The High-Tech Start-Up Fund closes its fourth fund today, which will be worth a total of 493.8 million euros. This makes High-Tech Start-Up Fund IV the largest fund since the seed investor was established. In launching the fourth fund, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action continues the success story of the High-Tech Start-Up Fund and keeps providing assistance to innovative start-ups in a changing market environment. In doing so, it is successfully implementing another measure of the Federal Government's start-up strategy.

Dr Anna Christmann, Commissioner of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action for the Digital Economy and Startups: “The fourth fund of the High-Tech Start-Up Fund is providing nearly €500 million worth of investment, which is a larger amount than ever before made available for the early-phase segment of the German venture capital market. The fund acts as a stabilising force in the challenging times we face. The High-Tech Start-Up Fund will continue to be a strong partner for our start-ups. Currently, financing conditions are still good, but the economic environment is making it increasingly difficult for start-ups to obtain funding. This is why I’m pleased that we as the Federal Government are providing the necessary tailwind."

In 2022, the goal of gender parity was achieved regarding the representatives of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action on the investment committees of High-Tech Start-up Fund IV, which decide on the HTSF investments. Now, the investor advisory board of High-Tech Start-Up Fund IV, as a supervisory body, will also have gender parity. In this way, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is pursuing its objective to strengthen the role of women in the venture capital market as part of its initiative for the strengthening of women in SMEs, the skilled trades, start-ups and enterprises and its start-up strategy.

The High-Tech Start-Up Fund is an early-phase fund for innovative, technology-oriented companies that are less than three years old. Eligibility criteria for funding are promising research results, an innovative technological basis and a positive market outlook. In addition to providing support on financing issues, the High-Tech Start-Up Fund also helps young companies by providing its network and technological and business expertise.