The Startup EDR Project

The “Startup Ems-Dollart Region” project aims to promote cross-border cooperation for startups and young entrepreneurs. The project focus is on the border area between the north of the Netherlands and northwest Germany. The project partners come from all parts of the Ems-Dollart-Region: Inqubator Leeuwarden, Zero to One in Emmen, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, it.emsland and the Emdener GründerInnenZentrum. The Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen is the project’s lead partner. In conclusion a number of other dutch and german partners have an advisory or supporting function within the project.

Project duration and supporters

The project duration is three years and covers the period from 1. June 2019 to 30. June 2022. The Startup EDR project is financed by the INTERREG funding programme. The programm supports cooperation projects along the European borders from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The provinces of Drenthe, Fryslân and Groningen as well as the state of Lower Saxony are also involved.

Actors of the founder ecosystem

For instance in a well-developed startup ecosystem is it easier for founders to access important startup resources. Therefore this ecosystem consists companies, public authorities, educational institutions and other public and non-public institutions. The aim is to ensure the best possible digital networking of all participants in order to create a sustainable cross-border network. However this should reduce the barrier effect of the border and enable participants to cooperate beyond the national border.

Involvement of the regional economy and population

The Startup EDR project plans to expand consulting activities on business startup issues. Especially with a cross-border focus is to be placed on the entire Ems- Dollart region. The associate potentials are to be further developed and communicated in this way. Moreover existing actors and activities of the regional ecosystems should be included. Furthermore, the population and the economy at the German-Dutch border shall be integrated and networked. In this way, the innovative strength of the entire Ems-Dollart region is to be stimulated in the long term and new career prospects and jobs promoted.

Groepsfoto 1.1

The Project Partners