Munich Startup: Please briefly introduce Better Ventures.
Tina Dreimann, co-founder of Better Ventures: We are Better Ventures, a curated network of like-minded entrepreneurs who invest in ambitious impact founders. We are committed to helping impact teams succeed by connecting them with the best investors. In addition to capital, we offer impact startups our experience and network. Our network already unites over 70 successful entrepreneurs with the common goal of sustainably improving the world and rethinking business. And we are convinced that founders are the most effective lever in this.
Impact and return approach
Munich Startup: What do you prefer to invest in?
Tina Dreimann: We only invest in startups that have a strong Impact and return approach and build solutions for pressing social or ecological problems. We focus on the areas of people and planet – from green energy to circular business models and materials, to health and education. What's important to us is a scalable business model, an ambitious and diverse team, and the company's stage – ideally startups in the early stages of their development.
Munich Startup: What kind of startup would you never invest in?
Tina Dreimann: We invest exclusively in impact startups. We would never invest in startups that aren't sustainable or whose business model is based on the exploitation of resources, people, or the environment. Furthermore, our focus is on startups founded in Europe. This means we don't consider teams that founded outside the region.
Better Ventures: Focus on European impact startups
Munich Startup: Do startups have to be afraid that you will interfere too much?
Tina Dreimann: No, startups don't have to fear excessive interference. The Better Ventures network is united by strong values. Our overriding value is "Founders first." Furthermore, we place great value on partnerships of equals, providing ad hoc support through relevant experience—primarily upon request—without restricting the entrepreneurial freedom of the founding team. Our so-called "better angels" have founded, built, or managed companies themselves. They understand that management must be in the driver's seat.
Munich Startup: How long does it take from the first contact to the conclusion of the contract?
Tina Dreimann: The time from initial contact to contract signing can vary, but depends largely on the startup's readiness and preparation. We support some teams well before the financingsrunde. If the rounds are attractive, we can also reach a decision within two weeks.
Munich Startup: To be successful, a startup must…
Tina Dreimann: … have a clear vision, act solution-oriented, build a strong and diverse team and pursue a sustainable, scalable business model.
This is not acceptable: Lack of transparency or dishonesty
Munich Startup: Tell us the knockout criterion for the pitch!
Tina Dreimann: A knockout criterion in a pitch is a lack of transparency or blatant dishonesty regarding the challenges the startup faces. Additionally, teams should have their metrics under control – both in terms of impact and return potential!
Munich Startup: What have you ever miscalculated?
Tina Dreimann: As an early-stage investor, miscalculations are inevitable! Precisely because we invest in pre-seed and seed, business models in annual planning are rarely reliable. For this very reason, our due diligence focuses on the team, traction, and initial problem-solution validation.
What is turning the VC industry upside down?
Munich Startup: The trend of the year is…!
Tina Dreimann: Artificial intelligence because it will revolutionize the VC industry.
Munich Startup: Last but not least: Who do startups approach when they want to talk to you?
Tina Dreimann: Startups interested in engaging with us can contact us directly via our website. We are open to exciting dialogues and new partnerships.
