Shaping sustainable innovation

ESG at HTGF

Sustainability is one of the main challenges of our times. Start-ups have an important role to play in this matter because they are often the first to come up with innovative solutions for our most urgent problems. Not only do they have to come up with new solutions for environmental issues, but also solving the problem of establishing a working environment and a management.

Since our establishment in 2005, High-Tech Gründerfonds has invested in many start-ups in different areas of sustainability. From 2019 onwards, various environmental, social and governance (ESG) measures have been embedded in operational processes at the fund level as well.
Guido Schlitzer, Managing Director at HTGF

HTGF IV, which is our fourth generation and an Article 8 fund in compliance with the SFDR, has the goal to invest in new portfolio companies since the end of 2022. In practical terms, this means that we not only continue to see ourselves as the backer of forward-looking technology-oriented companies and the provider of strategic support but also as a partner that is actively involved in developing sustainable business models. You can find more information on our ESG approach in our ESG policy, which we will be happy to provide on request.

What does that mean for you as a founder?

Before we invest, we conduct anESG due diligence. Together, we go through our exclusion list of areas in which we cannot invest and consider the potential positive and negative impacts of your start-up. We have tailored the process to the early stage to keep it as lean as possible.
Following the investment, we offer specific support to help you establish your business in a sustainable way. These include knowledge-sharing opportunities through our HTGF Academy, as well as individual dialogue with our ESG team.
You can use our annual ESG reporting to show clients or other investors how your company is positioned on ESG issues.