Start-up association apparently terminates cooperation with NRWalley

As a result, according to a media report, there are now two competing startup lobbying associations in North Rhine-Westphalia.

The Federal Association of German Start-ups (BVDS) has, according to a report by the Rheinische Post the cooperation with the regional association NRWalley - apparently by e-mail. According to the report, BVDS is now appointing three NRW state spokespersons of its own: Sophia Tran, Viviane Wilde and Timo Marks. By the end of the month, NRWalley is to remove public references to the cooperation.

According to the source, a message from managing directors Christoph Stresing and Franziska Teubert to the NRWalley chairmen states that the "construction" is "not practical." There had been developments in the state association that would have reinforced this impression. Examples: a poster campaign that was seen as overpriced and problems with the discharge of the former board.

Now there are apparently two lobbying associations for startups in NRW. BVDS is said to have the better reach, which could devalue NRWalley. Madeleine Heuts, one of the board members of NRWalley has said, according to the newspaper report, that their focus is on the well-being and added value for start-ups. In order for founders to develop in the best possible way, they also need the cooperation with BVDS. With more than 280 members, NRWalley is definitely a strong voice, he said.