HTGF takes a stand for diversity: Signing of the Charta der Vielfalt

September 26, 2024

Bonn, 26 September 2024 – The High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), one of the leading and most active early-stage investors in Germany and Europe, signs the Charta der Vielfalt (Diversity Charter) and thus visibly commits itself to a respectful and prejudice-free working environment, both towards its employees and within the start-up ecosystem.

The Diversity Charter is an initiative to promote diversity in companies and institutions under the patronage of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. By signing the Diversity Charter, HTGF is making a clear commitment to diversity and tolerance in the workplace and is signalling its appreciation of all employees regardless of age, ethnic origin and nationality, gender and gender identity, physical and mental abilities, religion and belief, sexual orientation and social background.

Increasing the diversity of HTGF’s team and committees is a key focus. The fund also supports its portfolio companies in building diverse teams and strong, inclusive cultures. It draws on an ever-growing network of female board members, female CXOs and other experts who support start-ups.
In the start-up ecosystem, the fund’s investment team specifically supports female investors and founders, for example through sparring and mentoring. The HTGF team also support relevant formats in the form of jury and panel participation, as well as workshops.
In addition, the early-stage investor is involved in events and cooperations with committed partners such as Business Angel Deutschland e.V., the Female Founders Programme of the Accelerator Frankfurt, the Impact of Diversity Award or morediversity gGmbH.

“By signing the Charta der Vielfalt, we reaffirm our commitment to an open working environment where all employees can contribute their individual strengths. We believe that diversity is a key driver of innovation and business success. Founding teams with different backgrounds and perspectives are important for our dynamic start-up ecosystem, which continues to attract the best ideas and talent,” said Romy Schnelle, Managing Director of HTGF.

About Charta der Vielfalt
The Charta der Vielfalt is a registered association that promotes diversity and equal opportunities in the workplace. With over 5,500 signatories, the initiative is one of the most important agenda setters in the workplace in Germany.
Diversity management is a cross-cutting issue. The idea behind it: An organisational culture embracing diversity leads to all employees being able to make the most of their potential. It also promotes the diversity of ideas or products that the organisation stands for. For more information: www.charta-der-vielfalt.de.

About HTGF – High-Tech Gründerfonds 
HTGF is one of the leading and most active early-stage investors in Germany and Europe, financing start-ups in the fields of Deep Tech, Industrial Tech, Climate Tech, Digital Tech, Life Sciences and Chemistry. With its experienced investment team, HTGF supports start-ups in all phases of their development into international market leaders. HTGF invests in pre-seed and seed phases and can participate significantly in later-stage financing rounds. Across its funds, HTGF has over 2 billion euros under management. Since its inception in 2005, HTGF has financed more than 750 start-ups and successfully sold shares in more than 180 companies.  
Fund investors in the public-private partnership include the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action, KfW Capital and 45 companies.  
For more information, please visit HTGF.de or follow us on LinkedIn.  

Media contact
Tobias Jacob, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager
T.: +49 228 – 82300 – 121
t.jacob@htgf.de