REGIONALE 2025 Agentur GmbH

What REGIONALE 2025 Agentur GmbH does

REGIONALE 2025 Agentur GmbH is a government-owned regional development agency established in 2017 in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, serving as the managing body for the REGIONALE 2025 Bergisches RheinLand structural program of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. The agency coordinates regional development across three districts (Oberbergischer Kreis, Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis, and Rhein-Sieg-Kreis) and the Region Köln/Bonn e.V., covering a region of over 700,000 residents across more than 1,400 villages. Its core function is to qualify, fund, and oversee projects across five future themes: Weiter geht's! (building stock reuse), Alles Ressource! (sustainable resource use), Das Gute Leben selbst gemacht! (civic engagement), Neues Machen! (innovation and knowledge), and Hin und weg! (sustainable mobility).

The agency does not operate a proprietary technology platform; it is a coordination and project management organization. Its portfolio includes the Innovation Hub Bergisches RheinLand at Halle 51 in Gummersbach (digital transformation support for regional SMEs), :bergische rohstoffschmiede at :metabolon in Lindlar (circular economy hub), Bergische WasserkompetenzRegion :aqualon 2.0 (water management), In:Return (industrial resource sharing), and the annual DigitalXchange conference. As of April 2022, 64 projects were in the qualification process, and 49.6 million EUR in Städtebauförderung was distributed to 12 municipalities in 2024.

The business model is entirely government-funded: the shareholders (three Kreise plus Region Köln/Bonn e.V.) provide core contributions, while project funding flows through EFRE (European Fund for Regional Development), Regio.NRW, Städtebauförderung, and three LEADER regions (each with approximately €3 million budgets for 2023-2027). The agency employs 6 staff led by CEO Dr. Reimar Molitor and Deputy CEO Thomas Kemme, with no commercial pricing model. After eight years of project development, the REGIONALE 2025 program concluded with the Zeltfestival finale in Much in July 2026.

Name

REGIONALE 2025 Agentur GmbH

Legal name

REGIONALE 2025 Agentur GmbH

Website

https://regionale2025.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

REGIONALE 2025 Agentur GmbH is a government-owned regional development agency coordinating the state-funded REGIONALE 2025 Bergisches RheinLand structural program across three districts, serving municipalities, SMEs, universities, and civil society organizations through project qualification and funding distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251)

SIC

Non-Operating Establishments (9995), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban & Regional Planning (Land Use, Zoning, Master Planning) (BPAIANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Cities, Urban Development & Green Infrastructure (BPADALAL), Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM), Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO)

Keywords

• Regional development
• Structural program management
• Government project coordination
• Municipal development services
• Public sector funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Bergisch Gladbach

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Subsidies: REGIONALE 2025 Agentur GmbH operates as a government-funded regional development agency. The company is a program of the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen, funded through EFRE (European Fund for Regional Development), state government budgets, and municipal contributions from its shareholders (Oberbergischer Kreis, Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis, Rhein-Sieg-Kreis, and Region Köln/Bonn e.V.). Project funding comes from various programs including Städtebauförderung (urban development funding), Regio.NRW, and LEADER EU agricultural funds.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

REGIONALE 2025 Agentur GmbH coordinates and manages the REGIONALE 2025 Bergisches RheinLand, an eight-year state structural program of North Rhine-Westphalia. The agency channels public funding (EFRE, state, municipal, LEADER) into regional development projects across five themes: smart reuse of buildings, sustainable resources, civic engagement, innovation, and sustainable mobility. Its core deliverables include the Innovation Hub Bergisches RheinLand for digital transformation of SMEs, the :bergische rohstoffschmiede circular economy hub, the Bergische WasserkompetenzRegion :aqualon 2.0 water management project, and the In:Return industrial resource-sharing initiative.

Product overview

REGIONALE 2025 Agentur GmbH is a regional development agency managing the REGIONALE 2025 Bergisches RheinLand, a state structure program of North Rhine-Westphalia. The organization does not offer a unified technology product but rather coordinates a portfolio of interconnected regional development projects. Key offerings include: the Innovation Hub Bergisches RheinLand (InnoHub/InnoFaktur) for digital transformation support; :bergische rohstoffschmiede for circular value creation; Bergische WasserkompetenzRegion :aqualon 2.0 for water resource management; In:Return for industrial resource sharing; and the annual DigitalXchange conference. Supporting products include the 'Neues Sehen' newspaper supplement publication, strategy papers, project landscape documentation, and event series including the Zeltfestival finale. The portfolio addresses five future themes: Weiter geht's! (building stock reuse), Alles Ressource! (sustainable resources), Das Gute Leben selbst gemacht! (civic engagement), Neues Machen! (innovation), and Hin und weg! (sustainable mobility).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Innovation Hub Bergisches RheinLand (InnoHub / InnoFaktur) A coordination and infrastructure hub connecting regional SMEs, research institutions (TH Köln), and local government representatives to support digital transformation and Industry 4.0. Provides model factory access, IT laboratory, co-working spaces, and event venues for regional businesses in the Bergisches RheinLand.
• :bergische rohstoffschmiede – Hub für zirkuläre Wertschöpfung A competence hub for circular value creation located at the :metabolon site in Lindlar, developing innovative procedures for utilizing residual materials including plastics/composites and mineral construction waste, with permanent exhibition "Linear wird zirkulär" and a networking hub for circular economy stakeholders.
• Bergische WasserkompetenzRegion :aqualon 2.0 A water competence region project covering the Dhünn river catchment area with eight innovation fields spanning water technology, water economy, water knowledge, water experience, water nature, and water stories. Includes climate-resilient settlement development modules and a Dhünn real-world research laboratory.
• In:Return (Industrielle Ressourcen-Teilung) A platform and set of local activities enabling industrial resource sharing between SMEs in regional networks across the Bergisches RheinLand. Focus areas include AI applications, shared equipment, circular material and energy flows, and cross-company knowledge transfer and employee qualification.
• Villa Much (Knotenpunkt des öffentlichen Lebens) A community engagement center in Much converted from an old villa, serving as a meeting place for citizens, initiatives, self-help groups, and associations. Operated by Villa Much e.V., it provides spaces for courses, meetings, and community events as part of the Knotenpunkte des öffentlichen Lebens initiative.

Quantifiable outcome

• 49.6 million EUR in Städtebauförderung distributed to 12 municipalities in 2024
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Unitechnik Systems GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Host venue for In:Return project kick-off event in Wiehl, demonstrating interest in industrial resource sharing among regional manufacturing companies.
• Villa Much e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Volunteer association operating the Villa Much community center, opened March 2025, providing meeting spaces and activities for citizens as a 'Knotenpunkt des öffentlichen Lebens' under the 'Das Gute Leben selbst gemacht!' initiative.
• Christlich-Ökologische Wohngemeinschaft CÖW eGminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Housing cooperative implementing the innovative community living project in Herkenrath using modular wood construction and sustainable building materials, contributing to 'Alles Ressource!' future theme.
• LEADER-Region Bergisches WasserlandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023EU-funded rural development region covering 8 municipalities (Burscheid, Kürten, Odenthal, Wermelskirchen, Hückeswagen, Marienheide, Radevormwald, Wipperfürth) with approximately 3 million EUR budget (2023-2027) for climate protection, education, rural development, and tourism projects.
• LEADER-Region Oberberg: 1000 Dörfer – eine ZukunftminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023EU-funded rural development region covering 9 municipalities in the Oberbergischer Kreis with approximately 3 million EUR budget (2023-2027) for regional life, work, leisure, nature, climate, and education projects.
• LEADER-Region Vom Bergischen zur SiegminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023EU-funded rural development region covering 7 municipalities in the eastern Rhein-Sieg-Kreis with approximately 3 million EUR budget (2023-2027) for village vitality, culture, youth, and climate projects.
• :aqualon e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022The water competence network :aqualon coordinates the Bergische WasserkompetenzRegion project focusing on water management, climate resilience, and the Dhünn reservoir system. The association works with municipalities including Odenthal, Kürten, and Wermelskirchen on water-innovation projects.
• Bergischer Abfallwirtschaftsverband (BAV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Bergischer Abfallwirtschaftsverband is the project lead for :bergische rohstoffschmiede and operator of :metabolon innovation site at the former Leppe landfill. The BAV collaborates with TH Köln on circular economy research and demonstration projects, hosting the permanent exhibition 'Linear wird zirkulär' and research facilities.
• ScienceLoft GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021ScienceLoft GmbH leads the Denkschmiede project in Hennef and Winterscheid, providing transfer spaces for sustainable service innovation, continuing education, and networking for regional SMEs, particularly in crafts and manufacturing sectors.
• Fachhochschule des Mittelstands (FHM) KölnminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021FHM Köln conducts evaluation research for the Denkschmiede project, assessing different locations (urban in Hennef, rural in Winterscheid) and inter-municipal networking effects.
• Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-SiegminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partners with Denkschmiede for knowledge transfer to regional SMEs, particularly in digital technologies and customer retention strategies.
• Innovation Hub Bergisches RheinLand e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The registered association (e.V.) is the operational partner for the Innovation Hub project, coordinating the network of regional businesses, research institutions, and political stakeholders. Founded as a cooperation between TH Köln and OPITZ CONSULTING with IHK Köln, the association manages the Halle 51 facility and leads project activities including the annual DigitalXchange conference.
• Opitz Consulting GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019IT consulting company and founding partner of the Innovation Hub Bergisches RheinLand consortium, providing technological expertise for regional digital transformation initiatives.
• IHK zu Köln (Chamber of Industry and Commerce)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce participated in the original Innovation Hub working group, representing regional business interests in the digital transformation initiative.
• TH Köln (Technische Hochschule Köln)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018TH Köln is a key strategic partner across multiple REGIONALE projects including Innovation Hub Bergisches RheinLand (consortium leader), :bergische rohstoffschmiede, Bergische WasserkompetenzRegion :aqualon 2.0, and In:Return. The university provides research capacity, faculty expertise, and student involvement for regional innovation initiatives. The Campus Gummersbach serves as a key location for Innovation Hub activities and DigitalXchange conferences.
• Naturarena Bergisches Land GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Tourism umbrella organization for the Bergisches Land, covering 21 municipalities across Rheinisch-Bergischer and Oberbergischer Kreise plus 4 municipalities in Rhein-Sieg-Kreis, responsible for regional tourism marketing under the 'das bergische' brand.
• Naturregion SiegminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Regional tourism organization promoting sustainable tourism between Bergisches Land and Westerwald, covering Eitorf, Windeck, Hennef, Siegburg, and the districts of Rhein-Sieg-Kreis and Kreis Altenkirchen.
• Naturpark Bergisches Land (Zweckverband)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Municipal association responsible for sustainable development of the Naturpark Bergisches Land, managing approximately 1,000 km of hiking trails ('Bergisches Wanderland') and 1,000 km of cycling routes from the Rheinland bicycle region node system.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Zweckverband Raum Kassel: Inter-municipal cooperation body coordinating regional planning and development across municipalities around Kassel. Comparable in function as a regional planning coordination entity but operates in a different German region.

Broad incumbents

• IHK Köln (Industrie- und Handelskammer Köln): Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Cologne, an existing partner of REGIONALE 2025 Agentur. Comparable as a broader regional economic development and business support institution in the same geography, but with a wider statutory mandate.
• Bezirksregierung Köln: Higher-level NRW state administrative district government covering the same territory as REGIONALE 2025. Comparable as a public-sector coordinator of regional development policy and funding distribution, but with statutory state authority rather than project-based mandate.

Direct peers

• Wirtschaftsförderung und Standortentwicklung Kreis Soest GmbH: Regional economic development agency for a Kreis in NRW, comparable in mandate of coordinating public-sector development programs, business support, and stakeholder engagement at the sub-state level in Germany.
• REGIONALE 2016 Agentur: Predecessor regional development agency in NRW managing the earlier REGIONALE 2016 program in a different region. Directly comparable in mandate, structure, and governance as a state-funded GmbH coordinating regional structural development across districts.
• LEADER-Region Bergisches Wasserland: EU LEADER rural development region covering 8 municipalities within the REGIONALE 2025 territory. Directly comparable as a sub-regional EU-funded rural development coordinator with overlapping stakeholder base and shared funding instruments.
• Metropolregion Rheinland e.V. Metropolitan region association coordinating cross-district economic and structural development in the Rheinland. Comparable as a regional coordination body with similar stakeholder model but broader geographic scope.
• REGIONALE 2025 Köln/Bonn / Region Köln/Bonn e.V. One of REGIONALE 2025 Agentur's shareholders; the parent regional development association for the Köln/Bonn metropolitan region. Comparable as a cross-district coordination body managing structural development, funding programs, and stakeholder engagement in the same region.

Emerging players

• TH Köln – Campus Gummersbach: University campus that serves as a core strategic partner and physical anchor for the Innovation Hub Bergisches RheinLand. Comparable as an applied research and knowledge transfer node serving the regional SME innovation ecosystem, though with a primary higher-education mandate.
• Fraunhofer IAIS (Sankt Augustin/Bonn): Applied research institution based in the Bonn/Rhein-Sieg area, partially overlapping in AI and digital transformation focus with REGIONALE 2025's Innovation Hub. Comparable as a knowledge partner for regional SME digitalization, though operating under a federal applied research mandate.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/regionale-2025-agentur-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about REGIONALE 2025 Agentur GmbH