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.
Oliver Babel
Visiting Analyst
Oliver is Visiting Analyst at DTCF, supporting the investment team with experience at the intersection of strategy, finance, and sustainability. Before joining DTCF, he worked in the Strategy Office at StepStone and at Telekom Inhouse Consulting, where he supported strategic growth initiatives and transformation projects. He later gained hands-on climate-tech experience at 1KOMMA5° and Rabot Energy, focusing on operational excellence, finance, and data-driven decision-making.
He studied business administration with a focus on sustainability and empirical economic research at Leuphana University Lüneburg and Soongsil University in Seoul.
He studied business administration with a focus on sustainability and empirical economic research at Leuphana University Lüneburg and Soongsil University in Seoul.
Günther Bogenrieder
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.
Dr. Anne Hinze
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
Associate
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.
Dr. Torsten Löffler
Investment Director
Torsten is Investment Director and co-initiator of DTCF. A physicist with numerous patents, he founded a tech startup, held senior positions in technology companies, and was previously part of High-Tech Gründerfonds’ hardware team, where he supported successful exits. With expertise in plasma and laser physics, Torsten is especially passionate about fusion and transformative industrial technologies.
Alexander Paß
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.
Paul Schilling
Visiting Analyst
Paul is Visiting Analyst at DTCF, supporting the investment team with a focus on climate and industrial technologies. Before joining DTCF, he worked as a Founder’s Associate at cleantech startup Apollo Green Solutions and supported early-stage founders at the University of Potsdam’s startup advisory. He holds a Master’s from Nova SBE, where he specialised in entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the German BESS market.
New to Munich, he spends his free time bouldering, skiing, or surfing.
New to Munich, he spends his free time bouldering, skiing, or surfing.
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.
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, New Materials, etc.
.
Investment Size & Model
Our sweet spot for initial investments is
€5M–10M alongside European investors.
.
Equity Stake
We take a minority position (<25% voting rights)
to ensure strategic flexibility.
.
Long-Term Commitment
Our fund has a lifetime of at least 25 years,
ensuring sustainable support.
.
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?