3 things we learned Tuesday in Berlin

Three takeaways from Day One of Gov. Phil Murphy’s nine-day trade mission trip to Germany and Israel. Tuesday, the governor was in Berlin.

  1. Choose New Jersey launches a European office

The role of states in attracting business from foreign companies is increasing, as tensions rise at the federal level. Murphy is hoping to take advantage of that with the opening of a branch of Choose New Jersey in Berlin.

  1. There’s potential for pharma collaboration under the Evergreen Fund

As Murphy touted the Evergreen Fund at a Bayer incubator in Berlin, one Bayer employee suggested, off the cuff, that pharma companies based in New Jersey can band together to leverage their tax credits toward a joint startup fund. The working title? NJ Bio Partners.

  1. Murphy swears he isn’t seeking higher office

On bended knee, Murphy pleaded in front of reporters Tuesday to spread the word that he isn’t seeking higher office. When asked about national news and federal policies, he reiterated in front of numerous crowds: “My nose is pressed against the New Jersey glass,” he told business leaders at a roundtable Tuesday.

Read all of ROI-NJ’s coverage of Gov. Murphy’s trip: