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.

Jens Baumgärtner

Senior Investment Manager

Anke Cassing

Principal

Tanja Emmerling

Partner / Head HTGF Berlin

Yann Fiebig

Investment Manager

Frank Hensel

Senior Investment Manager

Markus Kressmann

Partner

Dominik Lohle

Senior Investment Manager

Axel Nitsch

Investment Manager

Andreas Olmes

Partner

Katharina Peters

Investment Manager

Martin Pfister

Senior Investment Manager

Claudia Raber

Partner

Guido Schlitzer

Managing Director

Ulrich Schmitt

Principal

Tobias Schulz

Principal

Marco Winzer

Investment Director and Partner

Past deals in Industrial Engineering

IRUBIS

Seed Round in 2024
IRUBIS GmbH, founded in 2017 and based in Munich, Germany, specializes in the development of mid-infrared (MIR) spectrometers and attenuated total reflection (ATR) crystals. The company focuses on enhancing Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to improve the analysis of protein-based drugs. Its innovative measurement systems enable real-time bioreactor monitoring, allowing for the online assessment of glucose and lactate levels without contamination risks. IRUBIS also produces a range of ATR crystals, including single-reflection and signal-enhanced varieties, aimed at advancing industry standards for bioprocess monitoring. The company’s technology supports both upstream and downstream bioprocessing, facilitating metabolite monitoring and the detection of target proteins and contaminants through machine-learning evaluation software.

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
IRUBIS GmbH, founded in 2017 and based in Munich, Germany, specializes in the development of mid-infrared (MIR) spectrometers and attenuated total reflection (ATR) crystals. The company focuses on enhancing Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to improve the analysis of protein-based drugs. Its innovative measurement systems enable real-time bioreactor monitoring, allowing for the online assessment of glucose and lactate levels without contamination risks. IRUBIS also produces a range of ATR crystals, including single-reflection and signal-enhanced varieties, aimed at advancing industry standards for bioprocess monitoring. The company’s technology supports both upstream and downstream bioprocessing, facilitating metabolite monitoring and the detection of target proteins and contaminants through machine-learning evaluation software.

Valispace

Seed Round in 2022
Valispace GmbH, founded in 2015 and based in Bremen, Germany, offers 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 an Engineering Information Management (EIM) system, facilitating team collaboration throughout the engineering lifecycle. It supports various aspects of hardware development, including requirements management, data-driven functional design, product architecture, and detailed systems design. Valispace’s tool provides full traceability, enabling clients to manage test procedures and access information about decisions made during the development process. By streamlining dynamic engineering data, the platform helps reduce development time, improve product quality, and lower costs across projects.

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, based in Munich, Germany, specializes in the development and manufacturing of engine systems and subsystems tailored for test bench control, data acquisition, cylinder pressure indexing, and engine control units. Founded in 2014, the company provides innovative solutions that support clients in creating prototypes and near-production systems. By offering software interfaces for engine control systems, Inecosys enhances the efficiency of engine development processes. Their intelligent control systems facilitate the transition from prototype to series production, allowing customers to achieve cost savings and increased flexibility through agile methodologies and automation.

Valispace

Seed Round in 2018
Valispace GmbH, founded in 2015 and based in Bremen, Germany, offers 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 an Engineering Information Management (EIM) system, facilitating team collaboration throughout the engineering lifecycle. It supports various aspects of hardware development, including requirements management, data-driven functional design, product architecture, and detailed systems design. Valispace’s tool provides full traceability, enabling clients to manage test procedures and access information about decisions made during the development process. By streamlining dynamic engineering data, the platform helps reduce development time, improve product quality, and lower costs across projects.

Kiwigrid

Venture Round in 2013
Kiwigrid GmbH is a German company that develops and operates a smart grid energy management platform aimed at the European market. Founded in 2011 and based in Dresden, Kiwigrid focuses on optimizing energy systems by integrating decentralized energy producers, storage systems, intelligent measuring systems, and electric mobility charging solutions. Their offerings include an energy management system that monitors energy consumption in homes and industries, as well as tools for capturing metering data and enabling features like peak shifting. Additionally, Kiwigrid provides a virtual power plant system that facilitates energy trading and real-time data management. Their solutions are designed to enhance transparency in energy usage, automate processes, and help clients efficiently manage renewable energy resources, ultimately reducing costs and improving control over energy operations across various sectors, including utilities, automotive, and real estate.
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