Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. It thrives where different industries, disciplines, and mindsets intersect. That’s why ecosystem building is central to what we do at .GUT Am Flughafen 1. By transforming Berlin TXL into the world’s largest center for the impact economy—spanning 500 hectares—we are creating a hub where startups, investors, policymakers, and researchers come together to shape the future. In just two years, our community has grown from 10 to 270 people on-site, fostering 27 startups and building an international network with partners from not only from Cairo and Berlin. Our collaborations extend through the GICA Network and our newest partner, enpact, strengthening global ties for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Why Ecosystem Building for the City of the Future Matters
The major challenges of our time cannot be solved with isolated measures. Change does not happen in silos – it requires a dynamic interplay of perspectives, expertise, and boldness. This is where ecosystem building comes in: it creates the space for unexpected connections that lead to real breakthroughs. A clean-tech startup has a breakthrough idea but lacks a key component. An architect provides the missing link. A policy expert turns research into real-world impact. True innovation happens when different fields don’t just coexist—they connect.
We know that startups need more than just a desk. They need an environment that allows them to evolve, expand their reach, and maximize their impact—with targeted support that understands and addresses their specific challenges. A real ecosystem is more than just a network – it’s a catalyst for progress.
Now, Here’s How We Do It: The Secret Sauce of .GUT Am Flughafen 1
The place where you work influences how you think. It shapes how you connect, what impulses you receive, and how easily new ideas emerge. That’s why .GUT Am Flughafen 1 is not just an address – it’s a space of possibilities, where businesses, researchers, and entrepreneurs work side by side, inspire one another, and collaborate on solutions for the city of the future. What Makes Our Ecosystem Special? We apply Urban Tech as a Shared Vision! This means, we focus on innovations that sustainably transform cities, industries, and infrastructure. Not in theory, but in practice – with projects that make a real impact.
Freedom & Community as Core Values and Architecture as a Driver of Innovation
Here, freedom means more than a buzzword. It’s the freedom to think big, to challenge the norm, and to take new paths. At the same time, you’re never alone: In the .GUT community, real connections are formed that turn ideas into reality. Picture a place where every detail is thoughtfully shaped to support innovation and collaboration. Spaces that encourage encounters. Environments that spark spontaneity. Architecture that is not just a backdrop but an active part of the innovation process.
Infrastructure That Makes Real Innovation Possible
The best ideas don’t emerge in scheduled meetings. They arise in passing conversations, at the coffee machine, in spontaneous brainstorming sessions in the lab. That’s why we offer spaces designed to make these moments more likely: prototyping labs to test and refine ideas, event spaces to spark collaboration, and—most importantly—a vibrant community kitchen. More than just a place to grab a coffee, this is where real connections happen, where people from different fields meet over shared meals, and where unexpected synergies turn into groundbreaking projects. A thriving ecosystem doesn’t happen by chance. It emerges when the right people, ideas, and spaces come together. That’s exactly what happens at .GUT Am Flughafen 1 – and we invite you to be part of it.
Join the Ecosystem Movement
Ecosystem building is more than a concept—it’s a mindset and a practice. At .GUT Am Flughafen 1, we create conditions for people and ideas to connect in meaningful ways. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, policymaker, or researcher, we invite you to be part of this journey. Are you a startup looking for a community with space to innovate? Join us!Are you part of a startup ecosystem and interested in collaboration? Let’s connect! Connect with us and help drive the next phase of innovation.
