We are serial entrepreneurs who invest in founders across Europe and the US.

I have been working in the Internet and digital space since the nineties, after building my first startup in fashion trading in Italy/France and working as a consultant at BCG. Since then, I have focused mostly on transaction-oriented software businesses such as marketplaces, subscription services / SaaS, digitized value-chains, tech and enabling technologies. I (co-)founded and was CEO or COO for several companies in professional trading (enmacc), med-tech (Ada), marketplaces (Market Makers; Scout24, and dating (OPG). Since 2007, together with my partners at 10x, I have invested in over 100 digital & tech startups and exited 30+ of them. We also initiated and were founding partners of 10x Founders, an early stage VC, and Flex Capital, a private equity fund focusing on profitable SME software companies. I was also Board Chair of ImmobilienScout24 for four years, and acting Board Chair of Generatin Forest Invest. Privately, my passion is kitesurfing, which I do whenever I'm near water — closing the cycle to my 'former life' in competitive & Olympic sailing.

I am the Host & Chairman of Bits & Pretzels (Germany's largest founders festival), and the co-founder & Executive Chairman of IDnow. Before selling to XING, I was founder & CEO of Amiando. I have served as advisor to the German Vice-Chancellor on the 'Young Digital Economy', being named a 'Technology Pioneer' by the World Economic Forum. I studied at ETH Zurich and Stanford, as well as gaining an MSc in Electrical Engineering from TU Munich. Above all, I am passionate about connecting innovators. I also enjoy activities around software design and aviation.

I launched my career at Lycos Europe. Following this, I joined Scout24 and became the CEO of FriendScout24. I am a co-founder of, and an investor in, Ada Health, as well as being an active board member for Online Personals Group (OPG) and Enmacc, which I also co-founded. During my Economics studies in Freiburg and Paris, I was a professional athlete and a 10-time German gymnastics champion. I am a member of the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), an active pilot, and a competitive triathlete.

I started my professional career with Bertelsmann and quickly became Managing Director for DACH at Lycos Europe, which IPO'ed in 2000. Soon afterwards, I joined Benchmark Capital as an Entrepreneur in Residence. I went on to co-found be2, serving as its CEO for 10 years. I have spent substantial time in Silicon Valley sourcing approximately 60 angel investment deals for 10x Founders. I studied in Hanover, Trento, Bielefeld, Paris and at MIT. I hold a PhD in Sociology and a Master's in History. I am an avid reader, speak 4 languages fluently and am passionate about soccer talent development.