The event is designed to kick-start innovation and start-ups in the Ruhr region.

Invitation IDEA 2025: Experience the best start-ups live

Groundbreaking innovations, deep tech and visionary start-ups: IDEA 2025 is an exclusive sneak peek into the start-up culture at Ruhr University Bochum.

On May 15, 2025, the WORLDFACTORY will be hosting its first major event, IDEA 2025. Up-and-coming start-ups and leading experts from science and business are invited to explore the start-up ecosystem at Ruhr University Bochum – one of the best in Germany, ranked 6th in the recent Stifterverband start-up radar. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. on the main stage in the atrium of the O-Werk, i.e. the former Opel administration building. Today, the WORLDFACTORY and the RUB Makerspace are the central hubs for innovation and start-ups at Ruhr University Bochum.

This is what IDEA stands for

The name IDEA is an acronym derived from the core activities and the message of the WORLDFACTORY:

Impact – For the region and for driving the transformation after the departure of Nokia and Opel and the promotion of game-changing technological solutions for global and societal challenges.
Deep tech – The WORLDFACTORY stands for knowledge-based innovations and start-ups.
Entrepreneurial – For raising awareness of entrepreneurship and creating an entrepreneurial mindset among students and researchers.
Academic – For research and teaching as the basis for transformative technologies.

Inspiration, knowledge and networking

The IDEA 2025 program is all about innovation, entrepreneurship and a vibrant start-up culture. In addition to start-up pitches presenting pioneering business ideas, leading minds from science and business will be discussing current trends and challenges. Participants can look forward to research insights, start-up spin-offs and company stories from the materials sciences at the Materials Innovation Day, one of the key events at IDEA.

On this day, visitors will also have the opportunity to explore the RUB Makerspace, one of the largest university innovation and experimentation spaces in Germany. They can discover best practices in entrepreneurship education, hands-on student projects and exciting prototyping journeys by start-ups.

Find out more and register

Would you like to experience the innovative power of Ruhr University Bochum up close? Visit IDEA 2025 and discover the most exciting start-ups in the Ruhr region. Find out more and register online.

A real highlight is the WORLDFACTORY Demo Day, where the six best RUB start-up teams showcase their ideas. At the NRW Pitch Battle, the most promising teams from all over North Rhine-Westphalia will also compete against each other. The official part concludes with the award ceremony at around 6 p.m., followed by dinner and networking for interested parties.

Successful start-up activities

Ruhr University Bochum boasts a vibrant and innovative start-up culture. The WORLDFACTORY specifically promotes the transfer of cutting-edge research into young, successful companies – with a clear focus on impact, deep tech and entrepreneurship. At IDEA 2025, the WORLDFACTORY and the RUB Makerspace bring together pioneers from science, business and the start-up community – a unique opportunity to experience the start-up ecosystem of Ruhr University Bochum up close and forge valuable networks.

The innovation incubator at Ruhr University Bochum

The WORLDFACTORY Start-up Center (WSC) is the one-stop shop for people interested in starting a business at Ruhr University Bochum. In addition to individual advice, workshops and networking opportunities, it offers infrastructure and space for implementing innovative ideas.

The RUB Makerspace enhances the WSC as a creative experimental space where ideas become tangible. Here, students, researchers, entrepreneurs and citizens can test innovative concepts, develop prototypes and engage with modern manufacturing technologies in a hands-on environment.

Numbers that count

6th place for start-up support in the nationwide ranking of the Stifterverband goes to the Ruhr University Bochum.
WORLDFACTORY supports over 100 start-up projects every year.
More than 25 successful spin-offs per year launch innovative ideas onto the market.
With FACE@RUB, Ruhr University Bochum runs an accelerator program specifically for female entrepreneurs.
With approx. 25 percent of all start-up projects being led by women, Ruhr University Bochum is above the national average.
With over 2,000 square meters, RUB operates one of the largest makerspaces in Germany. It is available to start-ups, students, private individuals and companies.