Germany's Technology Aims Higher With Venture Capital Investments

With its famed history as a premiere world leader in technological innovations, Germany is looking to add to its already stellar reputation. After establishing benchmark standards in automotives, machine tools, telecommunications, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and wind turbines; Germany is taking steps toward becoming a global innovator in the development of solar power and other environmental technologies.

German venture capital investments in clean technology have dramatically increased in recent years and haven’t shown any signs of slowing down. Just recently two German state funds of funds, the ERP-EIF Fund of Funds and the LfA-EIF Fund of Funds, have joined U.K based WHEB ventures by investing £21m between them and expanding its offices to Munich. Funds of funds, also known as FoF - are investment funds that use a diversified portfolio in their strategy, rather than investing directly in one type of fund, such as shares, bonds or other securities. This type of investing is often referred to as multi-manager investment.

The industry’s limitless growth potential means an influx of new businesses that provide numerous jobs not only domestically, but also worldwide. This means a new wave of German entrepreneurs equipped with world class education credentials will be presenting their ideas with hopes of starting their own company.

However, due to tighter credit markets and slow economic growth abroad, loans are harder to come by and public programs have been cut back. As generating capital has become more difficult, it presents a unique challenge to business entrepreneurs who as bright as they may be, lack the experience of navigating through a challenged market. As a result, some of the basic rules of entrepreneurial business still apply, and the factor of who you know still comes greatly into play.

An article by Mike Lebus, founder of Angel Investment Netz

URL : http://innovationamerica.us/index.php/innovation-daily/7828-germanys-technology-aims-higher-with-venture-capital-investments