Investor Profile: High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is Germany's leading seed investor, a public-private partnership launched in 2005 by the German federal government together with industry to close the seed-financing gap for technology startups. Backed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, KfW Capital and a roster of corporates, HTGF funding is often the first institutional money in German deep-tech and digital startups.

HTGF funding thesis & focus

HTGF finances technology startups with growth potential across digital tech, industrial tech, life sciences and chemistry. It invests at volume — roughly 40 new companies per year — and describes patience as part of the model: the average exit takes around eight years, with biotech and deep tech given long runways. The fifth-generation fund (in fundraising since 2026) targets AI, quantum computing, clean energy, new materials, digital infrastructure and biotechnology, with around 150 new investments planned.

Fund size & cheque sizes

HTGF closed its fourth fund, HTGF IV, at €493.8M in February 2023 — its largest to date — with 45 private investors including corporates, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and five family offices. Across all four funds the firm manages around €1.4B. Seed cheques are publicly stated: up to €1M in the seed round and up to €4M total per company across all rounds (seed fund cap per company is €8M); the HTGF Opportunity Fund can invest up to €30M in follow-on rounds for existing portfolio companies. Fund V initial tickets are expected in the €1–3M range.

Notable portfolio

HTGF has backed almost 700 startups since 2005, with more than 160 exits and over €4.5B of follow-on capital invested in its portfolio by external investors across 2,000+ rounds. Verified early investments from HTGF IV include Reflex Aerospace (high-performance satellites), Phialogics (immune-response biologicals) and VisioLab (AI-based checkout). Historic exits include Rigontec (sold to MSD).

Team & leads

As of 2026 the managing directors are Achim Plum (life science and biochemistry), Romy Schnelle (industry, deep tech and climate tech) and Sebastian Borek (digital tech), following the departure of long-serving managing directors Alex von Frankenberg and Guido Schlitzer. The team blends investment managers and startup experts across Bonn, Berlin and Munich offices.

Programmes, credits & perks

HTGF's founder support includes management support through scouts and experts, and the HTGF Academy — its platform for portfolio-company knowledge, network and best practice. The firm's deep corporate LP bench (Bosch, Bayer, Evonik and Mittelstand hidden champions) doubles as a tech-scouting and co-investment network for founders. Business angels and other investors are explicitly invited to join HTGF rounds as side investors.

How to apply for funding from HTGF

HTGF accepts rolling applications — there is no fixed deadline. Eligibility: the startup must be founded within the last three years and headquartered in Germany (or have German business premises if based elsewhere in Europe). Founders submit a pitch deck via htgf.de; the investment team aims to respond quickly, and decisions are made by sector investment committees. For founders outside Germany, a warm introduction through a corporate LP or co-investor materially helps.