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Gateway Dortmund

A structured and hands-on approach to market entry in Germany.

We lead the way and open the door. You go through.

Our annual Gateway Dortmund programme offers a sector specific entry point for your market expansion to Germany – free of charge. Find out how it works and apply to the next edition.

Why Dortmund? Being located in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany’s economically most powerful state, Dortmund is known for its strong footprint in IT, logistics and manufacturing – but also for its research base and talent potential. This makes Dortmund the ideal gateway to the German market.

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How it works

Every edition of Gateway Dortmund focuses on one specific topic. If you are a non-German scale-up operating in that field and Germany is your next target market, then look no further and apply for the programme.

From all the applications, up to 8 scale-ups are selected to participate in a 2-day kick-off event in Dortmund, followed by virtual 1-1 sessions with our experts for market expansion and business development. With a recap after 8 weeks, we conclude the programme and you know which steps to take next. But of course, it doesn’t stop there, we continue supporting your market entry beyond the programme phase.

Programme phases within the batches

Step 1

Application phase

Fill the application form and tell us who you are, it only takes a few minutes.

Step 2

Company selection

We evaluate all applications and select 8 companies based on the best fit (criteria).

Step 3

Kick-off in Dortmund

The visit to Dortmund is mandatory and lays the foundation for your success - personal and hands-on. Free of charge, only transportation and visa have to be convered by the participants.

Step 4

Online phase

Benefit from 1-1 online sessions for individual guidance from our experts.

Step 5

Recap

An online workshop with all companies to officially conclude the programme. The support continues.

The Next Edition

You are interested in applying? Check out the dates below and make sure to apply on time. If you are among the selected companies, we will reach out to you after the application deadline with more detailed information.

Edition
Intralogistics
Cohort
2027-01
Application Deadline
15 November 2026
Industry Focus
Intralogistics, Robotics, Automation
Examples
Digital Twin, AMR, AGV, RaaS, Predictive Maintenance, Adaptive Intralogstics, Smart Factory

Application Phase

Open: 1 Sep 2026
Deadline: 15 Nov 2026

Company Selection

Before 30 Nov 2026

Kick-off in Dortmund (mandatory)

Arrival: 24 Jan 2027
Departure: 27 Jan 2027

Online Sessions

Within 8 weeks after the kick-off

Depending on availability of each company

Recap (online)

31 March 2027

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Eligibility criteria

How do we decide which companies are selected for participiation? As much as we appreciate every application, we highly recommend to consider the eligibility criteria before applying. This will increase your chances of participation for the Gateway Dortmund programme. If you don't meet the eligibility criteria, reach out to us individually so we can evaluate together how to best support your market entry.

Industry alignment

Make sure you apply to an edition where your company is aligned with the industry focus mentioned. We try to provide a tailored solution and you will benefit most from the programme when your company is active in the industry that we focus on in the respective batch.

Product readiness

Your company’s product or service already has a solid customer base in your home market, it can be applied in Germany and has scaling potential in the German market.

Company stage

Your company was founded within the last 10 years, and you are ready to expand your established business into another market.

Team commitment

You are prepared to actively participate in all programme components, including the mandatory on-site kick-off days in Dortmund.

English proficiency

You can communicate effectively in English which will be the primary language of the programme.

International ambition

You have a clear objective of expanding internationally and you are keen on entering the German market after a first analysis has taken place.

Application

What our alumni say

Gateway Dortmund provided a great opportunity for us to connect to local partners and showcase our product, we really benefited from the on-site kick-off in Dortmund as well as the personal coaching sessions. I would highly recommend the programme for companies that have identified Germany as their next target market!

Damjan Miklic, Co-Founder & Director at ROMB Technologies

Entering Germany from Portugal is a network problem before it is a product problem. Dortmund solved the network part. The individual coaching cut months off our go-to-market, and the introductions were the right ones - not just a long list.

Gonçalo Gil, CEO & Co-Founder, ROOTKey

You don't want to wait?

You already know Dortmund is the right place for you? The next edition is not the right fit for your business or you don't want to wait? Check out our Welcome Package!

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Your local experts

Your contacts for the Gateway Dortmund Programme.

Mathis Biermann

Dortmund Economic Development Agency

Christian Klose

Dortmund Economic Development Agency