In line with the "HTGF Family Day 2022" in Bonn, the first closing of the fourth High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) with an investment volume of over €400m was announced today in front of several hundred participants. The sum clearly exceeded expectations. The second closing is expected to take place before the end of this year. In addition to the public partners, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate (BMWK) and KfW Capital, the investors of HTGF IV currently include 40 companies from various industries, especially from the SME sector. With HTGF IV, the BMWK wants to "continue the success story", as it noted on the occasion of the announcement. With this, one of the goals of the German government's start-up strategy is being realized: to create the best conditions for start-ups in Germany and Europe.

Anna Christmann, BMWK Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Start-ups, commented: "For years, the High-Tech Gründerfonds has demonstrated what successful cooperation between public and private venture capital investors can look like. With the High-Tech Gründerfonds, we are expanding this cooperation between the federal government and private investors. New technologies can provide an answer to many challenges of our time, notably in climate protection and digitalization. We rely on successful founders; with their new business models and entrepreneurial skills, they contribute significantly to Germany's and Europe's innovative capacity."

Since its founding in 2005, Europe's - according to its own words - "most active seed investor" has financed over 670 high-tech start-ups. HTGF has successfully divested more than 150 companies, including Myr's billion-dollar exit to Gilead and four IPOs.