Christian Dahlen
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
Frequently Asked Questions
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