High-Tech Gründerfonds launches HTGF Academy for its startup portfolio

• Comprehensive range of training courses for portfolio companies
• Tailored to the needs of startups
• Wide range of topics: leadership, human resources, sales, marketing, business development, finance and legal

At the High-Tech Partnering Conference, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) today officially announced the launch of its HTGF Academy. The experience gained through 14 years of seed investment has shown that certain issues often arise for many startups. The offer of the HTGF Academy is exactly tailored to these needs and should also consider the different development phases of a startup – from directly after foundation and the growth phase to the exit stage. All seminars are conducted by experts with startup experience from the High-Tech Gründerfonds network.

Claudia Raber, Partner of the HTGF, and her relationship management team are essentially the founders of the Academy. “We have developed our HTGF Academy’s services together with portfolio companies and, just like a startup, it will continue to grow successfully over the coming years,” explains Raber. The Academy makes use of all kinds of channels – from face-to-face events, workshops and webinars to the Slack collaboration hub.

The first workshop focuses on the topic: “How entrepreneurs can help shape corporate culture.” The speaker will be Dr. Gunnar Garbe, a renowned specialist in guidance and organizational development. The second workshop with Günter Meier, a successful entrepreneur and coach of numerous startups, will be all about sales. Through the HTGF Academy, the relationship management team is promoting yet another way of networking among portfolio companies. The exchange of experience between the startup teams is extremely valuable.

“Both HTGF and our portfolio startups share a common goal: to develop internationally successful, world-leading high-tech companies made in Germany,” emphasizes Alex von Frankenberg, Managing Partner of HTGF. “That’s why HTGF offers more than just capital! Our new HTGF Academy is just one example of the added value we offer our portfolio companies,” von Frankenberg adds.

Since its foundation in 2005, HTGF has built up a large international network, including 3,500 national and international investors from all sectors and phases – corporates, medium-sized companies, business angels, company builders and institutional investors. HTGF works closely with accelerators, incubators, universities and research institutes, and supports numerous business plan competitions. The portfolio companies can also call on the support of co-founders, C-level managers, advisory boards, consultants and service providers. To date, more than 150 vacant positions have been filled at short notice through this network.

And the network continues to grow. We manage it with the aid of a database overseen by HTGF’s relationship management team. Together with the investment managers, it provides the startups with personal advice and support. The network can be experienced live at HTGF events such as the High-Tech Partnering Conference today in Bonn or the Family Day, which will take place for the 12th time on 28–29 May 2019, with over 1,000 participants.

 

About High-Tech Gründerfonds
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is a seed investor that finances high-potential, tech-driven startups. With EUR 892.5 million in total investment volume across three funds and an international network of partners, HTGF has already helped forge more than 500 startups since 2005. Driven by their expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and passion, its team of experienced investment managers and startup experts help guide the development of young companies. HTGF’s focus is on high-tech startups in a range of sectors, including software, media, internet, hardware, automation, health care, chemicals and life sciences.

To date, external investors have injected over EUR 2 billion into the HTGF portfolio via about 1,400 follow-on financing rounds. HTGF has also successfully sold interests in more than 100 companies. Investors in this public-private partnership include the Federal Ministry For Economic Affairs and Energy, the KfW Banking Group, and Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft e.V., as well as the companies ALTANA, BASF, BAYER, B.Braun, Boehringer Ingelheim, Robert Bosch, BÜFA, CEWE, Deutsche Post DHL, Dräger, Drillisch AG, EVONIK, EWE AG, Haniel, Hettich, Knauf, Körber, LANXESS, media + more venture Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, PHOENIX CONTACT, Postbank, QIAGEN, RWE Generation SE, SAP, Schufa, Schwarz Gruppe, STIHL, Thüga, Vector Informatik, WACKER and Wilh. Werhahn KG.

 

Contact
High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH
Claudia Raber
Schlegelstraße 2
53113 Bonn
T: +49 228 82300 120
c.raber@htgf.de
www.htgf.de