A fund for life science founders

“Young companies in the life sciences should be specifically promoted in Lower Saxony (Germany). A large company is also involved.

In Lower Saxony, young companies from the field of life sciences are to be promoted at an early stage. To this end, the “Life Science Valley” growth fund has now been set up in Göttingen, which is initially equipped with 12 million euros in venture capital. Additional investors are expected to increase the risk capital to 20 million euros. 

The money will be invested in science-driven start-ups in the fields of biotechnology, medical technology, digital health, data science and drug development.

Half of the money comes from the NBank, the development and investment bank of the state of Lower Saxony, the other half from Sartorius AG and the University Medical Center Göttingen. "First-class technologies and innovative strength will not help even the best start-up if there is a lack of start-up and growth capital," says Sartorius CEO Joachim Kreuzburg, explaining the reasons for the commitment to the "Life Science Valley" fund. Long development times and high investment requirements are characteristic of the life sciences, which is why it is particularly important to reduce the barriers.

Goettingen has already developed into a center for young life science companies, reports Lower Saxony's Economics Minister Olaf Lies. One benefits from the great commitment of Sartorius AG and the university medicine, which ensures radiance in the region and far beyond. The new growth fund is an ideal supplement to existing funding such as the high-tech incubator. This helps young talents from the university to take the very first steps and turn their ideas into business models. 15 start-up teams are currently being looked after there.

The new growth fund is managed by Life Science Valley Ventures Management GmbH, which was founded last year to promote investment activities in Lower Saxony. Their managing directors are the investor and multiple founder Marco Janezic and the industry expert Sven Wagner.”