KMØ: a catalyst for digital innovation in the heart of Mulhouse

Located in Mulhouse’s Fonderie district and inaugurated in 2019, KMØ (pronounced KM-zero) has become one of Alsace’s flagship hubs for digital innovation. Set within the former buildings of the Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques (SACM), this 11,500 m² site represents a major industrial reconversion project that blends heritage preservation with technological ambition.

A historic site transformed into an innovation hub

KMØ is rooted in Mulhouse’s industrial heritage. It stands on the former departure station of the world’s first international railway line (Mulhouse–Basel, 1841), from which it also takes its name. The restored site now provides a distinctive setting where start-ups, industrial players, students and public organisations come together.

The conversion into a digital hub was made possible through large-scale renovation work supported notably by European funds (ERDF), creating training facilities, office spaces, a TechLab and an environment designed to foster innovative projects.

A dynamic ecosystem dedicated to businesses

The mission of KMØ is to bring industry, digital technology, talent and innovators as close together as possible, symbolically reducing the distance between them to “zero”. This ambition is reflected in a multidisciplinary ecosystem that hosts over 70 companies from France, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium, alongside 25 technical training programs and several support structures.

Each day, nearly 1,100 people  (entrepreneurs, industrial managers, engineers and students) occupy the site and collaborate in a setting designed to encourage interaction, cross-disciplinary projects and open innovation. Often described as a “giant coffee machine”, KMØ is valued for its ability to connect people and ideas. It brings together:

• technology start-ups,
• industrial companies engaged in digital transformation,
• incubators and accelerators (Le Village by CA, Semia),
• training institutions (Ecole 42, Epitech, PHG Academy),
• Industry 4.0 demonstrators and a fablab,
• professional organisations representing industrial actors committed to digital transition.

The hub maintains an occupancy rate above 99%, with more than 40 resident companies and nearly 600 students integrated into its daily operations. Expansion work is underway to increase its capacity even further.

A strategic location at the centre of the Upper Rhine region

Mulhouse’s ideal position at the crossroads of France, Germany and Switzerland gives KMØ a strong cross-border advantage. The hub naturally supports international collaboration, strengthened by the presence of companies from several European countries and by major joint projects with nearby metropolitan areas such as Basel, Freiburg, Strasbourg and Colmar.

This Upper Rhine location enhances the visibility of Alsace’s digital excellence and connects it to a network of advanced industrial sectors including microtechnology, mobility technologies, industrial systems and cybersecurity.

A valuable asset for businesses: collaboration, visibility and growth

Companies based at KMØ benefit from:

• a collaborative environment where partners, potential clients and emerging talent can be easily identified,
• immediate proximity to laboratories and training institutions, supporting recruitment,
• modern facilities including office spaces, event venues, a TechLab and shared services,
• privileged access to regional and cross-border innovation networks (French Tech, clusters, European programs),
• integration into a fast-growing ecosystem, with future extensions planned in Belfort, Colmar and Porrentruy.

A showcase for Alsace’s industrial renewal

By revitalising a landmark industrial site and bringing together the region’s digital and industrial communities, KMØ embodies the ambition of Alsace: to combine innovation, heritage and international reach.

At the heart of a dynamic and connected cross-border region, KMØ aims to act as a true starting point, a “kilometre zero”, for companies seeking to launch or accelerate their digital and industrial projects.