The Rhineland’s startup hub since 2012.
STARTPLATZ is the meeting point and first port of call for innovative startups and companies at the heart of the Rhineland’s founder scene — founded in Cologne in 2012, and in Düsseldorf since 2015.
in Cologne & Düsseldorf
in our startups
across the ecosystem
From 200 m² to the largest startup hub in NRW.
Opening in the Mediapark.
STARTPLATZ is opened in Cologne by Dr. Lorenz Gräf and Matthias Gräf (Gräf Holding GmbH) — as the answer to a simple question: where do founders, investors and talent meet in the Rhineland? It all started with 200 m² of coworking space.
Second location in the Medienhafen.
STARTPLATZ grows beyond Cologne: a second location opens in Düsseldorf’s Medienhafen — today 1,700 m², right on the water.
Programs, academy, community.
Accelerator programs, an AZAV-certified AI Academy and a thriving community join the workspace — together shaping the Rhineland’s founder scene.
North Rhine-Westphalia’s AI hub.
With 4,500 m² in Cologne and 1,700 m² in Düsseldorf, we are today North Rhine-Westphalia’s AI hub — the central hub for AI builders, founders and companies.
What STARTPLATZ stands for.
The meeting point and first port of call for the Rhineland’s startup ecosystem.
At the heart of the Rhineland’s founder scene — in Cologne’s Mediapark and Düsseldorf’s Medienhafen — STARTPLATZ is the meeting point and first port of call for innovative startups and established companies. The result is an ecosystem where old and new economy, science and politics exchange ideas, create synergies and learn from each other.
The Rhineland as a European hub for innovation.
As NRW’s largest competence center for founders, we drive the Rhineland’s culture of innovation and establish the region as an internationally significant hub for innovation and digitalization. We support founders from the first idea to a product established in the market — for sustainable growth.
Our values
Exchange
Members share more than a workspace — they share knowledge, wins and failures. We foster open exchange, so every idea gets its chance.
Passion
Only those who truly burn for their idea make it through the hard stretches. We create the environment that encourages exactly that.
Diversity
People from the most diverse cultures, industries and backgrounds find a second home here — the foundation for fresh perspectives.
Team spirit
Everyone can make a difference; together we create change. STARTPLATZ stands for collaboration — from projects to a round at the foosball table.
Innovation
Innovation is at the core of everything we do — carried by open exchange and entrepreneurs who burn for their ideas.
Six pillars, one ecosystem.
Coworking
Coworking
Flexible workspaces and private offices in Cologne’s Mediapark and Düsseldorf’s Medienhafen — with the community right next door.
- FlexDesk from €180 / month
- Team offices for 2–30 people
- Business address + mail service
Conference rooms
Conference rooms
Professionally equipped rooms for meetings, workshops and events — bookable online by the hour.
- Rooms for 4–80 people
- Online booking, by the hour
- Hybrid setup (conference tech)
Accelerator
Accelerator
From the AI Accelerator and the NRW founder grant to Rheinland-Pitch — structured paths through every stage.
- AI Accelerator (4 months)
- Gründungsstipendium NRW
- Mentoring & investor access
AI Hub
AI Hub
A builder community spanning Cologne and Paris. Open-source AI, devs, innovation teams — we build instead of just talking.
- Hackathons — corporate, open, as-a-service
- AI Fridays — every week
- France AI initiative
Events & Academy
Events & Academy
250+ events per year and AZAV-certified AI training — from beginner formats to masterclasses.
- AI Manager full-time/part-time
- Masterclasses & bootcamps
- Meetups, breakfasts, BBQ
Corporate
Corporate
SMEs and corporations plug into the ecosystem — from the Business Club to tailor-made innovation programs.
- Business Club membership
- Corporate enablement & activation
- Startup matching & deal flow
Where the Rhineland’s startup ecosystem meets.
Behind STARTPLATZ are founders Dr. Lorenz Gräf and Matthias Gräf — and a team supporting founders, members and companies at both locations. Regular networking events connect startups, companies and investors — low-threshold and across every stage.
Meet the team
Member breakfast
One hour, one croissant, new faces. Open to all members — the most relaxed way to get to know the community.
Startup BBQ
When the weather plays along: grill on, drinks out, pitches up. The summer classic on the STARTPLATZ roof terrace.
Rheinland-Pitch
Germany’s largest recurring startup pitch series. Startups present, investors listen, the audience votes.
Cologne and Düsseldorf — where NRW works.
Cologne
Im Mediapark 5 · 50670 Cologne
Reception Mon–Fri 9–18 · Members 24/7
Düsseldorf
Speditionstraße 15a · 40221 Düsseldorf
Reception Mon–Fri 9–18 · Members 24/7
Get to know us in person.
Drop by for a free trial day — in Cologne or Düsseldorf — and see the ecosystem for yourself.