Innovative startups and scale-ups are driving the energy transition, digitalization, and the circular economy. The Netherlands and Germany complement each other: the Netherlands boasts strong testing and development environments, while Germany offers large markets, supply chains, and capital. However, the potential in the border region remains untapped. Fragmented networks and a lack of infrastructure hinder access. While initiatives exist, they lack a solid foundation and a pan-regional focus. Many startups report that opportunities in their neighboring country remain untapped. Project partners Novel-T, R-Factory, University of Münster – Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (REACH Science), Hochschule Osnabrück (University of applied Sciences), Oost NL, Saxion Centre for Entrepreneurship, ZWINC, Briskr and StartLife, with the support of Provinces Gelderland and Overijssel and Bundesländer Nordrhein-Westfalen and Niedersachsen, are tackling this gap.
The Interreg project SCALE – Start-Up Collaboration & Acceleration in a Linked Ecosystem creates a coherent, visible, and future-proof cross-border startup ecosystem. Incubators, knowledge institutions, investors, and development organizations from Eastern Netherlands, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia are connected and mutually reinforced. An ecosystem is more than a network: it is a living system of actors, knowledge, infrastructure, and relationships that stimulates innovation and entrepreneurship. At the same time, policy coordination takes place on both sides of the border.
We build on regional strengths and experience, such as those of Novel-T and R-Factory, and scale successful formats across borders. By clearly positioning these ecosystems as complementary and actively connecting mentors, accelerators, decision-makers, and hubs, we create sustainable knowledge exchange, mutual trust, and improved access to advice, markets, and investors.
The project invests in structural collaboration and lays the foundation for an innovation infrastructure where startups can grow both locally and internationally. They benefit from increased visibility, incubation, and accelerated internationalization across borders, maximizing the region’s existing strengths.
