With the aim of strengthening the startup scene in chemistry, six organizations have joined forces to Forum Startup Chemistry (FSC) The chemical industry in Germany aims to create better conditions for the establishment and development of young companies.
The initiative is supported by the German Chemical Society, DECHEMA, VCI, the Federal Association of German Startups, the Business Angels Network Germany and the High-Tech Gründerfonds.
“Compared to the IT sector, the chemical industry in Germany has some catching up to do when it comes to startups,”
said VCI President Kurt Bock at the founding event in Berlin.
"Together, we want to help young chemical companies achieve success after their start-up phase. To achieve this, we must promote networking with established corporations and medium-sized companies, as well as investors with industry experience."
Chemical industry still neglects cooperation with startups
The FSC's sponsors are convinced that a larger number of successful startups is an important building block for expanding the industry's innovative capacity and maintaining Germany's competitiveness as a chemical industry. They are predestined to promptly seize scientific findings and contribute highly efficiently to rapidly transforming them into marketable products—for example, for new approaches to a circular economy, for innovative materials for implementing the energy transition, or for developing digital business models.
In this context, Bock pointed out that chemical companies do not yet sufficiently consider the opportunities of cooperation with startups in their innovation strategies.
“Cultures and structures in our industry must change,”
emphasized the VCI President.
Forum Startup Chemie calls for political support
More political support is also needed, as announced in the coalition agreement. Instruments for growth financing, such as the establishment of venture capital funds, should not be geared solely to digital topics, but must also meet the needs of startups developing new materials or active ingredients.
