Looking for new markets for your product?
Your company has developed a marketable product and you want to expand into the German market. Düsseldorf is the ideal starting point for this. The state capital of North Rhine-Westphalia is located at the heart of Europe in a region with the highest density of companies and population anywhere in Germany.
Finding customers and partners
Düsseldorf offers the best conditions for marketing your product. Especially for B2B business models, you will find an enormous customer potential in the region around Düsseldorf.
The International Business Service can tell you how to make contact with potential customers and partners using suitable platforms. Our Startup Unit helps you gain access to our startup-ecosystem.
Getting started in Düsseldorf
You have established that Düsseldorf is the most suitable location for the marketing of your products and services across Germany. Now you want to settle in Düsseldorf and expand your business from here in the long term. Düsseldorf is a city with international flair and offers many facilities for its citizens from all over the world. It is among the cities with the highest quality of life in the world. There are many partners and service providers here to help you get started quickly and easily.
The International Business Service is happy to advise you on any questions concerning the settlement of your company in Düsseldorf e.g. the search for suitable office premises or questions on residence rights.
Setting up a company
After your product has been successfully launched on the German market, it may make sense to set up a subsidiary. Finding the right legal form depends on various factors. There are legal and tax aspects to be considered. We recommend clarifying these questions with a tax consultant.
Your company is growing
Düsseldorf is an ideal location if you want to bring your product to other European markets. Thanks to its central location in Western Europe and its international airport, you can quickly reach other European cities.
Room for Ideas
Business Centre and coworking spaces in Düsseldorf
For startups or established corporates, for newcomers on the domestic market or investors from abroad, for sole traders starting a new business or team players, however long they need support – for a day, a year or longer.
Düsseldorf has the perfect infrastructure:
More than 50 business centres and coworking spaces that provide around 85,100 m² of flexible space for a wide range of requirements.
A little guidance: Take a look at our overview of all coworking and business centres in Düsseldorf (page 56 onwards). In the column on the far right, you can see who has a special offer for startups!
Startup-Week Düsseldorf
At the annual startup week, everything revolves around startups and young companies. There are more than 100 events – spread over one week and the entire city area – offering you individual support with workshops, lectures, coaching, competitions or networking with important partners.
You can find scheduling and all further information here.
Business location Düsseldorf
Ranked as Germany’s number one city for foreign direct investment, Düsseldorf is an international business hub in the heart of Europe. Thanks to its high quality of life and moderate living costs, Düsseldorf has become a magnet for international companies. The city’s central location on the European continent as well as its excellent transportation infrastructure and international airport, means that many European destinations are within easy reach. The city government is decidedly pro-business and actively promotes entrepreneurship. This combined with a safe living environment, tolerance, open-mindedness and the famous Rhineland hospitality, means that the Düsseldorf region is now the second-most popular destination for foreign direct investment in Europe … behind only London, but ahead of Paris.
More on the business location Düsseldorf can be found here.
Welcome Package for international Startups
Calling all international startups! Expand to Germany and Europe effortlessly with Düsseldorf as your launch pad. Benefit from three months’ rent-free space at either Tech Hub.K67 or Factory Campus. We’ll connect you with customers and valuable partners, guiding you throughout the process. Embrace the vibrant startup community, collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and potential investors. Your gateway to success awaits in Düsseldorf!
Are you an international startup seeking expansion to Germany/Europe? Look no further! Düsseldorf is your ideal launch pad for the German and Western European Scaleup Journey. We assist you by providing rent-free space for the first three months at Tech Hub.K67 or Factory Campus. Connect with valuable partners, customers, and rely on us as your go-to contact. Join the thriving startup community, collaborate with entrepreneurs, and network with industry leaders and investors. Don’t miss this opportunity to make your mark in Germany and Europe with the support of the Office of Economic Development of the City of Düsseldorf!
Digital Innovation Hub Düsseldorf/Rhineland (digihub)
The Public-Private-Partnership digihub (in German) is a matchmaking platform & digital accelerator and connects medium-sized companies, startups, corporations, scientists & investors. It supports you in the development of new digital business models, products and solutions.
Digital Demo Day (DDD)
The DDD is Germany’s leading startup expo & conference for industrial tech and is organised by digihub. This platform is the perfect place to present your product portfolio and find customers or cooperation partners. It also gives you a chance to experience Düsseldorf as a location at first hand. The B2B startup exhibition has recently attracted over 4,000 participants, over 175 startups and over 200 investors. For more information, visit the expo’s homepage here.
Startup Week
At the annual Startup Week, everything revolves around startups and young companies. There are more than 100 events – spread over one week and the entire city area – offering you individual support with workshops, lectures, coaching, competitions or networking with important partners.
Room for Ideas
Business Centre and coworking spaces in Düsseldorf.
For start-ups or established corporates, for newcomers from Germany or investors from abroad, for individual start-up entrepreneurs or team players, for 1 day or 1 year or longer.Düsseldorf has the perfect infastructure: More than 50 business centers and co-working spaces providing around 85,100 m² of flexible space for a wide variety of uses.
For more information, click Spaces and Laboratories.
Right of residence
EU citizens can live and work in Düsseldorf without restrictions. All they have to do is register their place of residence at the residents’ registration office.
Citizens from non-EU countries usually need a visa and a residence permit to live and work in Germany.
If you have any questions, please contact us!
For general information, visit the “Make it in Germany” homepage here.
Expat Service Desk ME & DUS
The Expat Service Desk is the central contact point for international professionals and welcomes any questions from expats on living and working in Düsseldorf.
Legal forms
Learn more about Legal forms, Registration and Employees in Düsseldorf.
Registering your company
Depending on the type of business, the company must be registered with the trade licensing office and entered in the commercial register. The entry in the commercial register is made by a notary public. You can register your business yourself at the Trade Licensing Office.
Finding space
Are you looking for more office or storage space? Our real estate services team will help you find the right properties, commercial space, interim uses or even pop-up stores. All we need from you is an exact search profile (type of property, size, location, price, other requirements). Just get in touch with us!
Finding talents
If you are looking for local specialists, you can take advantage of the Employer Service offered by the Employment Agency. We would be happy to introduce you!
The Expat Service Desk is ready to advise you if you want to hire international talent.
Digital talents@duesseldorf is an initiative of the Office of Economic Development that brings Düsseldorf companies together to attract digital professionals.
Funding
There are different financing options available, depending on the development phase of your company:
At Startups meet Investors you can pitch in an exclusive atmosphere in front of invited VCs and family offices. If you are interested, please contact us!
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is a successful public-private partnership founded in 2005 on the initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and supports young technology companies with venture capital.
NRW.Bank is a business development bank for North Rhine-Westphalia and supports the state in its structural and economic policy tasks. It acts on behalf of the public sector, adopts a policy of competitive neutrality and uses the entire range of financial support products. It offers venture capital for SMEs and has set up a special venture capital fund to support innovative companies.