The factory connects Bremen, Oldenburg, and the entire northwest region into a shared innovation ecosystem. The name “hoi” stands for “harbor of ideas.” It is the first cross-border startup factory in northwestern Germany and is fully funded by regional resources.
This initiative officially launches today, and is backed by the University of Bremen, the University of Oldenburg, the Chamber of Commerce for Bremen and Bremerhaven, the Oldenburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Bremer Aufbau-Bank, Sparkasse Bremen AG, EWE AG, Hansa-Flex Armerding GmbH, the BUHLMANN Group Bremen, and additional partners.
At the launch event at Haus Schütting, André Grobien, President of the Bremen Chamber of Commerce, said: “Startups are drivers of innovation for small and medium-sized businesses and for the key industries of our region – from aerospace and logistics to artificial intelligence. We need more startups that utilize excellent research to bring new products and business models to market. The Chamber of Commerce has decided in its plenary session to support the startup factory. In doing so, we are investing in the economic future of our region.”
Arne Stehnken and Sarah Fraikue, Co-CEOs of the hoi startup factory, said of today’s launch: “Nearly two and a half years of dedication, courage, and countless discussions have gone into this project. We are very proud to finally be launching. The northwest region has immense potential in research, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit. We want to unlock this potential together with the region’s key players with a broader understanding of innovation. We want to give access to more perspectives so new ideas can flourish. We are convinced that the hoi startup factory will become a powerful force in northwestern Germany, driving more innovation and business startups in our home region.”
Prof. Dr. Michal Kucera, Vice President for Research and Transfer at the University of Bremen: “Northwestern Germany is home to excellent universities and higher education institutions and offers a unique concentration of research institutes. This structure provides a fertile ground for startups. With the hoi startup factory, we will see more science-based startups emerge, grow locally, and collaborate with regional companies.”
Prof. Dr. Ralf Grüttemeier, Vice President for Research and Transfer at the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg: “I am convinced that the launch of the hoi startup factory marks the beginning of a transformation that will elevate our region’s innovation capacity, quality, and number of startups to a new level – one that neither Bremen nor Oldenburg could achieve alone.”
Ralf Stapp, CEO of the Bremer Aufbau-Bank (development bank for Bremen and Bremerhaven): “As a strong hub for science and research, we want to facilitate more innovative spin-offs in the state of Bremen and the northwest region. To this end, we at BAB are contributing our expertise, our network, and additional personnel resources through our Starthaus division. Together, we are strengthening the startup factory and advancing the regional startup ecosystem.”
Christoph Wiegmann, swb AG: “The hoi startup factory complements our strong network in Bremen and strengthens collaboration with higher education institutions and local businesses in Bremen and Oldenburg.”
Heiko Butz, Head of AI Strategy at the BUHLMANN Group: “From our own experience, we know how startups drive innovation. We support startups financially and as pilot customers. Our benefit from the startup factory is threefold: more startups are founded, suitable partnerships are found within the network, and the region is strengthened. For the BUHLMANN Group, the startup factory is a win-win-win.”
Dr. Matthias Fonger, CEO of the Bremen Chamber of Commerce: “The hoi startup factory is part of a clear strategy to support entrepreneurship. Startups are the engine of innovation for our entire economy. A startup brings new technology to the market; an established company has customers, sales, and production capacity. When both come together, something emerges that neither could have achieved alone. The factory systemically and sustainably enables this collaboration.”
Arne Stehnken and Sarah Fraikue serve as managing directors of the hoi startup factory. Both are deeply embedded in both regional and national networks of the startup scene. Their work is supported by three additional team members. The headquarters is located at the Innovationskontor, Am Wall 146, 28195 Bremen. Plans are underway to establish a factory location in Oldenburg in the near future.
Contacts
Hoi startup factory
Arne Stehnken
0421/83679700
team@hoi-startup-factory.de
Bremen Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Stefan Offenhäuser
0421/3637-245
offenhaeuser@handelskammer-bremen.de