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.

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…

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.

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.

My most challenging adventure…

is trying to be the best dad I can be. I have five kids — four boys and a girl — from kindergarten to college age, all very different from one another. We speak English, French and German at home. Each family meal feels like a small version of a UN session. It’s all about compromise!

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.

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.

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…
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.

The first lesson I learned…

it´s the people that make the difference!

I am fascinated by…

learning from creative people that seemingly small things and innovations can make such a big difference in our daily life and view of things.

Growing up I wanted to become…

rich and independent.

My first job was…

being a trainee assistant to one of the nicest and smartest “grandpa style” bosses who taught me that life should not be taken too seriously.

From the future I expect…

only happiness.

I am highly skeptical of…

cats.

Hire people who…

are positive and optimistic.

If you pitch to Earlybird…

you picked the best.

I get up early in the morning because…

I am an Earlybird.

I strongly believe in / don’t believe in…

sleep / fortune tellers.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

serving as a sparring partner to the founders in our portfolio and leveraging my own entrepreneurial experience across functions to enhance their success.

I am fascinated by…

businesses that have a strong purpose beyond making money.

My first business was…

a food truck company for French pastries that I founded with my brother Ferry in high school and which paid for our tuitions at law school and business school.

My most challenging adventure was…

buying DailyDeal back from Google and restructuring it until reaching break-even — and then selling it successfully for a second time.

A great investor…

seeks to understand the big picture, has a strong sense for patterns and shows respect for every entrepreneurial effort.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

helping talented entrepreneurs fulfil their dream of building their own company, revolutionizing an industry and creating a unique culture.

The first lesson I learned…

(almost) anything is possible if you really, really want it. In the words of one of our first Business Angels: The sky is the limit.

I am fascinated by…

companies and initiatives that create a positive impact on the environment and reduce climate change.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a professional drummer.

My most challenging adventure was…

my very first solo skydive in England during my term abroad.

Hire people who…

are constantly raising the bar in their respective department and are fascinated by your product.

Great founders…

are smart, convincing, passionate, reflective and are visionary regarding their business.

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.

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.

The first lesson I learned…

Keep smiling! It always helps (and it confuses people).

I am fascinated by…

our Chief Happiness Officer “Cooper” 🙂 as well as by nature.

My first job was…

working as a musical performer — singing, dancing and acting in several shows for over 10 years — and also teaching singing and acting.

I strongly believe in…

fate, love, family and karma.

I like…

family, friends, animals and enjoying life.

For me being a venture capital investor means…
taking chances and having the privilege to work with the most intelligent and motivated people that challenge the status quo.

The first lesson I learned…
trust your gut and don’t do anything that you know is morally wrong.

Growing up, I wanted to become…
a trauma surgeon.

From the future I expect…
technology solving the challenges of today – and tomorrow.

Hire people who…
have the right attitude.

I strongly believe in…
happiness is a skill that you can train like nutrition or fitness.

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.

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.

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.

For me being a venture capital investor means…

finding people who know better and execute better. Look for people who know better — do not fall into the trap of investing in people who try to raise money by trying to address your own smartness or narcissism. Invest in vision and endurance.

I strongly believe in…

the notion that early stage investing is like raising kids — they need help to grow, but they have to grow on their own. And they are usually much further ahead than you think. Let them loose, but always help in a crisis. In many cases, just listen — and be patient.

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.

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…
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.

The first lesson I learned…

never give up.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a dancer.

My first job was…

in a small city in Bavaria, very old-school and traditional.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

of life.

I am highly skeptical of…

cats and wasps.

I get up early in the morning because…

every day is a chance to gain new experiences.

I like…

travelling.

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.

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.

The first lesson I learned…
taking the initiative makes a difference.

I am fascinated by…
the thought that we all in our insignificant way make a significant impact on this earth and society.

From the future I expect…
more knowledge and experience.

I get up early morning because…
it is always tempting to watch the sunrise and it is the most appropriate time to set priorities to get the right things done.

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 am highly skeptical of…

cats.

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…

having the privilege to work with those who not only dare to envision but also actively shape our future.

I am fascinated by…

the automotive world, philosophical puzzles and fine food.

Growing up I wanted to become…

a chef, but decided to postpone it until retirement.

From the future I expect…

the right questions to today’s wrong answers, driven by the convergence of nature and technology.

A great investor…

helps you to stay holistically reflected, to hit the ground running every single day and thereby to push the limits of the company.

I strongly believe in…

authenticity and courage.

If you pitch to Earlybird…

it is about intrinsic entrepreneurship and the aptitude to dream big.

Growing up I wanted to become…
an astronaut and travel in space! Failing that, being a scientist, which is what I ended up doing for a while.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…
of seed round fundraising for technology companies spinning out of universities. Working together with academic founders from the University of Oxford to validate the market and unmet need, to develop the necessary Proof of Concept evidence, and to communicate the long term vision of the company to both technical and non-technical investors.

My most challenging adventure was…
walking 500km in 2.5 weeks without any training whatsoever. A good pair of boots is the most important thing!

I get up early morning because…
I want to work with founders that are extremely passionate about the problem they are trying to solve. Within the Health Team, this means companies that are helping patients and improving the way healthcare is delivered today. No other industry impacts us all in this way.

If you pitch to Earlybird…
you have our full attention! The Health Team has deep expertise across the healthcare space, and we are looking for companies that will really help improve patient outcomes.

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.

My first job was…

washing my parents’ cars! I got five euros per car — 10 if I cleaned the inside as well.

I’ve been through the ups and downs…

in my dragon boat training.

My most challenging adventure was…

a 60 kilometer canoe race in Sweden.

Great founders…

also know the names of the assistants!

I strongly don’t believe in…

“The more the better” — sometimes less is more.

I like…

a tasty medium-rare filet of beef with a gorgeous glass of red wine on a relaxing evening among friends and family somewhere in the world.

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…
pay attention to the little things.

I am fascinated by…
nature and travelling to places I have never seen before.

I get up early morning because…
every day is a new chance for new opportunities.

I like…
positive people, good food, and travelling.

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.

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…

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…

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.

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.