Economic Development Agency Dortmund

What Economic Development Agency Dortmund does

Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund (Economic Development Agency Dortmund) is the municipal economic development agency (Eigenbetrieb) of the City of Dortmund, operating under §114 of the North Rhine-Westphalia Municipal Code (GO NRW). Established in 1968 and headquartered at Grüne Straße 2-8, the agency serves as the primary public-sector gateway for companies, founders, investors, and job seekers in Dortmund, a city of approximately 612,000 residents. Its mandate spans business location advisory, commercial real estate and site development, startup support, workforce development, internationalization, and sustainability/digital transformation programs. It operates a portfolio of branded programs including start2grow (one of Germany's oldest business plan competitions, 410+ participants in 2024/25), Ausbildung im Quartier (550+ vocational placements since launch), to:DO (citywide future-of-work platform launched 2024), greenhouse.ruhr (social/green startup incubator), Competentia (women and work competence center), and the Dortmund Cross Mentoring program (6th cohort, 29 participants).

The agency's technology stack is a public municipal services platform, not a unified software product. Its proprietary components are limited to event-management infrastructure, a CRM-light company advisory workflow, and web-based event registration; core IP consists of programmatic methodology rather than software. Distribution is hybrid: 12 Betriebsakquisiteur*innen deployed across city districts, regional Firmenberatung teams, the TZDO-operated technology centers (MST.factory, ZfP) and competence centers at the PHOENIX West site (120+ tenant companies), and digital channels spanning LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, blog, to:DO podcast, and newsletter. Sub-brand ecosystem (to:DO, start2grow, Ausbildung im Quartier, greenhouse.ruhr, Competentia) functions as a marketing taxonomy for differentiated services.

Revenue is generated through municipal budget appropriations under the Eigenbetrieb framework; all services to businesses, founders, and job seekers are provided free of charge, with no commercial pricing tiers. Federal and state co-funding flows through programs such as the BMWK-backed DoZirkulär2030 / DoPass digital product passport initiative and the EUR-funded Competentia NRW network. Customer segments are public-facing and structurally non-commercial: companies seeking site/investment support, founders/startups, employers and job seekers in the workforce & skilled labor market, SMEs and corporates pursuing innovation/sustainability, and international companies and local exporters. The go-to-market model is event-driven, anchored on a dense calendar of workshops, competitions, networking events, and project laboratories rather than a sales funnel.

Name

Economic Development Agency Dortmund

Legal name

Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund

Website

https://wirtschaftsfoerderung-dortmund.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund is the municipal economic development agency of the City of Dortmund, providing free public advisory, startup support, workforce programs, and commercial-site development to companies, founders, and job seekers in the ~612,000-resident city.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Employment Services (5613)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workforce Development & Inclusive Employment (Job Training, Placement) (BPAGALAB), Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI)

Keywords

• Municipal economic development
• Business consulting services
• Startup incubation programs
• Workforce development services
• Commercial site advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Dortmund

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Municipal Funding: As an Eigenbetrieb (municipal enterprise) of the City of Dortmund under §114 GO NRW, the agency is publicly funded through the municipal budget. Services to businesses and job seekers are provided free of charge.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund is a municipal economic development agency that provides free consulting, site and real estate matching, funding advisory, workforce development, and internationalization support to companies, founders, and job seekers in Dortmund. It delivers these services through flagship programs including the start2grow business plan competition, the Ausbildung im Quartier vocational training program, the to:DO future-of-work platform, the greenhouse.ruhr startup incubator, and the Cross Mentoring program. All services are publicly funded through the municipal budget of the City of Dortmund and delivered at no cost to participants.

Product overview

Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund (Economic Development Agency Dortmund) operates as a public economic development organization providing a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services to support business development, workforce development, and innovation in the Dortmund region. The offering is organized as a multi-initiative platform rather than a unified software product, comprising startup support programs (start2grow, greenhouse.ruhr stipend, Gründungsstammtisch), workforce initiatives (to:DO, Competentia, Cross Mentoring, HR-Lounge), vocational training (Ausbildung im Quartier), innovation programs (INNOSPRINT, DoPass), and networking events (3rd Wednesday, PITCH BOOM BANG, DIWODO). These programs are complemented by real estate services, company consulting, international support, and social innovation initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• to:DO: to:DO – Dortmunds neue Arbeit (Dortmund's New Work) is a permanent citywide initiative and innovation platform for shaping the future of work in Dortmund, addressing demographic change and workforce challenges.
• start2grow
• Ausbildung im Quartier
• greenhouse.ruhr
• Competentia

Products and services

• to:DO – Dortmunds neue Arbeit
• Kompetenzzentrum Frau & Beruf Westfälisches Ruhrgebiet (Competentia)
• start2grow
• INNOSPRINT Zirkuläres Bauen
• greenhouse.ruhr Stipendienprogramm
• DoPass – Der digitale Produktpass für Dortmund
• Ausbildung im Quartier
• Dortmunder Cross Mentoring Program
• Anstoß – Existenzgründungswettbewerb
• PITCH BOOM BANG
• DIWODO – Digitale Woche Dortmund
• Karriere-Kompass
• HR-Lounge Dortmund
• 3rd Wednesday
• Netzwerktagung Nachhaltige Wirtschaftsförderung

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• NRW.URBAN (NRW.URBAN GmbH & Co. KG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNRW.URBAN owns and markets the PHOENIX West industrial real estate together with the City of Dortmund. They are jointly conducting a tender process for three heritage buildings (Gasgebläsehalle, Pumpenhaus, Gasometer) to attract investors for sustainable reuse. The partnership drives large-scale urban transformation of former industrial sites.
• TechnologieZentrumDortmund (TZDO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTZDO operates competence centers (MST.factory dortmund, ZfP) at PHOENIX West. It co-hosts the 3rd Wednesday networking series and is a key ecosystem partner for technology transfer and startup support. TZDO hosts the Gründungsinnenzentrum (founders' center) where events like the Instagram/TikTok social media workshop take place.
• Wuppertal InstitutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Wuppertal Institut co-develops and co-hosts the Netzwerktagung Nachhaltige Wirtschaftsförderung (Sustainable Economic Development Network Conference) with Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund, bringing together economic development professionals from across Germany.
• AG Nachhaltigkeit des DVWE (Deutscher Verband der Wirtschaftsförderungs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaften)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational-level working group on sustainable economic development that co-organizes the annual Netzwerktagung Nachhaltige Wirtschaftsförderung with Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund.
• Verband der Wirtschaftsförderungs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaften NRW (VWE NRW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level association of NRW economic development corporations co-organizing the annual Netzwerktagung Nachhaltige Wirtschaftsförderung with Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund.
• Competentia – Kompetenzzentrum Frau & Beruf Westfälisches RuhrgebietcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompetentia is a federally and state-funded competence center for women and work operating under the Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund umbrella. It organizes events like the Digital Fachkräftewoche and partners with SLADO e.V. and the city's LSBTIQ* coordination office for diversity events (e.g., CSD Dortmund).
• SLADO e.V. (Dachverband der queeren Organisationen in Dortmund)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerUmbrella organization for queer organizations in Dortmund. Partners with Competentia and Wirtschaftsförderung for events like the Competentia x CSD Dortmund panel discussion on diversity in the workplace.
• greenhouse.ruhrcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnergreenhouse.ruhr is the social/green startup incubator and accelerator run by Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund. It operates a stipend program, co-working space (innoclub), and INNOSPRINT innovation sprints. Co-organizes the INNOSPRINT Zirkuläres Bauen with DoZirkulär 2030.
• DoZirkulär2030 (Projekt)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoZirkulär2030 is a funded project on circular and common-good-oriented economy, hosted by Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund. It includes the DoPass digital product passport pilot and is financed by BMWK's 'Zukunft Region' competition. The project team (TU-Concept GmbH) delivers webinars.
• TU-Concept GmbHmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementation partner for the DoPass digital product passport pilot project. Manages webinar series delivery and pilot company support for DoZirkulär2030.
• KAUSA-Landesstelle NRW – Westfälisches RuhrgebietmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal/state-funded program supporting entrepreneurial migrants and companies with migration backgrounds. Provides training courses (Ausbilder-Eignungsprüfung / AdA), apprenticeship support, and participates in the Ausbildungsmesse 'Deine Zukunft'.
• Jugendberufshaus DortmundmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth career house operated jointly by Agentur für Arbeit Dortmund and partners. Maintains a weekly Ausbildungsstelle (vacancy list) and collaborates on the Deine Zukunft Ausbildungsmesse.
• Agentur für Arbeit DortmundmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal employment agency partnering on career orientation events (Ausbildungsmesse Deine Zukunft, Karriere-Kompass), job fair for women with migration backgrounds, and youth employment programs.
• Jobcenter DortmundmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipal job center partnering with Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund on integrating job seekers into the labor market. Joint activities include the S|ch|ichtwechsel meet & greet events and regular coordination meetings.
• MigraDOminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDortmund migration office/coordination body that joined the second coordination meeting with Jobcenter Dortmund and Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund to strengthen cooperation on integrating migrants into the labor market.
• AWO Unterbezirk DortmundmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerArbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO) Dortmund offers part-time vocational training (Teilzeitberufsausbildung) for people with family responsibilities. Hosted the first participant in the TEP program who completed training, and participates in the Cross Mentoring Program.
• Verband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau NRW e.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNRW landscaping trade association that co-organizes the Landschaftsgärtner-Cup with Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund, bringing 170 students to the Westfalenpark for career orientation.
• 6th Dortmund Cross Mentoring Program – Participating CompaniesmajorGTM or Marketing Partner29 participants from companies including Amprion, AWO, DEW21, Drees & Sommer, DSW21, EDG, EMC-Test, Hotel Esplanade, LDC, Materna, and Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund itself, matched in mentor-mentee tandems for career development.
• ABP Induction GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner with H-Iron GmbH operating a methane pyrolysis test plant at Dortmund port. ABP provides its industrial induction furnace technology for hydrogen production. The company has operated at the Dortmund site for nearly 100 years.
• H-Iron GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner with ABP Induction GmbH for methane pyrolysis technology. Developing a process to split natural gas or biomethane into hydrogen and solid carbon (graphite) at a test plant in Dortmund port.
• Regionalagentur Westfälisches RuhrgebietmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional agency for labor market policy in Westphalian Ruhr area. Co-organizes events with Wirtschaftsförderung including career orientation (Karriere-Kompass), and administers programs TEP (part-time training), KAUSA, and Beratungsstellen Arbeit.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wirtschaftsförderung Frankfurt: Frankfurt's municipal economic development arm within the local chamber, performing analogous site selection, internationalization, and SME support services for a major German city.
• TechnologieZentrumDortmund (TZDO): Dortmund's technology and startup center, a close operational partner of Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund that runs the competence centers (MST.factory, ZfP) and co-hosts events like 3rd Wednesday and PITCH BOOM BANG. Functions as the agency's technology-transfer and incubation arm.
• Wirtschaftsförderung Köln (Cologne Business): Cologne's municipal economic development agency, directly comparable as a North Rhine-Westphalian Eigenbetrieb providing location marketing, business consulting, startup support, and workforce programs.
• Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen: Bremen's municipal economic development agency, with parallel mandates in business attraction, real estate/site development, and cluster promotion, structurally similar to Dortmund's Eigenbetrieb model.
• Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie: Municipal economic development agency for the State of Berlin, performing the same core functions—business attraction, location marketing, startup support, workforce initiatives, and cluster management—making it the closest analogue to Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund.
• Hamburg Invest Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft: Hamburg's municipal economic development corporation, comparable in mandate (investment promotion, startup support, internationalization) and in operating as a public-law entity, with similar service offerings for businesses and founders.
• Wirtschaftsförderung Stuttgart: City of Stuttgart's economic development arm, comparable in function (business location support, startup promotion, innovation programs) and as a municipal entity serving a major German industrial region.

Broad incumbents

• Hessen Trade & Invest: Hesse's state economic development agency providing comparable business location, innovation, and internationalization services at a broader geographic scope, useful as a state-level comparator.
• NRW.Global Business: State-level NRW trade and investment agency; overlaps with Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund on internationalization, foreign company attraction, and export promotion, but operates at the federal-state scale rather than city scale.

Others

• IHK zu Dortmund (Dortmund Chamber of Commerce): Local chamber of commerce providing adjacent business-support services (consulting, training, advocacy, internationalization) and a natural institutional counterpart and ecosystem partner for Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@wirtschaftsforderungdortmu505/featured
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wirtschaftsf%C3%B6rderung-dortmund
• Instagraminstagram.com/wf_dortmund

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Economic Development Agency Dortmund