 "Merck to provide Euro 25,000 fund to start-ups with innovative ideas")
Germany’s Merck – one of the leading global players known for innovative products in healthcare, life science and performance materials - is calling for national and international start-ups to apply for funding of innovative ideas by August 14, 2015. The Accelerator program is aimed at young companies in the healthcare, life science, performance materials, and IT sectors.
The program will run for three months, in which at least three selected start-ups will receive strategic and operational advice, as well as financial support of Euro 25,000 in the form of a silent participation. The program does not foresee an equity interest in the companies receiving funding, nor influence over their operational and strategic management. The first three start-ups are supposed to move into the newly built, modular Innovation Center in Darmstadt, from September 14, 2015, on.
In addition to providing financial and infrastructure assistance, Merck will offer to coach the start-ups also supported by mentors and enable them to participate in several trainings. At the end of the three months, the companies will be part of Merck’s start-up network.
“Building up an alumni network is one of the long-term goals. We want to provide a home for our start-ups, also beyond the Accelerator program, and continue to collaborate closely with them,” said Michael Gamber, who heads Merck’s Innovation Center.
The program will run for three months, in which at least three selected start-ups will receive strategic and operational advice, as well as financial support of Euro 25,000 in the form of a silent participation. The program does not foresee an equity interest in the companies receiving funding, nor influence over their operational and strategic management. The first three start-ups are supposed to move into the newly built, modular Innovation Center in Darmstadt, from September 14, 2015, on.
In addition to providing financial and infrastructure assistance, Merck will offer to coach the start-ups also supported by mentors and enable them to participate in several trainings. At the end of the three months, the companies will be part of Merck’s start-up network.
“Building up an alumni network is one of the long-term goals. We want to provide a home for our start-ups, also beyond the Accelerator program, and continue to collaborate closely with them,” said Michael Gamber, who heads Merck’s Innovation Center.