When I talk about ecosystems that host innovation hubs and coworking spaces during my tours in Ireland and the CoWorkLand regions, not everyone is familiar with the concept. Often, universities like SETU, which were key partners on my tour in the South East of Ireland, are an important part of the ecosystem. On that tour in Kilkenny, the Irish national sport of hurling was also part of it. In Leipzig, organizations like the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and the German Association for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW) play a vital role in the local ecosystem.

To conclude my recent #ConnectedHubsVisitCoWorkLand tour, I visited CoWorkLand Synergy Partner DeveLUP  in Ludwigslust, and if anyone asks me what “ecosystem” actually means in the future, I’ve found the perfect answer there. It all starts with the fact that DeveLUP, as a Synergy Partner, is part of the CoWorkLand ecosystem. On the top floor of the impressive building that houses DeveLUP, my host, Henrik Wegner, the coordinator of the startup and business incubator center here in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district, showed me the expansive grounds surrounding the building. The district offices, staffed by officials responsible for processing applications from startups and founders, are within easy reach, as are new residential buildings for newcomers and returning residents, a kindergarten, and a facility for assisted living – a truly comprehensive, intergenerational ecosystem!

As coordinator in Ludwigslust, Henrik is also responsible for the Metropolitan Region, Innovation, and Projects department – and is “ready for anything” when it comes to international collaborations with innovative companies and institutions. What has already proven successful in Finland is absolutely transferable to Ireland, and if an Irish startup wants to test the German market, a desk is available within a vibrant ecosystem not far from major cities like Berlin and Hamburg. This doesn’t have to be a one-way street, as startups from the region have numerous opportunities in Ireland to test an innovative, English-speaking market.