Felix W. Schmitt

It is only the first edition, but HLTH Europe has already established itself as the leading #HealthTech conference in Europe. Besides my 4 highlights, I also had the chance to moderate a panel on the topic "Last mile: Localising access for underserved areas" with 3 fantastic panelists: · Prathibha (President, Mayo Clinic Health System) · Minal (National Director of Primary Care and Community Transformation, NHS England) · Harmony (SVP, Chief Medical Officer & Head of Global Medical at ViiV Healthcare) PS: Amira (SVP Innovation at Siemens Healthineers): we missed you! Here are the key insights of the panel: Bringing healthcare #access to all, especially to underserved areas, has been a challenge since the inception of healthcare. With all the technology of our modern world, is #Healthcare access on the verge of being solved? The short answer is no. But there is hope. In the UK: ➝ There is a 15-year life expectancy gap between deprived areas, and wealthier neighbourhoods nearby. ➝ Funding struggles to keep up: In the next 15 years, a 37% increase in "ill-health costs" is expected, while the working population will increase by 4% over the same period. ➝ Increasing productivity is essential to solve the problem: A 1% decrease in productivity costs 1.5 billion pounds. In the US: ➝ The zip code is (still) a better determinant of health than the genetic code. ➝ Enabling access to underserved areas can also be seen as an opportunity rather than a problem. Tech adoption will be faster due to higher unmet needs, accelerating innovation that can later benefit well-served areas. Debunking one myth: ➝ For HiV, there is now a better access and coverage in Africa than in certain parts of developed countries (US and Europe). Pockets of innovation: ➝ To unlock HCP capacity, the NHS has a national program to move towards a modern General Practice, moving away from "first come first serve" to a new model based on population health and segmentation: the right care for the right person in the right way. First results show that 30% of GP appointments could be done via "messaging only" (instead of F2F visits), bringing massive efficiency gains. ➝ Mayo Clinic already has 75 specialties that are technology enabled, bringing the “Mayo medical care" in the rural areas via virtual and hybrid models, and also embedding the 50+ AI algorithms already active at Mayo. ➝ But increasing access is not only about Tech. Sometimes, it is about boldness: Viiv Healthcare, a pharma company specialised in HiV, gave the patent of its drugs away in 90+ underserved markets, enabling cheap and at-scale production. What does the future hold? Will someone living in an underserved area be able to visit the "Mayo Clinic in the metaverse with his / her digital twin?" Special thanks to Katy, Lina and Henry for this fantastic conference!

304

16 Kommentare

In February it will be 6 years since I had a 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘁. With some distance Business Insider has asked me to talk about my experience in consulting, my burnout and the new company I started: WirDämmenDeinHaus.com You can find the link in the first comment.  (I’m also happy to share the pdf, in case you cannot access it.) My ask to you:  𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗶𝘁. Having talked to many people that suffered a burnout, my observation is that it can be tremendously helpful to get a nudge from people that care about you. It is a common burnout symptom to “try to keep pushing through” and “take care of one self, after X, Y, Z is finished” -> this often significantly prolongs the healing process. Be there for the people you care about and encourage them to take care of themselves now and not when it’s too late. I’m also here for anyone that wants to talk 1:1 about their experience or ask questions. Please feel free to reach out. Happy holidays to all of you!

341

42 Kommentare

Germany-based venture capital fund Robin Capital closed its Robin Fund One at 13 million euros (about $13.6 million). #venturecapital #veteranventures

2

🚨 Red Alert for Germany’s Startup Ecosystem: A 30% Drop in Active Investors – How Can We Keep the Innovation Engine Running? A recent article from Handelsblatt (link in comments) points out that early-stage startups are especially at risk during this downturn since they depend on venture capital to scale. The expanding funding gap will further stifle growth in areas where innovation is most needed. Yet, within this challenge lies opportunity: 🌱 Resilient Sectors Lead the Way Sectors like #GreenTech and #AI are still drawing investment, showing their potential to drive innovation. These industries highlight where Germany can have the most significant impact. 🏠 Family Offices as Growth Catalysts As traditional investors pull back, family offices can step up. By leveraging patient capital, they can empower promising startups and lay the foundation for long-term success. 🤝 Venture Clienting as a Key to Co-Innovation Strategic partnerships between startups and established businesses bridge the funding gap. These alliances not only drive digital transformation but also deliver mutual value and foster innovation. At D11Z. Ventures, we believe Germany’s competitive edge depends on collaboration. That's why we invest in high-potential startups and create co-innovation opportunities with family offices and industry leaders. Together, we're fostering an ecosystem that drives innovation and supports long-term growth. 🚀 💬 How can family offices and industry leaders support the next wave of startup innovation? Share your ideas below! #D11ZVentures #Innovation #StartupEcosystem #VentureCapital #InnovationLeadership #FamilyOffices #CoInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence

53

3 Kommentare

Hey all you #startups and #scaleups, you #sme and #mittelstand companies. Have you done great work adopting to #ai, optimized your #funnel or worked on your #bottomline? If yes, then get nominated for the A-Awards, presented by Startup Insider and Project A!

10

1 Kommentar

Great to see what Jan Thomas and his team at Startup Insider did with the new Investors Report 2024 for the DACH region! Anyone who wants to learn more about the German #venturecapital ecosystem and its investors, go get the report: https://lnkd.in/ehiVqmX6

53

2 Kommentare

🎙️Podcast alert: Had a great catch-up with Kai on 🤝𝑪𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒍🤝 this week (🇩🇪) After our first session last year, we again talked about the latest developments in the SaaS and M&A market. Topics we've covered: ➡️ Our approach with saas.group, ➡️ Where we stand and what our goals are, ➡️ Current SaaS and M&A market trends, ➡️ How to properly value a SaaS business, ➡️ Role of AI in SaaS and M&A, ➡️ And more... You can check it out on all relevant podcast platforms. Links to Spotify and Apple below: 🟢 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gn8RaVpD 🟣 Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/g3kBWSBW Enjoy listening! 🙌 @ Kai, Anja + team: Thanks again for having me. Happy to speak again next year and see how good or bad my predictions were.

26

9 Kommentare

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?

9

1 Kommentar

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

5

1 Kommentar

📈 The latest startupdetector report couldn't have been better for me. - the number of newly founded German startups increased in Q1 2024 - a trend reversal we waited for some time new! - Leipzig and Dresden were the cities with the biggest increase of new startups (+41%, +36%), while Jena had the most financing rounds per capita - while many regions had a smaller number of new startups, Saxony increased most by 35% - the energy sector saw the strongest increase from all industries - our Smart Infrastructure Ventures ('SIVentures') portfolio company traide AI GmbH with their founder Leonie Althaus got featured next to SpinLab - The HHL Accelerator alumnus Dr. Jannik Lockl from inContAlert - our partners from TGFS Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen are ranked #5 in the most active VCs list. Smart Infrastructure Ventures ('SIVentures') among the top investors in AI All in all a great job Arnas Bräutigam & team

61

3 Kommentare

After closing a Series A funding round, companies enter a pivotal phase where the right approaches significantly influence their journey toward Series B. In brutkasten, Jan Lozek and I recently shed light on the critical strategies companies should adopt after securing Series A funding. 👉🏻 Here are the more top priorities companies should focus on post-fundraise: 📈 Optimize cash flow:  Investors are particularly interested in startups that efficiently manage their cash flow, maximizing growth and revenue while keeping expenses in check. 💰 Show them the money: Show investors how exactly you are making money: real customers, real sales, economies of scale. In other words, show you have a plan and that the plan is working. To outline flexible sales models, and exchange various key parameters, will also be a win. 🚀 Partner up, big time: Leverage your existing networks instead of spending more capital. Corporates can be great partners at this stage and could vouch for your startup. Be it for accessing a market or for increasing your sales, it always pays off to have the right partners. What additional tips would you add for companies navigating this crucial transition? 💡 #SeriesA #Funding #StartupGrowth

28

7 Kommentare

Excited to share what I learned from Sandro Stark, founding partner at Vanagon Ventures backing FrontierTech from Munich/DACH 🚀 to the World at the YUVC video podcast (links in comments) 💡 Above all, Sandro is a super nice person to get along with and has a great NPS from founders 👋 Here 3 Core Takeaways ✨ 1. Vanagon’s approach to startup evaluation 👀 - Distribution capability is now the key differentiator, not just technical innovation - Customer "stickiness" and deep industry understanding - The solution must demonstrate both climate impact and profit potential 2. Why is Munich's ecosystem strategic? 🇩🇪 - Part of DACH region - third-largest market globally after China and US - Rich concentration of technical talent and corporate headquarters - Untapped potential in Mittelstand venture engagement 3. What's the philosophy behind sustainable success? 😉 - Don't postpone happiness for future achievements - True leadership creates more leaders, not followers - Consistent effort matters more than breakthrough moments Now listen in for more insights! ❤ Kudos to his great co-founders/GPs @Vanagon: Susanne Fromm Axel Roitzsch Shoutout to their amazing portfolios: Senken Particula Renoster youba The Landbanking Group LoopID heartstocks Learn.xyz ExoMatter and more

13

2 Kommentare

Honoured to be featured in the latest Tech Funding News article discussing Germany’s role as a leading tech hub. 🚀 I’m also proud to see standout companies from the Earlybird Venture Capital portfolio—N26, Marvel Fusion, Isar Aerospace, and others—highlighted alongside my alma mater, Technical University of Munich, which is another key driver of innovation in the country. While Germany is often dubbed the ‘Silicon Valley of Europe,’ there’s still much to do, such as overcoming regulatory challenges and channeling more growth funding into promising startups. My advice for those navigating the Central European startup landscape: Leverage government-backed funding, connect with business angels, and build relationships with established companies. Do not wait to build a global network early on. Together we can strengthen this ecosystem so that one day it can truly live up to its nickname. Read more by Sofia Chesnokova here: https://bit.ly/404yyXr Cc: Dr. Hendrik Brandis, Paula Wehmeyer, Mario Kohle, Filip Lukac, Benjamin Berényi, Elisheva Marcus #Innovation #DeepTech #VentureCapital #GermanyTech

63

2 Kommentare

🚀 A Conversation on Enabling Healthcare Innovation with Venture Capital: I recently had the privilege to welcome Nicole Graner from the Süddeutsche Zeitung at our YZR Capital headquarters. Article in 1st comment. Tldr: 🔎 Critical need for venture capital in fostering healthcare innovation. 🔎 How our expertise-driven approach is making a difference. 🔎 My journey as a physician, entrepreneur and investor, always deeply intertwined with my passion for #healthtech. 💡 That's why: alongside Markus Feuerecker I co-founded YZR Capital with a clear vision: to propel European healthtech startups into global leadership positions. 💡 We strongly believe that our team’s expertise in health is key to supporting founders who are dedicated to change the European healthtech ecosystem. ✔ Apparently our name is difficult to pronounce – for everyone who is still wondering, it’s “wise” with an R at the end ;) -> Thanks again to Nicole - it was a pleasure! And thanks to the fantastic team at YZR Capital - Christina Schmidt, Paul Epple, Urs Keller, Holger Ebersberger, Elmar Willebrand, Michael Dr. Bitzer. #HealthTech #VentureCapital #Innovation

73

5 Kommentare

It was a great honor to record this week's Startup Insider podcast together with Dirk Sahlmer. 🚀 🚀 🚀 Dirk is a former intern at our TS Ventures and is now Head of Deal Origination at saas.group. Moreover, he has become one of the most recognized voices on LinkedIn when it comes to SaaS M&A and VC (bashing?), which often leads to - shall I say - inspiring conversations. We talked about bootstrapping vs. hypergrowth in the podcast, about the discrepancy between M&A valuations and the valuations of VC rounds and about the chances of success of startups in the parking sector... 😉 It's impressive what someone who has had nothing to do with the startup scene up to that point can build up in 5 years. Have fun with this podcast episode. Link to the episode as always in the comments. I have also linked Dirk's LinkedIn post, as it contains exciting figures on the SaaS and M&A market. Dirk, keep rocking! Here's to many more podcasts! #saas #ai #startup #vc #venturecapital #businessangel #funding #bootstrapping #exit #podcast #parking

35

6 Kommentare

🚀 Buying is the new recruitment + TURBO for development In today's fast-paced business world, German SMEs are finding success through strategic partnerships with startups, even on a smaller scale. 🌟 Let’s consider the example of “CarTech”, a Berlin-based startup that developed an AI-powered platform for optimizing used car sales. In 2024, Auto 1 Group, a major European used car trading platform, acquired CarTech. The integration of CarTech’s technology streamlined Auto 1 Group’s processes, improved pricing accuracy, and expanded its market reach across Europe. This successful acquisition played a pivotal role in Auto 1 Group’s transformation to dominant players Excited to explore similar opportunities for your SME? Join us at the Bright Future Event, where we'll dive into real-life examples of German SMEs teaming up with startups and the game-changing results they've achieved. Exited to meet: Andy Zurwehme (eROCKIT AG), Paulina Tsvetanova (CEO & Founder PAULINA‘S FRIENDS Couture) ,  Mathias Tholey  (NU Company, Schokolade) and many more.... But wait, there's more! I'll be sharing practical tips on how startup teams can seamlessly integrate into SME environments, fostering innovation and driving mutual success. Check out: www.spitze-bleiben.de Thanks Ulf Leonhard for organizing. Don't miss out on this chance to unlock the potential of collaboration and propel your business forward. See you at the event! ✨ #BrightFuture #SMEs #Startups #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #Management #HumanResources #Technology #Future

10

Markus Söder (Dr. Markus Söder) the "Geisterfahrer" Visionary: Bavaria's Nuclear Nostalgia! Markus Söder, our Bavarian Ministerpräsident and self-proclaimed visionary, has announced plans to build new nuclear power plants in #Bavaria. In doing so, he’s boldly steering the energy debate like a Geisterfahrer— (In the German language: a wrong-way driver on the autobahn of progress). Everyone’s honking and flashing their lights, but Söder? He’s convinced he’s the only one heading in the right direction. My Two Cents on This Nuclear Odyssey Let’s unpack this bold strategy that brings to mind a mix of Schadenfreude and existential dread: Insurance or Wishful Thinking? Nuclear plants are so risky, even insurance companies—those fine folks who insure skydivers and volcano tours—want nothing to do with them. Who steps in? Us, the taxpayers! Söder’s plan ensures Bavarians not only foot the bill for construction but also play nuclear roulette with their wallets. Waste Disposal: A Glowing Legacy Söder, where exactly do you plan to stash this toxic waste? In Lederhosen-shaped bunkers? Perhaps under Allianz Arena? Radioactive material is a forever problem in an era where most policy decisions barely account for next year. Chernobyl and Fukushima: Ignoring History Remember those small nuclear mishaps? Like Chernobyl, which cost $200 billion and left us with a post-apocalyptic tourist attraction? Or Fukushima, which is still leaking and racking up bills north of $750 billion? Calling nuclear "safe" now is like hiring a chef whose specialty is food poisoning because "they’re due for a win." Economics: A Non-Starter Nuclear power plants take decades to build. By the time Söder’s reactors are online, we’ll have drones that harvest solar energy directly from the sun. Meanwhile, wind and solar are cheaper, cleaner, and won’t turn Garmisch-Partenkirchen into a Fallout cosplay zone. Geisterfahrer and the Angel-Demon Dilemma Once hailed as a miracle energy source (our angel), nuclear quickly revealed its demonic side: meltdowns, waste, and costs that rival Bavaria’s annual beer consumption. Advocates argue it’s a fallen angel ready for redemption. But repackaging the same risks with fresh PR doesn’t make them disappear—it just distracts long enough to hope no one notices. Final Thoughts Herr Söder, as you barrel down this Geisterfahrer path, may I suggest pulling over for a moment? Bavaria has abundant resources—sun, wind, beer. Why chase radioactive rainbows when renewable energy promises a brighter, safer, and far less glowing future? Let’s raise a pretzel-shaped wind turbine and toast to common sense. Prost!  It’s time to unmask the greed and betrayal driving the climate crisis. My (Jude S. Ngu' Ewodo) book, Climate Crisis Unmasked: Unraveling the Web of Betrayal and Greed, reveals the hidden forces behind this global issue—and how YOU can be part of the solution. Get your copy now: https://lnkd.in/dFWDViwD #NuclearDebate #EnergyCrisis #ClimateCrisisUnmasked

1

"As a VC for 20 years, here's a confession: I should have trusted my gut more often." Something that Rainer Märkle, General Partner at HV Capital. Shared with us at EUVC We all know VCs are supposed to be data-driven guided. We're trained to believe perfect analysis leads to perfect investment decisions. But sometimes, your gut feeling is your best friend. As a highly analytical person, Rainer has learned this valuable lesson. Intuition matters. Yes, due diligence is essential. However, take a break and look from a different perspective. Experience tells you when to trust your instincts. How do you balance data-driven analysis with intuition? Share your experiences in the comments! #venturecapital #angelinvesting #startupfunding #europe

7

4 Kommentare