Daring More: Financing Startups, Innovation and Growth

3rd of June 2026

Germany needs innovative start-ups with globally competitive business models in order to return to a path of sustainable growth.

What is the current state of the framework conditions and prospects for start-ups and scale-ups? How is the European financing ecosystem developing to support companies not only in their early stages but also throughout their growth journey and ultimately toward an IPO? Which industries are crucial for increasing resilience and growth? And what role do banks play in this context?

These topics will be discussed by Verena Pausder, Chairwoman of the German Startup Association, and Michael Kotzbauer, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors of Commerzbank AG, moderated by Ruth von Oppen.