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.

Lena Krzyzak

Principal

Katharina Peters

Investment Manager

Claudia Raber

Partner

Tobias Schulz

Principal

Past deals in SME

FarmInsect

Series A in 2023
FarmInsect GmbH, established in 2019 and headquartered in Bergkirchen, Germany, specializes in automated insect breeding systems. The company develops machines and IoT solutions that enable regional farmers to rear insects on-site for use as animal feed, primarily for chickens, pigs, and fish. This sustainable approach aims to replace imported soy or fishmeal with locally produced protein feed, thereby enhancing the efficiency of animal husbandry while reducing environmental impact.

Supportwave

Seed Round in 2023
Supportwave is an IT support platform that connects businesses with a global network of vetted IT engineers for on-demand assistance. It offers enterprise SaaS to manage all IT needs in one place, enabling companies to build and scale remote IT teams swiftly. Supportwave provides on-site support across the US and UK, and global remote support within 30 seconds.

Relio

Seed Round in 2023
Relio offers digital banking services tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide. It provides savings accounts, money transfers, bill payments, and transaction monitoring tools, aiming to simplify financial management for complex businesses.

Banxware

Seed Round in 2022
Founded in 2020, Banxware specializes in embedded lending solutions for platform-based businesses, fintechs, and banks. Its data-driven technology integrates seamlessly into platforms, enabling SMEs, e-commerce sellers, and restaurant owners to access liquidity. Headquartered in Berlin with over 50 employees, the company facilitates tailored embedded lending solutions across Europe.

FarmInsect

Seed Round in 2021
FarmInsect GmbH, established in 2019 and headquartered in Bergkirchen, Germany, specializes in automated insect breeding systems. The company develops machines and IoT solutions that enable regional farmers to rear insects on-site for use as animal feed, primarily for chickens, pigs, and fish. This sustainable approach aims to replace imported soy or fishmeal with locally produced protein feed, thereby enhancing the efficiency of animal husbandry while reducing environmental impact.

Relio

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Relio offers digital banking services tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide. It provides savings accounts, money transfers, bill payments, and transaction monitoring tools, aiming to simplify financial management for complex businesses.

Banxware

Seed Round in 2021
Founded in 2020, Banxware specializes in embedded lending solutions for platform-based businesses, fintechs, and banks. Its data-driven technology integrates seamlessly into platforms, enabling SMEs, e-commerce sellers, and restaurant owners to access liquidity. Headquartered in Berlin with over 50 employees, the company facilitates tailored embedded lending solutions across Europe.

Userlane

Series B in 2020
Userlane automates user onboarding and employee training via interactive guides, helping SaaS providers boost trial conversion, reduce support costs, and increase user engagement. Its platform enables creation of step-by-step guides within minutes without coding or altering underlying software.

C2S2

Venture Round in 2019
C2S2 GmbH is a company based in Bonn, Germany, specializing in the design and development of the C2S2 Rulebook, a dialogue platform that facilitates employee access to company regulations relevant to specific decision-making contexts. The company focuses on digitizing existing policies and guidelines, making them accessible and understandable for employees through its platform. C2S2's product is primarily tailored for large corporations, though it also caters to small and medium-sized enterprises. Utilizing their proprietary Interactive Rule Modeling technology, C2S2 transforms regulatory content into searchable rules that clearly communicate employee obligations and actions within various processes. The platform emphasizes user-friendly navigation and clear language, making the integration of business rules an engaging experience for users.

Userlane

Series A in 2018
Userlane automates user onboarding and employee training via interactive guides, helping SaaS providers boost trial conversion, reduce support costs, and increase user engagement. Its platform enables creation of step-by-step guides within minutes without coding or altering underlying software.

Userlane

Seed Round in 2016
Userlane automates user onboarding and employee training via interactive guides, helping SaaS providers boost trial conversion, reduce support costs, and increase user engagement. Its platform enables creation of step-by-step guides within minutes without coding or altering underlying software.

Fundflow

Seed Round in 2016
FUNDFLOW GmbH, established in 2016 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, operates an online factoring portal that facilitates short-term liquidity procurement for small businesses and freelancers. The company's platform simplifies the process of accessing funds by allowing users to use their accounts receivable as collateral. By purchasing invoices, FUNDFLOW can provide liquidity within 24 hours, helping clients manage cash flow and mitigate the risks associated with payment defaults. Through its services, FUNDFLOW aims to support the financial stability of its clients by addressing immediate funding needs.

Payever

Seed Round in 2015
Payever is a comprehensive commerce solution designed to support the entire sales cycle for small and medium-sized businesses. It offers an integrated platform that includes online shop creation, point of sale software, payment processing, customer relationship management, marketing tools, inventory management, and shipping solutions. This seamless integration allows over 5,000 merchants to manage their operations efficiently and adapt as their businesses grow. The platform provides various payment options, enabling merchants to accept payments through multiple channels, including websites, social media accounts, and local retail stores. By equipping small businesses with the tools to compete with larger companies, Payever enhances their ability to reach customers and streamline their sales processes.

Skive

Series A in 2015
Skive is a startup operating in the mobile learning sector, focused on transforming the study and revision experience for students. The company offers a digital education platform accessible from any device, allowing users to create and share multiple-choice questions for effective exam preparation. The learning materials are curated by top students for various university courses, ensuring users have access to high-quality content. In addition to education, Skive connects students with potential employers, providing opportunities for mobile employer branding and enhancing the job search experience. The combination of targeted learning content and employer connections aims to modernize the educational landscape for today's students.

mobileJob

Seed Round in 2015
mobileJob GmbH is a Berlin-based company that specializes in mobile recruiting solutions. Founded in 2014 by Steffen Manes and Kai Daniels, the company provides a mobile application designed to streamline the job listing and recruitment process for various sectors, including retail, packaging, logistics, and facility management. mobileJob enables businesses to advertise job opportunities through social media and facilitates candidate interviews via mobile phones and online platforms. Additionally, it offers tools that assist companies in recording, managing, and tracking job applications and candidates throughout the recruitment process.

eddyson

Seed Round in 2014
Founded in 2013, eddyson specializes in providing connectivity solutions for businesses. It offers services such as creating and maintaining business partner mappings, enterprise resource planning connections, custom programming, training, and support for electronic data interchange (EDI). The company also provides general B2B/EDI services, including startup operations support, interface design workshops, and system installations or backups.

Inventorum

Series A in 2014
Inventorum GmbH is a software company based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2012. It specializes in developing a cloud-based mobile point of sale application tailored for small and medium-sized retailers and online businesses. Its platform integrates essential functions such as cash management, inventory management, customer support, and e-commerce capabilities, allowing businesses to efficiently manage both their offline and online operations. As of July 2020, Inventorum operates as a subsidiary of Shore GmbH, continuing its mission to streamline daily processes for retailers through innovative technology solutions.

smoope GmbH

Seed Round in 2014
smoope GmbH is a Stuttgart-based company, founded in 2013, that specializes in developing software and applications designed to enhance modern communication practices within business processes. The company focuses on providing digital communication and customized messaging solutions, enabling businesses to effectively connect with their customers through instant messaging. As of July 2020, smoope GmbH operates as a subsidiary of Serviceware SE, further strengthening its position in the digital communication sector.

ezeep

Series A in 2014
ezeep offers cloud-based print management solutions for small- and medium-sized businesses. It enables users to wirelessly print documents from various devices without requiring additional hardware.

Inventorum

Seed Round in 2013
Inventorum GmbH is a software company based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2012. It specializes in developing a cloud-based mobile point of sale application tailored for small and medium-sized retailers and online businesses. Its platform integrates essential functions such as cash management, inventory management, customer support, and e-commerce capabilities, allowing businesses to efficiently manage both their offline and online operations. As of July 2020, Inventorum operates as a subsidiary of Shore GmbH, continuing its mission to streamline daily processes for retailers through innovative technology solutions.

ezeep

Venture Round in 2012
ezeep offers cloud-based print management solutions for small- and medium-sized businesses. It enables users to wirelessly print documents from various devices without requiring additional hardware.

ezeep

Seed Round in 2011
ezeep offers cloud-based print management solutions for small- and medium-sized businesses. It enables users to wirelessly print documents from various devices without requiring additional hardware.

YourTime Solutions

Venture Round in 2011
yourTime Solutions GmbH is a Potsdam, Germany-based company that develops and markets software for professional, automated time and e-mail management.

SAW Instruments

Series B in 2011
SAW Instruments is a manufacturer and distributor specializing in innovative analytical systems for the life sciences market. Its products enable label-free analysis of molecular biomolecular interactions, combining stability, ease of use, and high sensitivity. These instruments are successfully employed by prominent research institutions in Germany and Switzerland.

TM3 Software

Venture Round in 2010
Founded in 2008, TM3 Software designs and develops enterprise resource planning systems for warehouse logistics. Its innovative real-time software system optimizes retail management and logistics processes, available via the SaaS model.

SAW Instruments

Seed Round in 2010
SAW Instruments is a manufacturer and distributor specializing in innovative analytical systems for the life sciences market. Its products enable label-free analysis of molecular biomolecular interactions, combining stability, ease of use, and high sensitivity. These instruments are successfully employed by prominent research institutions in Germany and Switzerland.
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