HGK Group Establishes Platform “Innovation Harbour Cologne”

With the selection of the first group of start-ups, the HGK Group is launching its own innovation platform called “Innovation Harbour Cologne”. To establish the program designed as an “Open Innovation Platform”, HGK is collaborating with the Strascheg Center of Entrepreneurship. For the “Innovation Harbour Cologne”, the HGK Group is looking for start-ups whose products and services are related to the logistics and transportation industry.

(Köln) “With the ‘Innovation Harbour Cologne’, we are expanding our innovation activities with an additional pillar. While the focus of our existing innovation measures is primarily on optimizing utilized technologies and processes in our current businesses, we want to work specifically with selected partners on new products and services in the ‘Innovation Harbour Cologne’ that can potentially complement our entrepreneurial portfolio,” explains HGK CEO Uwe Wedig. “At the same time, we aim to strengthen our internal innovation competence through close collaboration with the start-ups.”

First Products and Functional Business Model

For the “Innovation Harbour Cologne”, the HGK Group is looking for start-ups whose products and services are related to the logistics and transportation industry or can be well aligned with the industry’s requirements. Specifically, young companies that have already established initial products and a functional business model are being sought. “We do not want to be the classic incubator or accelerator hub, but rather develop solutions and offerings as quickly and efficiently as possible that provide immediate value to the market and to us,” adds Uwe Wedig.

Collaboration with Start-Ups and Specialists

To establish the “Innovation Harbour Cologne”, the innovation team of HGK, led by Kai Gülden, is working closely with the “Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship” (SCE) of Munich University of Applied Sciences. The institute, specialized in innovation management and business start-ups, supports HGK, among other things, in scouting start-ups and mentoring during the project phase. Together, they also developed the name and brand of the “Innovation Harbour”. “It is important to us that the connection to HGK and the focus theme of logistics is recognizable. Furthermore, we are open to incorporating additional content together with partners in the future,” explains Kai Gülden.

Three to Four Projects by July

After selecting the companies for the so-called first “batch”, three to four projects will be worked on together until July. Subsequently, the results will be presented to a larger circle of business partners and stakeholders. Interested parties can now find information on the website www.innovationharbourcologne.com and make contact there.

Photo: © HGK / Oliver Tjaden / Caption: With the Innovation Harbour Cologne, the HGK Group is establishing its own ‘Open Innovation Platform’. The focus is on developing innovative product and service solutions in the logistics sector.