Axel Nitsch and Johannes Weber Named Partners at HTGF – Doubling Down on AI and Deep Tech

Two investors who have shaped Germany’s most active VC are now doing so as partners: Axel Nitsch for Digital Tech & AI, Johannes Weber for Industrial, Climate & Deep Tech.

• Axel Nitsch (Digital Tech & AI) and Johannes Weber (Industrial, Climate & Deep Tech) are appointed as Partners at HTGF effective 1 July 2026
• Nitsch brings experience from over 100 financing rounds across sixteen years at HTGF and T-Venture; Weber is himself a successful founder and is responsible for landmark investments including Traceless Materials, Instagrid and Proxima Fusion
• With Nitsch and Weber, HTGF is doubling down on investors who know their sectors from the inside – accompanying founders as a multi-stage VC platform from seed stage through to international scale

Bonn, 1 July 2026. The technologies securing Germany’s and Europe’s future are being built today – in AI labs, climate tech startups and research laboratories. Those who invest early and know how to translate technology into scalable companies will help determine who shapes the markets of tomorrow. HTGF is doing exactly that: Johannes Weber and Axel Nitsch are appointed as Partners – Weber for Industrial, Climate & Deep Tech, Nitsch for Digital Tech & AI.

Both investment professionals have spent the past years driving dealflow in their respective sectors, working closely with portfolio companies from the first idea through to international scaling, and further establishing HTGF as the first port of call for founders at the earliest stages. For fund investors from industry and the Mittelstand, they are trusted sparring partners – with direct access to the most relevant technologies and founding teams.

Axel Nitsch: Ten Years at HTGF – Specialist in Digital Business Models and AI

Axel Nitsch has been with HTGF since 2016 and has played a defining role in shaping the Digital Tech practice. His focus is on technology-driven business models across Deep Tech, B2B and B2C – with a particular instinct for teams that use technology to set themselves clearly apart from the competition. Prior to joining HTGF, he spent six years at T-Venture, the former corporate venture capital arm of Deutsche Telekom AG. In total, he brings experience from over 100 successful financing rounds across 26 companies – from seed to later stage, in Germany and internationally – including Make.tv and Graylog. He holds a Diplom-Kaufmann degree and is a Certified Private Equity Analyst (TUM).

“Enabled by AI, we are in one of the most exciting phases I have ever experienced. So much is in flux – and I see that as a real opportunity for digital business models and for Germany. As a partner at HTGF, I can help shape exactly that.” – Axel Nitsch, Partner at HTGF

“Having Axel as a partner is a real win – for our team, our startups and our fund investors. He knows how to embed AI and digital strategies as the core of a business model. That is exactly the expertise our founders need right now.” – Sebastian Borek, Managing Director of HTGF

Johannes Weber: Partner with Founder DNA – from Seed to Growth

Johannes Weber has been with HTGF since 2020, investing across Industrial Tech, Climate Tech and Deep Tech. From the first financing round through to the growth stage, he supports founding teams with entrepreneurial depth, a strong network and the experience to translate technology into scalable companies. As the initiator of a regular VC lunch format in Hamburg and co-host of an energy tech event, he brings together founders, investors and industry partners. He holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering as well as an MBA from universities in Germany, England and the USA. After starting his career in management consulting, he founded a VC-backed startup in measurement technology, which he built and led as CEO for six years before successfully selling it to Dräger, the international medical and safety technology group. The product was awarded the German Innovation Prize and is today available in over 20 countries worldwide. His investments at HTGF include Traceless Materials, Instagrid and Proxima Fusion, alongside leading national and international VCs.

“What drives me are founders who genuinely want to change the status quo – through technology, science and business models that have never existed before. I know from personal experience what it takes and what it costs to build something. As a partner, I want to bring exactly that to bear with even greater impact.” – Johannes Weber, Partner at HTGF

“Johannes has an instinct for the truly relevant themes of the future – and a portfolio that proves it. He understands what founders truly need because he has built and scaled a company himself. It’s this combination of entrepreneurial judgement and investment instinct that strengthens our team of partners.” – Romy Schnelle, Managing Director of HTGF