11.01.17
GERMANY: Through its venture capital unit, Evonik has invested in start-up firm Numaferm and now holds a minority share in the biotechnology company. The investment in the Düsseldorf-based company was made as part of a seed financing round and also includes investments by High-Tech Gründerfonds, the Business Angels and Qiagen co-founders Detlev Riesner and Jürgen Schumacher, as well as the European Investment Fund.
“Peptides and their applications are highly interesting for our growth engines, health and care and specialty additives. In addition, Evonik has great competency in biotechnology. That makes Numaferm an outstanding strategic match for us,” said Bernhard Mohr, head of venture capital at Evonik.
Numaferm has developed a technology platform that enables plannable biotechnological production of peptides at higher yields and at lower costs.
Initially, Numaferm plans to use the fresh capital to drive forward technological development and get the first products to market maturity.
Evonik plans to invest a total of €100 million in promising start-ups with innovative technologies and in leading specialized venture capital funds as part of its venture capital activities. Regional focuses are Europe, the US and Asia. Currently, Evonik holds stakes in 11 start-ups and eight funds.
“Peptides and their applications are highly interesting for our growth engines, health and care and specialty additives. In addition, Evonik has great competency in biotechnology. That makes Numaferm an outstanding strategic match for us,” said Bernhard Mohr, head of venture capital at Evonik.
Numaferm has developed a technology platform that enables plannable biotechnological production of peptides at higher yields and at lower costs.
Initially, Numaferm plans to use the fresh capital to drive forward technological development and get the first products to market maturity.
Evonik plans to invest a total of €100 million in promising start-ups with innovative technologies and in leading specialized venture capital funds as part of its venture capital activities. Regional focuses are Europe, the US and Asia. Currently, Evonik holds stakes in 11 start-ups and eight funds.