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Cluster Alliance NRW

About Us

ClusterAllianz.NRW: Voice of the cluster landscape in North Rhine-Westphalia

The ClusterAlliance.NRW was founded in 2024 as an independent, cross-cluster and cross-network body to intensify the exchange among cluster organizations and networks active throughout North Rhine-Westphalia, to pool knowledge and experience, and to form a unified voice for dialogue with the state government and key stakeholders. Its core objective is a future-proof, innovative, and strong business location in North Rhine-Westphalia. To ensure that cluster organizations and networks can continue to effectively shape this future, the ClusterAlliance.NRW addresses new developments, challenges, and trends and sets the right course for the future of cluster work and cluster policy in North Rhine-Westphalia. the futureaddressedAs its first joint activity, the ClusterAlliance.NRW of clusters in a published position paper.

The NRW.innovativ competence center plays an organizational and coordinating role in supporting the ClusterAllianz.NRW, but no content-related role. 

Participants

contact

The NRW.innovativ is the contact point for ClusterAllianz.NRW. Please feel free to contact us at clusterdialog@nrwinnovativ.de 

You are also welcome to contact the spokespersons of ClusterAllianz.NRW:

Learning from each other

The exchange of experience between cluster organizations and networks is to be improved. This includes the sharing of both good and bad practices. Furthermore, potential conflicts of interest on specific topics, arising from the different perspectives and tasks of the clusters, are to be identified. In addition, stakeholders are to learn from each other how they can improve their respective organizational structures and frameworks. This will lay the foundation for the continuous improvement and strengthening of the cluster landscape in North Rhine-Westphalia through the mutual exchange of knowledge and experience. 

Working together

The collaboration between cluster organizations and networks is to be initiated and expanded, particularly across departmental boundaries between the clusters of the various ministries and, where appropriate, also beyond the borders of North Rhine-Westphalia. This should contribute to strengthening North Rhine-Westphalia's economic position regionally and internationally and facilitate improved technology transfer. 

Position outwards

This concerns externally oriented goals that would benefit disproportionately from a unified approach. The aim is to reach society and, in particular, to showcase the diversity of the cluster landscape in North Rhine-Westphalia. The ClusterAlliance.NRW will serve as a common voice for cluster organizations and networks in North Rhine-Westphalia, especially in discussions with policymakers and in representing their shared interests. 

News about the ClusterAlliance.NRW

Session of the ClusterAlliance.NRW at the NRW Innovation Congress on September 8th
ClusterAllianz.NRW presents its future-oriented paper to Minister Neubaur
Annual Meeting 2025
The future paper

NRW's Innovation Map

North Rhine-Westphalia's innovation landscape is diverse.
In addition to the state clusters and regional clusters, DWNRW hubs, future clusters
and research institutes further drive innovation in NRW.

NRW Innovation Map
Networking

Find partnerships faster through innovation networks

NRW's network structures, with their specific expertise, facilitate the effortless formation and establishment of innovation partnerships.

Whether you're an innovative company, a start-up, or a research institute, innovating without partnerships often comes with disadvantages. While the diverse range of players in the innovation landscape often encounters different problems in their innovation projects, it is precisely these differences that make partnerships so valuable.

The innovation networks in North Rhine-Westphalia offer support for your innovation project in two ways:

  • Through their wide range of topics, they provide inspiration for your innovation projects and stimulate cross -innovation
  • Using established network structures, you can identify the right contact points for you.
Networking at the company level

NRW.IP

Are you an SME looking advice , support , and funding for your innovative projects?

Then contact the NRW Innovation Partners:

mission

Regional innovators in their vicinity, i.e. economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, universities and other clusters and networks, have joined forces as NRW.Innovation Partners.

With a wide range of free consulting services, the NRW.Innovation Partners support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their transformation, innovation, and digitalization projects.
Companies receive comprehensive expertise in planning and implementing their projects and are given competent advice on suitable funding programs and financing options.
Free specialist events and workshops, as well as a suitable toolbox, complete the offering.

Networking opportunities

  • Specialist events on current topics related to transformation
  • Regional search for experts on the website
  • Event calendar for events from all over North Rhine-Westphalia
  • Success stories of companies from North Rhine-Westphalia

Contact details

You can reach the NRW.Innovation Partners via the following links:

nrw-innovationspartner.de
nrw.innovationspartner@nrwbank.de
Networking at the intermediary level

NRW.innovative

Are you an intermediary in North Rhine-Westphalia and looking for the right partnerships in North Rhine-Westphalia for your innovation projects?

Then NRW.innovativ is the right place for you:

mission

The NRW.innovativ is the central interface for networking the innovation landscape in North Rhine-Westphalia. The Competence Center's objective is to strengthen North Rhine-Westphalia's innovative capacity through new and forward-looking approaches in collaboration with business, science, politics, and society.

Networking opportunities

  • Cluster matchmaking to increase knowledge transfer and strengthen cross-clustering networking activities through Cluster-Dialog.NRW
  • Networking of clusters and networks with various regional, national and European innovation stakeholders through the digital event format NRW-Clusters meet… of the Cluster-Dialog.NRW.
  • Exchange formats and newsletters on innovation policy trends
  • Innovation forums on the most important topics for the future of North Rhine-Westphalia
  • Support in the development of cooperative excellence projects

Contact details

You can reach NRW.innovativ via the following links:

nrwinnnovativ.de
info@nrwinnovativ.de
Networking from North Rhine-Westphalia to the world

NRW.Global Connect

Are you a company looking for the right contact person in the world's innovation hotspots?

Then the NRW.Global.Connect platform can help you:

mission

The digital platform NRW.Global.Connect aims to connect North Rhine-Westphalia's strong economy with innovation hotspots worldwide; Israel is the platform's first partner country. The network platform is designed to support established companies in scouting for innovations, technologies, and suppliers. At the same time, the network offers opportunities for direct contact and the initiation of partnerships.

Networking opportunities

  • Matching algorithm: weekly presentations of potential customer segments and partnerships
  • Posting requests and offers to initiate collaborations
  • Events on the platform
  • Subject-specific groups for joint exchange
  • Filter function for suitable business partnerships

Contact details

You can reach NRW.Global.Connect via the following links:

global-connect.nrw
nrw.gc-service@innoloft.com
Networking of clusters in Europe

ECCP

Are you anintermediary looking for the right cooperation partnership in the EU?

The ECCP can support you in this endeavor:

mission

The mission of our online platform is to be the European hub for cluster stakeholders (cluster organisations, political decision-makers and other actors from the cluster ecosystem) and the central point of contact for innovators in third countries who wish to enter into partnerships at the European level.

Networking opportunities

  • Cluster meet Regions: Meet with clusters and political decision-makers at the local, regional and national levels and work on strengthening the industrial ecosystem of regions.
  • EU Cluster Talks: Your bi-weekly opportunity to exchange knowledge and discuss topics that are important to the EU economy.
  • EU Cluster Matchmaking Events: Join forces with other cluster organisations from Europe and third countries and discover new opportunities for collaboration at special matchmaking events.
  • ClusterXchange: ECCP supports short-term exchange, which serves to better connect European industrial clusters and their ecosystems.

Contact details

You can reach the ECCP via the following links:

clustercollaboration.eu
contact@clustercollaboration.de
Networking of SMEs in Europe

EEN

Are you a company looking for the right international cooperation partnerships?

Then you've come to the right place at EEN:

mission

The mission of the Enterprise Europe Network is to support companies in their innovation and growth on an international level. It is the world's largest support network for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with international ambitions.

The network operates globally. It brings together experts from member organizations who are known for their outstanding achievements in business development.

Networking opportunities

  • The network manages Europe's largest online database for business opportunities. Here you can find potential business or academic partnerships for the production, distribution, joint development, and delivery of your products, ideas, and services.
  • Matchmaking events bring together companies and other organizations seeking partnerships to advance their projects. They often take place alongside international trade fairs and conferences.
  • Trade missions are international visits for small groups of companies. These tailor-made missions, thanks to thorough preparation and local knowledge, lead to many successful partnerships.
  • Conferences, seminars, and workshops can help you prepare your company for international expansion. Topics include innovation, access to international markets, financing options, regulations, and standards.

Contact details

You can reach the EEN via the following links:

een.ec.europa.eu
nrweuropa@zenit.de
Networking with North Rhine-Westphalia

NRW.Global Business

Are you an international company looking for the right cooperation partnerships in North Rhine-Westphalia?

Then NRW.Global Business is the right place for you:

mission

Invest in North Rhine-Westphalia, expand globally: NRW.Global Business, the state's foreign trade promotion agency, provides support for all companies involved in investment projects and establishing operations in North Rhine-Westphalia, accessing growth markets, and networking with international partners. As Germany's leading business location, the state is in high demand among foreign investors worldwide and is also home to numerous companies with global growth potential.

Networking opportunities

With our international offices, the company is represented in future markets around the globe. In addition to subsidiaries in Japan and the USA , NRW.Global Business maintains representative offices in China, Great Britain, India, Israel, Korea, Poland and Turkey.

Together with the headquarters in Düsseldorf, the foreign offices support companies in investment projects in North Rhine-Westphalia and identify growth potential for North Rhine-Westphalian companies in international markets.

At the same time, the network and over one hundred events per year enable direct exchange with companies and investors who want to benefit from the strength and innovative power of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Contact details

You can reach NRW.Global Business via the following links:

nrwglobalbusiness.com
nrw@nrwglobalbusiness.com
Real-world laboratories in North Rhine-Westphalia

Digi-Sandbox.NRW

Are you planning a real-world laboratory, are you currently implementing one , or have you already carried?

Then Digi-Sandbox.NRW is the right place for you:

mission

The Digi-Sandbox.NRW invites you to join the exchange! With the Digi-Sandbox.NRW initiative, North Rhine-Westphalia is the first German state to establish a central contact point for real-world laboratories and their needs. Through this online platform, North Rhine-Westphalia strengthens the visibility of real-world laboratories and supports them in networking, exchange, and knowledge transfer. Furthermore, legal obstacles can be reported via the website. Join the network to stay informed!

Networking opportunities

  • Networking between real-world laboratories, licensing authorities and ministries
  • Information platform about real-world laboratory activities in North Rhine-Westphalia
  • Overview of current experimental clauses
  • Advice on dealing with legal hurdles
  • Network membership and newsletter

Contact details

You can access Digi-Sandbox.NRW via the following links:

digi-sandbox.nrw
ptj-digi-sandbox.nrw@fz-juelich.de
Technology transfer in North Rhine-Westphalia

innovation
2business.nrw

Are you from the scientific community and would like to collaborate? Or are you a company looking for innovative solutions from the scientific community ?

Then you've come to the right place at innovation2business.nrw:

mission

innovation2business.nrw brings business and science together and disseminates scientific expertise in North Rhine-Westphalia. The project sustainably strengthens cooperation between companies, start-ups, and research institutions in the innovation process.

Networking opportunities

  • Analysis of the technology and innovation needs of companies to identify cooperation opportunities with universities in North Rhine-Westphalia
  • Researching suitable expertise in the research landscape of North Rhine-Westphalia
  • Collaboration with scientists from universities in North Rhine-Westphalia
  • Seminars for SMEs & start-ups on the topic of Intellectual Property (IP)

Contact details

You can reach innovation2business.nrw via the following links:

www.innovation2business.nrw

Your contact person is Dipl.-Ing. Oliver Werche from PROvendis GmbH

ow@provendis.info
+49 208 9410542
contact

Want to innovate?

We look forward to working with you.
Please feel free to contact us…

info@nrwinnovativ.de

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