Essen, 09 April 2025 – Gründerfonds Ruhr (GFR II), in collaboration with BRYCK and RAG-Stiftung, is proud to announce the launch of GF BRYCK Ventures, a €10 million initiative to support B2B tech startups in their early stages. The fund will provide both financial and strategic support to innovative startups, especially those that have completed a BRYCK program and are working on transformative technologies with the potential to revolutionize industries. The new fund aims to invest up to €300,000 in 10 to 20 promising startups annually, accelerating their development toward market readiness.
Investing where innovation meets industry: deep tech in the Ruhr area
The fund targets pre-seed investments in deep tech spin-offs from the Ruhr area’s leading universities—TU Dortmund, Ruhr University Bochum, and the University of Duisburg-Essen. These startups often face a major funding gap due to long R&D cycles and high capital needs, making them less attractive to traditional early-stage investors. Yet, they hold immense potential to transform entire industries. With 22 universities, over 240,000 students, and the highest industrial density in Germany, the Ruhr area offers ideal conditions to become a model region for industrial innovation. Supported by the RAG-Stiftung and Initiativkreis Ruhr, the fund helps build a globally competitive deep tech ecosystem.
“The Ruhr region, with its excellent universities, colleges, and numerous research and development centers, offers outstanding opportunities to be a driver of innovation and transformation in Germany. GF BRYCK Ventures specifically targets areas where capital is lacking and supports young tech startups with high potential and strong ties to the regional research landscape,” comments Ann-Christin Kortenbrede, Managing Partner of Gründerfonds Ruhr.
A strategic investment path with potential for long-term follow-ons
GF BRYCK Ventures is the first link in a structured investment chain, designed for long-term support. After receiving pre-seed capital, startups can secure follow-on funding through Gründerfonds Ruhr II—launched in 2024 with an initial volume of €31 million and a target of €50 million by 2025. For growth rounds from Series A onward, BRYCK and Gründerfonds Ruhr offer access to a strong investor network, enabling later-stage financing. This creates a seamless funding chain—from the first check to international scale—with both capital and strategic support at every stage.
“Deep tech innovations require growth capital to unfold. With GF BRYCK Ventures, our international network of investors, and the combination of science, business, and our startup expertise, we provide founders with the best possible conditions to successfully navigate all stages of company formation – from pre-seed to later stage,” explains Tobias Grün, member of the management team at BRYCK.
“With the financing of GF BRYCK Ventures, we as the RAG-Stiftung expect to gain interesting investment opportunities in young, promising tech companies in the long term. Together with the BRYCK startup center, which we initiated, and the Gründerfonds Ruhr, we are sending a strong signal for innovative technology startups in Germany and positioning the Ruhr region as a model region for industrial transformation,” adds Bernd Tönjes, Chairman of the Board of the RAG-Stiftung.
About BRYCK
BRYCK, initiated by the RAG-Stiftung, aims to become a leading European startup hub. Since its launch in 2022, it has accelerated over 100 startups, focusing on B2B tech solutions for global challenges. Through the BRYCK Startup Alliance, it partners with the RAG-Stiftung, the Ruhr University Alliance (Ruhr University Bochum, TU Dortmund, University of Duisburg-Essen), and Initiativkreis Ruhr to create a leading hub for developing internationally successful deep-tech startups.
About the RAG-Stiftung
Founded in 2007, the RAG-Stiftung finances the long-term obligations of Germany’s coal mining industry and supports initiatives in education, science, and culture, promoting development in former mining regions.
As Gründerfonds Ruhr, alongside BRYCK and the RAG-Stiftung, we’re excited to officially kick off this journey. With our strong ecosystem in place, we’re ready to invest in and support deep-tech startups from early stages to global success. Together, we’re shaping the future of innovation and driving lasting impact.
For more information about the Gründerfonds Ruhr, contact us.