Innovation consulting

Climate change, digitization or demographic change – the major challenges of our time require entrepreneurs to come up with new ideas and approaches for their businesses. But breaking new ground is not easy in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day business. This is where we, the business development agency, want to help you with our innovation consulting services.

Both the federal and state governments have set ambitious goals for the transformation of our economic structure toward climate neutrality, new productivity and digitality. Numerous funding programs for innovation and product development are available – especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Can’t see your way through the funding jungle? Don’t worry – WFMG, together with its partners, will help you identify the right innovation funding program.

Trends and topics

Digitization. Whether the digital networking of productions, data infrastructure security or a digital document system – the economy of tomorrow is permeated by digitality. To make it easier for Mönchengladbach companies to set the necessary digital course, we offer a wide range of events, consultations and information material. Together with Digihub Düsseldorf/Rheinland, we offer exciting events and workshops on various digitization topics. The Cyber Management Campus of the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences at Monforts-Quartier trains specialists for cyber security in companies. You can get specific advice on the digitization challenges in your company via a potential consulting service. At our annual highlight, the SmartCity-Summit.Niederrhein, images of the city’s future and innovative digital solutions are presented. The NextMG association is also a long-standing driver of digitization in Mönchengladbach.

Textile and smart materials. Mönchengladbach was and remains a textile stronghold. Innovative manufacturers of apparel and/or specialty textiles still cluster in the city on the Lower Rhine. The textile research infrastructure is excellently positioned with the Department of Textile and Clothing Technology at the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences and the nearby Institute for Textile Applications at RWTH Aachen University. With the Textilakademie NRW, Mönchengladbach is home to one of the most innovative vocational schools in Germany. Textile applications in medicine, sensor technology or the construction industry are becoming increasingly important and broadening the scope of application of the fiber industry. Digitalization and automation are becoming central to production. Here lies potential for the business location. With innovation projects, such as the Textile Factory 7.0, these new potentials are to be addressed and leveraged.

Partners and research

Companies need to solve problems in their own operations or for their customers with new products, processes or services. In order to find and develop the right approach, it is not uncommon for expertise to be required from outside.

WFMG helps to build networks for the economy in Mönchengladbach. Examples include the logistics network Log4MG, the meeting point for the beverage and food industry, and nextMG. These network structures make it easy to find competent partners from the city’s business and research communities.

In addition, WFMG maintains numerous cooperations with so-called innovation partners –  research institutes, state companies or associations. WFMG maintains a broad network of and cultivates numerous cooperations with so-called innovation partners – universities as well as non-university research institutions, state societies or associations. Many of these partners are experts and specialists in innovation development and promotion. In order for us to be able to develop new business models, product and service innovations together with you, we draw on our consulting network for you. Our most important network partners are listed below with brief descriptions.