Fraunhofer Venture

Fraunhofer Venture serves as the dedicated venture capital arm of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Europe's largest application-oriented research organization, based in Munich, Germany. Its core mission is to commercialize cutting-edge research by fostering and investing in deep tech spin-offs originating from Fraunhofer institutes. As a pivotal partner for founders, scientists, and investors, Fraunhofer Venture provides comprehensive support, guiding nascent ideas from the laboratory through to successful market entry.

The firm employs a multi-stage approach to nurture its portfolio companies. This includes the Fraunhofer AHEAD program, which offers pre-seed funding and intensive coaching to validate business models and build entrepreneurial teams. For more mature spin-offs, Fraunhofer Venture deploys capital primarily through the Fraunhofer Tech Transfer Fund (FTTF), a co-investment vehicle designed to support companies in their seed and early growth phases. Their strategic involvement ensures that promising technologies receive the necessary resources and guidance to scale.

Fraunhofer Venture's investment strategy focuses on early-stage companies, typically participating in Seed and Series A rounds. Initial investments through the Fraunhofer Tech Transfer Fund typically range from €500,000 to €1,500,000, demonstrating their commitment to substantial early support for deep tech ventures. Their impact is evident in the success of their portfolio: since 2015, Fraunhofer spin-offs have collectively attracted over €200 million in venture capital from external investors, underscoring the quality and potential of the companies they back. The Fraunhofer AHEAD program alone has supported 150 teams and facilitated the launch of 60 spin-offs since its inception in 2018, showcasing their consistent pipeline of innovation.

This approach positions Fraunhofer Venture as a crucial catalyst in the German and European deep tech ecosystems, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and market-ready solutions. By leveraging the extensive research capabilities of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, they play a vital role in transforming groundbreaking scientific advancements into viable, high-growth businesses.