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🚀 Behind the Scenes of VC Investment: This years VC Academy with HTGF’s Max! Over the past month, we had the privilege of hosting Max from HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds in Mannheim for an in-depth, hands-on #workshop series 🎓 HTGF stands as Germany’s most active early-stage #investor, with investments in over 750 start-ups, 180+ successful exits, and €2+ billion in assets under management. Here’s what we covered with Max👇 1️⃣ Screening – Understanding what it takes to stand out as a start-up in the competitive landscape. From market potential to team #dynamics, we dove into what VC investors are really looking for in early-stage ventures. 2️⃣ Due Diligence – Max guided us through a real-world, practical approach to due diligence, exploring how to scrutinize financials, assess #technology, and evaluate teams to ensure the investment aligns with both risk and return goals. 3️⃣ Financials & Term Sheets – This session broke down the essential financial structures and strategies of a successful deal. We learned how to navigate term sheets, valuation methods, and the subtle art of negotiation to align investor and founder interests. 4️⃣ Closing & Post-Investment – The final session centered on the closing process and life after #investment, focusing on strategies to support start-ups as they grow and scale. This “all-in” view gave us a well-rounded understanding of the VC-investor relationship. 🎉 Career Insights: In the last session last week, we had a bonus session with Dan, HTGF’s current intern and a Mannheim #alumni, who joined us to talk about breaking into venture capital. His journey shed light on the path to #VC and the critical skills needed to succeed. A huge thank you to Max, Dan, and HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds for making this series so interactive and practical! It’s partnerships like this that give our members the insights and confidence to pursue their entrepreneurial and venture capital ambitions💡 💼 Interested in a career with HTGF? They’re hiring! Take a look at their career opportunities in the comments and see how you can be part of Germany’s most active early-stage investment team.

Is it possible for a plant-based product to take on traditional favorites?🍦 Our recent foundertalk gave us an inspiring look into the entrepreneurial journey of NOMOO’s founder - Rebecca Göckel. From university halls to redefining the ice cream industry with a bold, #vegan twist, her story is one of #innovation, resilience, and creativity that keeps her business thriving even in winter ❄️ Her journey started with an internship at CHRONEXT, where she fell in love with building from the ground up. With a background in #agricultural science, she spotted a gap in the market: vegan ice cream that could truly compete with traditional dairy. She created Nomoo, now known for its rich flavors and a brand message that evolved from “Vegan Ice Cream” to the daring “Surprisingly Intense.”💡 Key lessons she shared: 👉 Brand evolution: Changing perceptions by moving beyond typical vegan branding 👉 Smart growth strategies: To counter seasonality, Nomoo expanded to warmer markets like Dubai, turning ice cream into a year-round indulgence. 👉The drive for more: She described her motivation with, “I need a new rocket to launch every day.”🚀 Her advice to future founders? “Don’t overthink it—everything will work out in the end.” Thank you to everyone who attended the foundertalk and helped make it such a great event! And a special thank you to our speaker Rebecca for sharing her journey and showing that passion, paired with bold ideas, can truly change an industry💙 #entrepreneurship #innovation #sustainability #foundertalk #vegan #icecream #startup

Ever wondered what it takes to build a successful food business? Christoph Schramm has the secret recipe! 🌟 Recently no, we had the privilege of hosting an inspiring founder talk with Christoph Schramm, the mind behind Gustavo Gusto🍕 He shared insights on launching and managing a successful start-up 🚀 The key takeaways? Embrace an international mindset, partner with the right people, and dare to think outside the box! During the Q&A, Christoph shared his journey to creating Germany’s luxury pizza brand, highlighting how internationalization has been central to his #strategy—even reflected in the brand's name. He also stressed the significance of collaboration and #sustainability in today’s market💡 A big thank you to Christoph Schramm for sharing his valuable experiences! Don’t miss our foundertalk next week—exciting insights await! 💙 #innovation #startup #thinc #entrepreneurship

Our last day in Munich was packed with inspiring visits and conversations. A big thank you to all the partners who gave us the opportunity to learn from their expertise and see firsthand how they’re driving #innovation and #growth🚀🌟 It’s been an incredible experience, and we’re grateful for the connections and insights we’ve gained!💙

What an incredible second day in Munich! 🚀 We connected with innovative leaders at top firms, exploring new frontiers in #venturecapital, #sustainability, and #tech 🌍✨ Each conversation sparked fresh ideas and insights that I can’t wait to share. Trust me, you won't want to miss the highlights from this amazing day! 🎉

🌟 Reflecting on an insightful first day in Munich with thinc! 🚀 We explored the city’s dynamic startup ecosystem, starting with mybacs and their innovative approach to #health supplements, followed by Marvel Fusion’s pioneering work in #sustainable energy solutions. We gained valuable insights into #venture capital from 10x Founders, examined buycycle.'s unique marketplace for secondhand #bicycles, and engaged in strategic discussions on autonomous #mobility with Stern Stewart & Co. and HOLON. Each visit provided valuable knowledge and inspiration for our journey ahead! Read the article below for more details on our journey! 🙌💼 #thinc #munich #journey #startup #venturecapital #innovation #exploration #entrepreneurship

Applications are NOW open‼️ Starting today, you have the opportunity to apply for our second round of the thinc! mentoring program 2024🫂💡 This year, we're thrilled to present you with a diverse portfolio of over 55 experienced mentors from industries like start-ups, venture capital, and consulting. For the first time, mentees can now choose to apply for the mentoring program in general or for a specific mentor. Beginning in October, your mentor will be by your side, offering one-on-one guidance as you navigate the world of entrepreneurship, internships, interview preparation, or simply figuring out your next steps. The mentoring experience is yours to shape, and the impact can be as big as you make it!📈 Our mentors come from various professional backgrounds, including alumni, young professionals, associates, partners, founders, and C-level executives. Whether you're looking for career advice, industry insights, or help build your network, we've got the right match for you. Get ready to take the next step in your journey!🚀 Sign-up now! ➡️ https://tally.so/r/wg7gLl Don’t miss out on this unique chance to connect with your future mentor!🫵 #startup #thinc! #mentoring #program #entrepreneurship #mentor #innovation

thinctern – Where Impact Meets Innovation! 🚀 You thought the first round was impressive? Just wait until you see what our thinclers have been up to this summer!🌟 thinctern round 2 is here, and we’re highlighting even more exciting, hands-on experiences that pushed boundaries, created #impact, and brought fresh insights to the table💡🚀 Ready? Let’s jump right in! 👇 Leopold, Head of Alumni Relations, spent his summer at comstruct, a company revolutionizing the construction industry by developing an OS for automating material #procurement. As a Founders Associate, Leopold worked closely with two of the founders, setting up key processes in controlling and HR while managing the entire fundraising process. His work contributed directly to streamlining operations and driving the company's #growth📈 Mathilde, our executive board member for relations, and Julian, head of foundertalks, joined Alpas AI, an AI-powered sourcing intelligence platform that identifies suppliers 10x faster. As Founders Associates, they supported CEO Isabel Poppek across various business functions, from #sales and customer success to product #strategy. Their versatility and problem-solving skills were crucial in driving key projects and optimizing internal operations, helping Alpas to scale more efficiently💥 Luana, head of events, took on the dynamic world of smatch, a B2B marketplace for excess stock, promoting #sustainability in the fashion industry. As an intern in Business Development and Business Building, Luana’s tasks ranged from structuring processes to rethinking outdated procedures. She was also involved in #recruiting and sales, playing a critical role in supporting the early-stage startup while closely collaborating with the founders🧠 Jonas, head of event relations, made a real impact this summer as an intern at Spot my Energy, a company digitizing the energy market with an innovative energy management solution. In his role, Jonas took on critical projects like implementing the company’s first ERP system to streamline operations and refining the #supply chain by securing a reliable logistics partner. His contributions have helped position Spot My Energy for future growth and #success🤯 Our team’s learning and growth continue, and we can’t wait to share more of their incredible experiences 🌍✨ Keep an eye out for the next round of updates as we dive deeper into the journeys that are shaping the future of thinc!💡 #thinctern #internship #innovation #entrepreneurship #summer #startup 

Munich Journey 2024: 3 days | +50 attendees | 19 start-ups, grown-ups and VCs🤯 In just 3 days, we’ll dive into Munich’s vibrant startup ecosystem, visiting 19 inspiring start-ups, grown-ups and VCs. From insightful talks to hands-on workshops, and with more than 50 participants this year, we’re thrilled for our biggest experience yet!🚀 With so many founders and investors to meet, and so much innovation to explore, this journey promises to be a unique chance to connect, learn, and grow together🫂💡 Stay tuned for daily highlights and behind-the-scenes moments on our Instagram stories and LinkedIn! 🥨💙 #entrepreneurship #munich #startups #vcs #innovation #inspiration #thinc

What do successful investors really look for in a startup? Let’s hear it from Philipp Klöckner🌟 Last week, we had the pleasure of hearing from Philipp Klöckner, a well-known business angel, and co-host of the famous Doppelgänger Tech Talk Podcast. With investments in companies like Delivery Hero SE, idealo internet GmbH, HomeToGo, and Tourlane, Philipp has seen it all - and he shared some invaluable insights at our latest foundertalk!💬 And his advice? Building genuine partnerships with founders is just the beginning. Furthermore, resilience and adaptability are non-negotiable for any founder looking to scale fast in today’s competitive landscape🚀 In the Q&A, he broke down practical strategies for attracting top talent, scaling businesses, and creating a lasting company culture. One of the standout moments was his reference to Scott Galloway’s quote: “It’s never been a better time to be exceptional, or a worst time to be average.” This speaks volumes in today’s fast-paced entrepreneurial world, standing out isn’t just a goal - it’s a necessity!🤯 We’re so grateful to Philipp for sharing his experience and wisdom, and we’re already looking forward to the next foundertalk. If you couldn’t make it this time, be sure to join us next week!!💙💡 #thinc #philippkloeckner #foundertalk #innovation #startup #foundertalk #enterpreneurship #leadership