Innovation Hub Dudelange Project Unveiled

At a press conference on Friday 29 September 2017, Luxembourg's Secretary of State for the Economy, Francine Closener, together with the Mayor of Dudelange, Dan Biancalana, presented the "Innovation Hub Dudelange" project, the first incubator for young innovative companies in Dudelange.

Located in the future Nei Schmelz district, the start-up centre and innovation centre is co-financed by the Ministry of the Economy. The companies hosted there will be supervised by Luxinnovation and Technoport, which are involved in the design of the Neischmelz future economic centre. The "Innovation Hub Dudelange" will be located at 100 route de Volmerange, the former administrative headquarters of Arcelor-Mittal. Located on an area of ​​more than 500 m², the premises will be completely renovated and converted into 14 offices and meeting rooms.

Selected according to a procedure involving Luxinnovation, Technoport and the Ville de Dudelange, young companies will be accommodated there for up to 5 years. A distinction must be drawn between two types of undertaking according to their age:

- very young companies (less than 2 years old when they join the Innovation Hub) will be able to access the premises for a maximum of 5 years. The Innovation Hub will serve as a base camp and springboard for them to launch. They will pay a rent of €15/m².

- young companies over 2 years old to whom the Innovation Hub will serve as a "relay house" before being completely autonomous. They will pay a rent of €20/m².

At the press conference, Secretary of State Closener said: "For the past 4 years, a dynamic start-up ecosystem has developed in Luxembourg. There are many supports and coaching programmes available to young start-up companies and more than 10 public and private reception facilities. The "Innovation Hub Dudelange" project is part of these efforts and further concretises Luxembourg's ambition to gradually transform itself into a "start-up nation".