What is the economic significance of this TechnologyCentreDortmund (TZDO) for the city? The study on the regional economic effects of the TZDO, whose results will be presented on 21 April 2026 at a press conference of the City of Dortmund were presented.

Since its founding in 1985, the TechnologyCentreDortmund (TZDO) the goal of attracting and supporting innovative technology companies and start-ups. This means the TZDO for 40 years now, a central role in the transformation process of a region originally characterised by coal and steel towards the development of future industries in the areas of information technology, biomedicine, logistics, micro and nanotechnology, and production technology. It is supported by the TZDO upon the close integration of economy and science.

Stefan Schreiber is CEO of the Dortmund Chamber of Industry and Commerce and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of TZDO. It recalls the development of the site: „For four decades, the TechnologieZentrumDortmund has been a strong symbol of successful structural change in Dortmund. What began in 1985 with a bold vision for the future has developed into an impressive success story. The TZDO's radiance as a hub for innovation and business growth extends far beyond Dortmund.“

In 2025, the Dortmund Economic Development Agency a regional economic study was commissioned. This demonstrates the outstanding importance of the TZDO for the economic development of the city of Dortmund. 438 companies were included, which are directly or indirectly influenced by the activities of TZDO which have emerged and are located at the Technology Park Dortmund, PHOENIX West or in the Digital Harbour. The economic effects arise from direct business activities, but also from indirect and induced demand effects along regional value chains.

Innovative, technology-oriented, and regionally anchored

The TZDO ecosystem is characterised by high-growth small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as tech start-ups from IT, knowledge-intensive services, and research and development (R&D). These companies are strongly rooted in the region. They act as enablers for digitalisation, automation, and productivity increases in industry, energy supply, trade, and public administration. All economic indicators show clear rates of increase over the past almost 20 years.

The number of with the TZDO associated jobs has risen from 14,100 (2016) to 21,100 (2025). This represents growth of approximately 50 percent. The value creation of the with the TZDO The number of affiliated companies has almost doubled since 2016 and accounts for approximately 10 percent of Dortmund's total gross value added. The high quality of the location is also evidenced by the predominantly positive assessment of economic prospects, despite the currently tense situation.

Knowledge and skilled workers are crucial location factors

The analysis of settlement motives clearly shows: companies' location decisions are primarily driven by knowledge and skilled labour. 83 percent of the companies surveyed rate the availability of qualified employees as the most important location factor. In addition, 69 percent attach great importance to proximity to scientific institutions. The study thus confirms the central role of Dortmund as a location for science and higher education, especially the TU Dortmund and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Dortmund. Geographic proximity enables access to highly qualified personnel, intensive collaborations, knowledge transfer, and R&D-oriented development processes.

This also underlines Dirk Stürmer, Managing Director of TZDO: „The TZDO assumes a mediating and enabling role here: By offering suitable land and infrastructure, we create optimal conditions for the establishment and development of technology and innovation-oriented companies in close proximity to science and research.“

Wulf-Christian Ehrich, Deputy Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and member of the TZDO Management Board, adds: „The current study results confirm that the TZDO is not only a successful founding location, but today above all a powerful development space for technology-oriented companies in different growth phases. Therefore, it is also the right location for the Innoclub, which brings together young start-ups with established companies. Together in management with Dirk Stürmer and Heike Marzen, we are working to further expand this strength and to continue to offer companies the right framework conditions for innovation and expansion in the future.“

Employees are above-average highly qualified

Companies that from the TZDO emerged. are characterised by an exceptionally high level of qualification: around 55 percent of employees have a university degree, and around 35 percent of staff are employed in research and development. The high level of qualification has an impact on regional economic effects, as above-average incomes also lead to strong demand and fiscal effects. In total, the municipal tax revenues from TZDO-associated companies amount to around 74 million euros per year. Trade tax payments correspond to around 7.5 percent of Dortmund's total trade tax revenue.

Heike Marzen, Managing Director of Dortmund Economic Development Agency: „As one of the most important sources of municipal revenue, trade tax directly reflects the profitability and local value creation of businesses. The study thus underscores not only the innovation and labour market policy significance, but also the budgetary importance of the TZDO for the City of Dortmund.“

Ecosystem for innovations – with sustainable impact

Around 40 percent of companies hold at least one intellectual property right, predominantly in the form of patents. This highlights the high research and innovation intensity of the ecosystem and opens up long-term scaling potential.

Overall, the study shows: TechnologieZentrumDortmund works far beyond its function as an innovation centre. It is an integral part of Dortmund's innovation ecosystem and a central driver for growth, resilience and transformation. The TZDO is not just an optimal start-up environment. It is, above all, a development location for established, investment-active, and employment-generating companies that contribute permanently to the economic stability and competitiveness of the region.

Photo: Hans Blossey