One theme throughout the year

The ‚Invest and Connect‘ event series is returning in 2020 with several exciting updates to its concept. After scouting the best Artificial Intelligence Startup in Summer (winner: Smartlane) and the best SportsTech startup in Autumn (winner: Runnin´ City) last year, the series will focus on ‘Smart Mobility’. The 7th edition of the exclusive startup award series will take place in eight European innovation hubs and, for the first time will last throughout the whole year. Leading up to the European Finals in December, a satellite event with the national champions in New York City is also planned to foster opportunities on the American continent. The roadshow kicks off in Edinburgh end of April.

Kick-off in Edinburgh end of April

With the first national qualifier in Scotland, in partnership with the leading Scottish law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP‚ Invest & Connect‘ will stage altogether 7 national qualifiers for the pre-selected startups. Other countries include Spain, France, Austria, Sweden, Italy and Switzerland, with the European Finals taking place in Germany. Under the umbrella of ‚Smart Mobility‘ we are looking into the latest disruptive solutions on a broad scale. Concrete areas include shared-economy, traffic reducing measures, wireless communications, real-time data analytics and machine learning used in autonomous vehicles, solutions related to parking and traffic signals, various sensors used in transportation, logistics, connected vehicles and related marketplaces.

Deutsche Börse Venture Network Joins Forces

ESAC is proud to join forces with partners who are sharing its vision to embrace European innovation, talents and growth stories, such as Deutsche Börse Venture Network. Peter Fricke, Head of the Network says:

“We are pleased to support the roadshow in order to give promising startups a unique presence in front of European investors. The concept is in line with our ambition to provide successful young companies with access to international investor networks that would be difficult to access on their own”.

Further main partners are ZKB, Liechtensteinische Landesbank and multiple SMEs, as well as corporates within the mobility landscape.

€12.8m increase 2019/20 in valuation

The European Super Angels Club (ESAC) to-date has invested in companies worth €55.3 million, of which a significant increase of €12.8 million was driven by a syndicated €4.2 million investment, managed by EXF Alpha – the club‘s dedicated fund vehicle based in Luxembourg. In the previous award series, on average 2,000 startups were screened and evaluated. 100 have been analysed in depth and 50 startups were invited to pitch live at exclusive member events. Only the 6 winners of the national qualifying rounds had the chance to compete on stage at the European award finals. It is not a surprise that those winners – like Smartlane (AI European Champion 2019) –attracted not only famous investors, but also gained in traction.

“After a very successful 2019 we are excited to put the greatest talents in Smart Mobility into the spotlight and embrace high-potential European growth stories through connecting the right players in the ecosystem, independent from their geographical location‘ – said Berthold Baurek-Karlic, President of the European Super Angels Club”