Utility 2026
Business Creation Days


DeepTech Alliance warmly welcomes our corporate partners, deeptech startups & scaleups, and DTA members to the Utility 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 Utility 2026 event will take place in Aachen on both days (October 14–15), and will immediately follow the Manufacturing 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

12:30

Lunch

FIR Foyer
13:15

Roundtables

Corporate roundtable - FIR Breakout room

Startups roundtable - FIR Auditorium

DTA Members roundtable - FIR Breakout room

Read more
14:45

Break

15:00

Intro

FIR Auditorium
15:10

DTA Member intro

FIR Auditorium
15:30

Keynote: Scaling up Europe‘s Energy Sovereignity: From EV Batteries to Storage Economy

FIR Auditorium
David Oudsandji
CEO @ Voltfang GmbH
15:50

Break

FIR Foyer
16:10

Startup pitches, part 1

FIR Auditorium
17:00

Break

FIR Foyer
17:20

Startup pitches, part 2

18:00

Networking dinner

Boulevard 30

08:30

Morning coffee

FIR Foyer
09:00

Corporate pitches

FIR Auditorium
10:00

Break

FIR Foyer
10:30

1-1 matchmaking

FIR Atrium
12:30

Lunch

FIR Foyer
13:30

1-1 matchmaking

FIR Atrium
14:20

Round-off Utility

FIR Auditorium
15:00

Drinks

FIR Foyer

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

Location of the Networking Dinner: tbd

© MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors

Useful Info & Hotel Recommendations

The Utility 2026 event will take place in Aachen on both days (October 14–15), and it will immediately follow the Manufacturing 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.

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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