A powerful motor for innovation and the economy: High-Tech Gründerfonds makes its 500th investment

• Together with co-investor Thüga, HTGF is investing a 7-figure sum
• The 500th startup in the HTGF portfolio is machine-learning company Geospin

Shortly after the successful second closing of the third fond and the IPO of NFON – the first flotation in the portfolio – High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) and Thüga AG are making their 500th investment: Geospin develops software solutions for analysing geodata and, just two years after spinning-off from the Albert-Ludwigs University in Freiburg, is receiving a 7-figure cash injection.

The fact that HTGF has already reached this third big milestone this year is both motivation and a reason to celebrate. “We aim to use the valuable experience we’ve gained from 500 startup investments more intensively in our day-to-day business in order to expertly support the founders. A very varied network of 885 experts has evolved from the contacts we have made since 2005, and we use these systematically”, reports Dr Michael Brandkamp, Managing Director of High-Tech Gründerfonds.

“Our 500th investment is further proof that the startup scene in Germany and Europe is yielding terrific ideas. It really illustrates the great innovative energy, visionary technologies and business models the creative heads in our country are producing. We believe in Germany’s founders and that they are strengthening Germany’s economic place in the world”, adds HTGF Managing Director Dr Alex von Frankenberg.

Customised offer for startups
Since 2005, Germany’s most active early-stage investor HTGF has tested more than 14,500 innovative business models. The resulting 500th investment followed shortly after the announcement of the second closing of HTGF III (316.5 million Euro).

With customisable conditions and a higher volume, the third fund can now react more precisely to the demands of startups. It offers up to one million Euro in the first round of financing; a total of up to three million Euro of capital is available per company. And HTGF can invest alone, supplement existing rounds and bring in its network of investors.

Continually searching for innovations
After the game is before the game – therefore the HTGF team is always heading towards the next milestone. Brandkamp: “Our aim is to make around 30 new investments this year. Thus we’re on a daily lookout for new startups with innovative ideas and the ambition to develop a really substantial company and do something fundamentally innovative.

About High-Tech Gründerfonds
Seed investor High-Tech Gründerfonds (HGTF) finances technology startups that show growth potential. With a total volume of 892.5 million Euro spread across three funds (272 million Euro Fonds I, 304 million in Euro Fonds II and 316.5 million Euro Fonds III), as well an international network of partners, HTGF has chaperoned 500 startups since 2005. HTGF’s team of experienced investment managers and startup experts supports these young companies with expertise, entrepeneurial spirit and passion. The focus is upon high-tech startups from the sectors of software, media and internet as well as from hardware, automation, healthcare, chemicals and life sciences. External investors have until now invested over 1.5 billion Euro in the HTGF portfolio during more than 1,200 follow-up rounds of financing. Furthermore, HTGF has successfully sold shares in more than 90 companies.

The investors in the public-private partnership include the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, KfW, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the commercial businesses ALTANA, BASF, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, B.Braun, Robert Bosch, BÜFA, CEWE, Deutsche Post DHL, Dräger, Drillisch AG, EVONIK, EWE AG, Haniel, Hettich, Knauf, Körber, LANXESS, media + more venture Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, PHOENIX CONTACT, Postbank, QIAGEN, RWE Generation SE, SAP, Schufa, Schwarz Gruppe, STIHL, Thüga, Vector Informatik, WACKER and Wilh. Werhahn KG.

HTGF success stories include: Mister Spex, Rigontec GmbH, 6 Wunderkinder, Next Kraftwerke GmbH, Cumulocity, and the online shop for art lovers, Juniqe.

Contact
High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH
Cornelia Klug
Marketing & Communications
Schlegelstraße 2
53113 Bonn
T: +49 (0) 228 82300-121
F: +49 (0) 228 82300-050
c.klug@htgf.de
www.htgf.de