Magnus Drewelies

🔎 Market Insights Venture Capital for climate tech: Have we reached the turning point? Two recent reports by the German Startup Association (Startup-Verband) and Bitkom reviewing H1 2024 show that fundraising in Germany remains challenging. However, climate tech related topics are on top of the agenda. The findings also show that startups struggle to achieve prominence in the broader market or create an impact. Despite this unused potentials we already see positive signals in Q3. According to KfW VC investments in German startups have been surpassing the benchmark of 2 bln EUR in Q3 – first time since more than a year ago. 💵 Fundraising is still challenging: More than half of the start-ups think that fundraising is difficult to realize. As we have highlighted already prior to this: Early stage founders should plan with longer gaps between Series A and Series B. 🤝 An increasing number of start-ups claim that the possibility for cooperation with the established economy is very poor. According to German Startup Association, only 37.5% perceive the link between the two as good. With Future Energy Ventures we have specialized to matchmake startups with corporate partners – arranging 44 partnerships for the startups in our first fund. 💡 In a challenging VC environment climate tech related business models have good chances to raise capital (compared to other verticals): Experts interviewed by German Startup Association estimate that among the health and the educational sector, energy (37,2%), industry (33,8%) and mobility (30,5%) are the most promising sectors for future innovation. Most of our portfolio business are in energy, industry or mobility! 🌱 The German Startup Association emphasizes that founders are primarily driven by social and ecological impact. Almost half of them identify as social entrepreneurs (45.6%). An increasing number of German start-ups identify with the green economy (48.1%), as reported by the German Startup Association. At Future Energy Ventures we go one step further and monitor the ESG impact of our portfolio businesses via a specific model per half year! 🌎 The huge challenge remains an environment of uncertainty, which is shaped by the huge macro-economic developments such as global wars and conflicts, interest rates and the upcoming US election The good news: Founders navigating their teams through these times may be well-positioned for growth once uncertainty passes. We must foster cooperation between emerging start-ups and the corporate economy to create impact! 🚀 #climatetch #startups #marketinsight #fev4climate

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What are your thoughts for the German startup ecosystem in 2025? In my latest contribution to Business Punk, I shared some of my post November 6th thoughts on the topic [Link in Comments]. Here are my key takeaways: 🇺🇸 🛑 🇨🇳 The new #US administration will drive deregulation to strengthen its tech sector against #China's dominance. #Europe should closely monitor its global impact. 🇩🇪 📂 🤯 The German ecosystem faces structural challenges: #overregulation, a risk-averse culture, and a €30bn #fundinggap drive German success stories get capital outside the EU. 🚀 🧑‍💻 📈 Despite challenges, 2025 holds immense opportunities for German #entrepreneurs. The #earlystage ecosystem has shown resilience even during recessions, while emerging AI hubs like #Heilbronn, #Karlsruhe, and #Heidelberg are on a promising path forward. Personally, I think the transition towards #green economies and #cities has additional potential for the next generation of hidden champions made in Germany. #startup #politics #elections #innovation #tech

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Last week, WEPA Ventures partnered with WEPA Stiftung and WHU Institut für Familienunternehmen und Mittelstand for a unique gathering. We invited a selected group of family entrepreneurs, family officers, founders, VCs, and business angels to our office in Düsseldorf to discuss startup investments by family businesses and family offices. With every participant bringing valuable practical experience, the atmosphere was highly engaging and trustful. Alongside keynotes and panel discussions, we had lively debates that covered a wide range of topics. Here are my three key takeaways: 💡 Multiple Approaches to Investing: Most participants shared more than one approach to startup investments that is currently actively pursued by their organization. While there is certainly a bias due to the preselection of attendees, this signals a growing maturity of VC investments by family businesses and family offices in Germany. Notably, around 50% of participants manage more than 10 investments in their current role, which underlines this perspective. 💡Direct Involvement of Entrepreneurial Families: The discussions reaffirmed the critical role of direct family involvement. Ideally, entrepreneurial families are crafting investment setups that are attractive to both founders and VC co-investors, while maintaining the trust of their family peers or core organizations. Combining execution speed with the value brought by industrial networks or core business capabilities is key to being a valued investor in the early-stage VC ecosystem. 💡Feedback on Keynote about my PhD Research: The initial findings from my PhD research received positive feedback from other practitioners. You might say, "Didn’t you interview them in the first place?" True, but stepping away from interviewer role allowed me to share what I had derived from the research, and it was rewarding to hear that the abstraction and models resonated well. To everyone who participated and supported—you know who you are—thank you so much for the insightful discussions and your valuable input! We’ll continue to foster these exchanges. I’m also more than eager to hear more perspectives on this topic. If you’re interested in a chat, please feel free to reach out!

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Start-ups in Europe: a light at the end of the tunnel - finally!    This article by Nadine Schimroszik in Handelsblatt gives reason for hope for the tech ecosystem, as it summarises a development that has been tentatively emerging for some time: The number of new #start-ups in Germany is growing again, by 17 per cent, as shown by a comparison of the first quarter of 2024 with the same quarter of the previous year.   💡It is particularly interesting to see that most investments are being made in AI. An unmistakable sign that they continue to be a driver of innovation for the German startup ecosystem.   We recently came to a similar conclusion with my team, as part of our analysis of the German startup landscape. Our conclusion: more and more funding are being mobilised for ♻️ #Greentech business ideas that are based on AI-based technologies and have a positive impact on our planet. More info on our research at IRIS can be found in Startup Insider`s Investors Report 2024: https://lnkd.in/dU-5AMPz More info on Nadine’s insightful article here: https://lnkd.in/depicwGA

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𝗜𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗩𝗖? 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂. Michael Treskow from Eight Roads Ventures said recently on #startupland powered by deutsche-startups.de that we're already playing in the big leagues. But are we? Let's dive into some numbers. Germany's venture capital scene is booming, but how do we compare globally? 1. In 2022, Germany attracted €11.3 billion in VC investments. Impressive, right? 2. Yet, the US still leads with €150 billion. The gap is significant. 3. But here's a twist: Germany is closing the distance fast. Growth rates are higher than many expect. So, what's behind this momentum? → A strong startup ecosystem that fosters innovation. → Government initiatives supporting tech ventures. → A cultural shift towards embracing entrepreneurship. But challenges remain. The focus is now on creating an inclusive environment where diverse voices, especially from the HR sector, can thrive. To truly lead, we must leverage untapped potential, like the 50+ generation and women in STEM. Germany's VC landscape is evolving, and the future looks promising. Yet, we must continue pushing boundaries to maintain our upward trajectory. What are your thoughts on Germany's VC potential? Are we ready to lead globally?

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Three biggest learnings from a fundraising journey. Shared by Rainer Märkle, General Partner at HV Capital at EUVC 1/ Have a time box with a deadline attached. Have a defined horizon & create a clear plan. Have some urgency to get things done at some point. Execute very transparently and reliably. 2/ Stick to your narrative. But don't do it blindly. Tweak it when necessary. Adapt it. Don't let yourself be surprised by major changes. Keep focusing on delivering according to your strategy & plan. 3/ Fundraising is a marathon with many sprints. There are moments when you'll ask yourself - Why do I do this? Is it gonna work out? But don't get too negative during the down phases. Adapting and pivoting is part of our job. As it is for the founder of a company. How about you? What fundraising lessons have you learned? Join the conversation. 🔽 #venturecapital #angelinvesting #startupfunding #europe

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Reading tip for all startup founders with fundraising plans in DACH: Investoren Report 2024 by Startup Insider. This report provides valuable insights into the venture capital landscape, and is a must-read for anyone looking to secure funding. Plus, it includes bonus material from IRIS on the latest developments in our ecosystem. Get your copy here: https://lnkd.in/dU-5AMPz #startups #founders #VC #LP #fundraising

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Ep.17 Drop #20Angel 🎙 The one & only Philipp Moehring, Co-Founder of Tiny Supercomputer Investment Company, joined me in the hot seat for a rare public appearance 🔥 👉 Introducing Tiny Supercomputer Investment Company FUND III ✍ 👉 Higher valuations = higher expectations 💣 👉 Giving Founders the freedom to be extreme 🤪 👉 Your access gives you your price 💰 Some Founder References on Philipp: dennis müller (Amie): "More than most, pmoe is a cheerleader. The journey is already hard enough, some VC's make it harder by sending unsolicited articles with "seen this?". He's the opposite. always fun to brainstorm ideas with him. Differentiated intros relative to others." David Budde (trawa): “He‘s been a great sparring partner and has a ton of experience. I remember, the night before our Pre-Seed closing, we found a minor but important error in our cap table. Unsure what to do, we called Phil late that evening for guidance. To me, it‘s super important to know that I can reach my investors, if it actually matters, and that they‘ll be able to help! + he’s just a really nice guy.” Milos Rusic (deepset): “Phil is amazing! He was actively involved in assembling each of our funding rounds - even in the first round where he committed before we had settled for a lead investor. He actively helped to construct our favourite setup of lead investors for that initial round. He knows everyone and his support is not limited to great intros - he really helps founders to assess and identify which investor could be a right fit for them. 100% reliable, massive value for every company. What they do is really unique.” This was a special one to do, hope you enjoy 🍿 https://lnkd.in/gTRT_SmJ 20VC, #AngelInvesting, #technology, #podcast, #entrepreneurship, #VC, #Founder, #Investing

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"Most founders start planning their next funding round too late." The best time to start working on your next funding round is right after closing the previous one, by drafting the new fundraising deck immediately. This inspiring topic we discussed during my latest workshop with our portfolio company Valuecase with Dr. Jan Niklas Wick & Lennart Prange and Mika Weissenberger from XAnge. I've noticed a pattern among our most successful founders they're already visualizing and planning their next milestones while the ink is still drying on their current term sheet. The strategy is simple: Work backwards from the next funding round! Here’s a quick example: One of our portfolio founders wrapped up their Seed and immediately mapped out their Series A milestones in a draft deck (such as Paul Hock & Nina Germanus @ Green Fusion GmbH). Six months later, not only were those goals achieved, but the original deck turned into the blueprint for their next pitch. They saved valuable time and secured a successful future by having a clear plan from the start. Here’s why this "VC manifesting" approach works: 📍 Crystallizes the goals for your next milestone. 📊 Creates clear accountability to achieve them. 🎨 Shapes the narrative evolution of your company. 🧭 Provides a north star for team alignment. The (next round’s) deck becomes more than just a fundraising tool, it’s your company’s strategic compass. And here’s the magic: when you actually hit those milestones, the deck becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. You’re not scrambling to piece together a narrative at the last minute; you’ve documented the journey from the beginning. Pro tip: - Include specific numbers. - Make it a living document. - Review it quarterly. - Let it evolve with your learnings and market dynamics. This approach ensures the final version is stronger, clearer, and ready when you need it. Remember, the best founders don’t just build to raise, they raise to build. Having a clear picture of your next chapter? That’s just smart business. What’s your process for preparing your next funding round? Would you try working backwards like this? #VentureCapital #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Fundraising

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🙋🏻‍♀️ 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 … 𝙍𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙨, 𝙁𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙨 & 𝙑𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 ! 𝙒𝙝𝙮? 💡Even though women make 50% of our population, only 2 out of 10 women found a company in Germany. 💰Only 2% of Venture Capital goes into female founded companies. 👩🏻‍💻Only 15% of senior partners in VC firms are women. 📑 In the Innovation Agenda of the Startup-Verband we set the objective that every third startup in Germany should have a female co-founder by 2030. For this we need: 👉🏽 Visibility of female founders and investors through media, publications and networks such 2hearts, the Evangelistas, STRIVE Magazine, FRAUEN100 and many more. 👉🏽 Role Models and mentors who are willing to support and empower women who want to found or are already running their own company. 👉🏽 Funding into female founded companies supported by an increased number of senior female partners in VC firms and investment roles at large. 🙏🏽 Thank you Welt, Katja Deutsch, Alia Fahda (Contentway GmbH) for the important conversation on how to support and empower women in the German economy with focus on tech and startups! 🗞️ Link to the entire publication in the comments. #Gründergeist #Innovation #FemaleFounders #VentureCapital #Diversity

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🚀 A New Leader in Mental Health Support: Nilo Health and Likeminded team up! We’re thrilled to share that our portfolio company, nilo.health, has joined forces with Likeminded, creating the largest provider of mental health solutions in the DACH region! This strategic merger marks a significant milestone in advancing accessible and comprehensive mental health care for employees across Europe. Both companies have been at the forefront of mental health innovation, offering scalable, digital-first solutions tailored to the needs of modern workplaces. Together, they are poised to expand their reach, deepen their impact, and set new standards in corporate mental health. At Vorwerk Ventures, we’re proud to support „Nilo – A Likeminded Company“ on this journey: Sascha Guenther, Partner at Vorwerk Ventures: “The merger of nilo.health and Likeminded will combine the strengths of both companies. We firmly believe that the joined forces will not only significantly expand the offering for companies, but will also further advance the development of innovative, digital solutions for mental health. We see huge potential in the shared philosophy and focus of the merger and are happy to support the team on their journey.” Read more about this exciting development in today's Handelsblatt article: 👉 https://lnkd.in/e_TDY4Bh Jonas Keil Ines Räth Kimberly Breuer Josu Garcia de Albizu Armentia Catalina Turlea Maximilian Heberger 🚀🚀🚀 Christian Jepsen Speedinvest Holtzbrinck Digital Jannik von Wallis Atlantic Labs PROfounders CapitalJoe Bond Bastian Bullmann Victor H.

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💼 Looking to save up to 30% on your new office rent? 💼 For businesses and startups in Germany, the GRW subsidy can be a game-changer when it comes to reducing operational costs. In our latest guide, we walk you through everything you need to know about how to leverage this subsidy and save BIG on your workspace expenses. ✨ Why should you read it? - Step-by-step guidance to navigate the application process ✅ - Tips to optimize your workspace strategy 🏢 - Discover coworking solutions that can maximize your savings 💰 - Get a free consultation from One Coworking 🆓 👉 Take action now: Don't miss out on this opportunity to cut costs and grow smarter. Read our full guide here: https://lnkd.in/dyc-W_vG #businessgrowth #coworkingspace #officerent #costsaving #workspaceoptimization #GRWsubsidy #businessoffice #startup #grants #subsidy

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Jan Lozek, and I shed light on the importance of collaboration between climate tech start-ups and corporations in Business Insider last week. Here are the key takeaways: 1️⃣ Digitalization can slow down climate change: As our electricity grids transform, digital tools are crucial. In Germany alone, 2.6 million photovoltaic systems will be on residential roofs by summer 2023. This ecosystem can only be managed effectively with automated, digital tools, like Amperecloud, node.energy and metergrid GmbH are working on. 2️⃣ Unity for Climate Goals: To meet climate goals amid significant macroeconomic challenges, collaboration between startups and corporations is essential. Startups bring innovation and new technologies, while corporations provide resources, market access, and scaling capabilities. At Future Energy Ventures, we foster collaboration by bringing together innovative climate tech startups and experienced corporations to maximize impact in climate technology. 3️⃣  Decarbonization Goals: Decarbonization is still progressing far too slowly: According to a recent study by PwC, the world needs to decarbonize seven times faster to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Urgent action is needed. It's time to unite and collaborate! Together, we can spearhead impactful shifts towards a future devoid of carbon, guaranteeing value for every stakeholder right from the beginning. #ClimateTech #Innovation #Decarbonization #EnergyTransition 

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"Investing in top VC funds is like getting into Berghain." 🚀 Key Takeaways from the 2024 VC Report for DACH 👇 ✅Germany saw $6.9 billion VC funding in 2023, led by sectors like #robotics and #climate tech. ✅Despite a global downturn, the #DACH region VC market remained resilient. ✅#Cleantech and #AI received significant attention, notably through major funding rounds like Atlas Agro and Aleph Alpha. ✅IPOs may re-emerge in 2024, offering potential exits. The report provides detailed insights and trends for navigating Germany in 2024 successfully. 📈 🌐 For a deeper dive into these insights check out the full Report by Startup Insider: https://lnkd.in/gE-EgjFv #Tech #Investment #VC #Startup #VentureCapital #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Germany #Austria #Switzerland #StartupInsider sparksense

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In a recent @Brutkasten article, I shared my view on the @European Union's Nature Restoration Law, and I'm proud that inoqo and Triple Impact Ventures stand with 375 Austrian companies supporting this initiative! The law aims to restore 20% of the EU's land and marine areas by 2030 and address all ecosystems in need by 2050. It's a bold step to revitalize our planet. A big thank you to Leonore Gewessler for taking a bold step and making this important law a reality! @Blühendes Österreich - BILLA gemeinnützige Privatstiftung non-profit foundation has launched a business initiative to support the law's implementation in Austria. Here the link to the article: https://lnkd.in/dF6JkCa7   ✍️Show your support and sign here: https://lnkd.in/dTjSbVYt #Sustainability #EU #NatureRestorationLaw #EnvironmentalProtection #Austria #SustainableDevelopment #Ecosystems

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Germany's startup ecosystem is a powerhouse waiting to fully unleash its potential in driving digital and sustainable transformation. But how do we make sure this happens? The Startup-Verband, the voice of German startups, addresses this head-on with their bold new initiative, "Innovationsagenda 2030: Weltklasse Made in Germany" (link in comments). Here’s what resonates most with me: 🚀 A Regulatory Framework Built for the Future To foster real innovation, we need policies that allow startups to experiment, iterate, and scale swiftly. Flexible, forward-thinking regulations in areas like AI and Climate Tech could be the catalyst for Germany’s long-term global leadership. 🌟 Stronger Leadership & Collaboration The future of innovation depends on tighter collaboration between government, industry, and startups. Building partnerships that connect research with industry can ignite sustainable growth and cement Germany’s place as a global innovation hub. 💬 What do you think is the most crucial next step in shaping Germany's innovation landscape? Let’s discuss in the comments below! #Innovationsagenda2030 #Startups #DigitalTransformation #Germany2030

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Always asked myself, if I can be happy …always? As an entrepreneur you are in the natural habit of optimizing all aspects of a project so why don’t optimize your life? After many years of learning about what makes us happy, I think it is only a transient state. But maybe we can feel even better … when we are in Flow! Flow is the state of consciousness in which we forget space and time, are maximally happy, motivated and efficient. In this state, we feel our best and achieve the most. What do we need to achieve this flow? Why is it so important for founders and managers? I talk about this in the podcast with editor Elena Todeva Listen in and share your best flow moments. #flow #flowmoment #success #performance #motivation #alignment #leadership #newwork #startup #vc #entrepreneurship

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Did you know? Female founders' share in German startups has decreased from 20.7% in 2023 to 17.7% in 2024. These numbers from the Deutscher Startup Monitor 2024 aren't just statistics – they're a call to action. 📊 That's why we're especially proud that TripLeap participated in the German Accelerator Focus-Program "Empowering Diversity in Ventures" this December! During three intensive days, we joined forces with other founders committed to changing these numbers. The program offered invaluable roundtable discussions with different experts focusing on fundraising strategies, navigating work-life balance, empowering diversity and many more. The highlight that awaits us? Four hours of free personalized mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts through specific business challenges we have! Special thanks to the BMWK (Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate) for making this impactful program possible. Together, we're working toward a more inclusive startup ecosystem! 💪 German Accelerator Start2 Group #WomenInTech #DiversityMatters #StartupLife #FemaleFounders #Innovation #GermanAccelerator #BMWK

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