Our team
A team of experienced investment professionals, passionate about empowering innovations with hands-on support on early stage funding, network access and strategic advice.
Management
Ann-Christin Kortenbrede
Managing Partner
Jan Gräfe
Managing Partner & Managing Director
Thorsten Reuter
Managing Director
Investment Team
Massi Ali Ahmadi
Investment Manager
Dr. Fabian Hogrebe
Investment Manager
Thorben Bonn
Investment Associate
Nele Janßen
Investment Analystin (Working Student)
Ann-Christin Kortenbrede
Managing Partner Ruhrgründer Management GmbH
Experience
7+ years in VC with a focus on early stage investments into B2B Tech startups and sustainability/ impact + (investment) banking
Academic Background
Economics (M.Sc.) at University of Münster
Hobbies
Running, Figure Skating, Traveling, Coffee & Food, Snowboarding
Favorite Travel Destination
Guatemala
“The innovation and motivation of startup founders continue to amaze me. Even after years in the VC-industry, I am convinced that the startups in our region and beyond have the potential to disrupt whole industries and change the way we do business and live for the better. Apart from being an investor, as Managing Partner of Gründerfonds Ruhr I can also be an entrepreneur myself and build a great company for our employees, LPs, portfolio companies and other partners from the ecosystem – something I truly enjoy!”
Jan Gräfe
Managing Partner Ruhrgründer Management GmbH & Managing Director Ruhrgründer GmbH
Experience
14+ years of VC, investment and transaction experience
Academic Background
Business Administration (Dipl.-Kfm.) at University of Cologne
Hobbies
Sports, cooking / food, reading
Favorite Travel Destination
Mediterranean region
“It’s great to see so many talented and ambitious founders who dare to start their entrepreneurial journey and want to shape the ongoing transformation process in the region. Being a partner, offering guidance and building a platform to help our founding teams grow is something I truly enjoy.”
Thorsten Reuter
Managing Partner
Experience
15+ years of VC (Gründerfonds Ruhr, NRW.BANK, Sony Venture Capital) experience in Germany/Europe and the USA
Academic Background
Engineering (Dipl. Ing.) at TU-Berlin, Business (Hons. B. Comm.) at Stellenbosch University (South-Africa)
Hobbies
Travelling, hiking, reading magazines in my favorite coffee shops
Favorite Travel Destination
US Westcoast and South Tyrol
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
Massi Ali Ahmadi
Investment Manager
Experience
2+ years in VC with focus on Digital Economy & Technology
Academic Background
M. Sc. in Management & Economics, Ruhr University Bochum
Hobbies
Gym, Books, Music
Favorite Travel Destination
Thailand
“Investing in innovation today is not just about capital; it’s about fueling the ideas that will shape tomorrow.”
Thorben Bonn
Investment Associate
Experience
4+ years in VC and VC research
Academic Background
M.Sc. in Management & Economics (Ruhr-University Bochum), PhD in Finance & Accounting (Ruhr-University Bochum)
Hobbies
Football, Sports
Favorite Travel Destination
Napoli and the Alps
“Having lived, worked, and studied in the Ruhr Region for most of my life, I have witnessed firsthand its immense potential, driven by top universities and research institutions. The region is home to outstanding talent, and I am passionate about seizing this opportunity to help shape the Ruhr area into a leading tech startup hub. My goal is to empower entrepreneurs and create an ecosystem where innovation can thrive.”
Dr. Fabian Hogrebe
Investment Manager
Experience
4+ years in VC and founding experience
Academic Background
M.Sc. in Technology and Management (TU Munich), Dr. rer. pol. in Business Administration (HHU Düsseldorf)
Hobbies
Music, Volleyball
Favorite Travel Destination
USA
“As someone who was born and raised in the Ruhr Region, I feel a deep connection to this area and firmly believe in its tremendous potential to foster promising and successful startups. Seeing the region evolve into a thriving hub for innovation excites me, and I am particularly driven by the crucial role that venture capital plays in this transformation. Supporting founders on their journey and helping them build successful businesses is what truly motivates me.”
Nele Janßen
Investment Analystin (Working Student)
Experience
3+ years within the startup ecosystem, growth equity and consulting
Academic Background
M.Sc. in Finance from NOVA School of Business and Economics Lisbon, B.Sc. in Management and Economics from Ruhr-University Bochum
Hobbies
Sports (Dancing, and trying new sports like Pilates or Padel), Cooking, Travel
Favorite Travel Destination
Thailand
“My journey began in the Ruhr region, where I lived and studied for several years, with family ties to the coal mining industry. This region holds immense potential for growth and innovation, and I’m passionate about its growing startup ecosystem. I’m excited to contribute to and witness the Ruhr region’s ongoing transformation into a hub of innovation and opportunity.”
Our Partners
