Munich Startup: Please introduce yourself and Invest in Bavaria briefly.
Invest in Bavaria: We are Katharina Kees and Anissa Nasser from Invest in Bavaria, the business development agency of the Free State of Bavaria. We support companies in expanding in and to Bavaria. Katharina is responsible for mobility, and Anissa is responsible for digitalization.
Munich Startup: Why did you focus your strategy on different industries?
Invest in Bavaria: Invest in Bavaria was realigned at the beginning of 2023 according to the Bavarian Innovation Strategy in order to more specifically target companies that make Bavaria fit for the future. Specialization areas of the innovation strategy are mobility, life sciences, energy, materials and digitalization.
Market knowledge, customer contacts and financing are needed even before expansion
Munich Startup: To be successful in Bavaria, an international startup should…
Invest in Bavaria: … have gained an overview of the market, already have initial customers in Germany, and have sufficient financing for expansion. It is also advisable to examine the offers of Economic development and startup organizations on site and to play an active role in the networks and clusters in order to build business relationships there.
Munich Startup: Can you give examples of successful settlements?
Invest in Bavaria: We treat all investment projects confidentially, but we are also happy to provide marketing support after companies have settled in Bavaria, helping them gain visibility in the Free State and build connections within the ecosystem. We see ourselves as a guide and follow the "talk to us first" approach. Examples of companies settling in Bavaria include the French fintech startup October and the Chinese air taxi startup Auto Flight. Both the industries and the countries of origin of the companies are very diverse, but all find suitable starting points here. Invest in Bavaria also supports companies already based in Bavaria that are planning expansion and want to continue growing here.
Invest in Bavaria: Free guide through a variety of offers in Bavaria
Munich Startup: Why does a successful foreign startup even need someone like you?
Invest in Bavaria: We support foreign startups – and especially scaleups – through all phases of the investment process: from planning and company formation to finding a suitable location and connecting them with contacts from useful networks to facilitate market entry. We also work closely with many startup organizations and involve them in local events, such as Bits & Pretzels and Tech Days.
As already mentioned, we act as a guide for companies, so they don't have to laboriously navigate the vast array of options available in Bavaria. Instead, we serve as a one-stop shop. Since Invest in Bavaria is a publicly funded company of the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, our service is free of charge for all companies.
Once the company has settled in Bavaria, it can also take advantage of the services of Bayern International, including participation in trade fairs worldwide, delegation trips and access to the worldwide network of Bavarian foreign representatives.
There are also free offers for local startups
Munich Startup: What funding opportunities are available for foreign startups that want to settle in Bavaria?
Invest in Bavaria: Startups generally need a branch in Bavaria to qualify for funding. We are happy to provide an overview of the various funding options and connect you with organizations and partner companies that offer funding or assist with funding applications, such as Bayern Innovativ's funding pilot or the Bavarian Research Alliance BayFor. We are also happy to connect you with BayStartup, which supports startups with coaching, contacts to investors and events such as the BayStartup Demo Nights.
In general, the focus in Bavaria is on technology funding. This means that research and development projects in particular have a chance of receiving financial support.
Lack of preparation as the biggest mistake
Munich Startup: What is the biggest mistake a startup can make when expanding?
Invest in Bavaria: A lack of preparation is certainly a factor here. Extensive and detailed market research is essential. Does the market need the product? Does the product need to be adapted for the local market? These are questions that the company should ask itself in advance.
Munich Startup: The trends of the year…
Invest in Bavaria: … are certainly AI, then also cybersecurity, sustainability, climate tech and health tech.
Munich Startup: What characteristics make the Munich startup ecosystem so special?
Invest in Bavaria: The Munich startup ecosystem offers startups many opportunities for networking, with startup organizations such as Munich Startup, BayStartup, Plug & Play, Strascheg Entrepreneurship Center, etc., incubators such as Werk1 in Munich or Techbase in Regensburg, a large number of VC investors, numerous co-working spaces, proximity to excellent universities, and, of course, a great location in the Bavarian Alpine foothills.
Munich Startup: Last but not least: Who do startups approach when they want to talk to you?
Invest in Bavaria: Startups can apply via the Contact form on our website contact us or Catherine and Anissa Write to us directly. Depending on the industry, we will then forward you internally to the appropriate contact person.
