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
Maurice Reinhard
Investment Associate
Massi Ali Ahmadi
Investment Manager
Lara Ebert
Investment Analyst
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
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.“
Maurice Reinhard
Investment Associate
Experience
Academic Background
Hobbies
Favorite Travel Destination
Australia & Italy
“I am truly bound to the Ruhr Region and deeply convinced that we are on a great way to develop a strong foundation for promising, growing startups. The importance of venture capital for the region and the exciting and divers job in our investment team is what really motivates me.”
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.“
Lara Ebert
Investment Manager
Experience
3+ years of experience in VC, startup acceleration and within the startup ecosystem
Academic Background
B.Sc. in Technology and Management from Technical University of Munich & M.Sc. in Management with focus on Entrepreneurship and Impact from Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics
Hobbies
Running, Vegan Cooking, Music
Favorite Travel Destination
Thailand
“It’s truly exciting to work with ambitious founders who are disrupting industries and creating lasting impact. Supporting these entrepreneurs as they turn bold visions into successful businesses is not only rewarding, but also crucial to shaping the future of the Ruhr region and beyond. This keeps me motivated every day.“
Our Partners
