Impulse for the region: New start-up clusters promote social innovations

universities found impact start-up cluster

BUND promotes the joint project of Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, University of Bonn and Alanus University with 1 million euros.

In the course of the increasing importance of social and sustainable action, the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, the University of Bonn and the Alanus University of Art and Society have come together to found an impact start-up cluster. This project bears the name "Sonar-socially, have a sustainable effect: Impact Cluster Region Bonn-Rhein-Sieg" and is supported with around 1 million euros by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK). The cluster aims to promote companies that concentrate on common good -oriented start -ups and address social and ecological challenges.

The project creates a social innovation ecosystem by offering support and existing companies support from advice and opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. This form of funding should not only support economic development, but also contribute to coping with current global challenges. The impact cluster is particularly relevant to promote the social-ecological transformation in the region and contribute to a sustainable corporate landscape.

A central feature of Sonar is the strengthening of a common good start -up culture. Through practical formats and consulting services, the universities want to build a network, especially in the areas of green economy and circular economy, which not only produces innovative business ideas, but also contributes to achieving central climate goals.

In addition, the project focuses on the subject areas "Games" and "Accessibility". These areas offer great potential for social innovations and functionality. Integrative approaches are pursued, involving underrepresented groups in the social participation and supporting the development of business models that promote accessibility.

The interdisciplinary collaboration between the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, the University of Bonn and Alanus University enables the expertise of the individual institutes and thus form a strong network. With a public kick-off event on May 22, 2025, the project will be officially launched in order to give interested parties the opportunity to get to know the concept and the goals of the cluster and to actively participate.

The project will be co -financed as part of the funding guidelines "Sustainable - Promotion of common good -oriented companies" of the BMWK and funds from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus).