Verena Pausder

Verena Pausder is a highly influential German entrepreneur, investor, and author, recognized for her significant contributions to the digital and education sectors. Based in Berlin, she has a robust background as a founder, having launched Fox & Sheep, a successful developer of educational apps for children, which was later acquired by HABA. She also co-founded Masterplan.com, a leading B2B e-learning platform, demonstrating her deep commitment to transforming education through technology. Pausder's entrepreneurial journey provides her with a unique founder-centric perspective, making her a valuable partner for early-stage companies.

As an active business angel and venture capitalist, Pausder primarily focuses her investments on areas poised for significant disruption and growth, including EdTech, the Future of Work, SaaS, Artificial Intelligence, and sustainability. Her investment thesis is often rooted in leveraging technology to solve pressing societal and business challenges. Beyond her direct investments, she plays a crucial role in shaping Germany's digital landscape, serving as a member of the supervisory board of Commerzbank and as a member of the German Federal Government's Digital Council. Her advocacy for digital education and entrepreneurship is a consistent theme throughout her career.

Pausder typically invests in early-stage companies, ranging from pre-seed to Series A rounds, often participating in syndicates with other prominent investors. While her exact personal check sizes can vary, her involvement often signals strong validation for a startup. For instance, she participated in the €2 million seed round for SkillLab, an AI-powered skills assessment platform, and was also an early investor in Tomorrow, a sustainable banking solution that later secured an €8 million Series A round. Her investment activities are often channeled through her personal capacity or via vehicles associated with Masterplan.com, which itself raised €13 million in its Series B funding in 2021, underscoring her access to significant capital and her strategic role in the ecosystem.

Her extensive network, deep industry knowledge, and hands-on operational experience make her more than just a capital provider; she is a strategic partner who actively supports portfolio companies in scaling and navigating market complexities. Pausder’s commitment to fostering innovation and her focus on impactful, technology-driven solutions position her as a key player in the European venture capital scene, particularly for startups aiming to revolutionize education and work.