HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds is Germany’s major early-stage venture capital fund, founded in 2005 as a public-private partnership. Managing over €2 billion across four funds and an Opportunity Fund that launched in 2024, HTGF fills the financing gap for pre-seed and seed tech startups. Based in Bonn with offices in Berlin and Munich, the fund has backed more than 750 startups and achieved over 180 exits, supporting founders in industrial, digital, deep tech, life sciences and adjacent tech sectors to strengthen Germany’s technological base and build global market leaders. By investing in innovators who are shaping the next generation of technology, HTGF seeks to foster a sustainable innovation ecosystem in Germany.
HTGF typically provides initial investments of €800,000 to €1 million, with flexibility to adapt funding to each venture’s requirements and follow its portfolio with up to €30 million in later rounds. Eligible companies must be less than three years old and maintain an operational base in Germany. Funding is structured as convertible subordinated loans on standardized terms. In addition to capital, HTGF grants access to research institutions, corporate partners and international co-investors, and offers operational guidance through a team of experienced entrepreneurs. Its funding sources include the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, KfW Capital and a broad investor base encompassing around 45 corporations and family offices such as BASF, Bosch, Deutsche Telekom and SAP.
The fund places strong emphasis on environmental technology, with dedicated focus areas in clean tech and battery innovations. It supported Aerleum’s $6 million seed round to convert atmospheric CO₂ into synthetic e-fuels, backed MinCell GmbH through its cleantech development to a successful buyback exit, and invested in BTRY’s solid-state batteries that charge in one minute. These investments reflect HTGF’s commitment to sustainable solutions and energy transition technologies.
