HTGF Blog

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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