Germany: Fund of $ 170 Million
Evonik Doubles Venture Capital for Disruptive Technologies
| Editor: Alexander Stark
Evonik has launched its second venture capital fund with a volume of $ 170 million, more than doubling the amount under management to $ 282 million. The new fund is intended to help secure access to disruptive technologies and innovative business models as well as supporting the company’s digital transformation and enabling early identification of potential technology acquisition targets.
Essen/Germany — Investments in and partnerships with start-up companies generate strategic value and growth opportunities, argues Dr. Harald Schwager, deputy chairman of the executive board, who is responsible for innovation.
As well as providing capital, the company offers start-ups access to the resources of one of the world’s leading specialty chemicals companies. Since its inception in 2012, the speciality chemicals producer has realized 25 investments. The venture capital unit has a global reach with offices in Germany, USA and China. The investment focus is on business and innovation fields such as Health & Care, Animal Nutrition, Smart Materials and Specialty Additives, which the company has already identified as growth drivers.
The portfolio, which is made up of both direct and fund investments, includes companies such as Israeli digital-printing specialist Velox and the biotechnology start-up Numaferm, based in Dusseldorf. The portfolio company Structured Polymers, a US-based business active in 3D printing technology, was acquired by the manufacturer in early 2019.
