Bayer

Drees & Sommer exists to create a future worth living by transforming how the built environment is designed, constructed, and operated. The construction and real estate industries account for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, yet traditional approaches remain fragmented, inefficient, and unsustainable. Drees & Sommer tackles this challenge head-on by providing integrated consulting and implementation services that unite vision with reality - delivering projects that are economically viable, ecologically responsible, and digitally enabled. Since 1970, the company has grown from a small Stuttgart engineering office into a global partner-managed consultancy with 6,500 professionals across 70+ cities. Their interdisciplinary teams work on 6,872+ projects worldwide, uniting apparent opposites: tradition and innovation, economy and ecology, analog and digital, efficiency and well-being. As a sustainability pioneer and digitalization driver, Drees & Sommer doesn't just advise clients - they implement solutions that measurably reduce environmental impact while creating lasting value. From carbon-neutral buildings to resilient infrastructure and future-proof industrial facilities, they're proving that sustainable development isn't just necessary - it's the foundation of competitive advantage in a changing world.

Nordstein AG is a Swiss investment boutique based on Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich, specializing in private equity and venture capital intermediation. Led by CEO Thomas Horvat, the firm connects high-growth companies seeking capital with strategic investors, positioning itself as an independent advisor focused on value creation for stakeholders across the transaction lifecycle. The firm's core offering centers on intermediating private equity and venture capital transactions rather than deploying proprietary capital. Its services span investor-company matching, independent investment advice, and relationship management designed to align investor objectives with company growth trajectories. This intermediary model places Nordstein between specialized companies requiring financing and institutional or strategic investors seeking deployment opportunities in the Swiss and broader European market. Nordstein operates from the heart of Zurich's financial district, emphasizing what it characterizes as transparent, value-driven relationships built on competence and objectivity. The firm's professionals provide advice aimed at optimal deal structuring and capital appreciation, serving as facilitators where, in its framing, strategic thinking meets execution in private capital transactions.

WEX is a global commerce platform that simplifies the business of running a business through innovative financial technology solutions. Founded in 1983, the company has grown from a start-up into a leading provider of payment solutions serving millions of companies and customers worldwide. With more than 6,500 employees across the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and other regions, WEX operates at significant scale, processing billions in payments annually across its three core business segments. WEX's powerful ecosystem delivers specialized solutions for fuel and fleet management through over 50 fuel card products, employee benefits administration including HSAs, FSAs, and COBRA management, and corporate payments that help finance leaders make smarter decisions. The company's fuel cards are accepted at most gas stations and charging locations globally, while its benefits platform serves partners across multiple industries to maximize efficiencies. As a publicly traded company on the NYSE (WEX) with annual revenue exceeding $2.6 billion, WEX continues to transform how businesses manage payments, simplify complex operations, and drive growth across continents and industries.

Alstin Capital is a Munich-based early-stage venture capital fund focused on B2B software companies across Europe. The firm invests initial tickets of EUR 2-8M in fast-growing Seed and Series A B2B software companies, with particular focus on FinTech, InsurTech, RegTech, Cyber Security, and ClimateTech sectors. Alstin Capital is known for its "All-in commitment" approach, providing not only capital but also comprehensive support in sales, PR & marketing, and expansion strategies to help portfolio companies scale successfully. Founded in 2011, Alstin Capital has established itself as a trusted partner for B2B software founders throughout Europe. The firm's investment philosophy centers on identifying technology companies with the potential to become market leaders and supporting entrepreneurs with both capital and operational expertise. Their portfolio includes notable companies such as Pliant, Circula, Etalytics, Retraced, and several successful exits including Alyne and Stocard. The team combines extensive deal experience with deep expertise in B2B sales and operational support.

Bosch operates as a global technology and services supplier with approximately 418,000 employees worldwide, organized across four primary business areas: mobility, industrial technology, consumer goods, and energy and building technology. Founded in 1886 when Robert Bosch opened a workshop in Stuttgart, the company has evolved into a diversified engineering organization that applies sensor technology, software, and connectivity capabilities to challenges spanning electrification, digitalization, and sustainability. The company's technical work ranges from sensors for automated driving systems to power tools for consumer markets and smart home systems designed for energy efficiency. Its stated approach centers on solving practical problems rather than technology development for its own sake, reflected in its "Invented for life" positioning. This philosophy extends across research and development teams as well as manufacturing operations, with quality and reliability forming core operational commitments. Under CEO Stefan Hartung, Bosch maintains its headquarters in Germany while operating on a global scale. The organization's structure balances hardware engineering and manufacturing - evident in its power tools business - with digital capabilities in software and connectivity. Its technical domains include automated-driving sensors, smart home systems, and industrial technology applications, positioning the company at the intersection of traditional manufacturing expertise and digital transformation across multiple industry verticals.

High-Tech Gründerfonds is Germany's leading and most active early-stage investor, specializing in pre-seed and seed financing for technology-driven startups. Since 2005, HTGF has invested in over 800 companies across three core sectors: Industrial, Climate & Deep Tech, Life Sciences & Chemistry, and Digital Tech. As a public-private partnership backed by the German Federal Ministry, KfW Capital, and leading industrial corporations, HTGF brings more than capital to the table. The firm provides deep technical expertise, entrepreneurial experience, and an extensive network of industry leaders, scientists, and investors to help founders build international market leaders. HTGF's investment team combines backgrounds in venture capital, technology, and startup operations to support companies through every stage of early development. With a fund volume exceeding €2 billion and the ability to follow on in later financing rounds, HTGF offers comprehensive support from initial concept through growth phases. The firm's portfolio includes successful exits and IPOs across diverse technology sectors, demonstrating a proven track record of identifying and nurturing breakthrough innovations. HTGF strengthens Germany's technological backbone by empowering visionary founders who have the courage to shape the future.