NRW's economic regions

Cologne/Bonn region

Cologne/Bonn region: Media hub, chemical industrial region and aerospace base

The Cologne/Bonn region is home to over 3.6 million people. It serves as a hub and breeding ground for services and commerce. It is a cultural space and a modern production landscape. The economic dynamism and the everyday usability of this region are closely intertwined.

Among its greatest strengths are its appeal and attractiveness as a cultural and tourist destination, as well as a business and innovation hub. Creativity and a thirst for knowledge form the foundation for the entire region.

Automotive, chemicals, media and more in a diverse metropolitan region

The regional management operated by the Cologne/Bonn Region Association has long served as the regional coordination and cooperation platform and promotes communication between partners in the region, at the state, federal or European level.

Regional management means communication and cooperation. Since its founding in 1992, and especially within the framework of the Regionale 2010 structural program, regional stakeholders have come together in a wide variety of constellations to move the region forward through projects, formats, and programs. The practical implementation of regional management is reflected in the association's fields of work/topics and working groups.

The association's areas of work form the basis for regional management in the Cologne/Bonn region. Through organized exchange within its committees, the foundations for regional cooperation are laid, and strategies and projects for addressing structural, social, environmental, and economic challenges are developed.

The Cologne/Bonn Region Association (Region Köln/Bonn e.V.) is an association of the independent cities of Cologne, Bonn, and Leverkusen, as well as the districts of Rhein-Sieg, Rhein-Erft, Rhein-Neuss, Oberbergischer, and Rheinisch-Bergischer. In addition to these eight local authorities, members include the Cologne Chamber of Skilled Crafts, the Bonn/Rhein-Sieg Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Cologne Savings Bank, the Cologne-Bonn Savings Bank, the Leverkusen Savings Bank, the Rhineland Regional Association, and the Cologne-Bonn branch of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB). The Cologne District Government, the Ahrweiler District, the Düren District, and the Euskirchen District participate as guests in the association's decision-making and working bodies.

Innovation fields

New Energies and Hydrogen
Bioeconomy and Resources
Biotechnology and Health
Materials and Substances
AI, Robotics and ICT
Climate Change Prevention and Environmental Economics
Digitalization and Innovation

Cologne/Bonn region overview

3,196,505


residents

46.9%


Share of employees subject to social security contributions in future-oriented industries

1,336,590


Employees subject to social security contributions

80,184 €


GDP per employed person

9%


Digital incentives for all employees subject to social security contributions

32.7


Startups per 10,000 employed persons

Innovation and startups in the Cologne/Bonn Region

Success stories

DeepL – Cologne

28.3 million annual sales

LeanIX – Bonn

growth of 348.15%

Startup events and hubs

Cologne:

Events: Startupland

Hub: Startplatz

Bonn:

Events: Startup Open Air

Hub: Digihub.de

Accelerators

Cologne:

Startplatz Accelerator, Founder Institute, Gateway Accelerator, ZEBRAC

Bonn:

Techboost, HubGrade/-Cyber


The content was compiled with the kind support of NRW.innovativ.

 

Photo credits

The photographic material was kindly provided by: 

© NRW.Global Business / Jan Tepass

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