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. 

A Night of Connections in the SaaS Space. 🤝 Last week, during Berlin SaaS Week and in conjunction with the ARRtist Summit, we had the pleasure of hosting a private dinner at Katerschmaus. Over a three-course meal, we brought together around 50 movers and shakers in the SaaS space for an evening filled with networking and exchange. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the evening’s success. A special thank you to Gergo Kalcsics and the Amazon Web Services (AWS) team for their support in making this event possible. 🎉 Here’s to more gatherings that foster meaningful conversations and collaborations. Let’s keep the conversations going! cc: Said Alib Haschemi 

"Securing your Series A is more than a fundraising milestone—it's a pivotal strategic move that will shape the future of your company and industry." – Manal Belaouane, HV Capital 🚀 The XAnge Series A Blueprint is here, and it’s a game-changer for European Series A Founders looking to scale. This comprehensive guide offers practical tips and insights from many experts including Anna Ott, Marie Bos, Manal Belaouane and Kasey-Leigh Davies from the HV team. What’s inside? 🤔 💡 Actionable Strategies: Address key challenges in sales, product development, and team management. 💡 Expert Insights: Learn from dozens of successful founders and industry leaders across Europe. 💡 Real-World Examples: Explore case studies that highlight what works—and what doesn’t—when scaling. 💡 Essential Tools: Utilize benchmarks, KPIs, and resources to power your growth. Yesterday, we celebrated the launch in Berlin, where founders connected with industry leaders and heard from speakers like HV's Jan Miczaika, Jessica Holzbach (Pile (part of Vivid Money), Penta (Qonto), Christian Gabriel (Capdesk from Carta, Carta), and Alexis du Peloux (XAnge). It was a fantastic opportunity to network and share insights. A big thank you to everyone who contributed! Check the link in the comments below to download the full series A blueprint! 👇 cc: Alexis Normand, Daniel Jarjoura, Fabian Tausch, Kolja Heskamp, Marc OIKNINE, Martin Kõiva, Simone Rüschenberg, Sixte de Vauplane

Shaping the future of human digital interaction! Beyond Presence secures $3.1M in pre-seed funding with HV leading the round. 🚀 Joined by 10x Founders, Alba VC, and visionary angels from Meta, DeepMind, and Zalando, Beyond Presence is set to bring hyper-realistic, AI-powered avatars to life, making digital interactions feel authentic and human. These conversational avatars are primed to revolutionize industries like sales, customer service, education, and e-commerce—unlocking new ways for businesses to connect with their customers. 🌍 As Zuzanna Czapinska, Principal at HV, says, “We’re thrilled to support Awais, Felix, and the Beyond Presence team as they push the boundaries of human-like digital interactions through cutting-edge technology and responsible AI.” Congrats to Awais Shafique, Felix Altenberger, and the Beyond Presence team—we can’t wait to see how you transform the future of human connection! Thanks to Ingrid Lunden from TechCrunch for covering the news. Learn more in the link in the comments below.

Are you heading to Heilbronn Slush'D? Catch the team in action. 🎤 Maxi Pethö-Schramm will be speaking from 19:30-19:50 in a Fireside Chat on "Quantum" with Jan Henrik Leisse, Co-Founder & CEO of eleQtron GmbH, moderated by Linnea Ahlgren, Senior Editor at TNW. Join them on Stage One Dome for insights into the future of quantum technology. 💬 Kasey-Leigh Davies will be co-hosting a roundtable on Communication & Marketing for Startups with Elisheva Marcus (Earlybird Venture Capital) from 14:45-15:45 at Table 4 during Round 1. Whether you're refining your comms or scaling your brand, this session will be full of practical takeaways. Heading to Heilbronn Slush'D? Make sure to reach out and connect – we're excited to meet you there! cc: Florian Kratz, Insa Schniedermeier, Marian Philipp Rohn

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! 🎉