Key Competitive Attractions
Dortmund is located in the Ruhr region of North Rhine-Westphalia and has a population of just under 600,000. The Dortmund-Ems Canal terminates at Dortmund Port, the largest European canal port, and links Dortmund to the North Sea.
Dortmund is known as North Rhine-Westphalia's "green metropolis", with nearly half the municipal territory being waterways, woodland, agriculture and green spaces. This contrasts with nearly a hundred years of extensive coal mining and steel milling within the city limits.
The city has historically been an industrial area; however Dortmund is now also home to a number of medium-sized ICT companies, many linked to the local university TechnologieZentrumDortmund programme. Dortmund works closely with research institutes, private universities, and companies to collaborate on the commercialisation of science initiatives.
Assistance and Support For New Business Investors
Dortmund Economic Development Agency offers support in the following areas:
- Securing the continued existence and promoting the growth of Dortmund companies
- Setting up a company
- Relocation from other areas
- Finding suitable office and commercial premises
- Application for public funds
- Finding qualified labour






