Call for Nominations for the ACHEMA Start-Up Award 2021: Create the Future of Chemistry, Process Engineering and Biotechnology!

More information: www.achema.de/start-up_award

The chemical industry is a driver of innovation for numerous other industries. Innovations in chemistry, process engineering and biotechnology can fundamentally improve technologies and products on a broad scale. However, the number of new companies being founded in these areas is low. Good ideas and young companies need support in order to bring innovations to the market and open up new business fields. This requires access to experienced mentors, a strong network and financial resources.

Therefore, DECHEMA, the Business Angels FrankfurtRheinMain and High-Tech Gründerfonds are awarding the ACHEMA Start-up Award for the third time at ACHEMA 2021. Idea providers and company founders can apply now.

The competition has three phases - ideas can be submitted until 31 March 2020, concepts until 31 July 2020 and business plans until 30 November 2020. Particularly in the early phases, applicants have the opportunity from the outset to discuss their concepts with high-ranking mentors with specialist expertise and, on this basis, to obtain support for the preparation of their business plans. Already in this early phase, applicants as well as young start-ups founded or in the process of being founded after 1 July 2018 can be given access to potential investors in order to discuss the possibilities of financing. Irrespective of the time of entry into the competition, all business plans submitted by 30 November 2020 will compete for the places in the final round.

Up to ten promising start-ups or start-up ideas will be given the chance to present themselves and establish contacts at ACHEMA 2021at the ACHEMA Start-up Award stand and within a special pitch and networking session. Three overall winners will also receive a prize money of 10,000 euros each.

The ACHEMA Start-up Award is presented by DECHEMA Gesellschaft für Chemische Technik und Biotechnologie e.V., DECHEMA Ausstellungs-GmbH, Business Angels FrankfurtRheinMain e.V. and High-Tech Gründerfonds. The ACHEMA Start-up Prize is also supported by the German Chemical Society (GDCh), the Association of German Engineers (VDI), the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) and the German Federation of Industrial Research Associations (AiF) as well as the Business Angels Network Germany and the Forum Startup Chemistry.

About DECHEMA

DECHEMA promotes scientific and technical exchange among experts from different disciplines, organizations and generations. Our aim is to boost the competitiveness of Germany and Europe as a pre-eminent business location for chemistry and biotechnology, to position chemical engineering, process engineering and biotechnology in the public and political spheres as important key technologies and problem solvers, and also to increase awareness of the benefits of these disciplines for society. Together with DECHEMA Ausstellungs-GmbH, we organize ACHEMA.

Contact: DECHEMA,  Theodor-Heuss-Allee 25,  60486 Frankfurt

Tel.: +49 (69) 7564-277,  E-Mail: presse@dechema.de ,  Internet: www.dechema.de

About Business Angels FrankfurtRheinMain

With more than 100 members, Business Angels FrankfurtRheinMain e.V., founded in 2000, is the largest Business Angel network in Germany. The matching events that are organized c. 10 times per year offer a meeting place fo innovative founders and companies with Business Angels. Business Angels invest risk capital at the founding and early growth stages and offer entrepreneurial experience and valuable contacts in exchange for a share in the start-up's success.

Contact:  Business Angels FrankfurtRheinMain e.V., Börsenplatz 4,  60313 Frankfurt am Main,

Tel.: +49 (69) 2197-1591,  E-Mail: info[at]ba-frm.de,  Internet: www.ba-frm.de

About High-Tech Gründerfonds

High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is a seed investor that finances high-potential, tech-driven startups. With EUR 895.5 million in total investment volume across three funds and an international network of partners, HTGF has already helped forge more than 560 startups since 2005. Driven by their expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and passion, its team of experienced investment managers and startup experts help guide the development of young companies. HTGF’s focus is on high-tech startups in a range of sectors, including software, media, internet, hardware, automation, health care, chemistry and life sciences.

To date, external investors have injected over EUR 2 billion into the HTGF portfolio via more than 1,400 follow-on financing rounds. HTGF has also successfully sold interests in more than 100 companies. Investors in this public-private partnership include the Federal Ministry For Economic Affairs and Energy, the KfW Capital as well as 34 investors from industry.

Contact: High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH,  Schlegelstr. 2,  53113 Bonn

Tel.: +49 (228) 823 001-00, E-Mail: info[at]htgf.de, Internet: www.high-tech-gruenderfonds.de