Munich Startup: What was your career path so far?
Marie-Helene Ametsreiter: After studying business in Vienna and California, I moved into the telecommunications industry. There, I worked my way up step by step until I eventually became a member of the board of directors at Telekom Austria Group. Then I switched to OMV, Austria’s highest-revenue company, where I was responsible for global sustainability and ESG strategies. In 2014, I joined Speedinvest – since then I have been actively shaping things here, building up, developing further, and helping ensure that Speedinvest grows successfully.
Munich Startup: What motivated you to work in the investment sector with startups?
Marie-Helene Ametsreiter: At Speedinvest, I can combine my experience from the corporate world with the fresh breeze of startups. Startups are the innovation drivers that change the world with their ideas. Corporations provide the resources, especially financial ones, to implement these ideas on a large scale. Our task is to bundle these two forces together to create a sustainable and successful future together.
Europe as a pioneer in climate and industrial tech?
Munich Startup: What technology or industry do you personally find particularly interesting right now?
Marie-Helene Ametsreiter: I’m passionate about climate and industrial tech. Startups that combat the climate crisis and modernize industry have enormous potential. As some US investors are withdrawing, we in Europe have the opportunity to take a pioneering role here. We have a dedicated team of four people that exclusively focuses on climate and industrial tech. For me, what appeals to me are technologies and innovations that can have a positive impact on our economy or society.
Marie-Helene Ametsreiter: diversity as a success factor
Munich Startup: In your view, what advantages do diversely composed founding or VC teams bring?
Marie-Helene Ametsreiter: Diversity is an absolute game changer for me! Not because it’s “politically correct,” but because diverse teams demonstrably perform better. They are more innovative, more creative, and make more informed decisions. That’s economic common sense!
Of course, I see that the topic of diversity is currently losing momentum. But that’s exactly why we mustn’t be discouraged! I try to serve as a role model as a working woman and mother of two daughters. We must use and embrace the opportunities and freedoms that have been granted to us through hard work and courage over many generations.
Munich Startup: What are your three favorite work tools?
Marie-Helene Ametsreiter: I could certainly list the most exotic tools, but at the end of the day, 90 percent of my work runs on the basics: email, Slack, and Zoom. I can’t work without them. And of course, ChatGPT for the past two years.
Pitching: show your human side
Munich Startup: Your top tip on pitching?
Marie-Helene Ametsreiter: Pitching isn’t just about numbers and facts. My top tip: show your human side. Venture capitalists invest in people, especially in the early stages. They want to feel that you are a team with passion, resilience, and a clear vision. Be authentic, show your enthusiasm, and make clear why you are the right ones to make this idea a success.
Munich Startup: Does it seem like a good time to found a company right now? Why?
Marie-Helene Ametsreiter: I believe that current global challenges also offer many opportunities for founders. Right now, innovative solutions are needed to solve the problems of our time. There are many exciting technologies waiting to be applied, and investors looking for good ideas. If you have passion and a strong team behind a good idea, it’s always a good time to found a company. Great innovations often emerge from and during crises.
Further developing Munich as a startup hub
Munich Startup: What could be improved at the Munich startup location from your perspective?
Marie-Helene Ametsreiter: Munich has an impressive startup scene and top-notch industry. The networking between startups and established companies offers a lot of potential. These corporations are relevant not only as investors but especially as customers for startups.
Initiatives like UnternehmerTUM are already doing excellent work here. If we intensify this networking, we can significantly increase Munich’s innovation power and establish the location as a leading innovation center. Today, Munich is already seen as a clear deeptech hub in Europe.
Munich as an innovative city can also be a decisive game-changer as a pioneer customer for startups. In the future, we will increasingly see govtech solutions.
Munich Startup: Which investor would you like to meet in person sometime? And what would you ask them?
Marie-Helene Ametsreiter: Warren Buffett. I saw him on stage 20 years ago – and was absolutely captivated by his statements. I would ask him how we can strengthen Europe’s capital market to ensure our innovation power in the long term.
