Focus center Climate Innovation.NRW supports green startups

The Climate Innovation.NRW focus center began operating at the University of Cologne at the start of 2026. As a statewide contact point for startup consulting, Climate Innovation.NRW focuses on climate protection and the green economy. The initiative aims to exploit climate protection potential and make the economy and society in NRW more climate-neutral. Climate Innovation.NRW is a joint project of the Gateway Excellence Startup Center and the Sustainability Office at the University of Cologne.

The focus center supports the evaluation and development of startups' climate protection effects. The goal is to establish NRW as a premier location for green startups. An expert hub and regular networking events promote knowledge transfer between universities, startups, businesses, and society. A climate and sustainability qualification program, starting in June 2026, plays a central role in this, enabling participants to align their business models and products with climate-friendly principles early on.