New York Nov 12, 2014

OktoberINVESTfest 2014

A Big Step towards Fostering Transatlantic Business and Investment Opportunities

Deal discussions, partnership meetings and expansion talks are in full swing this month as a result of Invest in Bavaria’s OktoberINVESTfest, the third annual Bavarian Investors’ Conference in New York City on Oct. 20th, which was attended by 250 investors, innovators, business leaders and government representatives from the U.S. and Germany. The Conference was jam-packed with panels, keynotes, one-on-one meetings and presentations from North American and German Mittelstand companies from sectors such as information technology, life sciences, energy and environmental technology.

Panel discussions ranged from obtaining an ideal mix of grants and investment capital and protecting IP globally to disruptive technologies and the steps for moving from a local leader to a global player. Panelists included leaders in the fields of technology, energy and finance such as Paul Travers, CEO of Vuzix, John Shegerian, CEO of Electronic Recyclers International, Jason Hickey, President of Hickey and Associates, Long Phan, CTO of Top Flight Technologies and Ulrich Quay, Managing Director at BMW i Ventures.

In addition, 26 North American and German Mittelstand companies, some looking to raise capital and others looking to inform investors about their company’s progress and latest innovations, presented to investors.

The keynote addresses were just as invigorating. While Rudolf Vidal, Managing Director of FC Bayern Munich, owned the stage as he discussed how FC Bayern Munich was able to build a brand internationally, Stefan Jekel, Managing Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa, walked the attendees through the steps to set up dual listings in the U.S. and Germany.

Finally, in honor of Oktoberfest, the world’s largest funfair, held in Munich, Bavaria, the Conference ended with traditional Bavarian beer and food. Undoubtedly, OktoberINVESTfest 2014 played a big role in fostering transatlantic investment by enabling U.S. and Bavarian investors to learn about promising businesses and paths to financing business expansion. The Conference also spurred deal making by providing investors access to an array of promising investment opportunities and companies access to capital for funding their next innovations and expansions. Here are some points worth noting from our panelists.

OktoberINVESTfest Key Takeaways

•    A good workforce, access to collaboration with universities, low cost of intellectual property generation and protection, research and development facilities and a solid labor market make Bavaria a good location for startups – Peter Podesser, CEO, SFC Energy

•    A good management team and the right time to approach investors with unconventional technology is the key to getting investors’ attention in disruptive tech – Ulrich Quay, Managing Director, BMW i Ventures

•    While making patent protection decisions, it is important to consider where the business is headed and where the market is headed – Celine Crowson, Head of U.S. IP, Media & Tech, Hogan Lovells, LLP

•    For companies looking for international capital, a strategic IPO decision, a good website, increased transparency and connections with peers in international markets are necessary – Adam Friedman, Principal, Adam Friedman Associates

•    The variety of government-funded programs makes Bavaria and Europe as a whole good choices  for business entrepreneurs – Mike Weiner, Co-Founder, ElectroHealing Technologies

See some photos of the conference in our media center.