COME TO ESSEN

SCALE YOUR BUSINESS IN THE HEART OF MEDICAL INNOVATION

  • 52763 employees work in the health and social services sector
  • 1944 companies & subsidiaries in the health and social services sector
  • 14 hospital locations

HEALTH MARKET ENTRY PROGRAM

Essen is the heart of medical innovation, combining a strong healthcare ecosystem with leading medical institutions and extensive expertise in digital health, medical AI and healthcare innovation. Through our free Market Entry Program, international healthcare scale-ups can explore this environment, build relevant connections and prepare a structured entry into the German market.

 

 

ENTER THE GERMAN HEALTH MARKET FROM ESSEN

Are you an international healthcare scale-up with a proven solution and plans to enter the German market? ESSEN BUSINESS’s free Market Entry Program provides selected companies with tailored support to assess their opportunities, adapt their business model and prepare the next steps for their expansion into Germany.

Together, we review the market readiness of your solution and connect you with relevant expertise, networks and potential business partners. For eligible companies considering Essen as a business location, ESSEN BUSINESS can also provide practical support throughout the establishment process.

ESSEN BUSINESS supports about 40 international companies per year on their path into the German market. Selected participants may also qualify for a Welcome Package with funding of up to €10,000.

Get in touch and start building your future in Essen.

Two modules for your market entry and establishment in Essen

The Market Entry Program consists of two modules designed to support international health scale-ups at different stages of their expansion into Germany.

The Strategy Check helps selected companies review and develop their market-entry strategy, explore relevant business opportunities and connect with experts and potential partners.

For eligible companies that decide to establish business operations in Essen, the Welcome Package provides additional support with the establishment process and may include funding of up to €10,000.

Each module has its own focus and eligibility requirements. Participation in the Strategy Check is not mandatory in order to apply for the Welcome Package.

 

 

 

Ready to get started?

If you already know the Market Entry Program and are ready to take the next step, you can apply directly for the Strategy Check. Simply complete our online questionnaire and tell us about your company, your solution and your plans for entering the German market.

Apply for the Strategy Check!

 

Is this program right for you?

The program is designed for selected international health scale-ups that already have a product on the market, are ready to scale their business and are planning to expand into Germany. It is particularly relevant for companies that want to assess the readiness of their technology, explore market opportunities and consider Essen as a potential business location.

 
  • You are an international company operating in the health sector with at least 20 employees.
  • Your solution has already demonstrated success in its current market.
  • You are planning to enter or expand into the German market.
  • You want to assess the market readiness of your technology and adapt your business model for Germany..
  • You are interested in exploring Essen as a potential location for your German activities.
  • You have a concrete plan to enter or expand into the German market within the next 12 to 18 months.

Module 1: The Strategy Check

Entering the German healthcare market requires a clear understanding of market structures, relevant stakeholders and regulatory requirements. The Strategy Check supports selected international Greentech scale-ups in developing their market-entry strategy through targeted support and exchanges with relevant local partners. Companies gain valuable insights into the German market, explore potential opportunities, and identify suitable next steps for their expansion to Germany.

ESSEN BUSINESS opens its network and connects participating companies with relevant market experts, potential clients and healthcare stakeholders. Based on your company’s individual needs, the Strategy Check also helps you define practical next steps for your expansion into Germany.

 

 

 

Depending on your company’s individual needs, the Strategy Check may include initial consultation and coaching on:

  • German laws and regulatory requirements
  • Certification requirements
  • Market-entry and business strategy
  • Technology and market readiness
  • Relevant subsidies and grant programs
  • B2B matchmaking with market experts, potential clients and stakeholders from the energy, industrial and Greentech sectors

The exact focus of the Strategy Check is tailored to your solution, your business model and your plans for the German market.

How the Strategy Check works

Start by completing the online questionnaire and providing information about your company, your solution and your plans for the German market. ESSEN BUSINESS reviews your application and informs you by email within two weeks whether your company has been selected for the Strategy Check.

If selected, ESSEN BUSINESS develops an individual support program based on your company’s specific needs. Together with ESSEN BUSINESS and experts from its network – such as lawyers, patent attorneys, health insurance specialists, hospital representatives and professional nursing associations – you review your market-entry strategy, explore relevant market opportunities and address questions relating to regulation, certification, technology, funding and potential business contacts. All activities, including the development of your market-entry plan and B2B matchmaking, are coordinated closely with your team throughout the process.

The Strategy Check is conducted primarily online and starts with a digital meeting or workshop to define your objectives and agree on a tailored matchmaking plan. Individual meetings are then arranged according to your needs and availability; the process usually takes several months, ideally up to six, with no mandatory events and a manageable time commitment for your company.

Module 2: Welcome Package

The Welcome Package supports eligible companies in establishing a subsidiary and setting up their operational activities in Essen.

Selected companies may receive a grant of up to €10,000. The funding can be used for approved expenses such as:

  • Coworking space
  • Office rent
  • Legal services
  • Consulting services
  • Communication services

 

 

In addition to the financial support, ESSEN BUSINESS can assist participating companies with:

  • Location search and commercial real estate services
  • Information on relevant state funding programs
  • Recruiting and hiring
  • Marketing and public relations
  • Connections to local partners, potential clients and Essen’s business ecosystem
  • Operational and internationalization-related questions

The exact support depends on the company’s individual establishment plans and the services agreed with ESSEN BUSINESS.

How the Welcome package works

To begin the process, the company submits a letter of intent confirming its plans to establish a subsidiary in Essen, supported by a ready-to-use template from ESSEN BUSINESS. ESSEN BUSINESS then reviews the company’s plans against a set of internal selection criteria, including the level of innovation, the company’s economic development and growth potential, and the planned scale of its operations and workforce in Essen. Once approved for the Welcome Package, the company establishes its subsidiary and begins setting up its business operations in Essen.

During the funding period, the company can use the services and support approved under the Welcome Package. The company initially pays the eligible costs and subsequently submits the required invoices and proof of payment to ESSEN BUSINESS.

Following the review of the submitted documents, ESSEN BUSINESS reimburses the approved costs. The Welcome Package ends 12 months after the funding confirmation.

WHY essen?

Essen is the heart of medical innovation and one of Germany’s leading healthcare locations. Medical care, research and industry come together here in fields such as smart hospitals, artificial intelligence, digitalization, prevention, diagnostics and treatment. The local healthcare ecosystem comprises 14 hospital sites organized within four major hospital groups, including University Medicine Essen, Ruhrlandklinik and Alfried Krupp Hospital. Specialized expertise ranges from medical AI and oncology to cardiovascular medicine, transplantation and proton therapy.

Essen is also home to innovative healthcare companies such as opta data, a leading provider of digital healthcare solutions, and Innophys, a Japanese manufacturer of assistive exoskeletons that opened a local office in 2025 after testing its technology with partners in Essen.

Through Essen.Gesund.Vernetzt., healthcare, science and industry are closely connected. ESSEN BUSINESS helps international companies access relevant networks, potential partners, suitable locations, funding opportunities and practical support for establishing operations in Essen. For international healthcare scale-ups, Essen offers a strong combination of market access, specialized expertise and practical support for entering the German market.

Frequently asked questions

Good to know!

Complete the online questionnaire for the Strategy Check.

ESSEN BUSINESS will send feedback by email within two weeks.

The program follows a digital-first approach, and ESSEN BUSINESS aims to arrange most meetings online. During the Strategy Check, however, we recommend planning at least one visit to Essen to explore the location, meet potential partners and, where relevant, view suitable office or commercial space.

The duration depends on your company’s market-entry plans and on when a decision about establishing operations in Essen can be made. Ideally, the program takes place over approximately one year, although ESSEN BUSINESS understands that internal strategic decisions may require a longer timeframe.

Yes. Participation in the Market Entry Program is free of charge.

The Welcome Package may include a grant of up to €10,000 for eligible costs such as coworking, office rent or legal consulting.

Go

The program is intended for international companies that:

  • already have a product or solution on the market in their home country,
  • have made a strategic decision to expand into Germany,
  • are interested in exploring Essen or the Ruhr region as a potential business location, and
  • have at least 20 employees.

Applications are reviewed individually based on the company, its solution and its expansion plans.

o

No. Establishing a presence in Essen is not required to participate in the Strategy Check. During the Strategy Check, ESSEN BUSINESS works with your company to assess whether establishing operations in Essen would be a suitable next step.

To qualify for funding through the Welcome Package, the company is expected to establish a German limited liability company (GmbH) in Essen within one year.

d

Yes. Companies that are already active in Germany can still use the Strategy Check and the other advisory and networking services. However, to qualify for funding through the Welcome Package, the company must not already have established a GmbH in Germany.

All company and product information is treated confidentially. ESSEN BUSINESS only shares information with potential partners or experts after it has been approved for release by the applicant.

Apply now!

Complete the online questionnaire to apply for the free Strategy Check. ESSEN BUSINESS will review your answers and provide feedback by email within two weeks. Based on the information you provide, the team will develop an individual support program for your market entry in the region. If you are considering Essen as a location for your business operations, our team will also be happy to discuss the Welcome Package with you.

Learn more

about the Heart of Medical Innovation

Your Contact Persons

Dr. Jana
Drechsler

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Dr. Jana Drechsler

Head of Health & International Affairs

Mélisa
Dangel

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Mélisa Dangel

Project Lead Health

Go
Theisen

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Go Theisen

International Business
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