Blog
Creating something new with experience: Interview with new HTGF Managing Partner Dr. Achim Plum
Passion for innovation and life sciences – these are the qualities that characterise Dr. Achim Plum. On 1 January 2025, the doctor of genetics joined the management team at High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF). With a career of over 25 years in the life sciences sector, he brings in-depth expertise in the field combined with management experience. In this interview, he talks about the lessons learnt from his career, his new role, and the future of the industry.
Dr. Achim Plum, new member of t
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HTGF in 2024 – a year of new records in a challenging environment plus major changes
A record level of follow-on financing, start-ups with billion-euro valuations, and a challenging economic environment – these are the main takeaways of the year 2024 for the High-Tech Gründerfonds leadership team. In this interview, Romy Schnelle and Dr. Alex von Frankenberg take a look back at an eventful 12 months.
Dr. Alex von Frankenberg and Romy Schnelle, managing directors at High-Tech Gründerfonds
2024 has been a year of change for HTGF.
Romy Schnelle: It certainly has. 2
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Scavenger AI: The Smart Solution for Data-Driven Decisions in Business
The world of data analysis is often complex and resource intensive. The AI startup Scavenger AI aims to change this by helping companies derive valuable insights from their overwhelming data streams. We sat down with founders Felix Beissel and Maximilian Hahnenkamp to learn more about their vision, the challenges they faced, and their recent market launch.
From left: Felix, Maximilian, and Anna from Scavenger AI (Image: Scavenger AI)
How did the idea for Scavenger AI come a
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Plastic waste and the circular economy: an interview with Maike Lambarth and Dominik Novakovic from Cyclize
The HTGF portfolio company Cyclize recycles plastic waste using CO2 to produce synthesis gas for chemical processes. In this interview, co-founders Maike Lambarth and Dominik Novakovic share their experiences and challenges in founding the climate tech company. They talk about how it all started – from an initial idea to the construction of a large test facility. They also have some valuable tips for founders, the most important of which are to keep going and have a good team ethic.
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This is how we did it – Episode 6 with Maximilian Webers, Co-Founder & CEO of COLIPI
COLIPI is developing an industrial biotechnological process to convert climate-damaging CO2 and carbon-containing industrial waste into climate-neutral oil. The product is a sustainable and climate-neutral alternative to palm oil and petroleum and has the potential to become the world’s fastest and thus most cost-effective CO2-transforming bioprocess.
In our interview, Maximilian Webers, Co-Founder & CEO of COLIPI, talks about the climate crisis as an opportunity for new solutio
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Cultimate Foods: Interview with Eugenia Sagué on the Future of Meat Alternatives
We sat down with Eugenia Sagué, co-founder and CEO of Cultimate Foods, to learn more about the food tech company based in Hannover and Berlin, and the next generation of meat alternatives. Eugenia provides fascinating insights into the inspiration behind the company’s founding, the technology of their products, and the challenges they face in development and scaling.
What inspired you to found Cultimate Foods?
Eugenia Sagué: From our professional experience, we know tha
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This is how we did it – Episode 5 with Lea Frank, Co-Founder and CEO of anybill
In December 2019, Lea Frank and Tobias Gubo co-founded anybill to build a modern solution for the obligation to issue receipts, which came into force in Germany at the beginning of 2020. anybill used the momentum to drive digitalisation and connectivity at the point of sale: the digital receipt was born. Today, the digital receipt is not only a reason for greater sustainability for many retail companies, but also a valuable marketing tool.
In our ‘This is how we did it’ series, we spo
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From research to market: Phytonics’ breakthrough in photovoltaics
The global energy transition needs innovative technologies. Among the up-and-coming start-ups in this field is the HTGF portfolio company Phytonics. The KIT spin-off recently launched a self-adhesive film for anti-glare solar modules. This allows solar panels to be used in areas that were previously unused due to glare problems. In this interview, co-founder Ruben Hünig provides insights into the history of the start-up and the challenges involved in launching the product on the market. He
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Against the tide – HTGF portfolio SciRhom company rewarded for courage with EUR 63 million Series A financing
In July, HTGF portfolio company SciRhom announced one of the largest financing rounds in German biotechnology this year and will soon begin clinical trials of its first drug. The company’s unique therapeutic approach targets a central node of the immune system. In this interview, company co-founder and current SciRhom Managing Director and COO Jens Ruhe, his Co-Managing Director and CEO Jan Poth and Frank Hensel, Principal at HTGF, provide insights into the collaboration that has been in p
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This is how we did it – Episode 4 – with Celine
Göhlich, Co-Founder & Managing Director everyone energy
In the fourth episode of our “This is how we did it” series, Céline Göhlich, Co-Founder and Managing Director of everyone energy, talks about how much the conditions for her company have changed because of the energy crisis and how she and her co-founders have responded. everyone energy is accelerating the expansion of renewable technologies in buildings with consulting software that makes the energy transition easier for everyone – consumers, companies and solution provi
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Four branding tips for start-ups and founders
A guest article by Simon Rieger, communications and PR consultant and speaker. Simon was recently part of this year’s Top 30 under 30 in the PR Report’s communications rankings. As Team Lead Brand Marketing, PR & Communications at anybill, he is committed to the positioning and visibility of the start-up and co-founder and CEO Lea Frank
As a founder, it is essential to strategically build and maintain your personal brand as well as your start-up brand. LinkedIn i
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“Financial planning is not a luxury” – Interview with Karolina Decker, CEO and founder of finmarie
How can women become financially independent and more confident in their financial decisions? This is the question addressed by Karolina Decker, CEO and founder of finmarie. finmarie is an investment platform and mobile app designed specifically for women to help them invest their money wisely and plan for the future. We spoke to Karolina Decker about how she came up with the idea of helping women with financial education, how her concept works and what tips she has for aspiring entrepreneur
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This is how we did it – episode 3 with Dr. Jannik Lockl from inContAlert
The decision to start your own start-up is always a challenge. In our series “This is how we did it” we talk to founders from our portfolio who have made their first experiences as entrepreneurs in challenging times — valuable first-hand tips and insights. In the third episode we talk to Dr. Jannik Lockl, co-founder of inContAlert, about his founding experience. The MedTech startup was founded in 2022 and develops a sensor device to monitor the bladder filling level of patients
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How doinstruct revolutionizes the training of frontline workers
Frontline workers are those who have direct contact with customers, products or machines, such as warehouse, production, care or sales staff. They are often the face and heart of a company, but also the ones with the least access to digital training and the greatest need for it. HTGF portfolio company doinstruct aims to change this with an innovative platform for training frontline staff. Based in Osnabrück, Germany, doinstruct has had an impressive growth story since 2021. We sat down with
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Looking back: HTGF Family Day 2024 in Berlin
HTGF Family Day 2024 in Berlin – After-movie
At our new location STATION Berlin, we were able to offer participants at the Family Day even better opportunities for personal exchange and networking. Around 1,300 investors, founders and representatives of companies and the start-up ecosystems took advantage of this opportunity in thousands of 1-on-1 meetings.
Our two stages offered plenty of inspiration with keynotes, keynote speeches and panels. In addition, selected MasterClasses
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Systematically utilizing start-up innovations – Interview with Fabian Dudek, founder and CEO of GlassDollar
We sat down with Fabian Dudek, Founder and CEO of GlassDollar, to learn how established companies can systematically leverage start-up innovations. GlassDollar helps companies quickly identify the right solutions and gain competitive advantages through successful partnerships and proof-of-concepts. Fabian provides insights into various innovation methods and shares his tips for effective cooperation.
Fabian, what innovation methods are there for established companies that are lookin