#darumFrankfurtOder - NextStepNetwork

On March 11, 2025, the kick-off event of the new monthly network meeting #darumFrankfurtOder - das NextStepNetzwerk took place at City Hall. Around 50 founders, start-ups, company successors and young entrepreneurs accepted the invitation from the Frankfurt Economic Development Agency and its partners to network across industries, exchange experiences and gain inspiration for their business ideas.

The new format was launched by the city's economic development agency in cooperation with the IHK Ostbrandenburg, the IHK-Projektgesellschaft mbH Ostbrandenburg, the Chamber of Skilled Crafts Frankfurt (Oder) - Region Ostbrandenburg, the Brandenburg Economic Development Corporation (WFBB) as well as the start-up center and the transfer office of the European University Viadrina. The response shows that there is a clear need for such exchange opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

The aim of the network is to establish an open start-up round table, which will take place every second Tuesday of the month in future.

A survey conducted during the first event showed which topics were of particular interest to participants - including artificial intelligence in companies, funding opportunities after the start-up, financing issues, customer acquisition and tax returns.

Frankfurt's Mayor Claus Junghanns was impressed: "I am absolutely delighted with the kick-off event. So many great people have come to our town hall and want to be successful with their ideas and companies in our city. It was important to us to create a format where the founders don't have to pitch in front of third parties, but where we as organizers offer them a platform for dialogue and at the same time valuable input for the exciting time after founding or taking over a company. The positive feedback from participants following the event shows that this was successful."