Saxon innovations meet capital

Saxony is home to many promising start-ups. With the innovation platform futureSAX and the Corona Start-up Aid Fund, the Free State supports their development and visibility on the capital market - especially in challenging times. A model with exemplary character, as evidenced by the great interest shown by investors and current examples of success.

The Free State of Saxony is well on the way to developing into one of the leading innovation regions in Europe. Many innovative ideas and business models are created here, which are increasingly being supported by well-known national and international venture capitalists. Examples include the futureSAX-Alumni Staffbase GmbH from Chemnitz (a total of more than EUR 30 million in financing from Insight Ventures, e.ventures, Capnamic Ventures and Kizoo Technology Capital), Wandelbots GmbH from Dresden (a total of around EUR 35 million in financing). by 83North, Siemens' Next47, Microsoft's venture capital arm M12, Paua Ventures, EQT Ventures, Atlantic Labs and Haniel.) and the Freital-based company watttron GmbH (last financing round of EUR 3,4 million in April 2020 with Constantia New Business , Skion GmbH, LAUDA and the Saxony Technology Founder Fund). You can find an overview of rounds of financing for innovative Saxon companies at https://www.futuresax.de/deals.

futureSAX, the innovation platform of the Free State of Saxony, identifies and promotes high-potential investment cases and presents them, for example, as part of the Saxon Investors Roadshow. "The Saxon Investors Roadshow offers technology-oriented start-ups and growth companies a good platform to establish initial contact with relevant investors," explains Marcus Stein, founder and managing director of watttron GmbH. In October 2019, the company was able to make initial contact with one of the consortium leaders of the financing round, Constantia New Business, at the Saxon Investors Roadshow in Berlin.

The next issue will take place online on October 1, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. futureSAX supports companies seeking capital, especially in difficult times: Since the restrictions on public events due to COVID-19 began, the digital format has already taken place twice with almost 200 investors and 38 promising investment cases from Saxony. In the third digital edition, more than 80 investors meet 20 start-up and growth concepts. Since futureSAX GmbH was founded in 2017, a total of 223 companies have applied to take part in the Saxon Investors Roadshow. 134 selected companies presented themselves to a total of 467 investors as part of the series of events. Interested investors can request a free digital ticket at short notice at investorenroadshow@futureSAX.de.

In addition to network expansion, the Free State of Saxony offers direct support: The Corona Start-up Aid Fund (CSH) supports sustainable business models from all sectors in order to alleviate the economic effects of the corona pandemic and to set new growth impulses. futureSAX campaigned early on for the implementation of the BMWi support fund, known as Pillar II, and introduced the needs of the Saxon start-up scene. Since the start of the aid fund at the beginning of August, the Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft Sachsen (MBG) has already provided 11 start-ups with venture capital. More than 40 additional requests for funding have been received. MBG manages the CSH, which has a total of 30 million euros, with its own experienced team for start-up investments. The relief fund is financed jointly by the federal government, the Free State and the MBG and offers equity and equity-like funds of up to EUR 800.000 to ensure liquidity. A video Q&A with the essential information about the CSH is available on futureSAX-TV on the YouTube channel. In another online Q&A on futureSAX.de with Markus H. Michalow, Managing Director of MBG, interested parties can ask their questions on October 28.10.2020, 9 from 00:10 a.m. to 00:XNUMX a.m. »For me, the examples of successful financing rounds and the rapid implementation of the Corona Start-up Aid Fund in Bavaria are the result of the good cooperation in the start-up and innovation ecosystem. I am confident that #InnovationmadeinSaxony and the people behind it will successfully face the current challenges,« sums up Marina Heimann, Managing Director of futureSAX GmbH.

Background futureSAX - the innovation platform of the Free State of Saxony

futureSAX is the central contact in the Saxon start-up and innovation ecosystem, with the aim of making the innovation players and the innovation country visible. Through a variety of measures, futureSAX sets growth impulses for sustainable innovations, connects innovators from industry and science across industries and increases the efficiency of innovation processes.

Source: media information futureSAX from September 28.09.2020th, XNUMX