make Düsseldorf and the entire region the No.1 spot for startups in NRW, secretly hoping to later join the top tier of the European startup scene. A decade ..read more

Reliving the Spark of the Startup Scene in Düsseldorf A nostalgic evening at Seifen Horst: The birthplace of the first StartupDorf Founder’s Roundtable A reunion with a special charm On August 2, 2023, promptly at 7 p.m., StartupDorf’s retro startup regulars’ table – the “Gründerstammtisch” took place. The place: Seifen Horst, a nostalgic café-bar that carries a piece of startup “Hinterhof” esprit. Who would have thought that it all started right here 10 years ago? The first, unforgettable meetings of the StartupDorf movement took place on the sidewalk in front of this pub, and now, a decade l ..read more