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Fraunhofer Venture
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- Spin-off Questions and Answers
- Spin-off im Profile
- News
- Trainings and Workshops
Interview with Dr. Peter Ripplinger, Subitec GmbH
Investment Forum 2011 as Seen by the Spin-off Subitec GmbH
Once a year, Fraunhofer Venture organizes the Investment Forum. The event aims at building bridges between young entrepreneurs and investors. On February 03, 2011, the Investment Forum on energy efficiency took place at the Fraunhofer-Haus in Munich. Current trends of Fraunhofer spin-offs were presented.
Dr. Ripplinger, you are the managing director of Subitec, a spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial and Biotechnology (IGB). What does Subitec do?
We offer cultivation systems for microalgae. The so-called photobioreactors produce algal biomass that may be used for various applications. This means that by means of the microalgea, valuable substances such as carotinoids or omega-3 fatty acids may be produced for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry as well as for example feeding stuff for aquaculture. But in the long term there are also no limits to the energetic use of microalgea. We are open to any application. At present, we have three large pilot facilities and a number of laboratory cultivations that are used for research purposes on a smaller scale.
At the beginning of February, you were one of the participants of the Investment Forum on energy efficiency. What was your overall impression?
The overall impression was very good. So kudos to the hosts. Many investors were at the forum so that the main aim - to get in touch with investors - was achieved. I also think it was a good idea that the Investment Forum focused only on energy efficiency and that, as a spin-off, you had the possibility to present yourself in detail and that you could even show exhibits.
Were you able to talk to possible investors afterwards?
Yes, there were several requests. As we exhibited the small laboratory reactor, it was always a nice start to talk about the technology again and the possibilities of financing it.
From your point of view, is the Investment Forum a platform for successful networking between founders and investors?
Yes, of course. That you have the possibility to present yourself and then have the chance to establish and strengthen relations to possible investors, makes the Investment Forum a very interesting event for both, spin-offs and investors.
Where else can you get in touch with investors besides events such as the Investment Forum?
There are a number of events, from partnering meetings you have to pay for to regional events offering possibilities similar to that of the Investment Forum. I myself, for example, visited several events of the High-Tech Gründerfonds, such as the Family Day or the Partnering Conference.
What do you think how investors feel about investing in young technology enterprises now that the economic conditions in Germany are pretty good again?
Compared to the last years, the mood has become considerably better, but it is still not comparable to the years around the turn of the millennium. The mood will continue to get better, but still you have to put some effort into demonstrating that you are close to the market. With respect to Subitec, I can say that compared to the last years, much more intensive negotiations are possible with investors and that the interest has significantly increased. Now we are no longer merely on the radar screen, but we have definite and concrete talks.
Dr. Ripplinger, thank you very much for the interview.
Spin-off Profile
ProLupin GmbH
The company's business activities focus on the manufacturing and marketing of purely vegetable, lactose-free milk-replacement products from blue sweet lupines (lupinus angustifolius). This domestic legume is particularly rich in proteins, undemanding as regards soil and climate, and grows predominantly in Northern Germany (soy bean of the North).
With the processing technologies developed at the Fraunhofer IVV, it is possible to adapt the lupine proteins flavor profile in such manner as to achieve a milk-like taste. This enables the production of delicious foods from lupine proteins that are able to offer the taste value of milk products to those suffering from lactose intolerance or a milk allergy. In addition, the products are cholesterol-free. Possible products include, besides ice cream, lupine milk, and pudding, also yogurt and curd. In the future, Prolupin GmbH will utilize this range of applications to realize innovative, purely vegetable-based products for nutrition, consumer acceptance, and environmental sustainability.
The first product to enter the market will be a purely vegetable ice cream of a particularly creamy texture and a natural, rich taste. Starting in May, the lupine ice cream will be available on the market in four different flavors and be sold under the name "LUPINESSE"; in a first step, it will be offered at EDEKA Südbayern. The milk-free ice cream will be produced under commission order by the Spanish ice cream manufacturer Helados Alacant.
With its core competence, Prolupin GmbH is a key partner in the BMBF-funded growth core "PlantsProFood - Foods from Blue Sweet Lupines" with a total of 14 cooperating partners. The partners cover all areas starting with growing and agriculture, to process engineering, to food production. The PlantsProFood cooperation has the ambitious aim to develop into the quality leader for vegetable food ingredients gained from blue sweet lupines on the European food and ingredient market.
The Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e. V. is a copartner of Prolupin GmbH. The required seed capital was acquired from venture capital fund associations of V+ GmbH & Co. Fonds 2 KG and V+ GmbH & Co. Fonds 3 KG.
News
Fraunhofer World of Ideas - Looking for Inspiration Until March 31, 2011
All Fraunhofer employees are encouraged to turn in their exciting, creative, and extraordinary ideas to Fraunhofer Venture by March 31, 2011. Whether you are a student, a doctoral student, or a scientist - do not hesitate and submit your idea now. All ideas - independent of the state they are in - are welcome. Participation is open to Fraunhofer employees only.
Together with High-Tech Gründerfonds and Munich Venture Partners, Fraunhofer Venture started the "Fraunhofer World of Ideas" initiative. The aim is to gather ideas for innovations, company foundations, products, or services throughout the Fraunhofer world.
The ten best ideas will be presented to the jury at the networkshop from May 11-13, 2011. The winners will receive attractive prizes.
- For further information on how to participate please visit (www.ideenwelt.fraunhoferventure.de)
Networkshop in Berlin from May 11-13, 2011
You want to learn from other people's experiences and avoid the mistakes they made? You want to exchange thoughts and ideas and want to extend your network? You are interested in informative expert presentations about trend transfer and self-marketing? You want to experience how well you work in a team outside your usual office environment and under special circumstances? You want to experience encouragement in a special presentation?
The networkshop is an event organized by Fraunhofer Venture on an anual basis. The aim is to bring together people with founding ambitions as well as experience for an informal exchange of experiences. A team-building measure outside the usual work routine as well as an entertaining but still informative presentation complete the program.Networkshop participants of the last eight years appreciate the mixture of knowledge transfer and exchange of experiences in a casual atmosphere.
Additionally, on May 12, 2011 the ten best ideas of the "Fraunhofer World of Ideas - Fraunhofer Venture Is Looking for Inspiration" competition will be presented.
The Networkshop will take place at the Fraunhofer-Forum in Berlin from May 11-13, 2011. Registration deadline is May 31, 2011.
Contact
CyberOne 2011 - CyberOne Award Ceremony in Stuttgart on June 09, 2011
This year's deadline for the application for the CyberOne 2011 business plan competition for start-ups and medium-sized technology enterprises from Baden-Württemberg has passed. The ceremony for the "bwcon: Hightech Award CyberOne" on June 09, 2011 with more than 500 decision makers in the industry and in politics is the final highlight of the competition.
The competition was looking for business models ready for implementation. The CyberOne is more than a mere ideas competition. The business model had to be documented in a comprehensive business plan explaining the development and the economic feasibility of the new business idea.
The audience can thus look forward to innovative concepts and strategies related to the industries of software/hardware, multimedia, online and mobile business, mechatronics, micro system technology, photonics/optical technologies, environmental/power engineering, or medical technology/life science. The best participants have the chance to win prizes in cash and kind totaling more than 100,000 euros.
The ceremony will take place at the L-Bank in Stuttgart on June 09, 2011.
New: Podcasts at Fraunhofer Venture
Now the Fraunhofer Venture website offers a free podcast for download each month with an extensive interview with Fraunhofer founders. The interviews published in this series want to inform about all issues relating to the start-up of a technology enterprise. Fresh founders and experienced entrepreneurs report on their experiences, name important cornerstones of success, and talk about the challenges that must be mastered.
This month's interview: Dr. Thomas Kamps from ConWeaver GmbH
Mr. Kamps talks about the experiences he made with founding ConWeaver GmbH and two other companies. He explains what he thinks is the most important challenge scientists who want to found a company have to solve, how he managed to win major companies as customers for ConWeaver GmbH, and why research organizations are very good pioneers for a successful foundation of an enterprise.
- For the complete interview and other podcasts please visit
Munich Business Plan Competition (MBPW)
Each year, the best business concepts and teams of founders from Southern Bavaria are awarded and presented to the public. There are actually three chances to win each year. The competition comprises three consecutive stages with increasing requirements. The competition is open to be entered at any stage. At the end of each stage, all participants receive expert feedback and the winners are awarded their prizes.
Stage 1 of this year's Munich Business Plan Competition (MBPW) has already been completed for 2011. A total of 131 teams from the Southern Bavarian region submitted their basic business ideas to the competition. The ten best business models will be awarded with 500 euros each.
Following stage 1, the competition enters stage 2 with the task for the participants to set up a rough business plan. Application deadline is March 22, 2011. The main focus of this stage is on the exploitation of market potentials. In stage 3, the participants complete their business plan, including financial planning. Application deadline for this stage is June 07, 2011.
Trainings and Workshops
bwcon: Business Roundtable "From Start-up to Market Leader - Sales in the Cycles of Company Development" in Stuttgart, April 04, 2011
Many young technology enterprises face the following questions: What does the way from a first contact to the successful conclusion of a contract look like? How do you develop long-term business relations? How can customers be addressed successfully? Which contacts have to be convinced with which arguments? What types of marketing are there and which resources are best used when?
Based on his own experience, the successful entrepreneur Eberhard Franke, former CEO of FUZZY! Informatik AG, will provide answers to these and other questions. After the presentation, the speaker and business angel for young start-ups, Eberhard Franke, will be pleased to answer further questions relating to entrepreneurial problem areas. You will have the possibility to talk to an experienced business personality and to get to know young companies at similar development stages. The get-together following the Business Roundtable provides for the possibility to exchange experiences and to meet interesting new people.
Registration deadline is March 28, 2011.
munich network: 6th Technology Day in Munich, March 31, 2011
The Technology Day is the most important event in Germany about the "Financing of Technology-based Enterprises".
Extraordinary national and international personalities of industry and science share their experiences, views and knowledge with the participants. This is why the Technology Day is a first-class contact and network platform for entrepreneurs, scientists, experts, investors, and everybody else interested in technology.
The 6th Technology Day analyzes the current situation of corporate and innovation financing as well as that of the financial and capital markets, discusses the perspectives to be derived for entrepreneurs and investors, and shows current, real-life case studies for successful corporate and technology financing.
Innovative start-ups looking for capital or cooperations also have the opportunity to present themselves.
Venture Lounge "Mobile Markets, Internet & Telecommunication" in Hamburg, April 21, 2011
Under the motto "Mobile Markets, Internet & Telecommunication" the Venture Lounge 2011 will take place in Hamburg. On April 21, 2011, exciting enterprises will present their ideas.
The Venture Lounge builds a bridge between young founders and venture capitalists who are keen on new ideas and want to give an impetus with their venture capital.So start-up entrepreneurs have the opportunity to present their business case to present investors and to receive qualified feedback. In addition, the best business ideas will be awarded in the scope of an award ceremony. Expert presentations and a field report of a successful enterprise complete the program. Of course, participation is also possible without a presentation.
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