High-Tech Gründerfonds

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.

Daniela Bach

Principal and Authorized Signatory

Kay G. Balster

Senior Investment Manager

Jens Baumgärtner

Principal and Authorized Signatory

Gernot Berger

Investor

Kilian von Berlichingen

Investor

Anke Cassing

Principal

Tanja Emmerling

Partner

Caroline Fichtner

Senior Investment Manager

Yann Fiebig

Investment Manager

Alexander von Frankenberg

Managing Director and Founder

Bernd Goergen

Partner

Stefanie Grüter

Partner, Communications and Relations

Gregor Haidl

Principal / Authorised Signatory

Frank Hensel

Senior Investment Manager

Olaf Joeressen

Senior Investment Manager

Markus Kressmann

Partner

Maurice Kügler

Investment Manager

Klaus Lehmann

Senior Investment Manager

Dominik Lohle

Senior Investment Manager

Torsten Löffler

Principal ppa. - DeepTech Future Fonds

Fabian Mohr

Investor

Martin Möllmann

Investment Manager

Axel Nitsch

Investment Manager

Andreas Olmes

Principal and Authorized Signatory

Katharina Peters

Investment Manager

Tilmann Petersen

Investment Manager

Claudia Raber

Partner

Nikolaus Raupp

Investor

Frank Reinecke

Partner

Guido Schlitzer

Managing Director

Ulrich Schmitt

Principal

Romy Schnelle

Partner

Tobias Schulz

Principal and Authorized Signatory

Katharina Severin

Investment Manager

Niels Sharman

Investor

Esko Stahl

Investment Manager

Björn Sykora

Principal and Authorized Signatory

Angelika Vlachou

Partner

Johannes Weber

Principal

Marco Winzer

Partner

Julian Zachmann

Investor

Christian Ziach

Principal and Authorized Signatory

Markus Kückelhaus Ph.D

Partner, Industrial Tech Team

Past deals in Aerospace

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, rockets, robots, and drones. This tool serves as a collaborative environment for engineers, managing non-CAD data and engineering values through a centralized data hub, which acts as a single source of truth. Valispace’s software allows for effective technical change management by automatically propagating changes across documents and simulations. It provides comprehensive administrative and budget management features, as well as tools for interface management and documentation. By streamlining the handling of dynamic engineering data, Valispace enables users to improve development speed, quality, and cost efficiency across their projects.

Aegiq

Seed Round in 2022
Aegiq Ltd. specializes in the development of semiconductor-based quantum photonic chips, utilizing III-V materials such as Gallium, Indium, and Arsenic. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Sheffield, United Kingdom, the company focuses on creating technology that supports various applications, including broadband quantum communication, imaging, and scalable quantum computing. Aegiq's innovative platform employs a hybrid integrated photonics approach, facilitating economies of scale for quantum technology while enabling multi-million qubit operations. This positions Aegiq to offer a comprehensive range of products and systems in quantum cybersecurity, networking, and computing, significantly enhancing reliability and security compared to traditional silicon-based solutions.

MetisMotion

Seed Round in 2022
MetisMotion GmbH, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, specializes in the development of lightweight, force-optimized actuators for various applications, including robotics, aerospace, automotive, and safety. The company leverages decades of expertise in specialty actuator development to create high force-density and ultra-dynamic linear actuators. MetisMotion's technology effectively combines the advantages of solid-state actuators with conventional drives, offering significant reductions in weight and space. This innovation is particularly beneficial for automotive and industrial sectors aiming to enhance the electrification of hydraulics, enabling higher forces and longer displacements in their systems.

Innerspace

Venture Round in 2021
Innerspace GmbH, founded in 2017 and based in Wattens, Austria, specializes in developing virtual reality (VR) training solutions tailored for the life science industry, particularly for cleanroom operators. The company's innovative approach, known as DeepTraining, leverages psychological principles to enhance the training experience, allowing employees to practice critical tasks in a simulated environment. This method helps deepen their understanding of production processes and refine their behavior patterns in high-stakes settings. Innerspace also provides a Training Management System (TMS) for effective enterprise-wide distribution of its training modules, along with the necessary VR hardware. By decoupling training from physical equipment, Innerspace aims to minimize errors in pharmaceutical operations, reduce training costs, and improve risk assessment, making its solutions highly beneficial for international pharmaceutical companies.

MetisMotion

Seed Round in 2021
MetisMotion GmbH, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, specializes in the development of lightweight, force-optimized actuators for various applications, including robotics, aerospace, automotive, and safety. The company leverages decades of expertise in specialty actuator development to create high force-density and ultra-dynamic linear actuators. MetisMotion's technology effectively combines the advantages of solid-state actuators with conventional drives, offering significant reductions in weight and space. This innovation is particularly beneficial for automotive and industrial sectors aiming to enhance the electrification of hydraulics, enabling higher forces and longer displacements in their systems.

DcubeD

Venture Round in 2021
DCUBED develops and sells innovative actuators and deployable structures for the rapidly growing space market.

Orbex

Venture Round in 2020
Founded in 2015, Orbex is Europe’s leading private launch services company, focused entirely on supporting the needs of the small satellite industry. Orbex has developed one of the most advanced, low carbon, high performance micro-launch vehicles in the world. They launch customer satellites into polar and sun-synchronous low Earth orbits from a unique, modern launch location in the heart of the European continent. They offer a flexible core launch service and a wide suite of supporting services that make life easier for customers. Their European location means shorter supply lines, easier communications and reduced operational costs. Their advanced launch vehicle means higher reliability, more flexible mission profiles and a regular, scheduled launch service.

Erium

Seed Round in 2020
Erium GmbH develops software for creating artificial intelligence (AI) models. The company offers HALerium, a software that allows people from various disciplines to create their own AI models. It enables process experts, engineers, and production managers to create the models independently. It helps in forensics, prediction, and control. The company was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Garching bei München, Germany.

Arioso Systems

Venture Round in 2020
Arioso Systems GmbH manufactures silicon based micro loudspeaker. It develops rows of 20-micrometer-wide bending strips built into the body of a silicon chip. The company is headquartered in Dresden, Germany.

Innerspace

Venture Round in 2020
Innerspace GmbH, founded in 2017 and based in Wattens, Austria, specializes in developing virtual reality (VR) training solutions tailored for the life science industry, particularly for cleanroom operators. The company's innovative approach, known as DeepTraining, leverages psychological principles to enhance the training experience, allowing employees to practice critical tasks in a simulated environment. This method helps deepen their understanding of production processes and refine their behavior patterns in high-stakes settings. Innerspace also provides a Training Management System (TMS) for effective enterprise-wide distribution of its training modules, along with the necessary VR hardware. By decoupling training from physical equipment, Innerspace aims to minimize errors in pharmaceutical operations, reduce training costs, and improve risk assessment, making its solutions highly beneficial for international pharmaceutical companies.

Simscale

Series C in 2020
SimScale GmbH operates a cloud-based engineering simulation platform that allows users to test, validate, and optimize designs across various fields. Founded in 2012 and based in Munich, Germany, SimScale provides an integrated suite of simulation tools encompassing fluid mechanics, structural mechanics, and thermodynamics, all accessible through a standard web browser. This platform enables engineers, designers, scientists, and students to create models, perform simulations, and analyze results without the need for complex software installations. By democratizing access to high-fidelity physics simulations, SimScale facilitates faster and more efficient product development for a diverse range of industries, including HVAC, automotive, aerospace, and healthcare. Additionally, the company offers online support, training, and consulting services to enhance user experience and application effectiveness.

MetisMotion

Seed Round in 2018
MetisMotion GmbH, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, specializes in the development of lightweight, force-optimized actuators for various applications, including robotics, aerospace, automotive, and safety. The company leverages decades of expertise in specialty actuator development to create high force-density and ultra-dynamic linear actuators. MetisMotion's technology effectively combines the advantages of solid-state actuators with conventional drives, offering significant reductions in weight and space. This innovation is particularly beneficial for automotive and industrial sectors aiming to enhance the electrification of hydraulics, enabling higher forces and longer displacements in their systems.

AIM3D

Venture Round in 2018
AIM3D GmbH, founded in 2017 and based in Rostock, Germany, specializes in the design and manufacturing of advanced 3D printers for metals, ceramics, and plastics. As a spin-off from the University of Rostock, the company aims to significantly reduce the costs associated with additive manufacturing, particularly for metal parts. By addressing the high material costs that have often hindered the industrial adoption of these technologies, AIM3D has developed a versatile printer that allows users to work with multiple materials on a single machine. This innovative approach not only enhances cost-efficiency compared to traditional metal printers but also aims to revolutionize the additive manufacturing market, enabling businesses to improve productivity and reduce operational expenses.

AirGateway

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Developer of airline aggregation technology designed to build the travel tech stack for the new distribution paradigm empowered by the airlines. The company's technology helps to enhance the retailing channels by bringing rich content, dynamic pricing, and ancillary services, enabling travel agencies to join the new distribution model for the future agency.

Memetis

Venture Round in 2018
memetis GmbH, a spin-off from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, specializes in the development of foil-based miniature actuators using shape memory alloys. Founded in 2017 and based in Karlsruhe, Germany, the company provides innovative microactuators for diverse industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical technology, and testing equipment manufacturing. These ultra-compact components are designed to generate motion actively, offering high switching forces and enhanced integration capabilities compared to traditional wire-based mechanisms. By enabling greater flexibility in application, memetis aims to meet the evolving demands of its clients across various sectors, thereby expanding the potential uses for its advanced actuator technology.

FairFleet

Venture Round in 2018
FairFleet GmbH is a comprehensive provider of drone solutions, based in Munich, Germany. Founded in 2015, the company caters to a diverse range of sectors, including architecture, agriculture, energy, insurance, real estate, telecommunications, and tourism. FairFleet's services encompass supervision, booking, and execution advisory, as well as the licensing and insurance of drone pilots. Additionally, the company offers post-production services for aerial photography, ensuring that clients receive high-quality results. With a global network of professional, licensed, and insured drone pilots, FairFleet aims to deliver optimal service to both customers and pilots in the industry.

Inecosys

Seed Round in 2018
The Inecosys GmbH with headquarters in Munich and Neuried is an innovative company in the field of engine development. They support their customers in the implementation of prototypes and close-to-production solutions through measurement data acquisition, test bench control, cylinder pressure indexing and engine control units.

Orbex

Venture Round in 2018
Founded in 2015, Orbex is Europe’s leading private launch services company, focused entirely on supporting the needs of the small satellite industry. Orbex has developed one of the most advanced, low carbon, high performance micro-launch vehicles in the world. They launch customer satellites into polar and sun-synchronous low Earth orbits from a unique, modern launch location in the heart of the European continent. They offer a flexible core launch service and a wide suite of supporting services that make life easier for customers. Their European location means shorter supply lines, easier communications and reduced operational costs. Their advanced launch vehicle means higher reliability, more flexible mission profiles and a regular, scheduled launch service.

fos4X

Series B in 2018
fos4X GmbH, founded in 2010 and based in Munich, Germany, specializes in the production of fiber optic measurement equipment designed for monitoring lightweight structures. The company focuses on innovative fiber optic sensors that provide enhanced performance compared to traditional sensors, tolerating significantly higher load cycles and strain amplitudes. This technology is particularly beneficial for measuring the efficiency of rotor blades in wind turbines, contributing to improved wind power generation. By leveraging its expertise in fiber optics, fos4X supports material and structural testing, catering to the increasing demands for precision in modern lightweight materials such as glass fiber and carbon fiber reinforced plastics. In September 2020, fos4X was acquired by Polytech A/S, further expanding its reach and capabilities in the measurement technology sector.

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, rockets, robots, and drones. This tool serves as a collaborative environment for engineers, managing non-CAD data and engineering values through a centralized data hub, which acts as a single source of truth. Valispace’s software allows for effective technical change management by automatically propagating changes across documents and simulations. It provides comprehensive administrative and budget management features, as well as tools for interface management and documentation. By streamlining the handling of dynamic engineering data, Valispace enables users to improve development speed, quality, and cost efficiency across their projects.

ALUVATION

Seed Round in 2017
Atc Aluvation Technology is a high-tech start-up with years of experience. The company has been synonymous with innovative and forward-thinking heat treatment processes for aluminum components in the automotive industry.

Simscale

Venture Round in 2017
SimScale GmbH operates a cloud-based engineering simulation platform that allows users to test, validate, and optimize designs across various fields. Founded in 2012 and based in Munich, Germany, SimScale provides an integrated suite of simulation tools encompassing fluid mechanics, structural mechanics, and thermodynamics, all accessible through a standard web browser. This platform enables engineers, designers, scientists, and students to create models, perform simulations, and analyze results without the need for complex software installations. By democratizing access to high-fidelity physics simulations, SimScale facilitates faster and more efficient product development for a diverse range of industries, including HVAC, automotive, aerospace, and healthcare. Additionally, the company offers online support, training, and consulting services to enhance user experience and application effectiveness.

Cevotec

Seed Round in 2016
Cevotec GmbH, founded in 2015 and based in Munich, Germany, specializes in the design of carbon fiber composites, tapes, and reinforcements for various industries, including industrial products, medical devices, and sports. The company utilizes Fiber Patch Placement technology to enable manufacturers to produce complex parts with high volume and quality in a fully automated process. Cevotec's SAMBA system is specifically designed for preforming challenging 3D geometries and laminates with intricate fiber orientations. To complement its manufacturing capabilities, Cevotec also offers ARTIST STUDIO, a CAD-CAM software platform, along with development services for prototypes and series products. As a spin-off from Technische Universität München, Cevotec collaborates with notable partners such as Airbus Group, Baumann Automation, and the European Space Agency ESA to advance the industrial production of complex composite materials.

Simscale

Seed Round in 2014
SimScale GmbH operates a cloud-based engineering simulation platform that allows users to test, validate, and optimize designs across various fields. Founded in 2012 and based in Munich, Germany, SimScale provides an integrated suite of simulation tools encompassing fluid mechanics, structural mechanics, and thermodynamics, all accessible through a standard web browser. This platform enables engineers, designers, scientists, and students to create models, perform simulations, and analyze results without the need for complex software installations. By democratizing access to high-fidelity physics simulations, SimScale facilitates faster and more efficient product development for a diverse range of industries, including HVAC, automotive, aerospace, and healthcare. Additionally, the company offers online support, training, and consulting services to enhance user experience and application effectiveness.

Simscale

Angel Round in 2013
SimScale GmbH operates a cloud-based engineering simulation platform that allows users to test, validate, and optimize designs across various fields. Founded in 2012 and based in Munich, Germany, SimScale provides an integrated suite of simulation tools encompassing fluid mechanics, structural mechanics, and thermodynamics, all accessible through a standard web browser. This platform enables engineers, designers, scientists, and students to create models, perform simulations, and analyze results without the need for complex software installations. By democratizing access to high-fidelity physics simulations, SimScale facilitates faster and more efficient product development for a diverse range of industries, including HVAC, automotive, aerospace, and healthcare. Additionally, the company offers online support, training, and consulting services to enhance user experience and application effectiveness.

Bionic Robotics

Seed Round in 2013
Bionic Robotics GmbH (formerly BioRob) - the smarter solution for flexible automation in small and medium enterprises.

fos4X

Seed Round in 2012
fos4X GmbH, founded in 2010 and based in Munich, Germany, specializes in the production of fiber optic measurement equipment designed for monitoring lightweight structures. The company focuses on innovative fiber optic sensors that provide enhanced performance compared to traditional sensors, tolerating significantly higher load cycles and strain amplitudes. This technology is particularly beneficial for measuring the efficiency of rotor blades in wind turbines, contributing to improved wind power generation. By leveraging its expertise in fiber optics, fos4X supports material and structural testing, catering to the increasing demands for precision in modern lightweight materials such as glass fiber and carbon fiber reinforced plastics. In September 2020, fos4X was acquired by Polytech A/S, further expanding its reach and capabilities in the measurement technology sector.

Autoloader GmbH

Seed Round in 2011
Autoloader GmbH specializes in the development and distribution of fault-tolerant automation facilities. It is a fully automated baggage loading system for airports. The concept is developed and implemented with their research and development partners. It helps airport operators and airlines, who suffers extreme pressure on margins that realizes neglected opportunities for greater efficiency. It is designed in a modular fashion and can be integrated into planned new airports as well as into existing baggage handling systems. The image processing system checks the whole loading process continuously and initiates corrections to the process. Autoloader GmbH is a Germany-based company that was founded in 2009 by Florian Gottschaller.

Compositence

Seed Round in 2011
Compositence is a manufacturer specializing in carbon and fiber composites for various industries, including vehicles, wind turbines, aerospace, machinery, and sports and leisure applications. The company provides machinery designed for the mass production of carbon fiber and glass fiber components, alongside software solutions for part design and simulation. Compositence holds trademarks that protect its brand identity and associated content, ensuring that all materials are safeguarded against unauthorized use.
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