Mission
Artificial Intelligence for Europe
Artificial Intelligence is one of the most significant innovations in human history and is expected to transform nearly every industry. As AI enters the era of widespread application, Europe is well positioned to become a new hotspot for applied AI.
AI.FUND is a highly-focused entrepreneurial investment fund dedicated to advancing AI from Europe.
Our mission is to drive economic growth and prosperity by backing the development and adoption of AI solutions rooted in European values. We leverage our extensive experience as successful entrepreneurs, investors, and technology experts to back European AI leaders and connect them with the established economy.
Investment Focus and Value Creation
We invest in the most promising early-stage, AI-first startups in Europe and Israel which put AI at the heart of their impactful solution. We focus on the application of AI across all sectors with a special focus on four most promising areas of AI application: Enterprise AI, Vertical AI, Industrial AI, and Advanced AI Tech. Our preferred stages are seed and Series A rounds. We expect highly scalable products, clear customer traction, and the ambition to grow internationally, especially the U.S.
Enterprise AI
AI solutions designed to enhance operations across enterprises. We focus on technologies that boost operational efficiency and new business across a broad range of corporate functions Sales & Marketing, Customer Support, IT & Security or Product Development.
Vertical AI
Tailored artificial intelligence focused on specific industries or sectors, such as healthcare, finance, or retail. By addressing specialised needs within a given field, we look for vertical AI that provide high-impact, context-aware solutions.
Industrial AI
AI-driven technologies developed to optimize industrial processes like robotics, transport, manufacturing and other core industrial functions. We look at Industrial AI startups that improve production efficiency, reduce downtime, or enhance quality control.
Advanced AI Tech & Solutions
Cutting-edge AI technologies and solutions that help organisations to unlock the potential of AI. These technologies include AI Agents, AI Solutions Platforms, Knowledge platforms and Gen AI that push organisations to the next level of AI efficiency.
With a clear focus on scalable AI from Europe, our experienced entrepreneurial team, and a unique international network in AI, venture capital, and business, we actively support our portfolio companies in scaling their businesses globally.
Story
As experienced tech entrepreneurs and investors we have founded, scaled and exited industry-leading software and technology companies internationally for the last 30 years, including some of the biggest success stories in the German software and digital industry. We have long been convinced of the potential of AI. We made our first investment in an AI startup in 2002 and as entrepreneurs we have applied AI to generate considerable benefits since then. Today, we are convinced that the adoption of AI is on the threshold of exponential growth and will create significant value in many sectors within the next decade. We believe that especially Europe – with its globally leading, diversified and strong industrialized economy and its current digital transformation – has highly promising opportunities in the application of AI. But startups often lack funding and the expertise to scale and market ideas internationally. We believe that our extensive global network and expertise in internationally scaling companies will create valuable businesses with positive impact to change the world with their innovative applications.
Team
With more than 30 years in business we are an exceptionally experienced management team with complementary skill-set and outstanding track record in the fields investing, global scaling and AI.
Ragnar has been a serial tech entrepreneur for >35 years and is an active startup investor. He is co-founder of AI.INVEST and AI.HAMBURG, co-founder and former CEO of smaato, a leading mobile advertising platform, and former SVP Sales & Marketing of Intershop, the leading e-commerce software provider. He is Board Member of the German American Chamber of Commerce (GAAC) and Representative of the KI Bundesverband Region North.
Petra is a serial tech entrepreneur, co-founder of AI.GROUP, AI.HAMBURG, AI.IMPACT, AI.STARTUP.HUB, Transatlantic AI eXchange, Smaato and Intershop. She is very well connected in European and U.S. innovation ecosystems and today is a representative of various institutions including: Board Member ECIU University, Ambassador Hamburg University of Technology TUHH, Advisory Board Member Faculty of Business Administration Hamburg University UHH, Member Investment Committee Hamburg Innovation, Member Committee of Innovation & Research at Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Board Member Hamburg@Work, Vice President American Club, Board Member Amerikazentrum. She was Hamburg Ambassador in San Francisco and now Chairman of Hamburg Ambassador Global Alumni and spent more than 40 years in Silicon Valley.
John has worked in the digital industry for 30 years and is an experienced investment professional with an exceptional track record. He was instrumental in building and growing Axel Springer’s industry-leading digital investment portfolio, which included more than 180 investments with majority stakes in unicorns such as Stepstone and minority stakes in Airbnb and Uber. Prior to that, he was responsible for the successful IPO of e-commerce software pioneer Intershop at Neuer Markt and Nasdaq. John is co-founder and startup mentor of the AI.Startup.Hub and initiator of the CVC Circle Hamburg.
Ingo has a long-years of experience in software and AI and its commercialization as a Director at AppliedAI / UnternehmerTUM, as GM of CyberValley in Thübingen, as Director at IBM Watson and as VP at SAP. Today Ingo is advisor for the German Government in AI, member of the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), MD of AI.HAMBURG, Executive Board of ADI Innovation AG and expert for Bundesagentur für Sprunginnovation (SPRIN-D).
Hauke is an experienced investor, entrepreneur and tech expert. He is founder of the startup invest firm Lakeside Invest and has served as operating partner for the private equity firm Triton. He has been a member of Amazon’s EU leadership team and served on the board of management of the Nasdaq company Cimpress / Vistaprint. He has held various board positions and has founded or co-founded 9 companies. Earlier in his career he has worked for ASML and McKinsey & Company. Hauke holds a PhD. in Quantum Physics from the University of Konstanz and is author of the book „Capex Excellence”.
Fabian is a renowned Investor and Entrepreneur with a career spanning over 15 years. His expertise is deeply rooted in DeepTech and Artificial Intelligence, areas where he has consistently driven innovation and growth. As the founder of Asgard Capital, Fabian has established a leading AI-focused investment fund, demonstrating his foresight in the potential of AI. He is also the creative force behind the Rise of AI Conference, a pivotal event that brings together global thought leaders in AI. Further solidifying his impressive track record, Fabian was a founding employee at Point Nine Capital, where he played a crucial role in early successes like Delivery Hero. His visionary approach and achievements have made him a key figure in the European startup ecosystem and beyond.
Before joining AI.FUND as Principal, Max co-founded 1Up Capital, one of Europe’s first user acquisition-focused funds, where he helped shape the strategic vision and investment approach. Prior to this, he successfully launched and scaled two ad-tech companies, expanding their operations across five countries, and gained a deep understanding of global markets and digital growth strategies. Max also played a key role in building and scaling multiple ventures at Rocket Internet, where he honed his expertise in fast-paced startup environments and operational excellence. He holds a degree in Finance from the University of St. Andrews.
Dietlind is an analyst at AI.FUND with a strong background in private banking and management consulting. Her Bachelor’s thesis on business plans as tools for profitability analysis honed her skills in evaluating business models. During her Master’s, she focused on behavioral economics and business psychology, deepening her understanding of decision-making and market behavior. She also specialized in risk within financial theory. Prior to venture capital, she worked in multi-asset management and management consulting, supporting clients with strategic and operational challenges. At AI.FUND, she analyzes AI investment opportunities and aids in crafting investment strategies.
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