The EIC recently hosted an event that brought together top-level healthcare companies and high-profile investors, in what was described as "extraordinary talent creating an extraordinary ecosystem". The event, held in Munich on 19 June, was hailed as an outstanding gathering of industry leaders and “probably the best event of the year”.
Get to know the selected companies
The EIC & German Entrepreneurship Healthcare event participants included an impressive panel of businesses, experienced investors, and key partners such as German Entrepreneurship, that contributed to the success of the event.
Carolina Aguilar, CEO of INBRAIN Neuroelectronics summed up the initiative as “extraordinary talent creating extraordinary ecosystem”.
The INBRAIN Neuroelectronics CEO also emphasized Europe's strong support for entrepreneurship and significant funding opportunities:
“I think Europe is doing a fantastic job in supporting entrepreneurship and supporting us on actually raising significant funding that is actually able to compete at US level, I’d say, and also to support all that talent with a lot of service activities from 360º degrees”, – Carolina Aguilar, INBRAIN Neuroelectronics.
She also highlighted the privilege of pitching in front of a remarkable jury consisting of Europe's best venture capitalists.
INBRAIN Neuroelectronics is creating a graphene-based intelligence system that uses brain-computer interface technology into traditional neuromodulation applications such as Parkinson, Epilepsy, among others. The company won the best pitch under Medtech, along with Hemispherian AS for Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals and Methinks AI for eHealth.
Pau Rodriguez, CEO of Methinks AI for eHealth, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, "This probably has been the best event of the year."
Methinks AI has developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) software enabling global access to stroke treatment with non-contrast CT scans. Rodriguez praised the event's organisation and the presence of exceptional investors.
“This event has exceeded our expectations because of the great organization, the concentration of great investors and unique entrepreneurs, very easygoing. I believe this event will bring us opportunities in the middle to long term because, at the end of the day, we will build the ecosystem together, get to know entrepreneurs, get to know investors, so I am convinced this will have an impact on the growth of our company”, Pau Rodriguez, CEO of Methinks AI for eHealth.
Zeno Albisser, CEO of Hemispherian AS, a preclinical pharmaceutical company focused on small molecule cancer therapeutics targeting the DNA damage response, also acknowledged the EIC's role in providing exposure and validation for companies.
"I think that the EIC actually helps a lot. It gives us exposure, it is a form of validation as well for the companies, so I do believe it is tremendously helpful in raising capital from private sources." - Zeno Albisser, CEO of Hemispherian AS
The event featured an additional 15 selected companies specializing in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals, Medtech, and eHealth. AI4MedImaging - Medical Solutions S.A., Aortyx, Arctic Therapeutics, BOYDSense, Dermagnostix, enGenome, GrayMatters Health, humanITcare, iThera Medical GmbH, Ovagen Group Limited, Palobiofarma S.L., Sequentia Biotech, SOMAprobes SL and Theralia AB, Tada Group AB showcased their solutions to dozens of investors.
The Investors Perspective
Over 30 partners joined the event, with a venture capital panel which included representatives from the most renowned institutions like APEX Ventures, Armilar Venture Partners, Bullnet Capital, Blue Ribbon Partners, CDP Venture Capital sgr, Coparion, Earlybird Venture Capital, EQT Life Sciences, Hadean Ventures, Heal Capital, High-Tech Gründerfonds, imec.xpand, MIG AG, M-Ventures, Norgine ventures, Omnes Capital, Panakès Partners, TVM Life Science Management GmbH, Welligton Partners and Voima Ventures Oy.
Fei Tian, Principal at MIG AG, highlighted the quality of the event and of the companies pitching.
“It’s always interesting to see pre-selected innovations and technologies and to find complementary potential new investments.”
Karl Nägler, Managing Partner at Wellington Partners, also stated the importance of these physical events to get to know the people of the ecosystem.
“It was great to get a first-hand experience and a feel for how to work with the people that are involved, the companies that are presenting themselves.”
The event also featured a dynamic atmosphere, with numerous one-on-one meetings, introductions, and networking opportunities between companies and potential investors.
German Entrepreneurship: A Valued Partner
The event took place at the Munich branch of German Entrepreneurship (GE), a valued partner in the startup ecosystem that empowers startups, corporations, universities, and public organizations to shape the future through innovation. With offices in Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Singapore, Tokyo, Silicon Valley, Boston and New York, GE and has guided more than 1,600 startups since 2008, including German unicorns like Flixbus and Celonis.
“German Entrepreneurship is supporting startups in the face from idea to global scaling. We work with around 400 startups annually, supporting them with access to investors, and mentors, so the EIC is a very instrumental part of the European support landscape, for us it’s just a key partner and we are very happy to be able to do events like this and supporting startups”, says Andreas Keilhacker, GE Ecosystem Development Lead for Europe.
As healthcare is a trending topic in Munich, with events such as Bits&Pretzels (20-21 July) and EXPO10 from Plug&Play drawing attention, the EIC, German Entrepreneurship, and the Plug&Play Munich office provided attendees from both events with an opportunity to network and connect during a joint networking dinner.
Apply now for our next physical event:
EIC & Euroquity-Bpi France Healthcare Investor Day
The EIC & Euroquity-Bpifrance Healthcare Investor Day will take place in Paris on 23 October. Organized in collaboration with Bpifrance, this in-person event will grant the selected EIC-backed beneficiaries the chance to showcase their innovative solutions to top-class European investors from 50Partners, Debiopharm, Earlybird Venture Capital, EIT Health, HTGF, HV Capital, Invivo Capital, Karista, Kurma Partners, LifeX Ventures, MTIP, Panakès Partners, Sofinnova Partners, Supernova Invest, Swisscom Ventures, Truffle Capital, Verve Ventures.
Discover more here and apply for this opportunity until 1 September!
About the EIC Ecosystem Partnerships and Co-Investment Support Programme
The Ecosystem Partnerships and Co-Investment Support Programme is expanding the EIC’s Business Acceleration Services (BAS) by creating a network of specialized, sector-focused partners that can help innovators access the services they need. It is also dedicated to promoting co-investment along with the EIC Fund, by preparing beneficiaries to interact with investors and connecting them through matchmaking and dedicated events.
Should you have any questions regarding the event, please contact us through the email: events@eicfund.eu.
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided in the interest of knowledge sharing and should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission, or any other organisation.