SCIENCE BASEDDEEP TECHIMPACT DRIVEN
We believe startups drive THE NEXT ECONOMIC MIRACLE.
To turn this belief into reality we bring together everything it takes: ambitious startups, industry partners, world-class science, and entrepreneurial minds.
SCIENCE BASEDDEEP TECHIMPACT DRIVEN
We believe startups drive the next ECONOMIC MIRACLE.
To turn this belief into reality we bring together everything it takes:
ambitious startups, industry partners, world-class science, and entrepreneurial minds.
0+
international partners united
0K
researchers
0K
students
0
hidden champions
0+
international partners united
0K
researchers
0K
students
0
hidden champions
OUR MISSION
Impact happens when STRENGTHS UNITE!
We are facing unprecedented global economic challenges. Real problems require highly skilled talent, a hands-on mindset, commitment, and deep expert knowledge.
To solve them, we need to work together – across disciplines, industries, and borders – to drive innovation and advance technology.
R-FACTORY IS WHERE IT ALL COMES TOGETHER.
TARGET GROUPS
The next economic miracle starts WITH YOU!
TALENTSTUDENTYOUNG PROFESSIONAL
Build a startup. Gain real skills. Join the network.
You have the knowledge – we give you the ecosystem to turn it into impact. Join science-based programs, work on real industry challenges, and build your startup or career alongside the best minds in the EUREGIO.
Providing what it takes to scale: go-to-market, industry access, investors, and global networks.
Connect with industry partners, researchers, and investors across Germany and the Netherlands. R-Factory gives you the network, the programs, and the access to corporates you need to build and scale a science-based startup.
Access to startups, trends, knowledge and 133k international talents.
Access a talent pool of 133k students and researchers across 7 universities. Co-create with startups, shape emerging focus areas, and solve your real-world challenges as a member who helps driving the direction of the ecosystem.
WHY R-FACTORY
More than a network. A SYSTEM YOU SHAPE.
R-Factory gives you a stake - co-own the ecosystem, shape the direction, and build alongside 30 leading partners from industry, science, and startups.
Cross-border by design
We connect Münster, Osnabrück, and Enschede into one ecosystem. Two countries, one mission.
Learn from experts
Gain hands-on guidance from 30+ experienced founders, industry experts and our coaches. Learn prototyping, business models, leadership, fundraising and how to pitch!
Science meets Mittelstand
We bring Deep Tech startups and established companies together – structured, strategic, and built for lasting impact.
A cooperative, not an agency
Our members don't just use the ecosystem – they shape it. You have a seat at the table, a voice in the strategy, and a stake in what we build together.
Cross-border by design
We connect Münster, Osnabrück, and Enschede into one ecosystem. Two countries, one mission.
Learn from experts
Gain hands-on guidance from 30+ experienced founders, industry experts and our coaches. Learn prototyping, business models, leadership, fundraising and how to pitch!
Science meets Mittelstand
We bring Deep Tech startups and established companies together – structured, strategic, and built for lasting impact.
A cooperative, not an agency
Our members don't just use the ecosystem – they shape it. You have a seat at the table, a voice in the strategy, and a stake in what we build together.
OUR MEMBER AND PARTNER
FOCUS AREAS
What brings our ECOSYSTEM TO LIFE.
We build on what makes our region unique: strong research institutions, world-class expertise, a strong Mittelstand and the entrepreneurial spirit of young talents. Together with our partners, we turn regional strengths into global opportunities and make our ecosystem future-proof.
Fin&InsurTech
CYBER SECURITYAI, DATA & ANALYTICSSUSTAINABILITY & ESGEMERGING TECH
Our Fin&InsurTech Track focuses on developing new technology to make financial and insurance services smarter, faster, and more accessible.
Industrial Resilience
ENERGYLOGISTICSROBOTICSSMART MANUFACTURINGDATA INTELLIGENCE
We tackle global challenges and emerging industrial shifts, helping the Mittelstand become more resilient, adaptive, and future-ready.
Future Focus Areas
DATA & AIFOOD SUPPLY CHAINSUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURERESILIENT SOCIETY
We leverage the region’s core strengths to develop strong networks and strategic focus areas in AgriTech and Defence & Peace. We’ll share more insights on each focus area soon.
Fin&InsurTech
CYBER SECURITYAI, DATA & ANALYTICSSUSTAINABILITY & ESGEMERGING TECH
Our Fin&InsurTech Track focuses on developing new technology to make financial and insurance services smarter, faster, and more accessible.
Industrial Resilience
ENERGYLOGISTICSROBOTICSSMART MANUFACTURINGDATA INTELLIGENCE
We tackle global challenges and emerging industrial shifts, helping the Mittelstand become more resilient, adaptive, and future-ready.
Future Focus Areas
DATA & AIFOOD SUPPLY CHAINSUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURERESILIENT SOCIETY
We leverage the region’s core strengths to develop strong networks and strategic focus areas in AgriTech and Defence & Peace. We’ll share more insights on each focus area soon.
PROGRAMS
Empowering Startups
OUR PROGRAMS
AND EVENTS
Build what matters!
The EUREGIO's largest innovation competition connects ambitious talents with real industry challenges from the Mittelstand. In just three months, interdisciplinary teams transform business challenges into innovative solutions and startup ideas that address the future's most pressing opportunities. Batch 3 is currently empowering 50 talents to build what's next.
MÜNSTERSTARTUPSINNOVATION
Special access for R-Factory members.
Where cross-border cooperation comes alive!
Our flagship event, together with Novel-T and REACH, brings the right people into one room: startups, talents, investors, and the Mittelstand. This is where ideas meet execution and collaborations actually happen. This year comes with a fresh spirit, a new look & feel and even more energy.
ENSCHEDE, U PARKHOTELSTARTUPSCORPORATES & INVESTORS
Special access for R-Factory members.
Build what matters!
The EUREGIO's largest innovation competition connects ambitious talents with real industry challenges from the Mittelstand. In just three months, interdisciplinary teams transform business challenges into innovative solutions and startup ideas that address the future's most pressing opportunities. Batch 3 is currently empowering 50 talents to build what's next.
MÜNSTERSTARTUPSINNOVATION
Special access for R-Factory members.
Where cross-border cooperation comes alive!
Our flagship event, together with Novel-T and REACH, brings the right people into one room: startups, talents, investors, and the Mittelstand. This is where ideas meet execution and collaborations actually happen. This year comes with a fresh spirit, a new look & feel and even more energy.
ENSCHEDE, U PARKHOTELSTARTUPSCORPORATES & INVESTORS
Special access for R-Factory members.
WHERE WE OPERATE
BORDERLESS INNOVATION. Where the magic happens.
It is not happening anywhere, it is happening in the heart of Europe, where three regions are coming together to build one of the most promising startup ecosystems. Münster, Osnabrück, and Enschede combine their unique strengths and connect their expertise and networks for startup growth and economic innovation.
WHERE WE OPERATE
BORDERLESS INNOVATION. Where the magic happens.
It is not happening anywhere, it is happening in the heart of Europe, where three regions are coming together to build one of the most promising startup ecosystems. Münster, Osnabrück, and Enschede combine their unique strengths and connect their expertise and networks for startup growth and economic innovation.
TESTIMONIALS
Hear it from those WHO LIVE IT.
“We have worked closely with the University of Münster and partners from business and society to support innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. The R-Factory is a natural extension of these efforts, connecting existing strengths and creating new opportunities for ideas to grow into successful businesses.”
Carsten Schröder
FH Münster
“For us as a global group with focus in R&D driven businesses, the R-Factory offers an opportunity to tackle challenges directly with motivated minds from universities and startups. Their energy and agility are truly inspiring!”
Dr. André Vielstädte
EW Group GmbH
“Co-creation and a cooperative spirit are the keys to a successful digital transformation. The R-Factory builds exactly the bridge we need in the Fin&InsurTech.”
Daniela Bücker
Atruvia AG · Board Member
“Real cross-border impact needs more than projects – it needs commitment and sustainability. R-Factory eG turns cooperation into a lasting structure.”
Christoph Almering
EUREGIO · Managing Director
“Bold ideas are the best insurance for the future. The R Factory enables us to rethink our perspective and actively shape the future together with strong partners.”
Andreas Laukötter
LVM Versicherung aG · Head of Corporate Development
“Great startups grow where strong ecosystems exist – We look forward to collaborating with R-Factory to further strengthen and develop this environment“
Francis Möllerwessel
Digital Hub münsterLAND e.V. · Co-CEO
“Innovative cooperatives like R-Factory eG prove that true innovation happens where collaboration is part of the system.”
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Wiesel
Forschungsgesellschaft für Genossenschaftswesen e.V.
“As a Genossenschaftbank, we’re really excited about R-Factory’s collaborative approach. It’s just great to see how we’re working together to break down the barriers between theory and practice in order to create real innovation for the region.”
Dietmar Dertwinkel
Board of Directors Volksbank im Münsterland eG
“Research must not remain confined to an ivory tower. The R-Factory creates the cross-border ecosystem needed to translate outstanding scientific findings into marketable startup ideas and to train the innovation leaders of tomorrow.”
Prof. Dr. Johannes Wessels
Universität Münster · Rector
“Osnabrück is proud to shape the future of innovation together with R-Factory eG – strengthening our role as Lower Saxony’s startup capital.”
Ingmar Bojes
WFO Wirtschaftsförderung Osnabrück GmbH · Executive Management
“Innovation is not a matter of chance, but the result of effective networks.”
Prof. Dr. Bernd Kriegesmann
Westfälische Hochschule · President
"What connects us at whyit to the R-Factory is our focus on execution. We are entrepreneurs - innovation isn’t just discussed, it has to be put into practice.“
Dr. Bernd Schröder
whyit GmbH, Chair of the Supervisory Board · R-Factory eG
OUR TEAM
The people BEHIND R-FACTORY.
R-Factory eG
Management Board | CEO
simon@r-factory.eu
Simon Brakhage
R-Factory eG
Management Board | CMO
rena@r-factory.eu
Rena Ronge
R-Factory eG
Marketing & Operations
johannes@r-factory.eu
Johannes Ueberfeldt
R-Factory eG
Working Student Business Development
paul@r-factory.eu
Paul Lüdecke
R-Factory eG
Working Student Marketing
lucas@r-factory.eu
Lucas Torres Eisenmann
R-Factory eG
Working Student Business Development
helena@r-factory.eu
Helena Witthaut
R-Factory eG
Working Student Marketing
jonas@r-factory.eu
Jonas Pannen
Supervisory Board
Chairman | Founder of whyit GmbH
Dr. Bernd Schröder
Supervisory Board
Vice President Münster University of Applied Science
Carsten Schröder
Supervisory Board
Rector University of Münster
Prof. Dr. Johannes Wessels
Supervisory Board
Board of Directors Volksbank im Münsterland eG
Dietmar Dertwinkel
Supervisory Board
Vice President for Research, Social Dialogue and Knowledge Transfer, University of Osnabrück
Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Kühnberger
Supervisory Board
Scientific Director REACH – EUREGIO Start-up Center
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Wiesel
Advisory Board
Head of Digital Transformation EW Group
Philipp zur Horst
Advisory Board
Vice President for Research, Knowledge and Academic Development Hochschule Osnabrück
Prof. Dr. Bernd Lehmann
Advisory Board
Procurator InnovationsCentrum Osnabrück (ICO)
Thomas Büdden
Advisory Board
Member of Executive Board Atruvia AG
Daniela Bücker
Advisory Board
Head of Group Development LVM Versicherung
Andreas Laukötter
R-Factory eG
Management Board | CEO
simon@r-factory.eu
Simon Brakhage
R-Factory eG
Management Board | CMO
rena@r-factory.eu
Rena Ronge
R-Factory eG
Marketing & Operations
johannes@r-factory.eu
Johannes Ueberfeldt
R-Factory eG
Working Student Business Development
paul@r-factory.eu
Paul Lüdecke
R-Factory eG
Working Student Marketing
lucas@r-factory.eu
Lucas Torres Eisenmann
R-Factory eG
Working Student Marketing
jonas@r-factory.eu
Jonas Pannen
R-Factory eG
Working Student Business Development
helena@r-factory.eu
Helena Witthaut
Supervisory Board
Board of Directors Volksbank im Münsterland eG
Dietmar Dertwinkel
Supervisory Board
Vice President for Research, Social Dialogue and Knowledge Transfer, University of Osnabrück
Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Kühnberger
Supervisory Board
Vice President Münster University of Applied Science
Carsten Schröder
Supervisory Board
Scientific Director REACH – EUREGIO Start-up Center
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Wiesel
Supervisory Board
Rector University of Münster
Prof. Dr. Johannes Wessels
Supervisory Board
Chairman | Founder of whyit GmbH
Dr. Bernd Schröder
Advisory Board
Member of Executive Board Atruvia AG
Daniela Bücker
Advisory Board
Head of Group Development LVM Versicherung
Andreas Laukötter
Advisory Board
Vice President for Research, Knowledge and Academic Development Hochschule Osnabrück
Prof. Dr. Bernd Lehmann
Advisory Board
Procurator InnovationsCentrum Osnabrück (ICO)
Thomas Büdden
Advisory Board
Head of Digital Transformation EW Group
Philipp zur Horst
CAREER AT R-FACTORY
The next economic miracle needs you! JOIN OUR TEAM!
