Munich Startup: Please introduce Alpine Space Ventures briefly.
Sven Meyer-Brunswick, Principal at Alpine Space Ventures: Alpine Space Ventures is a venture capital fund that focuses on startups related to the space industry. We finance companies that either want to operate equipment in space or provide it, as well as those that use space data to serve terrestrial markets.
Our team consists of experienced managers from the aerospace sector who are deeply embedded in the international scene. Our founding partner Bulent Altan, for example, was one of the first lead engineers at SpaceX and was responsible with his team for the flight control electronics of the Falcon 1, Falcon 9, and Dragon capsule, as well as for the first prototypes of the Starlink satellite constellation. I worked for a long time at Munich-based aerospace company Mynaric and raised growth capital from investors and implemented the company’s IPOs before joining Alpine Space Ventures last year. In total, our team has more than 50 years of experience building teams, products, and companies in the aerospace sector. The résumés of our other team members look similarly. This wealth of experience and a very market-oriented mindset are what define us.
Market orientation instead of science fiction
Munich Startup: What do you prefer to invest in?
Sven Meyer-Brunswick: We invest in startups that advance the commercial use of space and teams that think of industry and earth-based applications rather than sci-fi when it comes to aerospace. Our focus is on companies in the seed and Series A stages that are working on a tangible solution to an existing customer problem with a clearly identifiable international market. Our initial investment typically ranges from 1 to 5 million euros.
Munich Startup: What kind of startup would you never invest in?
Sven Meyer-Brunswick: Projects and founders who would be better suited to science than the free market. We invest in this sector because we see significant economic potential in the coming years and a huge opportunity to actively shape one of the most valuable industries both monetarily and strategically. We expect this business mindset from our founders as well.
Munich Startup: How do you scout startups?
Sven Meyer-Brunswick: We scout startups through our extensive network in the aerospace industry, including partnerships with incubators, research institutions, and other venture capital firms. We also use industry conferences, competitions, and recommendations to identify promising companies. Our mailbox is always open.
Alpine Space Ventures: “We offer our perspectives”
Munich Startup: Do startups need to be afraid that you’ll interfere too much?
Sven Meyer-Brunswick: We see ourselves as partners who share their extensive industry experience and expertise to support startups on their growth path. The ultimate decision always lies with the startup’s management team. We offer our perspectives, which must then be evaluated by the startup team in the context of their own strategies and goals. Not more, not less.
Munich Startup: To be successful, a startup must…
Sven Meyer-Brunswick:… above all have identified an urgent market need with paying customers who already exist today.
Munich Startup: Tell us the knockout criterion in the pitch!
Sven Meyer-Brunswick: “We expect the first prototype around 2030 and can generate revenue starting in 2035.”
Munich Startup: When have you seriously miscalculated?
Sven Meyer-Brunswick: Not so much in the fund, but in our previous management roles in the aerospace industry, we learned a lot about product maturity. Building aerospace systems and solutions uniquely with significant resources is a completely different thing than producing or offering them in series cost-effectively and at consistent quality. Many startups and investors underestimate this aspect.
“Space activities will become possible that we could only dream of before”
Munich Startup: The trend of the year is…?
Sven Meyer-Brunswick: Starship. We are on the verge of opening a new chapter in human technological progress with SpaceX’s mega-rocket. Space activities will become possible that we could only dream of before. With the US startup K2 Space, we already have an investment in our portfolio that specifically bets on this new reality.
Munich Startup: What is the Munich startup scene doing right from investors’ perspective? What could it do better?
Sven Meyer-Brunswick: In recent years, Munich has developed a very potent ecosystem with UnternehmerTUM, the TUM Venture Labs, Space Founders, CDTM, and many more. We find here on site a very high density of excellent engineers and founders, as well as great technical know-how that is just waiting to be used. What is often lacking in Germany is the commercial mindset to scale space solutions massively beyond funding programs. There is no relevant regional market. Space startups must think and act internationally from day one.
Munich Startup: Last but not least: Who do startups contact if they want to get in touch with you?
Sven Meyer-Brunswick: We regularly attend events around deeptech and space. Just approach us or send us an email.
