Investment focus in industrial technology, hardware, or B2B business sectors - criteria of Wiener B&C Gruppe
Austria-based B&C Innovation Investments (BC II) is a unique player in the investment landscape, integrating elements of a Family Office, Participation Company, and Venture Capital (VC). The focus is on technology startups and scaleups revolutionizing traditional industries, also known as "the old economy."
Unlike traditional VCs, BC II is not a fund, limiting the involvement of Limited Partners (LPs). The capital for investments, amounting to approximately 100 million euros, comes exclusively from the B&C Private Foundation, established in 2000 by Bank Austria and Creditanstalt to support Austrian entrepreneurship. The investments are made directly from the company's balance sheet, meaning the funds are self-earned.
Managing Director Julia Reilinger explains that to maintain investments, returns are necessary but, unlike VCs with pressuring LPs and rigid deadlines, BC II operates without investment pressure.
Currently, BC II has eleven portfolio participations in various industries, such as Awake Mobility from Munich, Contextflow, a spin-off from the Medical University of Vienna, and solar startup Neoom, projected to compete with 1.5 GW. Reilinger and Maximilian Nutz, the non-fund's other managing director, shared their investment criteria and what they provide to startups in the Industrial Tech, B2B Hardware, or Software for industrial/production-related sectors, aside from patient capital.
They also discussed their expectations for founding teams and absolute red flags in pitch meetings.
The Enrichment Data on investment phases provided further information, suggesting that BC II primarily targets growth companies in the technology sector. However, for specific details on their investment phases, it's recommended to consult the official BC II website or reach out to them directly.
What industries does BC II invest in without pressure from limited partners, given that they prioritize growth companies in the technology sector and also consider opportunities in Industrial Tech, B2B Hardware, or Software for industrial/production-related sectors?
In the finance world of B&C Innovation Investments (BC II), investing in technology startups revolutionizing traditional industries often requires a certain understanding of the market. Unbeknownst to many wanting to partner with BC II, they demand dedicated founding teams that share their vision for innovation and are prepared to navigate the complexities of various industries, as learned from discussions with Managing Director Julia Reilinger and Maximilian Nutz.
