Interview IMPULS. - The Hamm Business Agency

What was the intention behind opening IMPULS? What does the geographical location have to do with it?

As the economic development agency for Hamm, IMPULS takes care of everything to do with economic development in the city. This starts with the development of its own sites such as the Westfalen industrial estate, and extends to advising companies on business development, organizing events and campaigns in Hamm and advising start-ups. The Economic Development Agency was founded as an independent limited company in 1997, having emerged from the Office for Economic Development.

As a mining location and railroad junction, Hamm was particularly hard hit by structural change in the 1980s and 1990s. At the same time, its location on the easternmost edge of the Ruhr region meant that it was not as much of a focus for the federal and state governments as the central Ruhr region. A strong and independent economic development agency should bundle forces and give Hamm more weight. With its reestablishment in 2022, the economic development agency has made itself fit for future challenges with leaner structures and clear responsibilities.

Will there be more interaction between HSHL and IMPULS in the future? What is planned in this regard?

Cooperation with the local universities is extremely important for the business agency, as this is where the next generation of entrepreneurs and young specialists urgently needed in Hammer companies come from. In future, we want to intensify this cooperation and organize further events together with the HSHL. The new IZH, the innovation center of IMPULS Innovationszentren GmbH, which is about to open in the immediate vicinity of HSHL, also invites exchange and offers students many opportunities.

What can IMPULS be used for outside of student projects? Who can make use of it?

As an economic development agency, IMPULS maintains close contact with companies in Hamm. Students in Hamm should also benefit from this. Many cooperative events for students have already been organized between HSHL, IMPULS and the companies. Our focus is on the organization of matching formats such as speed dating between students and companies or visits to trade fairs, where direct contact with companies can be established. In addition, we are of course the first point of contact for students when it comes to setting up a business in Hamm.