Essen, 15 October 2024 – Gründerfonds Ruhr is kicking off its second fund generation with the recent first closing of Gründerfonds Ruhr II with an initial fund volume of €31M. To celebrate this huge milestone important partners, investors, startups and other relevant players of our ecosystem came together on the 10th October 2024 for our yearly Portfolio Day.
The recent Portfolio Day took place in the iconic Colosseum Theater in Essen. The program for the day was a mix of keynotes, panels, speeches and insights into portfolio startups. It all began with welcoming words from Ann-Christin Kortenbrede, Jan Gräfe, and Thorsten Reuter, who shared the significance of the Colosseum as a new innovation hub for BRYCK and, soon, Gründerfonds Ruhr. This was followed by an engaging agenda featuring a mix of presentations from portfolio companies like Talpa Solutions, Masterplan, and Lidrotec, as well as insights from ecosystem partners such as BRYCK, and perspectives from key investors including NRW.BANK and NATIONAL-BANK. Throughout the day, participants enjoyed a blend of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, highlighting topics such as the innovation potential of the Ruhr region, spin-offs from local universities, and the collaboration between startups and corporates
Of course, no Portfolio Day would be complete without a celebration, and the after-party did not disappoint. With the Colosseum’s grand stage as a backdrop, a DJ set the perfect tone for an unforgettable evening. The setting—right behind the center stage—transformed the theater into an intimate yet electrifying dance floor