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Christian Dahlen

North America, California, United States, San Francisco

Description

Christian Dahlen is a highly experienced angel investor with a distinguished career spanning over two decades, primarily focused on B2B software startups in Silicon Valley and Germany. His investment philosophy is deeply informed by his extensive corporate background, including a significant tenure as Vice President of Corporate Development at SAP. This prior role provided him with invaluable insights into enterprise software, strategic acquisitions, and global market dynamics, which he now leverages to identify and nurture promising early-stage companies. Since embarking on his angel investment journey in 2001, Dahlen has become a prominent figure in the startup ecosystem, known for providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and mentorship.

Dahlen's investment strategy is sharply focused on B2B software, particularly those developing innovative solutions for enterprise clients. He has a notable geographic preference for companies based in Germany, where he has invested in several high-growth startups, alongside his continued engagement with the Silicon Valley tech scene. His portfolio reflects a keen eye for disruptive technologies and scalable business models within the software sector. Beyond financial investment, Dahlen actively engages with his portfolio companies, often taking on board member roles to provide hands-on support in areas such as corporate development, market entry, and strategic partnerships.

His impressive portfolio includes a number of success stories and high-potential ventures. Among his most notable investments are German-based companies like Celonis, a process mining leader, and Signavio, a business process management firm acquired by SAP. Another significant German investment, LeanIX, an enterprise architecture management company, was also acquired by SAP, underscoring Dahlen's ability to identify strategic fits for large corporations. Furthermore, his early investment in XING, a professional social network, culminated in a successful IPO. With at least 10 companies in his portfolio and multiple successful exits, Dahlen demonstrates a consistent track record of backing companies that achieve significant milestones.

Christian Dahlen provides expert capital and venture advice, making him a valuable partner for B2B software startups seeking to scale. His deep industry knowledge, extensive network, and proven ability to guide companies through critical growth phases position him as a highly sought-after angel investor. He is particularly well-suited for founders who can benefit from a seasoned advisor with direct experience in navigating the complexities of the enterprise software market, both domestically and internationally.

Investor Profile

Christian Dahlen has backed more than 38 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 0 rounds, about 0% of its total and boasts 6 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Seed, Pre Seed, Angel rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, Germany, The Netherlands.
  • Strong thematic focus on Software, Analytics, Machine Learning.
  • Typical check size: $50K – $500K.

Stage Focus

  • Seed (58%)
  • Pre Seed (18%)
  • Angel (5%)
  • Convertible Note (5%)
  • Series Unknown (5%)
  • Series A (5%)
  • Series B (3%)

Country Focus

  • United States (50%)
  • Germany (37%)
  • The Netherlands (3%)
  • Switzerland (3%)
  • France (3%)
  • Hungary (3%)
  • Poland (3%)

Industry Focus

  • Software
  • Analytics
  • Machine Learning
  • Information Technology
  • Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
  • Enterprise Software
  • Saas
  • Industrial Automation
  • Computer Vision
  • Manufacturing
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Christian Dahlen frequently co-invest with?

SOSV
North America, New Jersey, United States, Princeton
Co-Investments: 3
Angel Invest
Europe, Berlin, Germany, Berlin
Co-Investments: 2
Fly Ventures
Europe, Berlin, Germany, Berlin
Co-Investments: 2
Y Combinator
North America, California, United States, Mountain View
Co-Investments: 4
Merantix
Europe, Berlin, Germany, Berlin
Co-Investments: 2
Atlantic Labs
Europe, Berlin, Germany, Berlin
Co-Investments: 6
APEX Ventures
Europe, Wien, Austria, Vienna
Co-Investments: 2
Alchemist Accelerator
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 4
Slow Ventures
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 2
A
Europe, Hamburg, Germany, Hamburg
Co-Investments: 3

Which angels does Christian Dahlen often collaborate with?

BS
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 2
KP
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 2
SC
North America, United States
Shared Deals: 2
VH
North America, Washington, United States
Shared Deals: 1
FH
North America, Maryland, United States, Bethesda
Shared Deals: 2
AC
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
CZ
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 2
KA
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 2
MF
North America, Illinois, United States, Chicago
Shared Deals: 2
AR
North America, Georgia, United States, Atlanta
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Christian Dahlen?

Deltia

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Unlocking a new level of productivity in manual processes with the power of computer vision and AI-based analytics

AnalyticsArtificial Intelligence (AI)B2BComputer VisionMachine LearningSaaSSoftware
SeedApr 26, 2024
Amount Raised: $4,812,525
Rencore

Munich, Bayern, Germany

Rencore is a Cloud Collaboration Governance SaaS provider, helping organizations to stay in control of their Microsoft 365 cloud .

Cloud ManagementCloud SecurityComplianceEnterprise ApplicationsInformation TechnologyRisk ManagementSaaSSoftware
AngelMar 20, 2024
comstruct

Munich, Bayern, Germany

comstruct is working on a platform that will allow construction companies to digitise and automate material purchasing.

Business DevelopmentConstructionIT Infrastructure
Pre SeedMar 23, 2023
Amount Raised: $1,300,155
clous

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

clous is the platform for the implementation of individual workflows for the automated conversion and analysis of engineering data.

Software
SeedNov 15, 2022
Deltia

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Unlocking a new level of productivity in manual processes with the power of computer vision and AI-based analytics

AnalyticsArtificial Intelligence (AI)B2BComputer VisionMachine LearningSaaSSoftware
Pre SeedNov 1, 2022
Amount Raised: $1,580,358
Alphadoc

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands

The operating system that helps developer products with their go-to-market

Developer ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSoftwareSoftware Engineering
Pre SeedNov 1, 2022
OKAPI:Orbits

Brunswick, Niedersachsen, Germany

OKAPI:Orbits is a SaaS startup dedicated to making space travel more sustainable through Collision Avoidance Software for satellites.

Satellite CommunicationSoftwareSpace Travel
SeedJun 13, 2022
Amount Raised: $5,728,343
Darvis

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Darvis: Now you are Operating!

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Computer VisionData VisualizationElder CareGeospatialHealth CareLogisticsMachine LearningSoftware
SeedJun 1, 2022
Amount Raised: $8,000,000
Aletiq

Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Aletiq is an online PLM software that offers technical data management solutions for industrial companies.

ConsultingData ManagementInformation TechnologySoftware
Pre SeedApr 15, 2022
Amount Raised: $1,621,785
Software Defined Automation

Munich, Bayern, Germany

Software Defined Automation is an industrial software and manufacturing company that delivers industrial control as a service.

AutomotiveMachinery ManufacturingManufacturing
Pre SeedDec 31, 2021