German Federal Government plans to consolidate and strengthen financing for technology start-ups and scale-ups: HTGF to integrate DTCF. Deep Tech remains a key focus of Germany’s VC strategy

• HTGF and DTCF plan to pool their strengths to create a joint public-private investment platform for high-growth technology start-ups. 

• The goal is a seamless financing architecture for innovations in key technologies – from foundation to scale-up – with complementary expert teams and a stronger capital base. 

• Long-term support for disruptive Deep Tech technologies through to scale-up remains a key focus of DTCF as a central module of the Future Fund. 

The DeepTech & Climate Fonds (DTCF) will be continued under the umbrella of High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF). Financing for young technology-oriented companies and access to equity for innovations in key technologies will be strategically consolidated within a joint public-private venture capital (VC) platform. 

As part of this expansion, HTGF is expected to assume management of DTCF from February 1, 2026. The specific details of this integration are currently the subject of discussions between the parties involved. 

In addition, the German Federal Government has commissioned HTGF to set up a fifth generation of its successful public-private seed fund, scheduled to launch in mid-2027 – immediately following the investment period of the current HTGF IV seed fund. 

Dr Achim Plum, Managing Director of HTGF:  “With the vision of a joint investment platform, we are creating the public-private VC structure that Germany and Europe need right now: continuous innovation financing – from technological idea to market leadership. Companies like FMC and Proxima Fusion already show how seamlessly HTGF and DTCF complement each other. My co-managing directors Romy Schnelle, Sebastian Borek, and I thank the Federal Government for its trust in enabling HTGF to evolve into a comprehensive VC platform.” 

Dr Elisabeth Schrey, Managing Director of DTCF: “Over the past three years, the DTCF has firmly established itself in the market and built a portfolio of 19 outstanding companies. Through large investment syndicates, such as those supporting The Exploration Company and Cylib, we have been able to give these tech companies more time for development and scaling during their early growth stages.”  

Tobias Faupel, Managing Director of DTCF, adds:  “Since the very beginning, DTCF has worked closely with HTGF. This successful collaboration will continue on the new platform with the same strong commitment to our portfolio and to DTCF’s investment focus.” 

This step aims to realign innovation and technology financing in Germany: By integrating DTCF into HTGF, a seamless financing architecture will be established – from foundation to exit. The existing funds will continue investing in key future sectors – from energy and quantum technologies to semiconductors, biotech, industrial transformation, AI, software, and advanced materials. The existing cooperation between HTGF and DTCF can thus be deepened and strengthened, ensuring continued support for the Deep Tech segment.

“One of the central questions of our time is: Where will tomorrow’s prosperity come from? A key lies in innovation. The DTCF has rapidly demonstrated how targeted growth financing drives innovation and technology in Germany – and how essential collaboration between the state and private investors is. Establishing a VC platform as a new joint investment structure under the strong HTGF brand marks an important next chapter. The DTCF management team has built a broad portfolio of technology companies, assembled a strong investment team, and forged important industry connections,” says Dr Janina Jänsch, Head of the SME department at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. 

About HTGF – High-Tech Gründerfonds 

HTGF is Germany’s most active early-stage investor and a flagship model for public-private partnerships. HTGF invests in ambitious teams and pioneering technologies to develop the market leaders of tomorrow, securing the future competitiveness of Germany and Europe as a venture capital platform. Since its founding in 2005, HTGF has invested in over 800 tech-driven start-ups and mobilized more than €8 billion in private capital. With a team of technology and industry experts, HTGF supports start-ups in Industrial Tech, Climate Tech, Life Sciences & Chemistry, and Digital Tech. The fund is backed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, KfW Capital, and numerous private companies. The total volume of HTGF funds currently exceeds €2 billion. 
More information at HTGF.de or on LinkedIn. 

About DeepTech & Climate Fund (DTCF) 

The DeepTech & Climate Fonds (DTCF) finances high-growth DeepTech and ClimateTech companies in Germany and Europe with up to €50 million per investment. As an anchor investor and partner of long-term European investors, DTCF supports companies with extended development cycles and substantial financial needs in implementing sustainable growth strategies and actively contributes to expanding the technology ecosystem. The fund acts as a bridge between investors, SMEs, and innovative start-ups in climate, computing, industry, and life sciences.  

Funded by resources from the German Future Fund and the ERP Special Fund, DTCF plans to invest €1 billion over the coming years to strengthen the European technology ecosystem. 
More information at www.dtcf.de. 

About the Future Fund 

Launched in 2021, the “Future Fund” (“Participation Fund for Technologies of the Future”) with a volume of €10 billion aims to sustainably strengthen the venture capital market and financing conditions for innovative, technology-oriented start-ups – particularly in their growth phase – through various financing programs. By co-investing alongside private investors, it mobilizes additional private capital for investments in key future technologies. DTCF is a central module of the Future Fund. 

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

Stephanie Stein, Head of Communications, DTCF 
T.: +49 160 97 51 83 91 
s.stein@dtcf.de