Manufacturing 2026
Business Creation Days


DeepTech Alliance warmly welcomes our corporate partners, deeptech startups & scaleups, and DTA members to the Manufacturing Program 2026 Business Creation Days!


Bringing together leading international corporations and innovative startups & scaleups from across Europe, this event in Aachen, Germany —hosted by DeepTech Alliance’s local member, Gateway Factory— offers a unique opportunity to explore real business prospects, gain insights from industry experts, and expand your professional network.

Important Practical Information

The Manufacturing 2026 event, including the Monday evening dinner for early arrivers, will take place in Aachen on both days (October 13–14), and will be immediately followed by the Utility 2026 business creation days. We recommend staying at a hotel near the city center or close to Gateway Factory to ensure easy access to the venue.

We look forward to an inspiring and productive kick-off event with you!


Gateway Factory and DeepTech Alliance

Agenda

19:00

No-host pre-event networking dinner

Louisiana Aachen

09:50

Campus Tour


Please meet us at FIR at 9:50 a.m. so we can head to the first stop (Smart Automation Lab) together. This will also give you the opportunity to store your belongings before the tour.
We’ll visit several campus institutes during an approximately two-hour walking tour, with both indoor and outdoor visits.

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FIR at RWTH Aachen University Campus
12:00

Lunch

FIR Foyer
13:00

Intro

Fir Auditorium
13:10

DTA Members Intro

Fir Auditorium
13:30

Keynote: How strong ecosystems can help bridge the gap between research and industrial success

FIR Auditorium
Prof. Günther Schuh
Director @ FIR e. V. an der RWTH Aachen
14:00

Break

FIR Foyer
14:30

Startup pitches, part 1

FIR Auditorium
15:30

Break

FIR Foyer
16:00

Startup pitches, part 2

FIR Auditorium
17:00

Wrap-up

FIR Auditorium
18:00

Networking dinner

Boulevard 30

08:30

Morning Coffee

FIR Foyer
09:00

Corporate pitches

FIR Auditorium
10:00

1-1 matchmaking

FIR Atrium
12:30

Lunch

FIR Foyer
13:15

Roundtables

Corporate roundtable - FIR Breakout room

Startups roundtable - FIR Auditorium

DTA Members - FIR Breakout room

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14:45

Round-off Manufacturing

15:00

Drinks

Location:

Location of the event: FIR e. V. an der RWTH Aachen Campus-Boulevard 55, 52074 Aachen

Location of the Networking Dinner: tba

© MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors

Useful Info & Hotel Recommendations


The Manufacturing 2026 event, including the Monday evening dinner for early arrivers, will take place in Aachen on both days (October 13–14), and will be immediately followed by the Utility 2026 business creation days. We recommend staying at a hotel near the city center or close to Gateway Factory to ensure easy access to the venue.

Dinner on 12 October:

For early arrivals on 12 October, an informal networking dinner will be held at Louisiana Aachen (Friedrich-Wilhelm-Platz 4-6, 52062 Aachen). Please note that this dinner is self-funded and not included in the programme fee.

Train station:

  • Aachen Main Station (4,3 km to event location)
  • Aachen West (2,5 km to event location)

International Airports:

  • Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) (95 km to Aachen)
  • Cologne Airport (CGN) (86 km)
  • Maastricht Airport (MST) (42 km)
  • Brussels Airport (BRU) (140 km)

Recommended Hotels:

(Please note that since 01.01.2026 Aachen charges an accommodation tax of 2,5€ per night which are not included in the prices below)

  • Motel One Aachen (Kapuzinergraben 6-10, 52062 Aachen) - €€
    • close to main station (750 m)
    • 30 min by public transport to location (3,7 km)
    • 104 € per night
    • code for booking: 1638884 (valid until 01.09.2026)
  • INNSiDE Aachen (Sandkaulstraße 20, 52062 Aachen) - €€€
  • B&B HOTEL Aachen-Hbf (Zollernstraße 2-4, 52070 Aachen) - €
    • very close to Aachen main station (400 m)
    • 30 min by public transport to location (5 km)
    • Price: 60 - 100 € per night
    • no special conditions available please book via website

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