Launched by Boerse Stuttgart Group “VentureZphere at Boerse Stuttgart” provides a platform that brings together start-ups, investors and SMEs. Dr. Ulli Spankowski from the Vereinigung Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse e.V. talks about the background, goals and importance of the portal, especially for young businesses.

What exactly is VentureZphere at Boerse Stuttgart?

VentureZphere at Boerse Stuttgart is an open online portal, which innovative start-ups can use for free to present themselves to investors and SMEs, and thus attract the attention of financial backers and strategic partners. A special part of the platform is the VentureZphere Academy, designed to help fledgling companies in the start-up phase: we plan to support start-ups with relevant events, coaching, and webinars on subjects like annual audits or drafting agreements and various aspects of developing and extending their business operations. The highlights are network events where start-ups, investors and SMEs can exchange ideas.

Where did this idea com from?

We have been working actively with the start-up scene in Baden-Württemberg for the past six years through our “VC-BW” venture capital network. Countless discussions revealed how hard it is for founders to find the right investors to suit them. At the same time, we identify a major need on the part of SMEs to network or participate in innovative start-ups for creative input or as strategic cooperation partners.

And VentureZphere at Boerse Stuttgart provides the support?

Yes, that‘s our goal. We hope that the portal will help promote and further develop the German start-up ecosystem: we support start-ups in every phase, helping them to obtain equity, external financing and creating stable networks between them, strategic partners and investors. At the same time we raise their profile: so far no general transparency has been achieved in relation to start-ups, either in Baden-Württemberg or Germany. Instead, we are witnessing a fragmentation of the start-up scene according to subjects, sectors and financing phases. Other platforms and initiatives that currently exist are mostly private or focus on a specific phase of financing.

Why does Boerse Stuttgart feel called upon to help?

There are three reasons: on the one hand, according to the Articles of Association of the Vereinigung Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse e.V., the umbrella organisation of Boerse Stuttgart Group, one of its remits is to support fledgling and small businesses in obtaining equity financing and provide market-related services to promote economic performance in Baden-Württemberg. And this is exactly what we are doing with VentureZphere at Boerse Stuttgart.

What else?

We are familiar with the economic power and potential of SMEs. And we are con dent that the new ideas from start- ups – regardless of whether they are evolutionary or disruptive – are crucial to the development of SMEs and the regional economy. This is true today, and will be even more so in the future. And thirdly, our core remit as a stock exchange is to create transparency – and we have a wealth of experience in this. How do you make markets transparent? How do you organise them? And how do you bring partners together? These are basic questions for a smooth-running transparent start-up ecosystem – and we answer them through VentureZphere at Boerse Stuttgart.

“We support start-ups in every phase.”

Under whose aegis does the platform run?

The platform is run by Stuttgart Financial, the financial centre initiative of the Vereinigung Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse e.V. Our initiative is supported by the Baden- Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Housing, with whom we cooperate closely.

Which start-ups does VentureZphere at Boerse Stuttgart address?

All innovative start-ups are welcome to use the platform. From very new start-ups that need fresh capital to grow to those already established on the market, but who need a strategic partner to achieve their next milestone: VentureZphere at Boerse Stuttgart aims to clearly map out every enterprise and financing phase for start-ups.

“VentureZphere at Boerse Stuttgart aims to clearly map out every enterprise and financing phase for start-ups.”

What must a start-up do to present itself on the platform?

Companies can set up an account for free. They can create a brief pro le with a couple of clicks and then easily add infor- mation for a more detailed description, including their current nancing stage, for instance. This detailed pro le also entitles them to join the VentureZphere Academy.

How are investors and SMEs linked with the platform?

Investors and SMEs can present themselves on the platform similarly to start-ups. However they can only be viewed by start-ups that are registered on the platform with a detailed pro le. Besides online networking, VentureZphere at Boerse Stuttgart also actively supports of ine communication between stakeholders. This takes places at various events and network togethers for users.

Which benefits do start-ups, investors and SMEs enjoy thanks to VentureZphere at Boerse Stuttgart?

VentureZphere at Boerse Stuttgart creates transparency for all three groups. In my opinion, this is also one of the key pillars of the concept. We interact with the users on the platform and match up target audiences appropriately at offline events so that all stakeholders can connect easily. Incidentally, another aspect that sets us apart from other platforms is that VentureZphere at Boerse Stuttgart focuses on the entire pre-market life cycle of start-ups. We also offer many related services: start-ups can report on successful development progress, recruit colleagues or seek cooperation partners on VentureZphere at Boerse Stuttgart and also take advantage of what the VentureZphere Academy has to offer. I therefore recommend anyone with an interest in our online portal to: enter the Zphere at www.venturezphere.com.