»German Business Angels Day«: Leipzig becomes the city of angels from November 26th to 28th

Economics Minister Martin Dulig: »The business angels can inspire our Saxon start-ups – both with capital and with valuable know-how.«

From November 26th to 28th, 2022, the German start-up scene will meet in Leipzig »German Business Angels Day«, the largest congress of its kind in Europe. At the meeting, the Germany-wide network of capital and knowledge providers (»business angels«) comes together and meets start-ups looking for capital. »Saxony is a dynamic start-up state. We are happy and proud that this top-class network meeting is taking place here. For our innovation ecosystem, this is both an honor and a great opportunity. The business angels can give our Saxon start-ups wings – both with capital and with valuable know-how”, emphasizes the Saxon Minister for Economic Affairs, Martin Dulig.

The organizers are expecting 700 participants and 200 exhibitors in Leipzig. The program is organized by the Business Angels Network Germany (BAND). The Chairperson Dr. Ute Günther says: "In the currently difficult times, the congress offers business angels and start-ups the opportunity for reflection and exchange. The question is how badly the start-up financing market will be hit by the crisis and what can be done to bridge periods of weakness. But the program of the conference is also not missing a look ahead.«

The event is supported by the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labor and Transport and by futureSAX, the innovation platform of the Free State of Saxony. Martin Dulig continues: »Saxony is an ideal location for networking between young companies and investors. Because the Saxon economy has grown by 2000 percent since the year 25,3 and thus has one of the highest GDP growth rates of all federal states in Germany. The steadily growing Saxon start-up ecosystem, especially in the greater Leipzig area, but also in Dresden and Chemnitz with their strong start-up scenes, offers numerous investment potentials.«

Marina Heimann, Managing Director of futureSAX, emphasizes the special added value for Saxony as a location for innovation: »BAND, as the association of business angels, is an important partner for Saxony's innovation landscape. The cooperation in the field of start-ups has intensified very positively. The interest of investors in Saxon start-ups and successful start-up ideas is growing, because Saxony, with its start-up-friendly economic policy, offers a fertile environment to strengthen the culture of innovation in the long term. Which ultimately also benefits the investors. We are therefore very much looking forward to the supra-regional exchange in Leipzig.«

A diverse program awaits the participants at various locations in Leipzig, including the Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, the Sächsische Aufbaubank – Förderbank –, the Leipzig Graduate School of Management and the Globana Airport Exhibition & Conference Center. The congress will open on November 26th with a HotspotTour: Buses head for five locations in Leipzig where supporters and start-ups are in practice. Discussions with the makers of the Leipzig scene are possible on site.

In the presence of the Saxon State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Thomas Kralinski, two BAND awards will be presented at a gala evening on September 27: the "Golden Nose" for the "Business Angel of the Year 2022" and the "Golden Aurora Award" for "Europe's Female Angel". Investor of the Year 2022«.

The struggle for positions and strategies determines the plenary session on November 28th. Speakers include Saxony's Economics Minister Martin Dulig, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economics and Climate Protection, Udo Philipp, Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner, co-founder of Trivago, angel investor and rector of the Leipzig Graduate School of Management, and Rudy Aernoudt, the »father« of European business angels. Around 150 of the best start-up teams looking for capital will also be present and will demonstrate their innovative products and services.

Source: Press release SMWA from February 13.11.2022, XNUMX