For me being a venture capital investor means…

working with passion-driven and smart people.

I am personally interested in…

political and socio-critical discussions with people who are not afraid to share their opinion.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a Lufthansa pilot.

My most challenging adventure was…

bungy jumping in New Zealand.

Hire people who…

have the right attitude and are willing to learn.

I get up early morning because…

every day holds new surprises and I don’t want to miss them.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

helping people with big dreams (entrepreneurs), build the world of tomorrow.

I am fascinated by…

biographies of successful leaders and entrepreneurs. Understanding their ups & downs and what made them such great leaders reminds me that everyone can succeed with the right amount of effort.

Growing up I wanted to become…

an entrepreneur myself but never had the courage. So I decided to become an investor to do everything I can to help those that have the courage 🙂

My first job was…

at The French Open of tennis – Roland Garros. I was working in the stadium selling T-shirts.

Hire people who…

are different than you, smarter than you and make you a better founder.

Great founders…

know how to surround themselves well and never give up in tough times.

If you pitch to Earlybird…

treat us like family. We are a big family and that’s how we like to think when it comes to our founders.

The first lesson I learned…

planning is crucial.

I am fascinated by…

nature.

My most challenging adventure was…

learning hedge fund administration.

Hire people who…

are loyal.

I get up early in the morning because…

there is no other way to finish what I have on my agenda.

A great investor does not…

act emotionally.

For me being a venture capital investor means…
a unique opportunity for accompanying great minds on their journeys to become the most influential persons of the future.

The first lesson I learned…
is that mistakes are a part of learning.

I am fascinated by…
people who have a clear goal in mind and keep moving towards it – no matter what challenges they face.

From the future I expect…
technological advancements that today sound unbelievable.

Great founders…
are the ones who observe and listen carefully because they know that small ideas spark big changes.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

having an open mind and the right combination of art and science to help build long-lasting businesses.

I am fascinated by…

any business using tech to disrupt archaic industries.

Growing up I wanted to become…

an architect.

From the future I expect…

“the future being but a fiction of the mind.”

I am highly sceptical of…

every PR piece, especially about industries that are at the peak of their hype cycle.

None of the companies where I serve on the board…

would prioritize short-term low-impact projects over the ones that can increase the probability of success in the long term.

Hire people who…

act like owners, not agents.

If you pitch to Earlybird…

please do not forget it is not a sales meeting. Be honest about the challenges you are experiencing.

Great founders…

prioritize their business over anything else, and always act like it is year one.

I am personally interested in…

nature, different cultures, good food & wine, meaningful conversations with people I value.

Growing up I wanted to become…

animator at Walt Disney.

My first boss…

Mickey Mouse, while being a Cultural Representative of Germany at EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World in Florida for 12 months.

My most challenging adventure was…

being stuck in front of three latrines at the bottom of the Grand Canyon with my family over night – with only toilet paper to wrap against the cold, waiting for the morning light to finish hiking back up.

I strongly believe…

having kindness and empathy towards all living creatures is the only true approach.

The first lesson I learned…

was that “action” is what matters the most.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a lawyer.

My first job was…

being an administrative assistant in an IT company.

From the future I expect…

it to bring happiness.

I am highly skeptical of…

wasps.

I get up early in the morning because…

I feel more energetic.

I strongly believe in…

miracles.

I like…

travelling.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

partnering with entrepreneurs to help them realise their visions of the world.

The first lesson I learned…

distance travelled is always a better proxy of potential than educational and professional achievements… invest in slopes not intercepts.

From the future I expect…

the European ecosystem to continue maturing and closing the gap on the US, with capital freely flowing across borders, particularly to less well-funded regions in Europe.

Hire people who…

show a hunger to learn and an obsessive pursuit of self-improvement.

Great founders…

demonstrate excellent vision, execution and culture, which manifests in many ways for both internal and external stakeholders.

A great investor…

exercises intellectual curiosity and constantly updates their worldviews to take into account new data and insights.

I am personally interested in…

any kind of technology, politics, and urban planning.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a pilot.

My job was…

working as dual student in information technology.

I get up early morning because…

I prefer to have some free time in the evening.

I like…

going to the cinema and watching movies from basically any genre.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

meeting great founders with the vision to change the world and helping them overcome roadblocks.

The first lesson I learned…

was that when looking at an idea for the first time, curiosity sometimes has to beat rationality: keep open to what has so far been unheard of or unseen.

From the future I expect…

that we leverage disruptive technologies to make the world a more liveable place, for example, by exploring new ways of carbon free power generation.

I am highly skeptical of…

people who don’t critically reflect on their ideas. Opportunities always come with risks, and I want to know that people are on top of them.

Hire people who…

complement your team and share a passion for your endeavour.

If you pitch to Earlybird…

don’t be shy about dreaming big. At the same time, stay reflective and humble about what other companies engaging on a similar journey do well, and what you can learn from them.

Great founders…

break down revolutionary and complex visions into easily comprehensible messages – with a clear plan for intermediate steps along the way.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

being inspired on a daily basis and the privilege of getting to share in a founder’s vision for a better tomorrow.

The first lesson I learned…

the ‘stupid’ questions can often reveal the most.

I am fascinated by…

the power of synthetic biology to revolutionise the way we view manufacturing, across sectors such as food, materials, fuels and pharmaceuticals.

Growing up I wanted to become…

professional golfer. Best job in the world. Unfortunately, I’m rubbish.

I am highly skeptical of…

those promising great rewards with minimal effort.

Hire people who…

Think differently and know things you don’t.

I strongly believe in…

we have two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

working with highly skilled and talented entrepreneurs who never take no for an answer, and always strive to reach higher grounds to shape the next generations’ future.

I am fascinated by…

the hedgehog (and the fox) – in science, business and sports.

Growing up I wanted to become…

an engineer, because engineers build cool stuff.

From the future I expect…

more great entrepreneurs with a strong scientific background to evolve from universities.

Hire people who…

are smarter and better than yourself.

I strongly believe in…

team play!

For me being a venture capital investor means…

having the privilege to be a multidimensional non-executive co-entrepreneur working to spearhead various future technologies with fascinating and dynamic entrepreneurs.

The first lesson I learned…

is that people make the difference, constructive collaboration is a prerequisite for real influence and value creation, thinking big while remaining grounded is THE challenge and trends should be utilized, not fought.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

of private life and entrepreneurship, not only with many portfolio companies I personally accompanied but also with Earlybird. It was my own startup that we have had to lead through the good and the bad times, e.g. post year 2000.

My most challenging adventure was…

while sailing, when we lost our mast and started to sink in a thunderstorm with 65 knots of wind. I was only 17 and already swimming in the water before rescued. That I will never forget.

The most frustrating experience as an investor was…

when we invested in an entrepreneur who decided shortly thereafter to start a new life and simply disappeared. He couldn’t be found anymore and we lost all our money.

A great investor…

manages to become a non-executive co-entrepreneur and team member.

If you pitch to Earlybird…

you can be sure to have our deep respect for what you are doing. We love and respect all entrepreneurial initiatives regardless whether they fit into our investment strategies or not.

The first lesson I learned…

Venture Capital can be a lot like dating.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a ballerina or opera singer.

My first job was…

a German dubbing voice in “The Emperor’s New Groove“.

From the future I expect…

humans to find a sustainable way to live on our planet.

Great founders…

are driven, inspiring and know when to ask for help.

I strongly believe in…

good relationships as the key to happiness.

For me being a venture capital investor is…

the best job in the world. Working with entrepreneurs and innovators is a privilege. The quality and diversity of people and ideas that I am exposed to is very humbling.

The first lesson I learned…

as a venture capitalist is that things never go according to plan. Entrepreneurship is a journey. You know where you start and have a sense of where you want to end, but the road is yours to make and the destination tends to evolve with each step you take.

I have been through the ups and downs…

whether as an entrepreneur or an investor, during the boom times and the bust times. I am known to stick by management and founders and strive to find solutions and a way forward especially during the darkest days. I have the scars to prove it…

If you pitch to Earlybird…

you’ll see I do not bring a smartphone or tablet when listening to a pitch, so you’ll have my full attention.

Great founders…

carefully select the venture capitalist — the firm and the individual — they want as an investor in the same way that I carefully select the entrepreneurs I want to work with.

The first lesson I learned…

speak up for yourself. No one else will do so.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

but luckily more ups than downs.

My most challenging adventure was…

participating in the 2022 Frankfurt Marathon. The Luxembourg Marathon was even harder due to the elevation, however I had the experience behind me already to fuel me forward!

From the future I expect…

returns.

I am highly skeptical of…

people who don’t challenge the status-quo and take things for granted.

Hire people who…

are enthusiastic and share similar core values.

I strongly believe in…

the power of human connection.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

being a helpful, honest, positive, passionate and challenging partner for the CEO and his company. A partner who has walked in the entrepreneur’s shoes, a partner who is aligned with our common goal of making the company a true success. More than anything success depends on satisfied customers: healthier, longer lives for patients or — in the tools space — better, more relevant research.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

of building a start-up company from scratch, surfing the waves you encounter before you can make a real difference in the market.

Great founders…

put the company first. Always. They don’t let their egos get in the way of success. And in our space success also means making the world a slightly better place. What a privilege.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

getting to know some of the smartest people in the industry and supporting them with their mission & vision as best as possible.

The first lesson I learned…

was that Venture Capital is an inherently optimistic form of investment – which is both a strength and a weakness.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a marine biologist.

My first job was…

not as glamorous as the ones that followed afterwards.

The most frustrating experience as a startup employee was…

knowing that cash reserves at the startup I worked for got lower and lower, but not being involved in the fundraising process nor knowing when a new round can successfully be raised.

Hire people who…

stand out from the rest.

I strongly believe…

small continuous improvements make the difference in the long-run.

I like…

all things mountain-related: skiing, hiking, biking, etc.

The first lesson I learned…
learning never stops and there’s no substitute for hard work and persistence when it comes to success.

I am fascinated by…
spending time with my friends and family.

Hire people who…
are result focused, passionate about their jobs and have a strong work ethic and positive attitude.

I get up early morning because…
I ensure that I have time for what matters most and I love having more time to read, think and prepare for the day ahead.

Technology plays the role of… in our future
Technology plays the role of shaping the world and improving human welfare in our future. And I expect it will shape our future compatible with nature 🙂

For me being a venture capital investor means…

keep learning from the greatest minds who have the courage to build the world of tomorrow from scratch. Finding and supporting them in every way possible is the core.

The first lesson I learned…

life favors the brave.

Growing up I wanted to become…

an inventor like Gyro Gearloose – now I am investing in similar geniuses but with a clearer focus and steeper learning curve.

Hire people who…

are smarter than you and share the passion to go the extra mile.

Great founders…

lead by example and inspire people to follow them through their visionary thinking and actions.

I strongly believe in…

second chances, as you would otherwise deny personal growth through reflection.

The first lesson I learned…

If you want something you should fully pursue it. No one is going to just hand it to you.

Growing up I wanted to become…

an inventor.

My first job was…

a croupier.

From the future I expect…

that AI will enhance human capabilities beyond expectations – breaking boundaries and letting everyone see their visions come to life more quickly.

I get up early morning because…

I want to ensure that I have free time in the evenings to explore new things.

I strongly believe in…

you can become the person that you want to be.

I like…

going to stand-up comedy, playing football, reading personal development books, cooking and seeing the word.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

having the privilege of working with the brightest minds of our times to improve our world sustainably, and with innovative technologies & solutions.

The first lesson I learned…

was that prioritization and structure is key.

Growing up I wanted to become…

an actress (even bought a book on how to become an actor – pretty sophisticated in retrospect).

My first job was…

a background singer in an ABBA performance together with 20 other equally untalented elementary school kids.

My most challenging adventure was…

10 days of traveling through Mongolia without running water or a proper accommodation.

From the future I expect…

humans to become more emphatic and self-reflective.

I get up early morning because…

I immediately put on my running shoes and go for a nice morning run.

Great founders…

are passionate about what they do, yet remain open to feedback.

For me being a venture capital investor means…
having a structured approach in trying to predict and shape an inherently unpredictable future.

Growing up, I wanted to become…
a physicist.

If you pitch to Earlybird…
be prepared for a sincere conversation about the qualitative and quantitative aspects of your business.

Technology plays the role of … in our future.
the ultimate arbiter of social and economic relationships, both good and bad.

I strongly believe in…
having the right focus and picking the right battles are almost as important as hard work and perseverance.

I am fascinated by…

highly structured, hard-working, humble individuals with extraordinary internal discipline.

Growing up I wanted to become…

Spiderman. I even have the outfit.

My first job was…

advertising (that is, placing one advertisement in my local village) for my biology teacher’s ski-rack startup. I got a t-shirt for my effort. In parallel, mortality prediction research in India.

I get up early morning because…

in the following 4-6h (in particular 2-3h after waking up), I am the most productive in work and exercise!

I like…

exercise (running & calisthenics), reading (non-fiction), and writing (blogging).

I am fascinated by…

nature and different cultures.

Growing up I wanted to become…

an archaeologist.

My first job was…

being a waitress to finance my studies.

My most challenging adventure was…

getting stuck with the car in the middle of the Atacama desert. It took us 4 hours digging sand before we were able to drive on.

I am highly skeptical of…

spiders.

I strongly believe in…

loyalty and friendship.

I like…

traveling, being at the ocean, & knitting (which is meditation).

For me being a venture capital investor means…
we bring a broad range of knowledge – accumulated over time, from corporate governance, legal, IP, business development, and science execution, combined with an acute sense of market prospects, plus a spirit to make management and the projects successful.

The first lesson I learned…
Entrepreneurship is about handling a huge diversity of tasks, solving problems, and making good plans. The most important lesson is working with colleagues that excel in their skills and who strive to deliver.

I am fascinated by…
inter-disciplinary team work and making the impossible, possible.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…
I have led 16 healthcare financings, with 14 exits so far, and additonally founded three biotechs, one of which now acquired. Its all about good planning, good people, and making it known to potential acquirers.

The most frustrating experience was…
when a clinical trial provides negative results after so much efforts and capital invested. I tend to take it very personally, making sure that for the next project, we anticipate better what could go wrong.

If you pitch to Earlybird…
be concise; show a problem-solution approach with the market and competition in the focus.

Great founders…
never give up and strive to assemble the best IP, team, and propose easy-to-understand solutions for highly unmet medical problems.

The first lesson I learned…

anything is possible as long as you work hard, you can never have too many friends, be humble (I grew up in Texas, y’all).

I am fascinated by…

charismatic leaders, visionary story-tellers who can break a complex idea into small, digestable parts. Women who have succeeded in having a family and a career.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a professional women’s basketball player and then Women’s NBA basketball coach.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

of leading a global HR team at a successful, series C startup during Covid and pulling my team through the vast uncertainty, changing regulations, virtual communication challenges.

From the future I expect…

a digital revolution in almost every process that touches our lives, breaking down geographical, linguistic, and cultural barriers. A mindset shift in how we work & what leaders look like so that we see many more women and/or first generation migrant founders leading startups, companies, departments, and topics.

Hire people who…

are hungry to build and co-create a product and company but who are also kind, have integrity, a global mindset and celebrate diversity.

Great founders…

inspire people to follow them, listen, care about culture, aren’t afraid to address elefants in the room, take and give feedback, and try to always stay self-aware.

For me being a venture capital investor means…
helping the next generation of tech entrepreneurs to fullfil their visions and to shape our future.

The first lesson I learned…
there is always a bigger fish.

I am fascinated by…
the entrepreneurial journeys taken by some founders, and the endurance and dedication they have shown in order to realize their vision.

Growing up I wanted to become…
a marine biologist.

My first job was…
economist, co-writing expert reports in pan-European merger cases & regulatory procedures.

If you pitch to Earlybird…
we optimally have been in contact for a while…but you can still try to (positively) surprise us!

… is one of the core things we look for.
founders who have chosen to pursue a big idea and are able to turn it into reality.

Great founders…
are a crystallization point of an idea that expands by attracting talent, resources, customers, etc.

I am interested in…

people with different lifestyles.

Growing up I wanted to become…

racing driver.

My most challenging adventure was…

the Blue Mountains peak tour on Jamaica.

From the future I expect…

successful investments.

I get up early morning because…

I cannot wait to start a new day.

I like…

ice cream.

The first lesson I learned…

was to look for solutions rather than focusing on problems.

My first job was…

delivering newspapers on weekends.

I am highly skeptical of…

people who don’t like animals.

I strongly believe in…

always keeping a positive attitude and an open mind.

I like…

exploring the world and encountering people who I can learn from.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a doctor.

My most challenging adventure was…

deciding to move to a new country and within 2 weeks walking the streets of London. Changing career directions a few times just to add more experiences to life.

I am highly sceptical of…

over complication. Everything can be and should be simplified.

I strongly believe in…

people’s ability to learn. As long as you are willing, anything is possible.

I like…

A glass of good red wine and dark chocolate.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

getting the chance to learn more about innovative technologies and helping talented and driven founders.

I am fascinated by…

artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a programmer.

If you pitch to Earlybird…

please be open to challenging questions and support your idea with data.

One of the core things we look for is…

a track record of strong execution.

I am fascinated by…

people who have a strong passion.

My first job was…

being a coach in a small local gym in Berlin. It was great to help other people to understand their bodies and how to improve their workouts and nutrition.

My most challenging adventure was…

leaving my hometown and moving to Ras Al Khaimah (United Arab Emirates) for my first job after my graduation. The Emirates were very different in 2005 compared to today; everything was quite basic and communication to my family was very limited.

I get up early morning because…

I have the chance to create and experience a new chapter in my life.

I like…

Scuba diving with manta rays, tigersharks, whalesharks and other animals in remote areas of the world. The interaction underwater is totally different compared to our daily life.

For me being a venture capital investor means…
having the opportunity to become familiar with sustaining and disruptive innovations and the minds behind them.

The first lesson I learned…
is that moods can substantially affect the things people think and do.

I am fascinated by…
the occurrence of events that had minuscule probabilities.

Growing up, I wanted to become…
a scientist.

From the future I expect…
increasing unpredictability.

I am highly skeptical of…
people that are too proud of themselves.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

constantly challenging my own beliefs, assumptions and hypotheses.

The first lesson I learned…

is not to over-analyze. Life is not rational and data is not everything.

I am fascinated by…

people burning with their passion in life (business, sports, art, etc.).

My first boss…

taught me everything about customer empathy and relationship management.

My most challenging adventure was…

in American Football with a team that did not mind losing.

Great founders…

EQ > IQ.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

working with and learning from driven and experienced founders every day.

I am fascinated by…

the field of early stage investing at the intersection with universities; it’s a field gaining prominence for venture capital funds.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a wildlife park ranger.

My first job was…

in the production line of Volkswagen – to finance my gap year.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

and it has taught me not to worry about the things in life you can’t change.

Hire people who…

smarter than you.

I strongly believe…

that we need technology – especially deep tech – to be able to tackle the great challenges of society.

The first lesson I learned…

was that an important part of success is the right mindset. If you convince yourself that obtaining a certain skill is impossible, you are sabotaging your progress.

My most challenging adventure was…

packing up just two suitcases and moving across the globe to start a new chapter in my life in a country where I had not known anyone.

From the future I expect…

sustainability, tolerance and open-mindedness.

I am highly skeptical of…

things that seem too easy to achieve or too good to be true.

I like…

a cup of black coffee and a good sci-fi book.

The first lesson I learned…

life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.

My first job was…

fund auditor at KPMG.

The most frustrating experience as a startup employee was…

the insolvency of a startup where I worked part-time as CFO.

I am highly skeptical of…

people who need to praise themselves.

Hire people who…

who are smart, willing to learn and form their own opinions.

I strongly believe in…

the power of remaining calm.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

taking a peek into the future.

The first lesson I learned…

is that there is a difference between price and value.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a programmer.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

of changing my career focus to finance/investments after studying computer science for nine years.

My most challenging adventure was…

the transition from a communist, repressive society to free thinking.

I am highly sceptical of…

people taking themselves too seriously.

If you pitch to Earlybird…

often times I pitch EB to founders. I am shameless about it.

The first lesson I learned…

was to not be afraid of accepting when you know nothing about something. There is no faster way of learning it.

I am fascinated by…

people who show strong commitment to whatever they do.

My first job was…

garden work, followed by newspaper delivery.

I get up early morning because…

there is nothing better than converting innovative ideas into practice.

I strongly believe in…

following you intuition sometimes.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

“Being a kid in a candy store.” Having access to great people and amazing ideas. Also, constantly trying to align and balance the interests of our LPs and portfolio companies.

The first lesson I learned…

is that users or customers might need a startup’s new product or service, but most likely they (initially) don’t want it.

I am fascinated…

by people from the most diverse walks of life — musicians, mathematicians, founders — with analytical thinking and intuition going hand in hand to create a truly extraordinary outcome.

My first job was…

killing the business plan for a new satellite-based logistics telematics service of a client who paid us consultants a lot of money to get it validated.

I am highly sceptical of…

easy answers.

Great founders…

also have a life. I am often amazed about how great founders care about other people, important causes or areas of interest seemingly very different from what their company is about.

The first lesson I learned…

not to take negative feedback personally but instead see it as an opportunity to grow and improve.

I am fascinated by / personally interested in…

technologies inspired by nature.

My most challenging adventure was…

moving to another country without speaking the local language to study and pursue my passion for science communication.

From the future I expect…

more people to become environmentally conscious.

I am highly skeptical of…

„one fits all” solutions.

I like…

sitting in the sun – ideally listening to the sound of waves.

I am fascinated by…
crafting the story around a founder’s roots, experience, and purpose.

My most challenging adventure…
involved surviving dangerously winding roads in the Bolivian jungle and anatomy courses with cadaver dissection.

I get up early each morning because…
I look forward to a) coffee and b) positively impacting the world.

Great founders…
live by example, respond well to feedback, and choose teammates who augment their skillsets.

I strongly believe in…
being authentic and that helping others makes you more interesting.

I like…
drawing handmade thank-you cards. They’re meditative to make and unexpected to receive.

For me being a venture capital investor means…
learning from founders and helping them to succeed with our knowledge and experience.

The first lesson I learned…
good founders understand their business way better than we do. Because of that, I like to listen and try to understand what really drives the founders and the business.

I am fascinated by…
new technologies, their journey from research to market success and the people who drive the processes.

My most challenging adventure was…
my PhD. Especially when I realized that science works very differently from what I expected.

I am highly sceptical of…
easy and obvious solutions.

I get up early morning because…
because I know it’s going to be an exciting day.

Rolf Mathies: Earlybird Co-Founder & Partner, 1997-2022

With a background in Business and Computer Science, Rolf co-founded Earlybird in 1997 and was an integral part of the firm. He helped create the diversified strategy of Earlybird’s family of independent funds and most recently was part of Earlybird Health.

In November 2022, Rolf passed away. His impact on building Earlybird and the ecosystem are immeasurable. We will continue to honor his memory and uphold his legacy.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

working with extremely smart, passionate and business-savvy young people.

I am fascinated by…

the enormous, disruptive change the automotive eco-system is experiencing.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a pilot, an astronaut, or at least someone who knows how to develop flying machines.

My first boss was…

an engineering professor with the vision of having no more people killed in warfare.

From the future I expect…

short-term relatively little, but long-term a world, which is a sustainable habitat for 10+ billion people.

A great investor… 

always asks himself the question if he wanted to work for the company he’s going to invest in.

The first lesson I learned…

be grateful for what you have and you will have more to be grateful for.

Growing up I wanted to become…

an entrepreneur.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

rejection is just redirection.

My most challenging adventure was…

a snowmobile safari in Svalbard at the height of the Arctic winter.

I strongly believe in …

everything happens for a reason.

I am fascinated by…

the pace at which ideas become reality, become standard and then are replaced by the next evolutionary or disruptive inventions.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

of founding a company. Raising capital. Growing the company. Releasing employees because of low liquidity. Selling a company successfully. Sometimes failure and success are very close neighbors.

Hire people who…

are complementary to the team and to you as a founder. Strive to hire people who are better than you in their relevant areas and listen carefully to their advice.

I get up early morning because…

I have one of the best jobs I can think of. It is a privilege to make a living by contributing to making life better on this planet. We care for patients by supporting life science entrepreneurs and their companies that are bringing new technologies to those who are in need.

Great founders…

believe 100% in their idea and devote 100% of their time to their company. They are persistent and do not believe that they know everything better than others by putting their ego above the interest of the company that they founded.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

supporting highly talented entrepreneurs in building fast scaling companies that can become global market leaders.

The first lesson I learned…

it’s all about the people! And, VC is much more an art than a science.

I am fascinated by…

disruptive technologies that change the world for the better — or at least create significant customer value.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

everything an entrepreneur can imagine: no cash to pay employees, having to write off companies, IPOs of companies…

My most challenging adventure was…

getting stranded in a storm while windsurfing just off the last island before open waters in the Skagerrak and having to stay on an uninhabited island for one night.

From the future I expect…

better technological solutions for fighting the challenges of the world.

Hire people who…

are better than yourself.

Great founders…

hold or over-deliver on their promises.

I had no clue of the path ahead…

after finishing school — so I joined the army. Soon I knew exactly what I wanted…

The first lesson I learned…

work hard, believe in yourself and don’t forget to have fun along the way.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a Muay Thai fighter.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

but I have learnt to never give up! And also not to be afraid to fail as this is the only way to get better.

Hire people who…

are smarter, more driven and funnier than you.

I get up early morning because…

I love to be ahead of the game!

I strongly believe in…

treating people with kindness, hard work and perseverance.

The first lesson I learned…
was that considerable achievements take time, effort, and vision. It is a real skill to respect what entrepreneurs bring forward.

My most challenging adventure was…
publishing in Nature. Especially that when I started as a junior scientist, this was my ultimate goal.

I get up early morning because…
the day will be like no other.

Growing up I wanted to become…

pharmacist.

My first job was…

cherry picking in the orchard.

I get up early morning because…

I don´t want to my waste time sleeping.

I strongly believe in…

dreams coming true.

I like…

spending time with my friends, walking in the mountains, riding my bike, reading a good book.

I am fascinated by…

how technology is transforming everyday life and how fast it happens.

Growing up I wanted to become…

an astronaut.

From the future I expect…

unpredictable and unprecedented change.

I am highly sceptical of…

any argument lacking supportive reasoning or reliable source/data.

If you pitch to Earlybird…

please keep in mind that we expect to see some data and/or fact-based arguments supporting your thesis.

One of the core things we look for is…

a high-caliber, committed team.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

the privilege of being surrounded by high-caliber and motivated people and having the chance to learn from them.

I am fascinated by…

the way digital tools are disrupting manual workflows in established industries and transforming the way we do business.

The first lesson I learned…

was that every mistake is an opportunity to get better.

I strongly believe in…

the value of having a structured execution plan for success in all endeavors.

If you pitch to Earlybird…

you should have a deep understanding of the market you are operating in and be able to back up your thesis with data.

The first lesson I learned…

is always find someone else who is as convinced about the technology as you are yourself and who is willing to invest money.

I am personally interested in…

finding technologies that change people’s lives, help them get rid of their diseases faster, easier, with less complications (maybe even at home) and make them happy again.

My most challenging adventure was…

when I was moved in a job, knowing that the organization which I was put in charge of did not like me.

None of the companies where I serve on the board…

stick to their strategy during the development.

Hire people who…

are doers and executers willing to fail and accept mistakes as opposed to being timid and waiting — and who are also financially prudent.

For me being a venture capital investor means…
finding the next innovation that makes our planet smarter and our daily life more efficient.

I am fascinated by…
people who are driven by visions and passion and who always believe in their ideas to change our future in a better way.

My most challenging adventure was…
1999 backpacking through Syria and Jordan with my friends – meeting people and enjoying this wonderful culture.

Hire people who…
think out of the box, challenge the status quo and who are strongly convinced of what they do.

I get up early morning because…
I love what I do and especially enjoy working with and in such a strong team.

I am personally interested in…

advocating the concept of a decentralized version of the internet and run decentralized business applications based on blockchain technology.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

as an entrepreneur within the cryptocurrency world where the conception towards Bitcoin changed from being a criminal tool towards the most promising store of value.

My most challenging adventure was…

traveling up the andes on 5,000 meters height from Bolivia to Chile within 5 days.

Hire people who…

who think outside the box and know things that you don’t.

If you pitch to Earlybird…

be aware that we understand how to build and run a company.

For me being a venture capital investor means…
rolling up my sleeves and supporting the most visionary entrepreneurs throughout their journey, with ups and downs.

I am personally interested…
in leveraging data to make better decisions and solving fundamental issues by pushing machines towards real intelligence.

My first job was…
being a process automation engineer where I learned that often enough there’s a significant gap between a theoretical plan and its practical implementation.

My most challenging adventure was…
hiking the highest German mountain (Zugspitze) up and down within 1.5 days and a 15kg backpack as preparation for Kilimanjaro. Whenever you feel that you’ve reached your limits, push further.

Hire people who…
are smarter than yourself, over-deliver and have the ability to getting things done while at the same time questioning the status quo.

If you pitch to Earlybird…
do your research on us, have your information ready and most importantly, dream big and be passionate.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

engaging with people who shape our future through technology – and helping them to get there faster.

I am fascinated by / personally interested in…

people challenging common beliefs – in business and tech, but also in arts and politics.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a secret agent (as I watched too many James Bond movies).

Hire people who…

love what they do and think differently than you.

I strongly believe in…

technologies solving the challenges of our time (e.g. climate change, responsible usage of data, equality in society).

Growing up I wanted to become…

an architect.

I like…

travelling, taking photos, music…

The first lesson I learned…
treat others the way you want to be treated.

Growing up, I wanted to become…
a psychologist.

From the future I expect…
more freedom and equality for those less fortunate than us.

I am highly skeptical of…
people who don’t understand that accurate numbers are important.

I get up early morning because…
I love the smell of fresh coffee.

I strongly believe in…
the unlimited creativity of mankind.

I like…
enjoying a good glass of red wine.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

to learn from inspiring entrepreneurs and to support them in challenging the status quo while following their vision.

The first lesson I learned…

to be open-minded in every respect.

From the future I expect…

better quality of life, enabled by the development and provision of disruptive technologies.

The first lesson I learned…

have an open mind. It can have a big impact on your life.

I am fascinated by…

innovative people who are passionate about their ideas.

My most challenging adventure was…

a 200-kilometer bike race through the Alps with my dad which we had to complete in 12 hours. Honestly, I didn’t train enough before it and was happy that we still made it.

If you pitch to Earlybird…

you have our highest respect and we are looking forward to learning more about your idea.

I like…

cooking. It’s a relaxing moment in my evening when I prepare dinner and discover new and different dishes, for example from Korean cuisine.

I am fascinated by…

the rapid development of the latest technologies.

From the future I expect…

new technologies to give more and more people the freedom to become aware of their talents and to use them.

I get up early in the morning because…

it allows me to start my day quietly, to meditate and to set my intention for the day.

I strongly believe in…

the spiritual connection of humanity.

I like…

coffee and people who encourage and empower others.

I am fascinated by…
the tardigrade – the most resilient animal on Earth. Looking for startups with both unicorn and tardigrade genes!

Growing up I wanted to become…
at first, a streetcleaner, because I was told they earn 100 DM. When I learned that this is not that much, I switched to bank director. I finally settled on computer scientist.

My first job was…
at Google – starting back in the days when it was a startup – up until the days it operated in over 50 countries.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…
of the dot-com bubble.

My most challenging adventure was…
being in Manhattan during 9/11.

From the future I expect…
transformative technologies that help to make the world a better place.

I strongly believe in…
a high-energy can-do team-driven culture, both in the startups we support, as well as in Earlybird itself.

The first lesson I learned…

make every moment count, never fail to try more.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a hotel manager.

From the future I expect…

happiness and healthiness.

I strongly believe in…

following your dreams.

I like…

good food.

The first lesson I learned…

stay yourself.

I am fascinated by…

people who go their own way!

Growing up I wanted to become…

independent.

My first job was…

as an assistant in a Japanese company.

My most challenging adventure was…

passing a swing bridge with a length of 360 meters and a height of over 100 meters.

A great investor does…

not leave a single stone unturned.

I strongly believe in…

the good.

I like…

reading, food, travelling.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

to work with highly motivated and intelligent people that are about to change established industries and constantly challenge the status quo.

The first lesson I learned…

you lead by example.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

of growing a start-up from 40 to 400 people and x pivots of business, mission and vision.

Hire people who…

are smarter than yourself.

I get up early morning because…

because I like to get the hard things done first place.

For me being a venture capital investor means…
supporting real innovations that solve real problems.

I am fascinated by…
the ocean.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…
of several financial crises.

My most challenging adventure was…
offshore racing in stormy conditions.

From the future I expect…
startups helping tackle the enormous challenges we face today.

If you pitch to Earlybird…
you gotta be honest.

I get up early morning because…
I work for Earlybird.

A great investor…
supports its founders come hell or high water.

I strongly believe in…
teamplay! Nobody is perfect but a team can be.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

of a startup’s journey in my first company and it has taught me to respect founders’ resilience.

Hire people who…

are humble and can inspire other A-players to join their teams.

If you pitch to Earlybird…

please come with a spreadsheet of data to complement your PowerPoint deck.

I get up early in the morning because…

I am inspired by our founders who are all brighter and more hard-working than me.

A great investor…

has strong opinions, weakly held.

The first lesson I learned…

what you said – and what the other person understood– are often two different things. Always consider this when communicating.

I am fascinated by…

how different people see and consume the world – whether due to social or cultural backgrounds, personal interests, or current feelings.

Growing up I wanted to become…

either an austronaut or an astro physicist.

I strongly believe in…

any result is more than the sum of singular ideas. Together we can achieve much more than keeping everything to ourselves.

I like…

spending time in bookstores, good writing, and a big cup of strong black tea.

The first lesson I learned…

always keep an open mind.

I am fascinated by…

the vast space of consciousness.

My first job was…

working as a machine-learning engineer in the field of natural language processing in a startup. Here I not only found true friends but I recognized just how passionate I am about building software.

My most challenging adventure was…

to detach from the mind. You are not your thoughts.

The most frustrating experience as a startup employee was…

realizing that my skill potential in any field is strongly coupled with the my degree of interest in it.

From the future I expect…

that humans will cure aging and thus the vast majority of diseases. I also hope for humanity to continue on discovering the oneness of everything and thus limit destructive actions.

Hire people who…

are smart, skilled, communicative, have good energy and intentions, are optimistic but realistic, motivated to deliver value, and able to break down any problem of their field into its smallest parts.

I get up early morning because…

the morning is the best part of the day.

I strongly believe in…

write down your passions and your talents. Attempt to find where they both intersect. Pursue what you find right there.

I like…

designing and implementing software architectures. Walking though nature, in sunshine. Freshly brewed coffee, lots of it.

The first lesson I learned…

leaders eat last.

I am personally interested in…

motorbikes and minimalism.

Growing up I wanted to become…

Pope.

From the future I expect…

exits!

A great investor…

needs to be patient and say “no” often.

I strongly believe in…

integrity, loyalty and reliability.

I like…

my Beemer.

The first lesson I learned…
only do a job that is most relevant for a company and in the core of its activities.

We like to dream with the entrepreneur…
and support them to realize their vision.

My first job was…
a scientist, improving the resource efficiency of machine tools.

From the future I expect…
great journeys with great founders.

Hire people who…
bring diversity in your team and are passionate about what they do.

Great founders…
inspire their team every day.

I strongly believe in…
the uniqueness of the team. Nothing else matters!

The first lesson I learned…

trust your gut feeling.

I am fascinated by / interested in…

High Tech.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a horse trainer.

My first boss / job was…

Headhunting.

Hire people who…

get things done.

I get up early in the morning because…

I am excited about learning new things/experiences every day.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

helping entrepreneurs build successful, well-run companies — the engines of future economic growth.

The first lesson I learned…

is that execution is difficult.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

of different careers: management consulting, finance, entrepreneurship and angel investing before I became a VC.

None of the companies where I serve on the board…

would optimize for the short term at the expense of building sustainable businesses.

Hire people who…

are high caliber, hard working, result-focused, humble and open to learn.

If you pitch to Earlybird…

please treat us like you would treat your co-founders.

A great investor…

always puts the success of his or her portfolio companies first.

I am interested in…

new technologies and automation of basic processes.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a knight.

My most challenging adventure was…

finishing my studies besides working full-time.

Hire people who…

are smart, authentic and think differently than you do.

I strongly believe in…

doing the best at every moment prepares you best for the next one.

I like…

surfing in summer, snowboarding in winter, traveling the world and learning a lot about cultures.

The first lesson I learned…

was unfortunately not “to not be afraid of rejections”; I wish I had learned that sooner!

Growing up I wanted to become…

a CEO.

My first job was…

in telesales, doing cold calls to sell subscriptions for razor blades of extremely bad quality. Needless to say, the churn was immense.

Great founders…

are visionary, have endless curiosity and high self-awareness, are excellent storytellers, listeners, and great at attracting talent.

I strongly believe in…

hard work > talent, discipline > motivation, and progress > perfection.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

finding truly exceptional and passionate founders, supporting them throughout a long and tough journey, and seeing them succeed.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

and I’ve realized that when you stay humble and help people during the ups, you will get support from the most unexpected directions during the downs.

The most frustrating experience as a founder was…

getting a rejection from someone who clearly didn’t even read the pitch. If you send me a pitch and get an unreasoned rejection – remind me of these lines…

Hire people who…

are smarter than you, motivated to get the right results and willing to learn from their mistakes … then coach them and give them the freedom to make those mistakes.

Entrepreneurial grit…

… is one of the core things we look for.

Great founders…

treat every setback as a learning opportunity and don’t give up. And they are able to recruit and motivate outstanding talent.

The first lesson I learned…
it always seems impossible until it’s done.

I am personally interested in…
traveling, different cultures, and art.

Growing up I wanted to become…
a singer.

From the future I expect…
more sustainability, experience, and knowledge.

Hire people who…
think outside the box or think big.

I get up early morning because…
I love my coffee, the smell of fresh air, and especially the silence.

I strongly believe in…
loyalty and friendship.

I like…
enjoying a good glass of red wine, good music, and friends.

The first lesson I learned…

as a company founder and CEO is that you need to wear several hats and be very flexible. Your job description changes every day — from talking to investors and running the everyday operations to clearing up the lab when there’s been a flood. You have to be prepared to put your mind to anything and everything, with little support and infrastructure. The buck stops with you.

I am fascinated by…

cutting-edge technologies. I am turned off by someone coming to our office just to show us a slightly modified version of an existing mousetrap. That’s not going to set the world on fire. In the past I have been involved in developing the first coated coronary stent and more recently a new way of treating stroke, technologies that were acquired by major medical device companies and have subsequently benefitted millions of patients.

Growing up I wanted to become…

Linus Pauling.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

of startup life. I have done several now and unless you are stubborn, determined, creative and willing to work really hard at making your project successful then you won’t succeed. When you feel you have a brick wall in front of you (and that’s more often than not), you just have to put your foot on the accelerator and crash right through that wall. Life in a startup is not for the faint-hearted. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea — so we will be looking to see if you can cut it when the going gets tough.

The most frustrating experience as an investor was…

working with the wrong board and a group of investors that did not understand the company, the technology or its market. What a nightmare that was and what important lessons were learned! Exceptional boards and investors increase your chances of success. At Earlybird, we are not a group of accountants. We have a team with years of operational experience in medical technologies and a wide, global network, so we bring much more to a company than just the money to develop your business. We will work with you to make your company successful.

Hire people who…

are smarter than you! The Founder / CEO who thinks he or she has to be the smartest person in the company will hire average people and inevitably fail.

Growing up I wanted to become…

Mary Poppins

My first job was…

…reading boring school books aloud to my elderly brother for sweets.

My most challenging adventure was…

…a solo hiking tour in the Carpathian mountains.

From the future I expect…

…more sustainability and diversity on our planet.

I am highly sceptical of…

…bureaucracy.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

working with driven people to discover the future of healthcare.

I am fascinated by…

unique solutions to solve current pain points.

My first job was…

investment banking at Barclays – to learn finance.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

and I have learnt to be persistent and to have a long-term vision.

Hire people who…

are passionate and think outside the box.

I am fascinated by…

the rewarding energy and commitment, ideas and results of a great team once you give space for empathy, integrity and respect within your team.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a cellist in a string quartet.

From the future I expect…

“that smart and brave minds, creativity, mutual trust and support within open societies are all key for a sustainable world. Venture Capital in this context is a crucial enabler as well as an attractive asset class.

I am highly skeptical of…

jumping to conclusions too quickly.

I strongly believe in…

the need for high quality whatever you do…and also discipline can be quite relevant…and, of course, passion.