KölnBusiness – the Economic Development Agency of Cologne

Become a part of Cologne's success story – we advise and support you.

As a municipal subsidiary we are the first point of contact for companies, startups and investors conducting business in Cologne. We support you in all matters related to your business affairs in Cologne. We inform, network and mediate in all questions relevant to business and administration. Our tailormade services are always free of charge and include assistance with administrative, legal, and practical matters as well as integration into business networks.

Learn more about our services

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Whether it's about relocation, expansion or project development, our newsletter Cologne Quarterly keeps you up to date with news and developments in the business metropolis of Cologne.

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Cologne – where networking is a lifestyle

Discover our unique metropolis

Situated on the banks of the River Rhine, Cologne is a dynamic and culturally diverse metropolis in the heart of Europe. World-leading companies work hand in hand with tech-driven startups.  Nowhere else is it easier to make connections. Because in Cologne, we pride ourselves on our welcoming way of life: open to people, cultures and business ideas.

Learn more about Cologne

Key sectors

Learn more about Cologne's healthy mix of industries

What do you need help with?

We have summarised important information for you
- KölnBusiness

Setting up a business

Short guide on different legal forms of companies in Germany and how to register a business.

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- KölnBusiness

Information on visas & permits

Find out how to apply for a short- or long-term Visa as an entrepreneur or freelancer.

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- KölnBusiness

Finding the right location

We provide information about real estate offers, office rental options, and coworking spaces.

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An innovative company like Monrol is always looking for partners who act quickly and future-oriented in a dynamic environment. We are happy and grateful to have found such partners in the city of Cologne and in KölnBusiness. Cologne as a healthcare location is rich in top-class scientific institutions, an ideal condition to fulfil Monrol’s mission in the service of patient health.
Aydin Kücük, CEO, Monrol
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Cologne stood out as our gateway of choice to the EU market due to its strong educational institutions, vast logistics network for travel, digital landmark events such as Gamescom and proximity to growing businesses across multiple sectors.
Felix Doepke, Country Lead DACH & Director of Customer Simulations, Attensi
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We started with our startup in Berlin and then specifically chose Cologne as a business location. That was exactly the right decision, as Cologne with its strong network offers many advantages.
Céleste Kleinjans, co-founder and CEO, MINDZEIT
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Cologne offers everything an entrepreneurial ecosystem needs: founders, B2C and B2B customers, good access to student talent and a founder-friendly climate – and on top of that, the best transport connections in the heart of Europe. The increasing number of accelerators and startup initiatives shows that Cologne is an attractive location for startups.
Markus Gick, co-managing director, xdeck
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KölnBusiness played a fundamental role for us in identifying important contacts that helped us secure our financial stability. Contact person Antje from KölnBusiness supported us on the difficult path. Always with a good attitude, always with a smile on her face.
Manuel la Rosa Betancourt, co-founder and CEO, Neutron Star Systems
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Cologne has been the perfect home for our strong growth over the past years. The city's attraction for young employees was particularly important for us to build and expand our team.
Jochen Schwill, founder and CEO, Next Kraftwerke

Our international team

Our team is here to help you to make an informed decision about your next move. We can provide you with local market insights, information about available funding programmes to support your entry and practical know-how so that you can hit the ground running.

Meet the team