For start-ups
Game changers need capital – often more than planned until they reach market entry and initial sales. Together with our partners we offer financing for innovative start-ups from seed to later stage. In addition to finances, our network organizes a platform for knowledge transfer and cooperation between start-ups and medium-sized companies, direct contact to industry experts, and much more.
TechVision Fonds I
TechVision Fonds invests equity and more in innovative start-ups from the Aachen, Mönchengladbach, Rhineland (Lower Rhine) and surrounding regions. As a regional fund, we finance innovative industries and technology sectors, preferably with a B2B focus. We are not limited to specific sectors.
Our fund portfolio ranges from medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals to industrial software and mobility services as well as logistics solutions and fintech. As a seed fund, we provide start-ups in our region with up to €3 million in equity capital in the seed phase and beyond (more with co-investors) to develop and market innovative business models and technologies.
Quick facts about our current range of funds:
- 40 million € fund volume in the 3rd fund
- Early stage startups & Series A & B financing
- Head office or place of business in our investment region
- Maximum € 6 million investment per start-up, € 3 million in the first round
- Mostly co-investment – higher investment therefore possible
The TechVision Fund was originally launched by NRW.Bank in 2007 with the Seed Fund Initiative. Apart from Aachen, seed funds are also available in Wuppertal and Paderborn, for example. Measured by the capital invested and the investments made, Seed Fonds Aachen can be considered the largest and most successful funds overall.
Our first seed fund was launched in 2007 and had a total volume of € 8 million. The first Seed Fonds Aachen has been out invested for some time.
Generation Seed Fonds II had a volume of approximately € 15 million. Currently, there are some very successful companies in its portfolio and will develop over the next years until exit. (->current portfolio)
The third seed fund was renamed TechVision Fund at the beginning of 2020 and represents our third and largest fund generation to date. The fund has a volume of over €40 million and was officially launched in April 2018. In addition to private investors, our investors include NRW.Bank, DSA Invest II GmbH and the savings banks Aachen, Düren, Heinsberg, Krefeld and Mönchengladbach as well as the shareholders of the Babor Group and the family holding company Nomainvest. (->our investors)
We are investing up to € 3.0 million in the first round in companies in the Seed and Series A phase. We make many of our investments with co-investors or business angels. On the one hand, financing rounds of over € 3.0 million can be realised in this way, and on the other hand we can contribute industry-specific know-how, valuable networks and a great deal of experience.
Interested? Looking for capital? Talk to us!
This is the information we need from you:
Team
Most important of all – why and how are you working with each other, who's doing what?
Pitch deck
Put together all the information about your business model. Also have a look at the Knowledge Base.
Capital needs
Explain clearly how much money you want, where it should come from, and what exactly you want to do with it.
Unicorn?
Or a flash in the pan? What makes you unique and why should we invest in you?
What happens next? Our process:
Knowledge base
With our knowledge base we want to equip you with some technical vocabulary and perhaps answer a few questions before they arise. It is important for us to communicate with our partners at eye level in all matters. In order to achieve this, common understanding is indispensable.
Equity & debt capital
Statistically, start-ups entail a significantly higher risk than established companies. Therefore, special investors are needed to finance them.
Investment and exit
VC companies invest capital and know-how in promising start-ups. It is a temporary partnership that should result in a profitable exit.
Investor reporting
Investors want to know how companies in the portfolio are developing. For this purpose, certain key business figures are collected and reported. Our reporting is concise.
Fund duration
A VC fund invests money in promising early-stage start-ups. This puts the fund at full risk and only provides a return if and when the value of the company increases.
Due diligence
In due diligence (DD) audits, investors learn everything important about the start-up. Typical areas include management, commercial, financial and legal.
Pitch deck
The pitch deck provides a concise summary of all relevant information an investor, for example, needs for an initial assessment. The pitch deck has largely
Venture capital fund
A venture capital (VC) fund invests money, its network and other resources in young companies that are in the early stages of business development.
Smart Money
In addition to equity financing, we also offer targeted assistance, coaching or discussions with experts. Debt capital is also available if required. Feel free to contact us about these possibilities.
Patent Strategy
Patent Strategy
Patent applications, portfolio diversification, continuous analyses and internationalization are activities that are of particular importance in know-how intensive projects.
Reporting & Management
Make or Buy Decisions
The structure of appropriate and straightforward reporting is easy to handle during ongoing operations if set up professionally. We provide support in maintaining the necessary documentation and recommend tax advisors or suitable management templates.
Geography and Regulatory Affairs
Geography and Regulatory Affairs
Going to the US, China, India: international market entry requires knowledge of national customs and guidelines. Establishing an entity and its governance, for example in the USA, requires a cooperation network, which can be financed by the Starter Kit.
Market Entry Strategy
Market Entry Strategy
Market entry and the associated marketing opportunities, sales channels and industry-specific strategies are critical for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs can use the Starter Kit to receive advice if required or have experienced business individuals accompany them through the market entry process.
Finance Strategy
Structure of Internal Organization
Structure of Internal Organization
As a company grows, its internal structures also grow. The core task of management is to keep an overview of all the processes. With the Starter Kit, we offer young entrepreneurs support in this core area by teaching management methods and personal coaching.
HR & Recruiting
HR & Recruiting
Attract people and keep them motivated over the long-term for the common cause: the Starter Kit supports the development of a professional web presence and corporate philosophy, and simplifies access to various HR consultants and expert networks.
Resource Management
Resource Management
Liquidity planning is particularly important for start-ups whose business requires expensive hardware, and can be addressed by various measures such as factoring. We establish the right connections to service providers who support such resource management.
Make or Buy Decisions
Make or Buy Decisions
A flexible structure in the value chain is key to start-ups that have limited liquidity but want to become visible in the market early with the first version of their product. The Starter Kit supports the financing of consulting, development and production partners for scale-up.
Good to go? Prepared your pitch deck? Or you have some more questions?
Contact our staff direct: