Early Stage Investment Project Financing
Technologically innovative start ups in particular have to rely solely on financing through equity such as venture capital (VC). In Germany, appropriate VC partners can be found through the Bundesverband Deutscher Kapitalbeteiligungsge- sellschaften e.V. (BVK – “German Private Equity and Venture Capital Association”). Special conferences and events like the Deutsches Eigenkapitalforum (“German Equity Forum”) provide another opportu- nity for young enterprises to come into direct contact with potential VC partners. Public institutions such as development banks (publicly owned and organized banks which exist at the national and state level) and public VC companies may also offer partnership programs at this development stage.