Under the umbrella of the Innovation Bridge Israel, the Metropole Ruhr would like to deepen its relations and exchange with Israel and the start-up metropolis Tel Aviv. One pillar of the Innovation Bridge is the "Innovation Scouting" project. Business Metropole Ruhr GmbH, together with AHK Israel in Tel Aviv, installed an Innovation Scout for companies in the Metropole Ruhr in November 2017. Rhenus Logistics, thyssenkrupp AG and Vonovia SE are currently involved. On the municipal side, EWG - Essener Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft and Bochum Wirtschaftsentwicklung are also participating in the project. The participating companies agree with BMR on a sector or sub-sector for which the Innovation Scout analyzes the Israeli market and identifies trends. In addition, the Innovation Scout searches for interesting start-ups and technological solutions, identifies contacts and establishes initial contact.

Innovation Bridge North America aims to create a strong network in the innovation ecosystems of the USA and Canada. Following the experience with Innovation Bridge Israel and Innovation Bridge China, BMR is now establishing Innovation Bridge North America to build the bridge from North America to the Ruhr region. Together with the Worldfactory Start-up Center at Ruhr University Bochum and the Chambers of Commerce Abroad in the U.S. and Canada, BMR has developed various formats to make start-up ecosystems, pathways and networking opportunities for regional players, and the potential of internationalization for start-ups visible. As a regional economic development agency for the Ruhr region, BMR aims to support both the settlement of foreign companies in the Metropole Ruhr and the market development of domestic companies in North America. In addition, the Innovation Bridge is intended to generate innovation impulses and cooperation potential for the region. For this reason, BMR is building bridges in regions whose competencies are complementary to those of the Ruhr region, such as the tech hotspots Tel Aviv and Shenzhen - and currently North America. Boston is very strong in the field of medical technology and robotics, while in Canada it is above all the outstanding players in the field of artificial intelligence and IT security. In short: Innovation through cooperation!

The project between the University of Rwanda and the University of Koblenz is an eye level cooperation that contributes to making the higher education of the University of Rwanda more practice-oriented. The long-term aim is to improve the economic conditions and to prepare students and graduates from the University of Rwanda for the labor market. Therefore we will implement a Competence Center where students, graduates and lecturers can participate in workshops that are related to key competences for the labor market and scientific working fields. Furthermore, we will establish a broad network between business partners in Rwanda and in Germany and the University of Rwanda. Within this network annual exchanges are planned to discover the needs of the business partners and the students will have the possibility to do internships and gain first working experience. Another component will be the facilitation of collaborative research projects from Rwandan and German scientists on project-related topics.