The 14th Business Angel Congress (BAC) once again proved to be a vital platform for connecting leading investors, policy makers, and innovators in the biotech sector. Under the fitting theme ‘𝙁𝙡𝙤𝙖𝙩 𝙤𝙧 𝙁𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙝: 𝘿𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙄𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙋𝙤𝙤𝙡’ , the event’s unique location atop one of Düsseldorf’s newest swimming pools, with the Rhein River below, mirrored discussions on funding trends, strategic investments, and the future of biotech in Germany and beyond.

One particularly emotional moment was the heartfelt farewell to Dr Bernward Garthoff, the founder of the BAC and a driving force behind NRW’s biotech ecosystem. After 14 years of dedicated service, Bernward Garthoff will retire at the end of the year. His commitment to promoting innovation and building bridges between politics, science, and investment has left an indelible mark.

Key Takeaways from the Event
State Secretary Paul Höller emphasized the importance of strong networks and well-targeted financial support in driving biotech innovation. The discussions underlined that investment is no longer just about who funds projects, but increasingly about how, why, and where that investment is directed. The sessions provided a comprehensive overview of recent trends in funding strategies.

A special highlight was the Lighthouses of Success panel, which explored whether German biotech giants like BioNTech SE, QIAGEN, and Evotec are unique success stories or serve as models that can be replicated. The engaging discussions reflected the strength of NRW’s biotech sector and its global impact.

Looking Ahead: Embracing Change in Biotech Investment
The BAC also showcased innovative approaches in investment strategies. Talks on women-led capital, family office strategies, and the evolution of crowdfunding 2.0 demonstrated how the investment landscape is adapting to new challenges and opportunities.

As the day drew to a close, the final plenary addressed the ever-relevant question: Can Germany develop a unified biotech funding strategy that can compete globally? The insights shared by industry leaders provided valuable food for thought.

A Grateful Farwell
The 14th BAC was more than just a gathering — it was a celebration of progress, collaboration, and the legacy of Bernward Garthoff. As we look to the future of biotech investment, his contributions will continue to inspire innovation and growth in NRW and beyond.