The High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) announced the first closing of its HTGF III, with a volume of €245 million, at Family Day 2017 in Bonn before more than 1,000 participants from business, politics, and the startup scene. Investors currently include public partners such as the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and KfW, as well as 26 companies from industry and commerce.
From autumn 2017, the High-Tech Gründerfonds III will invest up to three million euros, and in exceptional cases even more venture capital, per company.
The High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is Germany's largest and most active early-stage investor. With the new High-Tech Gründerfonds III, it continues the success story of its first two funds with nearly 500 investments and a total of 75 exits.
HTGF expands its focus
With a target fund volume of €300 million, the early-stage investor supports up to 40 startups annually from all key emerging industries. The number of private investors in the public-private partnership has been further increased from six in Fund I, to 18 in Fund II, to 26. This allows HTGF to invest like a private institutional investor. The focus has also been broadened: Fund III can now finance startups up to three years old.
“With the HTGF III, we can not only provide more funds per company, but also create significantly more added value for our portfolio through the significantly expanded investor base in the fund,”
explained Dr. Alex von Frankenberg, Managing Director of High-Tech Gründerfonds.
Founders, fund investors, and the HTGF all benefit equally from this close partnership: Startups receive direct access to fund investors, and the SMEs and large companies participating in the fund receive a broad overview of new technologies and business models and direct access to the best startups and founders. Furthermore, the High-Tech Gründerfonds draws on the additional know-how and experience of the private sector.
“In addition to our financial commitment, we support technology companies with the expertise of our team and our robust, international network of investors, experts, and (multiple) founders,”
says Dr. Michael Brandkamp, Managing Director of High-Tech Gründerfonds.
"We have completed transactions with more than 1,400 investors, which now amounts to five transactions per week. We have also acquired €1.4 billion for our portfolio. We maintain a lively exchange with the alumni from our portfolio and our team. We will further deepen this intensive networking with all relevant players in the startup and investor scene with HTGF III."
Zypries: Not only capital, but also know-how
Also Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Brigitte Zypries was pleased with the HTGF III. She said:
"Innovative startups are the backbone of our economy. Founders primarily need venture capital for financing, as there is usually no opportunity for debt financing at the beginning. The High-Tech Gründerfonds, which we initiated, makes an important contribution here. That's why we are the largest investor. (...) I am particularly pleased by the high proportion of private investors in the third fund. Large and medium-sized companies from numerous industries are represented here. They not only provide capital, but also their expertise and access to sales markets."
