At the first VC Stammtisch Düsseldorf of 2022, we had the great pleasure of welcoming Ulrike Hinrichs (Managing Director of the Federal Association of German Private Equity and Venture Capital Companies (BVK)) on the topic of “Venture Capital in Germany – Trends, Perspectives, Policy“. The exciting insight into the market sentiment and trends affecting the VC sector was followed by a lively discussion with the almost 40 participants.
The most important facts in brief:
- After a coronavirus slump in the first half of 2020, 2021 was a record year in terms of VC investments, which was accompanied by a growing number of market participants and very optimistic market sentiment among VC investors.
- In a Europe-wide comparison, however, VC investments in Germany are still well below average.
- The BVK German Private Equity and Venture Capital Association would therefore like to see a clear political commitment from the new government to strengthen the German start-up and VC ecosystem.
A selection of measures that the BVK believes can help to leverage Germany’s untapped potential in the area of start-up and VC financing:
- Further development and flexible module design of the Future Fund
- Amendment of the Fund Location Act with regard to VAT exemption and employee capital participation
- Improve amortization on VC investments: Further develop investment requirements for LPs
- Depreciation options for corporate investments in start-ups as R&D expenses
- Lower the limit for semi-professional systems on VC to 100k
- Super write-offs: Extend term
On behalf of the organizers of the VC Stammtisch Düsseldorf – eCAPITAL ENTREPRENEURIAL PARTNERS, Warth & Klein Grant Thornton & TIGGES – many thanks to Ulrike Hinrichs for her insights and perspectives!
Did you miss the VC Stammtisch? It (almost) doesn’t matter – Here you can watch the keynote speech by Ulrike Hinrichs and the exciting discussion as a recording at any time.
