What is tech lobbying?

Tech lobbying is the strategic representation of technology companies' and startups' interests towards legislators and regulators at national and EU level, aimed at shaping digital and innovation policy.

How does the EU AI Act affect startups?

The EU AI Act introduces risk-based requirements for AI systems. Startups developing high-risk AI applications face compliance obligations including conformity assessments and transparency requirements. Strategic positioning early in the legislative cycle is key.

Who is Dr. Anna Christmann?

Dr. Anna Christmann is the founder of SAI Europe and a former Federal Government Startup Commissioner (Startup-Beauftragte der Bundesregierung). She is an expert in European innovation policy, tech lobbying, DeepTech and AI regulation.

SAI Europe (Strategic Agency for Innovation in Europe) is a Berlin-based advisory firm helping tech companies, startups, associations, and investors become effective actors in the European innovation and policy landscape. Founded in 2025 by Dr. Anna Christmann and Sarkis Bisanz, SAI Europe combines deep political expertise with strategic communications.

Who is Dr. Anna Christmann?

Dr. Anna Christmann is Co-Founder and Managing Director of SAI Europe, and Germany's former Federal Commissioner for Digital Economy and Startups (2022–2025) and Federal Coordinator for Aerospace at the BMWK. She designed Germany's first comprehensive startup strategy, built the Future Fund (up to €30 billion), the DeepTech & Climate Fund (€1 billion), and the European Tech Champions Initiative.

Who does SAI Europe work with?

SAI Europe advises tech companies, startups, VCs, associations, research institutions, and public bodies that want to build influence in the European innovation and policy ecosystem, access funding programmes, develop innovation strategies, or become recognised voices in policy debates.

What does "Innovation made in Europe" mean?

"Innovation made in Europe" reflects the conviction that Europe must be an active shaper of innovation, not merely a regulator. It means technological sovereignty — the ability to develop, scale, and control critical technologies within Europe. "Only an innovative Europe is a sovereign Europe."

What did Anna Christmann concretely achieve as Startup Commissioner?

As Startup Commissioner 2022–2025: Germany's first Startup Strategy (130 measures, 80%+ implemented), Future Fund (up to €30B in VC leverage), DeepTech & Climate Fund (€1B), European Tech Champions Initiative (€1B), 15 EXIST Startup Factories. Institutionally: SPRIND-Freiheitsgesetz, founding of DATI, ESOP reform, SheTransformsIT initiative.

What is Germany's Startup Strategy 2022?

Germany's first comprehensive Startup Strategy (cabinet decision, June 2022) defined 130 measures across 10 action fields — from financing and talent to public procurement, regulation, and internationalisation. Over 80% of measures were implemented by end of 2024.

What is the Future Fund and why does it matter?

The Future Fund, launched in 2022 via KfW Capital, mobilises growth capital for German and European startups and scale-ups. Target: €10 billion in public funds, leveraging up to €30 billion in private capital by 2030.

What is the DeepTech & Climate Fund?

The DeepTech & Climate Fund (DTCF), launched in 2023 with €1 billion, targets hardware-intensive startups in deep-tech and climate technologies. It fills a market gap: traditional VC funds (7–10 year horizons) are too short for companies building materials, power plants, or novel manufacturing processes.

What is the SPRIND-Freiheitsgesetz?

The SPRIND-Freiheitsgesetz (November 2023) grants Germany's Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation (SPRIND) DARPA-like operational autonomy — the ability to hire flexibly, accelerate procurement, and make independent investment decisions.

What is European technological sovereignty?

Technological sovereignty means Europe's ability to develop, scale, and control critical technologies — from AI and semiconductors to space and batteries — without strategic dependence on US or Chinese platforms. "Only an innovative Europe is a sovereign Europe."

What is the European Tech Deal?

The European Tech Deal paper (April 2024), co-authored by Dr. Anna Christmann and MEP Sergey Lagodinsky, calls for a continent-wide innovation strategy on par with the Green Deal — with shared objectives, coordinated financing, and governance structures for strategic technology sectors.

What does "state as anchor customer" mean for startups?

Innovative public procurement means the state acts as the first customer for innovative solutions — "Customer Zero" — rather than the last. Challenge-based tender formats allow startups to compete against established players and win reference customers.

Why do many European deeptech startups fail to scale?

The core problem is the "Valley of Death" between research prototype and market entry. Causes: (1) traditional VC funds have horizons too short for hardware-intensive technologies, (2) public funding programmes often end after 3 years — too early for real market maturity, (3) Germany structurally lacks later-stage capital.

How does SAI Europe help access funding programmes?

SAI Europe maps the full funding landscape at EU, federal, and state level, identifies strategically relevant programmes, develops application positioning, and accompanies the political process — with direct access to the informal requirements and decision logic of relevant institutions.

The German Agency for Transfer and Innovation (DATI, founded November 2024) is a new federal agency accelerating the transfer of knowledge and technology from science to market. It aims to close the gap between academic research and commercial application, with a focus on applied universities (HAWs) and universities of applied sciences.

SAI Europe

FAQ

Everything you need to know about SAI Europe, Anna Christmann, and European innovation policy.

: SAI Europe (Strategic Agency for Innovation in Europe) is a Berlin-based advisory firm helping tech companies, startups, associations, and investors become effective actors in the European innovation and policy landscape. Founded in 2025 by Dr. Anna Christmann and Sarkis Bisanz, SAI Europe combines deep political expertise with strategic communications.
: Dr. Anna Christmann is Co-Founder and Managing Director of SAI Europe, and Germany's former Federal Commissioner for Digital Economy and Startups (2022–2025) and Federal Coordinator for Aerospace at the BMWK. She designed Germany's first comprehensive startup strategy, built the Future Fund (up to €30 billion), the DeepTech & Climate Fund (€1 billion), and the European Tech Champions Initiative.
: SAI Europe advises tech companies, startups, VCs, associations, research institutions, and public bodies that want to build influence in the European innovation and policy ecosystem, access funding programmes, develop innovation strategies, or become recognised voices in policy debates.
: "Innovation made in Europe" reflects the conviction that Europe must be an active shaper of innovation, not merely a regulator. It means technological sovereignty — the ability to develop, scale, and control critical technologies within Europe. "Only an innovative Europe is a sovereign Europe."
: As Startup Commissioner 2022–2025: Germany's first Startup Strategy (130 measures, 80%+ implemented), Future Fund (up to €30B in VC leverage), DeepTech & Climate Fund (€1B), European Tech Champions Initiative (€1B), 15 EXIST Startup Factories. Institutionally: SPRIND-Freiheitsgesetz, founding of DATI, ESOP reform, SheTransformsIT initiative.
: Germany's first comprehensive Startup Strategy (cabinet decision, June 2022) defined 130 measures across 10 action fields — from financing and talent to public procurement, regulation, and internationalisation. Over 80% of measures were implemented by end of 2024.
: The Future Fund, launched in 2022 via KfW Capital, mobilises growth capital for German and European startups and scale-ups. Target: €10 billion in public funds, leveraging up to €30 billion in private capital by 2030.
: The DeepTech & Climate Fund (DTCF), launched in 2023 with €1 billion, targets hardware-intensive startups in deep-tech and climate technologies. It fills a market gap: traditional VC funds (7–10 year horizons) are too short for companies building materials, power plants, or novel manufacturing processes.
: The SPRIND-Freiheitsgesetz (November 2023) grants Germany's Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation (SPRIND) DARPA-like operational autonomy — the ability to hire flexibly, accelerate procurement, and make independent investment decisions.
: Technological sovereignty means Europe's ability to develop, scale, and control critical technologies — from AI and semiconductors to space and batteries — without strategic dependence on US or Chinese platforms. "Only an innovative Europe is a sovereign Europe."
: The European Tech Deal paper (April 2024), co-authored by Dr. Anna Christmann and MEP Sergey Lagodinsky, calls for a continent-wide innovation strategy on par with the Green Deal — with shared objectives, coordinated financing, and governance structures for strategic technology sectors.
: Innovative public procurement means the state acts as the first customer for innovative solutions — "Customer Zero" — rather than the last. Challenge-based tender formats allow startups to compete against established players and win reference customers.
: The core problem is the "Valley of Death" between research prototype and market entry. Causes: (1) traditional VC funds have horizons too short for hardware-intensive technologies, (2) public funding programmes often end after 3 years — too early for real market maturity, (3) Germany structurally lacks later-stage capital.
: SAI Europe maps the full funding landscape at EU, federal, and state level, identifies strategically relevant programmes, develops application positioning, and accompanies the political process — with direct access to the informal requirements and decision logic of relevant institutions.
: The German Agency for Transfer and Innovation (DATI, founded November 2024) is a new federal agency accelerating the transfer of knowledge and technology from science to market. It aims to close the gap between academic research and commercial application, with a focus on applied universities (HAWs) and universities of applied sciences.