About us
The vision and the people behind it.
We invest in visionary companies, driving breakthrough innovation and the transformation of our economy. As a long-term investor, we partner with entrepreneurs and private investors—including venture capital funds, family offices, and corporates—to back the technology champions of tomorrow.
Empowering Europe’s Tech Pioneers
We invest in the ideas that take time: companies with long development cycles, deep technology roots, and bold visions. With up to €50 million per company, we provide the capital, expertise, and strategic support needed to navigate complex growth journeys and reach international markets.
Investing in
Strategic Growth
Our goal is to strengthen Europe’s global competitiveness. Whether it’s helping companies scale through buy-and-build strategies, enter new markets, or design future-ready exit paths, we’re more than investors: we’re long-term partners for transformative innovation throughout every growth stage.
Building Bridges
That Last
Innovation thrives when capital meets trust. That’s why DTCF connects high-tech startups, SMEs, and long-term-oriented investors to drive sustainable success. Our role is to back those who shape the future: with precision, purpose, and an eye on Europe’s tech leadership.
The People behind the vision
We are investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts committed to investing long-term capital in pioneering DeepTech and ClimateTech companies. With our backgrounds in science, engineering, and venture building, we bring hands-on experience and a shared passion for turning innovation into impact.
Günther Bogenrieder
Senior Investment Manager
Günther is Investment Manager at DTCF, focusing on the life sciences and industrial sectors. With more than 25 years in venture capital, he has been part of over 100 transactions across all stages. In 2009, he also founded his own company, an online shop for bicycle equipment. Günther studied business administration and mining engineering at RWTH Aachen University.
A passionate paraglider, Günther usually hikes to his launch spots. He is also an avid road cyclist and light e-MTB rider, with only a slight challenge when it comes to relaxing.
A passionate paraglider, Günther usually hikes to his launch spots. He is also an avid road cyclist and light e-MTB rider, with only a slight challenge when it comes to relaxing.
Sebastian Borek
Managing Director
Sebastian is Managing Director at DTCF. He joined HTGF as Managing Director in October 2025, where he leads the Digital Tech investment team. He has built ventures in the US and Europe and has helped shape Germany’s startup ecosystem through the Founders Foundation and the Hinterland of Things conference.
Since 2026, he also serves as Managing Director at DTCF, as both funds come together within a joint investment platform.
Since 2026, he also serves as Managing Director at DTCF, as both funds come together within a joint investment platform.
Cristina Doumitrachko
Associate
Cristina is Associate at DTCF, specializing in industrial and climate technologies. She started her career at Covestro and Evonik before founding her own climate tech startup, which led her into venture capital. Cristina holds degrees in Process Engineering and Industrial Engineering from TH Köln and Rheinische Hochschule Köln.
In her free time, she enjoys exploring Munich and spending time with her brother’s dog.
In her free time, she enjoys exploring Munich and spending time with her brother’s dog.
Tobias Faupel
Venture Partner
Tobias Faupel is Venture Partner at DTCF. As former Managing Director, he co-initiated the fund in 2022 and played a key role in building its early growth-stage portfolio. In his current role, he remains closely connected to the portfolio, with a focus on life sciences, industrials and growth financing. Previously, he worked at BASF, Deutsche Bank, various SMEs and HTGF.
Tobias studied Industrial Engineering and Technical Chemistry at TU Berlin and Finance at the University of Illinois.
Tobias studied Industrial Engineering and Technical Chemistry at TU Berlin and Finance at the University of Illinois.
Yann Fiebig
Partner
Yann Fiebig is a Partner at DTCF and has been investing in Deep Tech and Climate Tech startups at HTGF since 2016 and additionally at DTCF since 2026. The graduate Engineer recognized high-potential emerging theses such as New Space and Quantum Technologies very early on and led pioneering investments for HTGF and DTCF. Yann actively supports his portfolio on the board, focusing on product-market fit and product management best practices.
Yann holds degrees in electrical engineering and industrial engineering from the RWTH Aachen and the École Centrale Paris and was educated in venture capital at the WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management.
Yann holds degrees in electrical engineering and industrial engineering from the RWTH Aachen and the École Centrale Paris and was educated in venture capital at the WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management.
Dr. Bernd Goergen
Partner
Dr. Bernd Goergen has been a part of the HTGF Life Science Team since early 2008. Since 2026 he also serves as Partner at the DTCF. He holds a PhD in biology and is a certified biotech analyst with the German Association for Financial Analysis and Asset Management (DVFA). He brings with him five years of research experience in the field of virology and immunology and seven years in international diagnostics marketing for German and international companies. Between 2000 and 2007, he also acquired extensive knowledge in M&A and capital market deals while working in the investment banking division of a major German bank.
Gregor Haidl
Partner
Gregor holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Technical University of Munich and is a former Manage & More fellow of UnternehmerTUM. After several stays in China, for example at BMW Brilliance Automotive, and a one-year start-up experience, he is now a Partner in the Industrial, Climate and Deep Tech Team of High-Tech Gründerfonds and since 2026 also Partner at DTCF. His focus is on industrial software solutions in the areas of R&D, automation and energy as well as on supporting founders on their way to product-market fit.
Dr. Anne Hinze
Senior Investment Manager
Anne is Investment Manager at DTCF, specializing in energy and climate tech. She has experience in venture capital, energy innovation, and corporate finance, and earned her Ph.D. researching the link between corporate sustainability and financial performance.
As a true renewable energy enthusiast, Anne recharges best with wind in her sails, sun on her face, and waves at her feet.
As a true renewable energy enthusiast, Anne recharges best with wind in her sails, sun on her face, and waves at her feet.
Dr. Christopher Jahn
Investment Manager
Christopher is Associate at DTCF with a focus on life sciences. He combines deep expertise in biological systems with a passion for biotech and medtech innovation. Before joining DTCF in late 2024, he focused on early-stage investments in medical device and life science tools companies at TechVision Fund. Christopher holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine from Ulm University, specializing in tissue regeneration, and is a Certified Private Equity Analyst (TU Munich).
In his free time, he enjoys playing football and spending time with his family.
In his free time, he enjoys playing football and spending time with his family.
Luisa Kraut
Associate
Luisa is Associate at DTCF with a focus on industrial technology and the future of compute. She brings a combination of deeptech investment experience and operational insights from early-stage and growth startups. Before joining DTCF, she worked at Join Capital, where she focused on deeptech investments, and previously held roles in business intelligence and analytics at technology companies in Germany and Portugal.
She holds degrees in management and business analytics from Dublin City University, ESB Business School, and Nova School of Business and Economics.
In her free time, Luisa enjoys hiking, cycling, traveling, and discovering new cuisines.
She holds degrees in management and business analytics from Dublin City University, ESB Business School, and Nova School of Business and Economics.
In her free time, Luisa enjoys hiking, cycling, traveling, and discovering new cuisines.
Jana Kutter
Operations Specialist
Jana is DTCF’s Operations Specialist, supporting the investment team and ensuring efficient internal processes. She brings experience from both the VC and startup world, having worked at Calm/Storm Ventures in Vienna and the IT startup yes.com in Cologne. Jana studied Social Sciences at the University of Cologne and spent a semester abroad at Tallinn University.
In her free time, she enjoys running, traveling, gardening, and riding her motorcycle.
In her free time, she enjoys running, traveling, gardening, and riding her motorcycle.
Axel Nitsch
Partner
Axel Nitsch, Partner, deals with all deep tech, B2B and B2C topics. He is especially excited about business models that think outside the box. Before starting at HTGF in 2016, he invested for six years at T-Venture, the corporate VC of Deutsche Telekom. With over 60 successful financing rounds in 26 companies, the two unicorn investments Appnexus (Exit to AT&T in 2018) and DocuSign (IPO in 2018) are among his greatest successes. He holds an MBA (Diplom Kaufmann) from Hochschule Bonn-Rhein Sieg and is a Certified Private Equity Analyst from TU Munich. Since summer 2026 he also serves as Partner at DTCF.
Alexander Paß
Senior Investment Manager
Alex is Investment Manager at DTCF, investing in technologies shaping Europe’s industrial and healthcare future. With a background in production engineering, he co-founded his own company and has worked across startups, Silicon Valley scale-ups, and McKinsey. Before joining DTCF, he led deep-tech seed investments at Freigeist Capital and supported BioThrust as interim COO.
Off work, he’s usually outdoors or immersed in sci-fi.
Off work, he’s usually outdoors or immersed in sci-fi.
Dr. Achim Plum
Managing Director
Achim is Managing Director at DTCF. He became Managing Director of HTGF in January 2025. A geneticist by training, Achim has led fast-growing companies and global technology organisations and brings extensive corporate finance experience, including two IPOs. His expertise spans diagnostics, precision medicine, and medtech.
Since 2026, he also serves as Managing Director at DTCF, as both funds come together within a joint investment platform.
Since 2026, he also serves as Managing Director at DTCF, as both funds come together within a joint investment platform.
Dr. Nikolaus Raupp
Partner
Dr. Nikolaus Raupp has always been fascinated by the challenges how to finance an innovative start-up company. While researching for his PHD about financing of biotech companies in Japan, Nik started working as a consultant and later as project manager for a German-Japanese biotech pharma partnering project.
Since 2021 he is with the HTGF and in summer 2026 he additionally joined DTCF as partner in the life science team with a special focus on the chemical industry. Previously he was with BASF where he has gained extensive experience in the field of sustainable innovation, renewable raw materials and climate protection. Since 2018 Nik has worked as a senior marketing manager for BASF in Hong Kong. He has initiated and launched several new solutions for customers in China, Japan, India and Australia.
Since 2021 he is with the HTGF and in summer 2026 he additionally joined DTCF as partner in the life science team with a special focus on the chemical industry. Previously he was with BASF where he has gained extensive experience in the field of sustainable innovation, renewable raw materials and climate protection. Since 2018 Nik has worked as a senior marketing manager for BASF in Hong Kong. He has initiated and launched several new solutions for customers in China, Japan, India and Australia.
Romy Schnelle
Managing Director
Romy is Managing Director at DTCF. After graduating from TU Ilmenau, she worked in business development at Fraunhofer IDMT and co-founded the spin-off company IOSONO together with Professor Karlheinz Brandenburg. She joined HTGF in 2008 and became part of its management team in 2023.
Since 2026, she also serves as Managing Director at DTCF, as both funds come together within a joint investment platform.
Since 2026, she also serves as Managing Director at DTCF, as both funds come together within a joint investment platform.
Dr. Elisabeth Schrey
Venture Partner
Elisabeth is Venture Partner at DTCF. As former Managing Director, she played a key role in establishing the fund since the beginning and shaping its investment strategy, team and portfolio. In her current role, she remains responsible for building and managing the portfolio, focusing on industrial and climate tech and growth financing. Previously, she worked with Matterwave Ventures, btov Partners, and TechVision Fund.
Elisabeth studied Industrial Engineering and holds a PhD in Innovation Management from RWTH Aachen University.
Elisabeth studied Industrial Engineering and holds a PhD in Innovation Management from RWTH Aachen University.
Jonas Sommer
Principal
Jonas is Principal at DTCF, focusing on the future of compute, intelligence and data infrastructure, and space tech. Before joining DTCF, he was part of b2venture’s investment team and worked as a Data Scientist at Palantir in London, contributing to the company’s IPO. He holds degrees in Economics and Physics from LMU Munich, Peking University, and UC Berkeley.
When he’s not working, Jonas can be found mountaineering or trail running, enjoying the outdoors and pushing his limits from time to time.
When he’s not working, Jonas can be found mountaineering or trail running, enjoying the outdoors and pushing his limits from time to time.
Lena Stache
Associate
Lena is Associate at DTCF, specializing in space, computing and industrial technologies with a strong interest in quantum tech. Before joining DTCF, she was part of the investment teams at UVC, RBVC, and Freigeist. She holds a Master’s degree in Management & Technology from TUM.
In her free time, Lena has recently started training for a triathlon and enjoys discovering new places around the world.
In her free time, Lena has recently started training for a triathlon and enjoys discovering new places around the world.
Stephanie Stein
Head of Communications
Stephanie is the Head of Communications at DTCF. She is responsible for strategic and operational communications, and contact person for the media. Before joining DTCF, she was with Earlybird’s platform team and spent over five years in agencies for tech and science communications. She holds degrees in history, classics and cultural theory from Humboldt University of Berlin and Berlin Institute of Technology.
In her free time, she is often found reading in cozy cafés, trying new things or simply enjoying a glass of red wine.
In her free time, she is often found reading in cozy cafés, trying new things or simply enjoying a glass of red wine.
Dr. Angelika Vlachou
Partner
Dr. Angelika Vlachou has been investing venture capital in biotech, pharma and life science start-ups for over 10 years. Over the course of her career, she has managed many transactions ranging from seed-stage venture capital and growth financing to licensing agreements, trade sale transactions and IPOs. Her expertise is also based on her virology-molecular biology research experience. One of her strengths is to combine scientific innovation with commercial potential. She is a valued sparring partner for founders, investors and stakeholders. With a doctorate in biology, she started her professional career in investment banking.
Johannes Weber
Partner
Johannes Weber is a Partner at DTCF and HTGF. He has been supporting HTGF in Berlin since November 2020 and DTCF since summer 2026 in the fields of ClimateTech, DeepTech und IndustrialTech. Johannes holds a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and an MBA from universities in Germany and UK. He started his career as a management consultant and then spent six years building a VC-funded start-up as Co-Founder & CEO and successfully sold it to an international medical and safety technology group. The product was awarded with the German Innovation Prize and is available in more than 20 countries worldwide. Johannes brings extensive entrepreneurial experience to the collaboration with startups.
Where & How We Invest
We invest in cutting-edge tech companies that drive innovation, disrupt industries, and contribute to a sustainable future. We focus on Germany but also invest globally in Germany-affiliated companies with a local subsidiary, office, or production site.
NEW
Industry & Automation
Space, Robotics, Process Automation, Sensor Technology, etc.
Advanced Computing & Security
AI, Big Data,
Quantum Computing,
Cybersecurity, etc.
Sustainable
Tech & Climate Solutions
New Energy, Smart Grids, eMobility, Storage, Green Molecules, Food, AgTech, etc.
Life
Sciences & HealthTech
Digital Health, MedTech, Diagnostics, Industrial Biotech, Therapeutics, etc.
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Investment Size & Model
Our sweet spot for initial investments is
€5M–10M alongside European investors.
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Equity Stake
We take a minority position (<25% voting rights)
to ensure strategic flexibility.
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Long-Term Commitment
Our fund has a lifetime of at least 25 years,
ensuring sustainable support.
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Decision Process
After a thorough due diligence the final investment
decision is made by the DTCF managing directors.
Are we the right investor for you?