The BioRN Annual Conference will take place in Heidelberg on May 15, 2012. With the topic "Mobilizing Seed and Venture Capital for Health Innovation" the conference in the Biotech Cluster Rhein-Neckar (BioRN) wishes to highlight global trends in the funding of young biotech enterprises. With the presentation of successful international examples it is intended to stimulate political and cultural changes towards a more entrepreneurial environment in Europe.

What factors are favorable for the startup, financing, and economic success of young biotech enterprises? This question is the focus of the fourth BioRN Annual Conference in Heidelberg, at which the BioRN Cluster Management expects to welcome entrepreneurs, investors, and key players from all over Europe and beyond.

The speakers are distinguished experts and opinion leaders from both Germany and abroad. Dietmar Harhoff, head of the Institute for Innovation Research, Technology Management and Entrepreneurship INNO-tec at the Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich and chairman of the Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation of the German Federal Government, will provide an insight into government policies fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.

Adeo Ressi will present a successful example of a new incubator program which originated in the USA. His Founder Institute, a global network of startups and mentors, has helped to launch some 500 startup companies at more than 20 locations worldwide since 2009 under the motto "Globalizing Silicon Valley". Belinda Clarke will introduce the co-working community ideaSpace of the University of Cambridge as an example of a successful university accelerator model in the UK.

Michael Brandkamp, managing director of the German High-Tech Gründerfonds, and Karlheinz Schmelig, founder and partner of Creathor Venture in Bad Homburg, Germany, will discuss the current trends and particular challenges pertaining to the venture capital sector in Germany. As an example of success and pioneering achievement in the crowdfunding arena, Matthias Kromayer will present the MIG AG in Munich, which has raised more than 700 million euros from small private investors since 2005 and has invested it in young, privately held technology enterprises.

A historical review of the ups and downs of the venture capital sector in Europe will be given by VC veteran Jos Peeters, who has started his firm Capricorn Venture Partners in Belgium in the early ‘90s. Christoph Huels, vice president of early stage licensing at Merck Serono, and Vishal Gulati, managing director at Radiant Capital in London, will report on the new role of the pharma industry and the current trends in deal making.

The program is rounded out by 'Meet & Greet' sessions in which the participants will have the opportunity to discuss their projects and ideas face-to-face with the distinguished speakers in small groups.

For further information and registration please visit the conference website at www.biorn2012.com.