recruitment, business intelligence, online marketing and a high-profile network of investors and business partners.

They do not pursue specific themes, but are extremely interested in dull, complex niches that are preferably as yet unaffected by the efficiency of the Internet. Once they have found such a market segment, it is their declared intention to become the category leader. They respect no geographic boundaries and establish companies that are both nationally and internationally active. They are also interested in ideas and start-ups that are less developed, i.e. they want to be involved from the outset, in order to gain an insight into and help shape concepts as early as possible. They always welcome potential founders – with or without an idea – as well as those who have exciting ideas, but who cannot or do not want to implement these themselves.

They see their selves as an institutional co-founder, i.e. they unconditionally contribute everything they can offer to each of their start-ups, in terms of expertise, networking and other added value. their 30-strong team works extremely closely with their start-up portfolio, supporting and advising them with their knowledge of online marketing, product development, business intelligence, service centre know how, HR, design and PR. They also provide office space in Hamburg’s beautiful port city, access to their extensive network of investors and business angels and the experience of successful founders, such as their own founder, Jochen Maaß. They also invest in the financing rounds of their start-up portfolio from their own funds and/or co-investment vehicles. The concentrated power of their accomplishments surpasses that of almost every other market player.