For Students

As a student, the RuhrSummit is the ticket to the professional network in the Ruhr area. Exchange ideas with founders of all ages and success levels and learn about the various challenges involved in starting a company.

Why not apply for a job or an internship at a startup? Thanks to small, focused teams, you can quickly take on responsibility and get to know the most diverse aspects of setting up a company. Flat hierarchies, young teams and a lot of potential! Take an active part in the growth of companies and create real added value with your work. At the RuhrSummit you can talk and network directly with the founders.

In contrast to classical trade fairs with a rather sterile atmosphere, the RuhrSummit, like the region to which it owes its name, is anything but supercooled. We will heat you up with show acts, side events and lots of networking stations!

Meet representatives of established companies from the region and make your first contacts for your professional future. Whether at the closing party, the food market or at the workshops, here ALL participants can get to know each other on a more personal level by actively stimulating the exchange in all aspects of the event.

For Universities

Europe’s densest university landscape at one event

As a driving force for research and innovative technologies, the RuhrSummit 2018 offers the universities of the region a platform for the first time.

Presenting research priorities and start-up offers
At information stands, universities in the Ruhr region have the opportunity to present their funding programmes to students and prospective university start-ups interested in setting up a business and to discuss research priorities with the conference topics.

For Startups

Take your startup to the next level!

Startups, this event is for YOU! Use the RuhrSummit to take your startup to the next level.

Pitch Competition & StartupExpo: Your startup in the spotlight
Your startup is the Next Big Thing? With the Pitch Competition and the StartupExpo we offer selected and promising start-ups the opportunity to present their ideas on a large stage. Apply now!

MatchMaking: Meet the partners that help you get started
Our MatchMaking enables you to get to know the investors, companies or partners who really advance your startup in a personal conversation.

Learn from the best: Insights & Know-how
Get insights, know-how and inspiration from top-class industry experts and international top speakers from the start-up scene in exciting keynotes, workshops and deep dives.

Meet@Beat: Networking & Party with the digital scene
All on 1Floor! Celebrate and network on a personal level with the players of the regional and international start-up scene at our party spectacle Meet & Beat. With live performances and special guests.

For Initiatives

All startup initiatives of the Ruhr Area united

More and more initiatives support the start-up spirit in the Ruhr area – from accelerator programmes to competitions for founders.

The RuhrSummit unites all initiatives and offers them a platform to present their offers for startups.

For Visitors

Experience tomorrow’s innovations and the digital spirit up close

Dive in and be inspired by innovative technologies, trend-setting megatrends and exciting insights of leading experts and top speakers of the international start-up scene!

Be inspired by the best ideas of selected start-ups at the Pitch Competition and the StartupExpo.
Dive into the founder scene and celebrate with various nations on the dancefloor of our Meet@Beat Party. With live performances and special guests.

For Business Angels/Investors

The most exciting start-ups pre-selected for you

MatchMaking: Meet startups that suit you
Our Matchmaking App makes it possible: Meet pre-selected start-ups that fit your offer – without having to struggle through a long list of pitch decks.

StartupExpo: Experience the most innovative ideas live
Experience innovative technologies and products of selected start-ups at the Startup Expo and discuss your ideas with the founders.

Pitch Competition: The most exciting start-ups on one stage
Let the Ruhr Pitch convince and inspire you with the ideas of the most exciting national and international startups. As a jury member, decide which startup wins the race for the trophy.

Meet@Beat: All startups on one floor
Meet startups from different nations on one floor and expand your international network. With a relaxed atmosphere and cool drinks, we invite you to our big Meet@Beat party against a spectacular backdrop.
With live performances and special guests.

For Corporates

Does your company want to initiate digitization processes and combine its own innovation management with start-up technologies? Then the RuhrSummit is the right event! We gather digital enthusiasts, selected startups, established investors and representatives of the most important companies in and around the Ruhr area at the largest (networking) event in NRW.

For two days, the national and international press will put the Ruhr area in the spotlight of the start-up scene and document on a large scale which participants will present themselves at the RuhrSummit. Companies can clearly position themselves as digital pioneers and start-up enthusiasts. As committed supporters of young up-and-coming talents, we can not only positively enhance our own brand image, but also draw attention to interesting offers of cooperation.

We connect your company with the right startup!

Does your company already have concrete challenges that could be mastered by new technologies? At the new StartupExpo you can learn about the applications of different startup technologies and find a potentially suitable approach for the solution. In addition, you can use our B2Match app to search for startup companies that are open to cooperation.

For Media Partners

Become a media partner of the largest start-up conference in NRW and benefit from the advantages of a strong partnership!

Only together can we expand our networks to benefit multilaterally.