The Grand ZOLLHOF 2.0 Opening
by Anne Christin Braun
After three intense years of construction, loads of last-minute tweaks and amidst this crazy situation that we all currently face, we did it — we officially opened ZOLLHOF 7, our brand new home base.
There truly could be no better space for us to create and implement groundbreaking new ideas. ZOLLHOF 7 is not simply our headquarter, but a historic building that lives and breathes innovation since 1898. Back then an entrepreneur called Johannes Zeltner discovered ultramarine could be found in the soil around our Zollhof building. With this discovery for the first time ever it was possible to chemically produce this color in a cheap way and in large quantities — a technical sensation and the base for the very first German patent ever.
Of course, we and our founders will work hard to not make the first Zollhof patent the last one.
From the Past Into the Future
Last Friday however, it was time to pave the way into the future. We did that with only a handful of physical guests (the C-word, you know…) but with many more in front of screens all over Germany. We kicked the opening off with a virtual tour through our unique 3000 square meter big building where 200 startup working places will fit.
We started in the historic cellar that will inhabit a maker space for our startups as well as some space for events. On our ground floor we visited the office area where the ZOLLHOF team will be located and where the heart of the new building is: the entrance area with a lovely airy bistro and a cozy lounge space. A scenario that is ideal to welcome guests and to come together for a coffee and a chat. Our first floor and parts of the second floor are where our startups will make themselves at home. The other half of the second floor is reserved for our event space where up to 200 people fit – in regular times that is again.
Welcoming an Inspiring Network of Ecosystem Innovators
Afterwards it was time to welcome people at home and on-site, so Benjamin, our CEO and Chris, our COO took the stage. But they were not the only ones who shared their insights as we had some truly incredible speakers join us:
· Daniel Krauss, Founder and CIO FlixBus
· Dr. Roland Busch, Deputy CEO Siemens
· Prof. Joachim Hornegger, President FAU
· Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs
· Marcus König, Mayor of Nuremberg
· Aya Jaff, Author and Forbes 30 under 30
· Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO Schaeffler
· Miriam Wohlfarth, Founder and Managing Director RatePay
· Ingrid Hofmann, Founder I.K. Hofmann
· Daniel Thomas, Board Director HUK-Coburg
· Dr. Martin Seibold, Board Director NÜRNBERGER Versicherung
· Prof. Siegfried Russwurm, Industrial Advisor
· Karolin Hewelt, Founder and Managing Director RCKT
· Dr. Inken Braunschmidt, CIDO Halma
It was great to hear what people cherish about ZOLLHOF and what their wishes and hopes are. We definitely noted down that FAU president Prof. Hornegger would like to see some shining unicorns galloping in and around ZOLLHOF. ;)
For more insights into our opening have a peek below.
Anne is ZOLLHOF’s Marketing Lead. She has many years of experience in tech communications and PR. When she’s not at ZOLLHOF, Anne is working on her Master’s degree in Health Sciences and supports an NGO as their Social Media Manager.
