Gründerfonds Ruhr II
Independent and Impactful
– Accelerating Growth
in the Ruhr Region and Beyond.
Launched in October 2024 with an initial fund volume of €31M, the Gründerfonds Ruhr II invests into seed-stage startups in the Ruhr region and beyond. The fund focuses on highly innovative and scalable startups.
Seed Capital for Innovative Startups
The Gründerfonds Ruhr II was launched in October 2024 with an initial volume of €31M. The fund was established to continue supporting the Ruhr region’s startup ecosystem, fostering innovation and strengthening the local economy. Unlike its predecessor, this fund operates autonomously with a fund management led by Ann-Christin Kortenbrede and Jan Gräfe. While it remains primarily focused on seed-stage B2B startups in the Ruhr region, up to 25% of its investments can be made across Germany, broadening its impact beyond regional borders.
While Life Sciences, MedTech, Cybersecurity, and EnergyTech are well-represented in the Ruhr region and therefore receive particular attention, the fund is open to all industries. Typical investment sizes range from €1M to €1.5M, enabling startups to accelerate their growth and scale effectively. In addition to financial support, startups benefit from a strong network of experts, mentors, and industry partners, helping them develop and scale their business strategies successfully.
Pitch your startup.
Shape the future.
Ready to scale your idea into success? Submit your pitch deck and get in touch with us. We're seeking startups with a disruptive vision that have the power to shape the future.