Essen, 07 October 2024 – Gründerfonds Ruhr (“GFR”) is kicking off its second fund generation with the first closing of Gründerfonds Ruhr II with an initial fund volume of €31M. The fund is offering financial and strategic support to startups from the Ruhr region and beyond. The GFR was initiated in 2017 by the Initiativkreis Ruhr and NRW.BANK. Based on its successful development, the new fund is backed by well known institutions including banks, foundations and industrials again. The fund is managed by experienced Venture Capital investors Ann-Christin Kortenbrede and Jan Gräfe.
The Gründerfonds Ruhr team aims to raise €50M until 2025
The GFR investors send a strong signal with the first closing of €31M in a tough market environment. NRW.BANK served as anchor investor next to well known institutions such as National-Bank AG, RAG-Foundation, Brost-Foundation, Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen, Evonik and KÖTTER Security. Despite the challenging conditions, the fund is targeting a final close of €50M within the next 12 months.
“It is a good and important sign for the Ruhr region that the startup fund is being relaunched. Alongside networking, access to capital is a key success factor for the startup ecosystem. We are delighted that the original initiative of our economic alliance is bearing fruit,” adds Dirk Opalka, Managing Director of the Initiativkreis Ruhr GmbH.
“We need a faster pace of innovation and more ideas from innovative start-ups to shape the future in North Rhine-Westphalia. This requires funding,” says Johanna Antonie Tjaden-Schulte, member of the Managing Board of NRW.BANK. “By participating in Gründerfonds Ruhr II, we aim to even better harness the potential of the Ruhr area, with its dense research landscape and urban environment.”
Fund management, network and expertise through the Gründerfonds Ruhr
Gründerfonds Ruhr is responsible for managing the fund for investors and founders. Ann-Christin Kortenbrede and Jan Gräfe contribute their extensive experience in supporting young growth companies and actively shape the strategic direction of the fund.
“Since its launch, the Gründerfonds Ruhr has established a strong position as the preferred investor for startups in the region. By establishing independent fund management, we have set the course for the future”, confirms Jan Gräfe, who has been Managing Director at Gründerfonds Ruhr since 2021. “Further professionalization will enable us to provide even more targeted support to promising start-up teams in the region. The partnership-based cooperation with NRW.BANK and our investors also allows us to utilize the strengths of our partners to offer innovative start-ups in the region and beyond clear added value.”
Investments in the Ruhr region and beyond
A new feature of Gründerfonds Ruhr II is the investment in companies beyond the Ruhr region. This means that 25 per cent of the fund can be invested in start-ups throughout Germany, significantly expanding the reach of Gründerfonds Ruhr II. The fund continues to focus on innovative, technology-orientated companies with strong growth potential, particularly in the fields of chemicals and new materials, energy and industry, life sciences and healthcare, logistics and the digital economy.
Ann-Christin Kortenbrede, second Managing Partner of Gründerfonds Ruhr since 2024, emphasises the flexibility in the selection of startups: “Gründerfonds Ruhr II invests in the best start-up teams with sustainable visions, regardless of their industry. Our focus is on the Ruhr region and neighbouring regions, where we use the strengths of our networks, local industry and excellent university research. At the same time, we concentrate on the most promising areas with a particular focus on sustainability and diversity.”
For more information please contact us: info@gruenderfonds-ruhr.com.