In August 2022, Habeck appointed Sebastian Böhmer to the “Young Digital Economy” advisory board, which advises the minister on growth conditions for start-ups, among other things.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) has defended the appointment of a fund founder with a business relationship with his State Secretary Udo Philipp (Greens).
“We have not found this expertise anywhere else,” said Habeck on Wednesday in Berlin in his hearing at a joint meeting of the committees for economics and for climate protection and energy. The person concerned had a rare experience in setting up a venture capital fund while still a student.
It’s about Sebastian Böhmer, one of the founders of First Momentum Ventures, an investment fund that also includes money from Philipp. In August 2022, Habeck appointed him to the “Young Digital Economy” advisory board, which advises the minister on growth conditions for start-ups, among other things.
The advisory board only has an advisory function, the ministry said. The cooperation is honorary, the members decide independently on which topics they give opinions. “I’m not friends with Mr. Böhmer,” said Philipp.
Habeck said he had explicitly asked for suggestions from people from the student milieu, so that not only large companies were represented on the advisory board. “I didn’t know that there was a financial stake there,” said Habeck, referring to Philipp’s role. “But it’s also irrelevant.”
The Advisory Board is not in a position to make policy decisions that will increase profits there. In addition, 29 people are members there, which practically neutralizes the influence of individuals.
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