Factory International

Factory Network operates as a curated ecosystem for innovators, providing physical and digital spaces designed to foster collaboration and growth among startups, corporations, and creative minds. The company was founded in Berlin in 2011 by Udo Schloemer, a real estate entrepreneur with a history of identifying and developing properties in up-and-coming urban areas. Schloemer's journey began in real estate in 1992, where he developed a keen eye for undervalued locations, a skill that later informed the site selection for Factory's campuses.

The initial vision for Factory was to establish Germany's first international network for tech startups. The first campus, Factory Berlin Mitte, opened in 2014 in a former brewery that was once part of the Berlin Wall, symbolizing the company's focus on transforming historical sites into modern innovation hubs. This was followed by the opening of a 14,000-square-meter campus at Görlitzer Park in 2018 and an expansion to Hamburg with Factory Hammerbrooklyn in 2021. However, due to the shift in work culture following the pandemic, the Görlitzer Park campus was closed in 2024 to refocus efforts on the original Mitte location. A significant milestone occurred in early 2016 when Factory acquired the Berlin-based tech community 'Silicon Allee', which was founded in 2011 by Schuyler Deerman and Travis J. Todd. This acquisition integrated a grassroots community directly into Factory's ecosystem.

The company's business model centers on offering memberships that provide access to its network and campuses. Clients range from individual entrepreneurs and early-stage startups to large corporations like Google for Startups, Siemens, and SoundCloud. Revenue is generated through membership fees, private office rentals, and partnerships that offer members resources for business growth. The campuses provide a variety of workspaces, including private offices, shared desks, and innovation labs, alongside event spaces and networking opportunities. By partnering with public and private sector actors, Factory aims to revitalize urban areas while building a collaborative environment that brings together diverse disciplines to spark new business models.

Keywords: innovation community, startup campus, coworking space, tech ecosystem, urban revitalization, real estate development, entrepreneurship network, corporate partnerships, Berlin startups, collaborative workspace, Udo Schloemer, Factory Berlin, Silicon Allee, founder community, tech hub, business incubation, networking events, shared office space, venture network, creative collaboration