HTGF | High-Tech Gruenderfonds

High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Bonn, Germany, specializing in early-stage investments in high-tech startups. Established in 2005, the firm focuses on technology-driven companies across various sectors, including information and communication technology, life sciences, healthcare, automation, and cleantech. HTGF typically invests in companies that have been operational for no more than one year, aiming to contribute up to €0.6 million in initial funding and up to €3 million in follow-on financing. The firm seeks a minority stake, generally around 15%, and provides a subordinated loan convertible into equity, with deferred interest for up to four years to support liquidity. With a total investment volume of approximately €895.5 million across three funds, HTGF has successfully supported over 500 startups and attracted more than €2 billion in follow-on investments from external sources. The firm's investors include notable public and private entities, underscoring its role as a key player in fostering innovation and growth within the German startup ecosystem.

Katharina Peters

Investment Manager

Tilmann Petersen

Investment Manager

Past deals in Industrial Engineering

IRUBIS

Seed Round in 2024
Founded in Munich, Germany in 2017, IRUBIS specializes in manufacturing Mid-Infrared (MIR) spectrometers and Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) crystals. The company combines semiconductor technology with infrared spectroscopy to develop devices for analyzing protein-based drugs. IRUBIS offers a real-time bioprocess monitoring system using MIR spectroscopy, which measures glucose and lactate online without contamination risk. They also provide ATR crystals and accessory solutions.

clous

Seed Round in 2022
Clous is the developer of a work distribution and collaboration platform. It is designed to boost industrial engineering productivity. The company provides a computer-aided design work distribution solution that breaks down complex and linear engineering processes into numerous interconnected parts and adapts project components using algorithms.

IRUBIS

Seed Round in 2022
Founded in Munich, Germany in 2017, IRUBIS specializes in manufacturing Mid-Infrared (MIR) spectrometers and Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) crystals. The company combines semiconductor technology with infrared spectroscopy to develop devices for analyzing protein-based drugs. IRUBIS offers a real-time bioprocess monitoring system using MIR spectroscopy, which measures glucose and lactate online without contamination risk. They also provide ATR crystals and accessory solutions.

Valispace

Seed Round in 2022
Valispace GmbH, founded in 2015 and based in Bremen, Germany, develops a browser-based engineering software platform designed to enhance productivity in the development of complex hardware products such as satellites and rockets. The platform serves as a comprehensive Engineering Information Management System, facilitating team collaboration across various aspects of the engineering lifecycle, including requirements management, data-driven functional design, and detailed systems design. By providing tools for automated verification and live documentation, Valispace allows companies to transition from traditional waterfall methods to more agile hardware development approaches. Its software enables full traceability and offers a centralized location for managing test procedures and engineering data, ultimately helping clients reduce development time, improve quality, and lower costs across their projects.

Operaize

Seed Round in 2021
Operaize GmbH, based in Cologne, Germany, specializes in developing an artificial intelligence platform known as Cognitive Operations. This cloud-based solution is designed to enhance production planning for manufacturing clients by integrating seamlessly with existing planning infrastructures through APIs or SAP integration. Cognitive Operations effectively collects and transforms planning and master data from various ERP and planning systems into a format that supports AI-driven optimization processes. By analyzing a range of constraints and objectives, the platform generates optimal production plans in seconds. Additionally, Operaize's technology empowers clients to proactively identify faults, risks, and failures within their operations, facilitating informed decision-making and efficient problem-solving strategies throughout the industrial value chain.

Hofmann & Stirner

Seed Round in 2018
Hofmann & Stirner ist ein Hersteller für automatisierte Zuführsysteme mit Schwingförderern und nutzt Simulationsverfahren zu deren Entwicklung. Entsprechend unserem Leitbild EXCITED BY SCIENCE transferieren wir dazu Ergebnisse aus der Forschung in die industrielle Anwendung. Unser Anspruch ist es, dem Kunden die leistungsstärksten und flexibelsten Zuführsysteme zur Verfügung zu stellen, die den Anforderungen einer modernen Produktion mit kurzen Produktlebenszyklen und hohen Taktraten genügen. Hierfür haben wir die Zuführsysteme PARU und ROTU entwickelt. Durch Einsatz digitaler Zwillinge kann parallel zum Betrieb das reale System für neue Fördergüter vorbereitet werden. Fortlaufend erhobene Betriebsdaten halten den digitalen Zwilling auf einem aktuellen Stand und verhelfen uns zur kontinuierlichen Weiterentwicklung des Systems. Mit einem Zuführsystem von Hofmann & Stirner müssen Sie keine Entscheidung zwischen Zuführleistung und Flexibilität mehr treffen.

Inecosys

Seed Round in 2018
Inecosys GmbH is an innovative company based in Munich, Germany, specializing in the development and manufacturing of engine systems and subsystems. Founded in 2014, Inecosys focuses on creating solutions for test bench control, data acquisition, cylinder pressure indexing, and engine control units. The company provides software interfaces that facilitate the testing of engine control systems, supporting clients in the transition from prototypes to production-ready solutions. By utilizing their RSD development platform, Inecosys enables clients to implement control and measurement systems efficiently, ensuring cost-effectiveness and flexibility through automated and agile methodologies.

Valispace

Seed Round in 2018
Valispace GmbH, founded in 2015 and based in Bremen, Germany, develops a browser-based engineering software platform designed to enhance productivity in the development of complex hardware products such as satellites and rockets. The platform serves as a comprehensive Engineering Information Management System, facilitating team collaboration across various aspects of the engineering lifecycle, including requirements management, data-driven functional design, and detailed systems design. By providing tools for automated verification and live documentation, Valispace allows companies to transition from traditional waterfall methods to more agile hardware development approaches. Its software enables full traceability and offers a centralized location for managing test procedures and engineering data, ultimately helping clients reduce development time, improve quality, and lower costs across their projects.

Kiwigrid

Venture Round in 2013
Kiwigrid develops and operates a smart grid energy management platform in Europe. Its solutions enable efficient monitoring, analysis, and optimization of energy systems, supporting various industries including OEM, utilities, automotive, real estate, and installers.
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