HV Capital

Today, we’re proud to announce a new chapter for HV Capital’s leadership – making HV one of the few European venture capital firms which is truly multi-generational. This is an important step in strengthening the European tech ecosystem. Please join us in congratulating Barbod Namini and Felix Klühr on their promotions to General Partner. They will join Rainer Märkle, Christian Saller, and David Kuczek in managing the firm. Their promotions to General Partner mark the next step in the successful transition of HV's leadership.  To further strengthen HV’s broadened investment focus, David Stefan Fischer and Fabian Gruner will be stepping into the role of Partner as they join Alexander Joel-Carbonell and Jan Miczaika.    And, as we look towards the future, we’re happy to announce the promotion of five Principals who have shown exceptional performance. Congratulations to Manal Belaouane, Zuzanna Czapinska, Said Alib Haschemi, Jannis Fett, and Maxi Pethö-Schramm who will assume the role of Principal.    The above would not be possible without the support, guidance, and foundation built by HV’s Founding Partners over the last 24 years: Martin Weber, Christoph Jung, Lars Langusch, and Sven Achter have created a legacy of 9 funds, over 200 investments, and €2.2bn in proceeds – setting a benchmark in the European venture capital industry. 

Sifted's Top 50 is here, and we'd like to give a big shoutout to the HV portfolio companies recognized in this year’s leaderboard! 🇩🇪 The Sifted 50 ranks Germany’s fastest-growing startups by revenue growth, showcasing the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit thriving in the region. With a combined funding of €6.98bn and revenues of €3.03bn over the past three financial years, these startups employ over 5,700 people and are making significant impacts in their industries. So, why does this matter? The Sifted 50 isn’t just a list; it’s a sneak peek into the success stories of these startups and a great way to pick up tips for your own business growth. Here’s a look at some incredible HV portfolio companies making their mark: 🏆 FINN: Leading the pack, this car-subscription startup just raised $109m in a Series C round, pushing its equity funding total to $250m. Plus, they’ve snagged an impressive $1bn in debt financing to expand their fleet and enhance customer experiences! 📱 charles: Coming in at #3, this WhatsApp marketing platform is changing the game for how businesses connect with customers through personalized messaging. ✈️ Tourlane: A go-to in the travel space, Tourlane is making it super easy to plan and book those dream trips. 🌞 Enpal: Ranked #14, this solar company has hit unicorn status, raising €3.6bn (including debt) and helping homeowners embrace sustainable energy. 🛒 KoRo: This online wholesaler is making grocery shopping smarter, offering high-quality products at unbeatable prices. 📊 Lendis: A standout in the office equipment rental scene, Lendis is all about making life easier for businesses with hassle-free solutions. Congratulations to all the innovative companies recognized in this year’s leaderboard! HV is proud to be one of the most active investors featured on the list! Want to find out more? Check out the link in the comments below for the full leaderboard!

We’re excited to share that HV's VP of People, Anna Ott, is joining the Board of VC Platform—a community advancing the global venture capital industry. 💫 What started as a small meetup in 2013 has grown into a thriving membership network of 2,100+ operational venture professionals across 1,000+ firms, representing over $2.6T in assets under management. As the Platform profession has become a key part of VC, VC Platform is leading the charge with impactful industry programs, insights, and events that shape the ecosystem. Anna joins an incredible lineup of new Board Members, including Abhishek Lahoti (Highland Europe), Lauren Young (Union Square Ventures), Polina J. (Bain Capital Ventures), Head of Community Dan Holahan, and Board President Brianna Rizzo (VMG Partners), all of whom are bringing their unique expertise and passion to further the community’s mission. 👏 Curious to learn more or get involved? Check out VC Platform and join the conversation!

Berlin SaaS Week is just around the corner, and we're proud to sponsor the ARRtist Summit! 🌟 Be part of the most relevant B2B SaaS community in Europe on October 10, 2024. Join 500 high-profile B2B SaaS founders and executives, along with 125 B2B SaaS investors, to network and learn from industry leaders. With over 50 speakers and 50 content sessions, this is an incredible opportunity to engage with the forefront of B2B SaaS innovation. Don’t miss out on this chance to connect and grow! On the evening of the 10th, Said will also be co-hosting an exclusive SaaS dinner with Amazon Web Services (AWS). With spots filling up fast, be sure to reach out if you'd like to join and continue the conversation beyond the Summit. Attending the conference? Make sure to reach out to Jannis Fett and Said Alib Haschemi to connect. HV is excited to see you there!

What a powerful day at the FRAME Conference! 🚀 Rainer joined industry experts Marie Ekeland (2050), Paul Murphy (Lightspeed), and Sarah Kunst (Cleo Capital) at VentureESG's FRAME Conference to explore the vital role of ESG in building resilient and successful companies. The discussions highlighted how essential ESG is for driving both environmental and financial performance. 💡 Here are some Key Takeaways from the discussion: ESG as Core Strategy: ESG shouldn’t be a side discipline or mere box-ticking exercise; it requires a senior-level commitment to drive growth and resilience. Financial Opportunities: Investing in sustainable companies offers substantial financial opportunities that can’t be overlooked. Tailored Solutions: Different companies require tailored ESG solutions, emphasizing the importance of governance in aligning with long-term goals. Data Collection Challenges: While collecting ESG data can be complex, starting early is crucial for successful long-term integration. Sustainable Practices Beyond Labels: In regions like the U.S., ESG may not always be explicitly discussed, yet many leading companies effectively implement sustainable practices without the "ESG" label. Capitalism and ESG Alignment: Despite skepticism, capitalism and ESG principles are increasingly aligned, with significant financing rounds embedding these values into successful businesses. A heartfelt thank you to VentureESG for organizing this first-of-a-kind event and for fostering a collaborative community focused on driving ESG-by-design forward! Cc: Marie Bos, Hannah Leach, Johannes Lenhard

This year, HV has once again partnered with WVC:E, the platform for women in VC, to support its mission to promote and include women in the industry! 🤝 Its annual summit — exclusively for women actively involved in venture capital — is back in Paris on the 7th and 8th of October. It’s an event you won’t want to miss: WVC:E fosters the most open, honest, and energetic discussions, workshops, and roundtables with some of the best names in the industry. Catch Anna Ott on stage for the panel “It’s More Than Money: How to Add Real Value” — moderated by Eleanor Kaye and joined by Yvonne Bajela, Jen Hilibrand, and Gülsah Wilke. The discussion will explore how VCs can offer more than just capital, touching on mentorship, networks, and industry expertise. Anna will also be hosting a roundtable on “People Advisors and Their Investment Team Relationships”, where she’ll facilitate an open conversation on how people advisors are integrated into investment teams and what it takes to build effective partnerships. HV's Marie Bos will be leading another impactful roundtable on “ESG: Supporting Your Portfolio Companies” alongside Elodie Broad, Head of Impact and ESG at Balderton Capital, diving into strategies for implementing ESG practices within portfolio companies. Heading to this year’s WVC:E? Make sure to reach out to Anna, Marie, Manal, or Shannon to connect. HV is looking forward to seeing you there! 🎉

And that's a wrap! 🥨 As Bits & Pretzels 2024 comes to a close, HV had an amazing time being part of the action. Some of this year's highlights included: ✨ Catching Rainer Märkle on the main stage as he reflected on the past five years in venture capital during his keynote, “Bullish, Bearish, and Everything In Between: A Five-Year Venture Capitalist’s Reflection.” 🏆 Seeing Felix Klühr’s take to the stage as a judge in the European Startup Pitch Competition, where he used his expertise to help identify the next wave of innovation in tech. It was incredible to see all of these startups showcase their creativity, drive, and vision! 🍸 Hosting the Sips & Bites side event alongside Lakestar and Left Lane Capital, where networking flourished over drinks and bites, in the heart of Munich. 🥇 Watching one of our own portfolio companies, ecoplanet, win the Golden Pretzel at the European Pitch Contest 2024! Competing against 63 startups from over 30 countries, Ecoplanet presented its approach to energy management and secured the title of European Pitch Champion. And last but not least, meeting all of the incredible movers and shakers who attended this year's conference. A big thank you to Felix Haas, Bernd Storm vans Gravesande, Andreas Bruckschlögl, Laura Berlin, Ann-Kathrin Kühnle, Lena Kerckow, Christine Bruckschlögl, and the entire team at Bits & Pretzels and to everyone who joined us! 🎉 cc: Rainer, Lars, Christian, Felix, Barbod, Alexander, Said, Manal, Ann-Christin, Frederic, Fabian, Jannis, Kasey-Leigh Davies, Shannon

Insights from 2 Decades: HV's David Kuczek on the MIC Podcast! 🎤 In the latest episode of the MIC Podcast, the Mannheim Investment Club's platform for exclusive insights into investments, HV's David Kuczek shares his insights from nearly 2 decades of experience in the investment landscape. He discusses how HV's strategy has evolved over the years and reflects on the key factors that contribute to success in venture capital. With his extensive background in shaping the German startup ecosystem, David provides valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. 🎧 Listen now in the link in the comments below.

Congratulations to HV portfolio company Quantum Systems for successfully extending their Series B funding round, bringing the total to over €100 million! As Europe's leading innovator in drone technology, Quantum Systems continues to push the boundaries of aerial intelligence for both government and commercial clients. This new investment round was led by Notion Capital and Porsche SE, further solidifying Quantum Systems' position in the rapidly growing drone sector. “With support from our new investors Porsche SE and Notion, we are not just securing funds; we are building partnerships that will drive innovation essential for Europe's technological sovereignty, security, and resilience. I am grateful to all our investors who have supported us on this journey—the best is yet to come.” said CEO & Co-Founder of Quantum Systems Florian Seibel. 🎉 This milestone funding will accelerate global expansion, enhance production capabilities, and drive advancements in AI-powered drone technology. Quantum Systems is poised to redefine industries, from mining and agriculture to public safety and defense. Check the link in the comments below to find out more about Quantum Systems latest funding round. 👇 cc: Christian Saller, Fabian Gruner

HV is thrilled to announce that portfolio company Upvest is partnering with bunq, the second-largest neobank in Europe, and Ginmon to offer seamless access to stocks and ETFs! 🎉 Launching in France and the Netherlands, the investment offering is set to be rolled out across Europe in the near future, with Germany next in line. 🌍 This partnership will empower millions of retail investors across Europe to invest directly in financial markets through bunq’s mobile app. 🚀 The offering includes EUR-nominated fractional investments in stocks and ETFs, with more instruments to be added in the future. 📊 For more information, check the link here: https://lnkd.in/dUFUDMNi cc: Jan Miczaika