Sustainability-related disclosures pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 (“SFDR”)

Date of publication: March 2021

Date of update: 

  • December 2022: amendments made in connection with the structuring of Vorwerk Ventures IV GmbH & Co. KG and to cover the evolving market practice as well as recent guidance from European institutions.
  • July 2026: amendments made in connection with the structuring of [VV Fund V] GmbH & Co. KG. The disclosures for Vorwerk Ventures III GmbH & Co. KG and Vorwerk Ventures IV GmbH & Co. KG, previously presented jointly, are now set out separately, and the process descriptions have been harmonized across all funds; PAI statement amended to cover the evolving market practice as well as recent guidance from European institutions; editorial amendments.

I. Sustainability risks

MM Venture Management GmbH (the “Manager”, LEI: 391200LTV6IM444E9C36) considers sustainability risks as part of its investment decision-making process. Sustainability risks are environmental, social or governance events or conditions, the occurrence of which could have an actual or potential material adverse effect on the value of the investment. The Manager considers sustainability risks as part of its due diligence process prior to any investment. This also includes an assessment of sustainability risks. Such assessment is being conducted through an informal process as appropriate in light of the circumstances of the individual case. The results of such assessment are taken into account when the investment decision is being taken. However, the Manager remains free in its decision to refrain from investing or to invest despite sustainability risks, in which case the Manager can also apply measures to reduce or mitigate any sustainability risks. At all times, the Manager will apply the principle of proportionality taking due account of the strategic relevance of an investment as well as its transactional context.

II. Remuneration disclosures

As a registered alternative investment fund manager within the meaning of section 2 (4) of the German Investment Code (Kapitalanlagegesetzbuch, “KAGB”), the Manager does not have and does not need to have a remuneration guideline or policy in accordance with the requirements of the KAGB.

III. No consideration of adverse impacts of investment decisions on sustainability factors

The Manager does not consider any adverse impacts of its investment decisions on sustainability factors and, hence, does not use the sustainability indicators listed in Annex I of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1288 (as amended from time to time, “RTS”) to identify and assess potential adverse impacts. Sustainability factors are environmental, social and employee concerns, respect for human rights and the fight against corruption and bribery. Given that the SFDR, the Regulation (EU) 2020/852 (“Taxonomy”) and the accompanying RTS have now been in force for some time, there is a growing body of regulatory guidance and market practice. However, significant legal and practical uncertainties persist regarding their application to venture capital as an asset class. This is particularly relevant for the Manager, whose investment strategy focuses on early-stage companies. These portfolio companies typically have limited experience in ESG reporting and often lack the infrastructure to provide comprehensive ESG data. Moreover, Vorwerk Ventures III GmbH & Co. KG (“VV III”), Vorwerk Ventures IV GmbH & Co. KG (“VV IV”) and [VV Fund V] GmbH & Co. KG (“VV V”; VV III, VV IV and VV V together the “Funds”) will only hold minority interests in their portfolio companies. Such minority interests are, however, generally not sufficient to encourage the Funds’ portfolio companies to collect and provide the relevant data. As a result, obtaining the necessary information for full compliance under Art. 4 SFDR continues to pose considerable challenges in practice. If and to the extent that the legal uncertainties will be resolved and a practicable market and administrative practice will evolve in this regard, the Manager will re-evaluate considering principal adverse impacts of its investment decisions in Q4 2027.

IV. Sustainability-related disclosures

  1. Vorwerk Ventures III GmbH & Co. KG

Financial product: Vorwerk Ventures III GmbH & Co. KG, LEI: 391200XSR4MFXDY3S195

Summary

VV III considers certain environmental and/or social characteristics as part of its investment decisions and monitoring processes but does not seek to make sustainable investments as defined in the SFDR.

VV III incorporates exclusion (negative screening) aspects during its decision-making process. Thereby VV III considers several ESG themes to be the key to responsible investing. However, there is currently no quantitative measurement with regard to environmental or social characteristics and no sustainability indicators are used. The actions and decisions described in the following section are each made by the Manager for and on behalf of VV III.

Zusammenfassung

VV III berücksichtigt bestimmte ökologische und/oder soziale Merkmale im Rahmen seiner Investitionsentscheidungen und Monitoring-Prozesse, strebt aber keine nachhaltigen Investitionen im Sinne der SFDR an.

VV III bezieht Exklusionsaspekte (negatives Screening) in seinen Entscheidungsprozess ein. Dabei betrachtet VV III mehrere ESG-Themen als Schlüssel für verantwortungsvolles Investieren. Allerdings gibt es derzeit keine quantitative Messung in Bezug auf ökologische oder soziale Merkmale und es werden keine Nachhaltigkeitsindikatoren verwendet. Die in diesem Abschnitt beschriebenen Handlungen und Entscheidungen erfolgen jeweils durch den Manager für VV III.

No sustainable investment objective

VV III promotes environmental or social characteristics but does not have as its objective sustainable investment.

Environmental or social characteristics of the financial product

VV III promotes environmental and/or social characteristics by implementing certain investment exclusions (see section ‘Investment strategy’) during the decision-making process.

Investment strategy

The purpose of VV III is to build, hold and manage (including to divest) a portfolio of equity and equity-related investments in portfolio companies. The investment strategy of VV III is to realize a return on invested capital through long-term appreciation of investments in portfolio companies. VV III intends to hold its portfolio investments for at least the medium term, generally five (5) years. VV III primarily undertakes early-stage investments in start-up companies (seed, series A and series B financing rounds) with high growth potential. VV III focuses its investment activity on portfolio companies located in Europe, in particular on companies that are active in the ‘consumer tech’ and ‘enabling technologies’ sectors or in sub-sectors thereof.

VV III is bound by the investment restrictions and limitations set out in VV III’s limited partnership agreement and shall procure that such requirements, restrictions and limitations are complied with at all times. In particular, VV III will screen each investment opportunity against its investment exclusions and no investments will be made in the area of such exclusions.

VV III shall not invest, guarantee or otherwise provide financial or other support, directly or indirectly, to companies, including portfolio companies, or other entities:

a) illegal economic activities under applicable law;
b) the financing or production of weapons and ammunition of any kind;
c) the operation of casinos and similar establishments, including online betting and online casinos; or
d) pornography.

Good governance practices are assessed through an informal process as appropriate in light of the circumstances of the individual case as part of every due diligence process prior to any investment made by VV III. Such practices include, in particular, sound management structures, employee relations, remuneration of staff and tax compliance within the portfolio companies. Moreover, VV III will conduct regular monitoring of the good governance practices in its portfolio companies during the holding period. If VV III becomes aware of severe governance issues, it will investigate them and work with all parties involved to find an appropriate solution.

Proportion of investments

VV III will invest fully in line with its investment strategy and investment restrictions, i.e., will only make investments which are aligned with its environmental or social characteristics (i.e., its investment exclusions). VV III does not make and does not intend to make sustainable investments within the meaning of Art. 2 (17) SFDR or environmentally sustainable investments within the meaning of Art. 2  (1) Taxonomy; hence, no portion of its investments will be aligned with the Taxonomy.

Monitoring of environmental or social characteristics

VV III has an increased awareness of the impact of environmental or social characteristics on risk management and thus on the value potential of investments. In order to monitor the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV III (i.e., its investment exclusions), VV III consults with the portfolio companies on an ad hoc basis. If VV III suspects any conflicts in this regard, it will carry out further checks in order to identify and to solve potential issues with the environmental or social characteristics. External monitoring mechanisms are not in place.

Methodologies for environmental or social characteristics

Currently, VV III applies qualitative assessments with regard to its environmental or social characteristics (i.e., its investment exclusions). VV III conducts its initial assessment in the course of its due diligence via an informal process incorporated in the general due diligence process. Based on the results of such assessment, VV III identifies whether the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV III are met.

In order to measure how the environmental or social characteristics are met during the holding period, VV III consults with the portfolio companies as appropriate in light of the circumstances of the individual case, including on an ad hoc basis where it becomes aware of material controversies, incidents or other relevant indications, and will carry out further checks in order to identify potential issues with such characteristics.

Data sources and processing

In order to monitor the attainment of the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV III (i.e., its investment exclusions), VV III obtains data from its (potential) portfolio companies. All relevant data is obtained from such portfolio companies and no data is supplemented by information publicly available. An internal or external review or verification of the information obtained will be carried out if misrepresentations are suspected.

The results of the data obtained are considered in the investment decision.

Limitations to methodologies and data

The information collected from the (potential) portfolio companies as an informal part of the due diligence is internally or externally verified only if and to the extent misrepresentations are suspected. Thus, it cannot be ruled out completely that false information may remain undetected in certain cases. As VV III’s investments are made for several years, VV III considers it a priority to establish and maintain a trustful working relationship with its portfolio companies in order to ensure compliance with the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV III (i.e., its investment exclusions).

Due diligence

An initial assessment of how an investment relates to the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV III (i.e., its investment exclusions) is carried out as part of the due diligence process by way of an informal process as appropriate in light of the circumstances of the individual case and, where required based on the inherent ESG risk of the portfolio company, through an enhanced analysis. As a rule, purely qualitative statements of an environmental or social nature or relating to corporate governance are requested from the portfolio companies and then taken into account during the investment decision-making process. An internal or external review or verification of the information obtained will only be carried out if misrepresentations are suspected.

Engagement policies

Engagement is not part of the environmental or social investment strategy of VV III.

Designated reference benchmark

No index has been designated as a reference benchmark to meet the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV III.

2. Vorwerk Ventures IV GmbH & Co. KG

Financial product: Vorwerk Ventures IV GmbH & Co. KG, LEI: 391200OEM99OLNS1MX81

Summary

VV IV considers certain environmental and/or social characteristics as part of its investment decisions and monitoring processes but does not seek to make sustainable investments as defined in the SFDR.

VV IV incorporates exclusion (negative screening) aspects during its decision-making process. Thereby, VV IV considers several ESG themes to be the key to responsible investing. However, there is currently no quantitative measurement with regard to environmental or social characteristics and no sustainability indicators are used. The actions and decisions described in the following section are each made by the Manager for and on behalf of VV IV.

Zusammenfassung
 
VV IV berücksichtigt bestimmte ökologische und/oder soziale Merkmale im Rahmen seiner Investitionsentscheidungen und Monitoring-Prozesse, strebt aber keine nachhaltigen Investitionen im Sinne der SFDR an.
 
VV IV bezieht Exklusionsaspekte (negatives Screening) in seinen Entscheidungsprozess ein. Dabei betrachtet VV IV mehrere ESG-Themen als Schlüssel für verantwortungsvolles Investieren. Allerdings gibt es derzeit keine quantitative Messung in Bezug auf ökologische oder soziale Merkmale und es werden keine Nachhaltigkeitsindikatoren verwendet. Die in diesem Abschnitt beschriebenen Handlungen und Entscheidungen erfolgen jeweils durch den Manager für VV IV.
 
No sustainable investment objective
 
VV IV promotes environmental or social characteristics but does not have as its objective sustainable investment.
 
Environmental or social characteristics of the financial product
 
VV IV promotes environmental and/or social characteristics by implementing certain investment exclusions (see section ‘Investment strategy’) during the decision-making process.
 
Investment strategy
 
The purpose of VV IV is to build, hold and manage (including to divest) a portfolio of equity and equity-related investments in portfolio companies. The investment strategy of VV IV is to realize a return on invested capital through long-term appreciation of investments in portfolio companies. VV IV intends to hold its portfolio investments for at least the medium term, generally five (5) years. VV IV primarily undertakes early-stage investments in start-up companies (seed, series A and series B financing rounds) with high growth potential. VV IV focuses its investment activity on portfolio companies located in Europe, in particular on companies that are active in the ‘consumer tech’ and ‘enabling technologies’ sectors or in sub-sectors thereof.
 
VV IV is bound by the investment restrictions and limitations set out in VV IV’s limited partnership agreement and shall procure that such requirements, restrictions and limitations are complied with at all times. In particular, VV IV will screen each investment opportunity against its investment exclusions and no investments will be made in the area of such exclusions.
 
VV IV shall not invest, guarantee or otherwise provide financial or other support, directly or indirectly, to companies, including portfolio companies, or other entities:
 
a) illegal economic activities under applicable law;
b) the financing or production of weapons and ammunition of any kind;
c) the operation of casinos and similar establishments, including online betting and online casinos; or
d) pornography.
 
Good governance practices are assessed through an informal process as appropriate in light of the circumstances of the individual case as part of every due diligence process prior to any investment made by VV IV. Such practices include, in particular, sound management structures, employee relations, remuneration of staff and tax compliance within the portfolio companies. Moreover, VV IV will conduct regular monitoring of the good governance practices in its portfolio companies during the holding period. If VV IV becomes aware of severe governance issues, it will investigate them and work with all parties involved to find an appropriate solution.
 
Proportion of investments
 
VV IV will invest fully in line with its investment strategy and investment restrictions, i.e., will only make investments which are aligned with its environmental or social characteristics (i.e., its investment exclusions). VV IV does not make and does not intend to make sustainable investments within the meaning of Art. 2 (17) SFDR or environmentally sustainable investments within the meaning of Art. 2 (1) Taxonomy; hence, no portion of its investments will be aligned with the Taxonomy.
 
Monitoring of environmental or social characteristics
 
VV IV has an increased awareness of the impact of environmental or social characteristics on risk management and thus on the value potential of investments. In order to monitor the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV IV (i.e., its investment exclusions), VV IV consults with the portfolio companies on an ad hoc basis. If VV IV suspects any conflicts in this regard, it will carry out further checks in order to identify and to solve potential issues with the environmental or social characteristics. External monitoring mechanisms are not in place.
 
Methodologies for environmental or social characteristics
 
Currently, VV IV applies qualitative assessments with regard to its environmental or social characteristics (i.e., its investment exclusions). VV IV conducts its initial assessment in the course of its due diligence via an informal process incorporated in the general due diligence process. Based on the results of such assessment, VV IV identifies whether the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV IV are met.
 
In order to measure how the environmental or social characteristics are met during the holding period, VV IV consults with the portfolio companies as appropriate in light of the circumstances of the individual case, including on an ad hoc basis where it becomes aware of material controversies, incidents or other relevant indications, and will carry out further checks in order to identify potential issues with such characteristics.
 

Data sources and processing

In order to monitor the attainment of the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV IV (i.e., its investment exclusions), VV IV obtains data from its (potential) portfolio companies. All relevant data is obtained from such portfolio companies and no data is supplemented by information publicly available. An internal or external review or verification of the information obtained will be carried out if misrepresentations are suspected.

The results of the data obtained are considered in the investment decision.

Limitations to methodologies and data
 
The information collected from the (potential) portfolio companies as an informal part of the due diligence is internally or externally verified only if and to the extent misrepresentations are suspected. Thus, it cannot be ruled out completely that false information may remain undetected in certain cases. As VV IV’s investments are made for several years, VV IV considers it a priority to establish and maintain a trustful working relationship with its portfolio companies in order to ensure compliance with the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV IV (i.e., its investment exclusions).
 

Due diligence

An initial assessment of how an investment relates to the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV IV (i.e., its investment exclusions) is carried out as part of the due diligence process by way of an informal process as appropriate in light of the circumstances of the individual case and, where required based on the inherent ESG risk of the portfolio company, through an enhanced analysis. As a rule, purely qualitative statements of an environmental or social nature or relating to corporate governance are requested from the portfolio companies and then taken into account during the investment decision-making process. An internal or external review or verification of the information obtained will only be carried out if misrepresentations are suspected.

Engagement policies
 
Engagement is not part of the environmental or social investment strategy of VV IV.
 
Designated reference benchmark
 
No index has been designated as a reference benchmark to meet the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV IV.
 

3. [VV Fund V] GmbH & Co. KG

Financial product: [VV Fund V] GmbH & Co. KG, LEI: 391200I5Y4232KOMUC19

Summary

VV V considers certain environmental and/or social characteristics as part of its investment decisions and monitoring processes but does not seek to make sustainable investments as defined in the SFDR. The consideration of environmental and/or social characteristics is carried out both before and after an investment. For this purpose, information is initially and thereafter as appropriate obtained from the portfolio companies by means of qualitative queries. VV V incorporates exclusion (negative screening) aspects during the decision-making process. Thereby VV V considers several ESG themes to be the key to responsible investing. The actions and decisions described in the following section are each made by the Manager for and on behalf of VV V.

Zusammenfassung

VV V berücksichtigt bestimmte ökologische und/oder soziale Merkmale im Rahmen seiner Investitionsentscheidungen und Monitoring-Prozesse, strebt aber keine nachhaltigen Investitionen im Sinne der SFDR an. Die Berücksichtigung von Umwelt- und/oder Sozialmerkmalen erfolgt sowohl vor als auch nach einer Investition. Zu diesem Zweck werden zunächst und danach anlassbezogen Informationen von den Portfoliounternehmen durch qualitative Abfragen eingeholt. VV V bezieht Exklusionsaspekte (negatives Screening) in seinen Entscheidungsprozess ein. Dabei betrachtet der Fonds mehrere ESG-Themen als Schlüssel für verantwortungsvolles Investieren. Die in diesem Abschnitt beschriebenen Handlungen und Entscheidungen erfolgen jeweils durch den Manager für VV V.

No sustainable investment objective
 
VV V promotes environmental or social characteristics but does not have as its objective sustainable investment.
 
Environmental or social characteristics of the financial product
 
VV V promotes environmental and/or social characteristics by implementing certain investment exclusions (see section “Investment strategy”) during the investment decision-making process.
 
Investment strategy
 
The purpose of VV V is to build, hold and manage (including to divest), in accordance with and subject to the Investment Restrictions and Limitations, a portfolio of equity and equity-related venture capital investments in enterprises in the early stage, i.e., Pre-Seed, Seed and Series A rounds, which are engaged in sectors with innovation capacity and growth potential driving positive change for people and planet. Investments are expected to be spread across a wide range of economic activities. VV V shall, in principle, pursue a long-term investment strategy. VV V’s investment strategy is continuously implemented as part of the investment process: every investment opportunity will be tested against VV V’s investment strategy, in particular its investment exclusions, as part of the due diligence prior to any investment made by VV V.
 
VV V is bound by the investment restrictions and limitations set out in VV V’s limited partnership agreement and shall procure that such requirements, restrictions and limitations are complied with at all times. In particular, VV V will screen each investment opportunity against the following investment exclusions and no investments will be made in the area of such exclusions. VV V shall not invest, guarantee or otherwise provide financial or other support, directly or indirectly, to companies, including portfolio companies, or other entities whose business activity consists of:
 
a) Performing research and innovation activities considered as illegal according to the applicable legislation in the country of the portfolio company;
b) Any illegal economic activity (i.e., any production, trade or other activity, which is illegal under the laws or regulations applicable to VV V or the relevant portfolio company, including without limitation, human cloning for reproduction purposes);
c) The production of tobacco, distilled alcoholic beverages, and related products;
d) The financing and production of, and trade in, weapons and ammunition of any kind;
e) Gambling;
f) Oil and gas exploration, extraction or operations;
g) Retail banking;
h) Pornography;
i) The research, development or technical applications relating to electronic data programs or solutions, which are intended to enable to illegally (x) enter into electronic data networks; or (y) download electronic data.
 
Good governance practices are assessed through an informal process as appropriate in light of the circumstances of each individual case as part of the due diligence prior to any investment. Such practices include, in particular, sound management structures, employee relations, remuneration of staff and tax compliance within the portfolio companies. Moreover, VV V will conduct regular monitoring of good governance practices in its portfolio companies during the holding period. If VV V becomes aware of severe governance issues, it will investigate them and work with all parties involved to find an appropriate solution.
 
Proportion of investments
 
VV V will invest fully in line with its investment strategy and investment restrictions, i.e., will only make investments which are aligned with its environmental or social characteristics (i.e., its investment exclusions). VV V does not make and does not intend to make sustainable investments within the meaning of Art. 2 (17) SFDR or environmentally sustainable investments within the meaning of Art. 2 (1) Taxonomy; hence, no portion of its investments will be aligned with the Taxonomy.
 
Monitoring of environmental or social characteristics
 
VV V has an increased awareness of the impact of environmental or social characteristics on risk management and thus on the value potential of investments. Accordingly, VV V monitors compliance with its environmental or social characteristics as appropriate in light of the circumstances of the individual case, including on an ad hoc basis where it becomes aware of material controversies, incidents or other relevant indications. Prior to making an investment, VV V assesses the attainment of its environmental or social characteristics with respect to every potential portfolio company. During the holding period, VV V uses the sustainability indicator “No investments in areas of investment exclusions” and collects respective data at portfolio company level in order to monitor compliance with its environmental or social characteristics. VV V consults with the portfolio companies as appropriate and will carry out further checks if there are indications of potential issues with VV V’s ESG approach. External monitoring mechanisms are not in place.
 
Methodologies for environmental or social characteristics

VV V applies qualitative assessments with regard to its environmental or social characteristics (i.e., its investment exclusions). VV V conducts an initial assessment in the course of its due diligence. Through an informal process, the investment exclusions and good governance practices are identified and evaluated. Based on the results of this assessment, VV V identifies whether the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV V are met before making an investment. During the holding period, the assessment forms the basis to measure and monitor whether the characteristics continue to be met.
 
Data sources and processing

In order to attain each of the environmental and/or social characteristics promoted by VV V, VV V obtains relevant data from potential portfolio companies through an informal process in the course of the due diligence conducted prior to each investment. During the holding period, VV V obtains information from portfolio companies as appropriate in light of the circumstances of the individual case, including on an ad hoc basis where it becomes aware of material controversies, incidents or other relevant indications. Data is obtained from the portfolio companies. Qualitative statements of an environmental or social nature or relating to corporate governance are requested and taken into account in the investment decision-making and monitoring processes. An internal or external review or verification of the data obtained will be carried out if misrepresentations are suspected.
 
Limitations to methodologies and data
 
The information collected from potential portfolio companies is internally or externally verified only if and to the extent misrepresentations are suspected. Thus, it cannot be ruled out completely that false information may remain undetected in certain cases. As VV V’s investments are made for several years, VV V considers it a priority to establish and maintain a trustful working relationship with portfolio companies in order to ensure compliance with the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV V (i.e., its investment exclusions). Further limitations, in particular with regard to the accuracy of data and reliability of data sources used, are not apparent at this time.
 
Due diligence

An initial assessment of how an investment relates to the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV V (i.e., its investment exclusions) is carried out as part of the due diligence process by way of an informal process as appropriate in light of the circumstances of each individual case and, where required based on the inherent ESG risk of the portfolio company, through an enhanced analysis. VV V incorporates exclusion (negative screening with respect to its investment exclusions) as well as good governance aspects during the decision-making process. As a rule, qualitative statements of an environmental or social nature or relating to corporate governance are requested from the portfolio companies and taken into account in the investment decision-making process. An internal or external review or verification of the information obtained will only be carried out if misrepresentations are suspected.
 
Engagement policies
 
Engagement is, in general, not part of the environmental or social investment strategy of VV V. However, should VV V determine any potential issues relating to the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV V or other ESG-related controversies in its portfolio companies, VV V may engage the respective portfolio companies in discussions to resolve, reduce or mitigate adverse effects. VV V determines in its discretion which efforts are appropriate and proportionate in light of the size and strategic importance of the respective investment and the transactional context.
 
Designated reference benchmark
 
No index has been designated as a reference benchmark to meet the environmental or social characteristics promoted by VV V.

Marius Evers

Investment Manager

Marius joined Vorwerk Ventures in early 2025. Prior, he was part of the investment team at Kiko Ventures, a pan-European early-stage industrial tech and climate/energy-focused investment firm. During his time in the CEO office at Trade Republic, he gained hands-on operational exposure to growing a business at speed. Before that, he worked in crossover early-stage and growth equity investing at Global Founders Capital, as well as in consulting at the Boston Consulting Group. He grew up in a family construction business near Vechta and developed a deep familiarity with the German SMB landscape. Marius holds a Master’s degree in Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science, both from the Technical University of Munich, and spent one semester studying finance and Chinese economic development at Peking University.

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Lena Marie Müller

Analyst

Lena joined Vorwerk Ventures in spring 2025. Before transitioning into venture capital, she supported early-stage startups in the Food, Agri, and Biotech space as part of the Program Management team at TUM Venture Labs, a startup accelerator initiated by the Technical University of Munich. Prior to that, she gained hands-on experience across various areas of the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry – including R&D at Roche with a focus on Gene Therapy and Medical Affairs at GSK in the vaccines division. She holds a Master’s degree in Molecular Biotechnology and a Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the Technical University of Munich.

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Peter Schmetz

Principal

Peter joined Vorwerk Ventures in 2018 and experienced the company´s development during its CVC stage, helping to relaunch Vorwerk Ventures as an independent fund entity in late 2019. Before joining Vorwerk Ventures, Peter worked in the Treasury Department of the Vorwerk Group in Wuppertal, where he was mainly responsible for foreign currency management and liquidity management besides assisting in managing Vorwerk´s investment fund. Peter holds a BA in Global Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a MA from Bergische Universität Wuppertal in European Studies. He has always enjoyed playing (semi) professional football in his spare time, thus you will most likely find him on a football pitch if not hunting for the next unicorn out there.

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Paul Meyhoefer

Chieff of Staff

Paul has been Chief of Staff at Vorwerk Ventures since November 2024. Previously, he was Venture Architect at Fressnapf, where he drove innovative projects. After completing his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Münster University, Paul began his professional career with internships in marketing and sales at different start-ups. He then gained experience as a management consultant at Horváth in the areas of finance, strategy and innovation. After that, Paul completed his Master’s in Management with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Innovation at NOVA SBE in Lisbon. From July 2021, Paul brought his knowledge to High-Tech Gründerfonds as an Executive Assistant and supported their team in the fundraising project for the latest fund, reaching a final volume of 493.8 million euros.

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Katharina Man

Principal

Before joining Vorwerk Ventures early 2020, Katharina gained experiences in the consulting and start-up world in London. To follow her passion for the entrepreneurial space, she joined the fashion-tech start-up Lyst as a Country Manager being responsible for the company’s largest international region. Prior to Lyst, she was a Vice President at AlixPartners, where she advised Private Equity clients and helped them to optimize their portfolio companies to maximize their exit value. Projects have allowed her to work in over 10 countries and thereby experience the beauty of working with a diverse team. She studied Business Administration at WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management and Bocconi University and holds a MSc in Economics & Strategy from Imperial College London. Besides hunting exciting ventures, Katharina is an avid runner and modern art lover. She passionately scuba dives and explores untraveled countries – amongst her favourite trips is a three weeks hike in the Himalayas by herself.

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Dirk Meurer

Managing Partner

Dirk is a Managing Partner of Vorwerk Ventures which he joined in early 2007 as the second team member. He has more than 25 years of international investment management experience in venture capital and private equity. He has been instrumental for the firm´s investments in Meinauto, HelloFresh, Gestigon and Neato Robotics. Currently he is in charge of the fund´s investments in habyt, Smartfrog, Rebike, Thermondo, Ottonova and many others. Prior to his assignment at Vorwerk Ventures he managed an extensive emerging markets investment portfolio mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa at Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft, one of the largest development finance institutes in the world. His career originated in Deutsche Bank´s venture capital arm DVC Deutsche Venture Capital, where he was a Partner with responsibility for investments in digital technology companies. Dirk holds an MBA from ebs European Business School, graduating with distinction.

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Norbert Muschong

Managing Partner

Norbert is a Managing Partner of Vorwerk Ventures since its inception in 2007. He is the initiator and driver of the Corporate Venture Capital activities from the very beginning which culminated in the independent setup of the most recent Fund. He was responsible for the firm´s investments in Flaschenpost, Ringana, Enjo and Tennispoint from identifying the investment opportunity until its exit. Today he is, among other things, responsible for the fund´s investments in Lillydoo, CrossEngage and Dinner for Dogs. Prior to Vorwerk Ventures, Norbert led Project Management at Vorwerk Group and was involved in numerous strategy and M&A-projects. He started out his career at Vorwerk as a trainee in sales followed by growing responsibilities in various field management and sales support management roles. Norbert studied Business Administration in Mannheim and Tübingen, graduating top of his class.

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Dr. Dominik Steinkühler

Partner

Dominik joined Vorwerk Ventures in 2022 as a Partner. He has an extensive background as an operator from small to large scale companies, having founded, scaled and sold Lendico, a Fintech, or working as divisional board member for Commerzbank, a large bank, in charge of its digital transformation and all central functions of the corporate client’s segment such as sales management, financial steering or strategy. Most recently he helped to build FRIDAY, an insurtech, as CFO. In the early years of his career, Dominik worked as an investment banker for Rothschild and as a consultant for BCG. Given this background, Dominik is particularly interested in all things financial services, software to help companies transform the way they do business, and sustainable technologies. He holds a PhD in Economics from RWTH Aachen and a Diploma in Economics from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management.

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Emanuel Wollersheim

Head of Finance

Emanuel joined Vorwerk Ventures in 2023 as Head of Finance, in order to support the growing investment team and to keep the company in checks with the increased regulatory and administrative requirements. Before joining Vorwerk Ventures, he was working in a similar position at a large German Venture Fund, equipping him with the necessary skillset and knowledge to build and lead the finance function at Vorwerk Ventures. Prior to working on the backend of Venture Funds, he made his first career steps as an audit professional with EY in Zurich. He studied International Business at Maastricht University and holds a Double Master Degree in International Business and International Management from Maastricht University and Queen’s University (today: Smith School of Business) in Kingston, Canada. Moreover, Emanuel is a certified auditor (eidg. diplomierter Wirtschaftsprüfer) in Switzerland. When not at work, he frees his thoughts at a vast range of sports activities, including football or tennis, as well as outdoor activities such as hiking, snowboarding and sailing.

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Marie-Sophie Ando

Senior Investment Manager

Marie-Sophie (Marie to her friends and everyone else) joined Vorwerk Ventures in 2023. Prior she was one of the first team members at Foundamental, a global early-stage construction-tech fund. Marie has worked on investments and built a network across Asia, Europe, and the US. Besides focusing on investments, she built up the internal processes of the fund. Before joining the venture ecosystem, she gained hands on experience and deep industry insights, be it working in business development at Trumpf in Singapore or consultancy roles at the Fraunhofer Institute for production technology. Marie holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and business from RWTH Aachen University. Born in Japan and raised in Germany, food has always been her medium to stay connected to her heritage, which turned into a passion for cooking and exploring foods & culture from across the world.

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Hanna Villa

Investment Manager

Hanna joined Vorwerk Ventures in early 2023. Previously, she was at the Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund, investing in female (co)founders building early-stage B2B ventures in Europe. Hanna has worked in the tech ecosystem in Germany and the U.S., be it an accelerator in Berlin and startups in New York and California. Before entering VC and transitioning her passion for the sciences into technology and startups, Hanna did medicine and neuroscience at Harvard Medical School and University of Southern California. Hanna holds a Masters degree in Strategy and Digital Business at ESCP Business School and a Bachelors in Psychology at University of Long Beach in California. Outside of VC, Hanna is an avid tennis player and film and arts enthusiast.

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Julia Hall

Executive Assistant

Before joining Vorwerk Ventures as an Executive Assistant early 2020, Julia has held several positions within the Vorwerk Group. After starting off as an Executive Assistant in 2016, she transitioned to the Sustainability Department in order to push the company towards an even greener future. In 2018 Julia supported an internal restructuring program by assisting in drafting new structures and processes as well as a new IT infrastructure. In her last role, she was part of the Vorwerk IT Department as an Executive Assistant. Julia holds a BSc in Psychology from FOM University in Düsseldorf. Besides being the “good soul” in our office, Julia enjoys pampering her two dogs and taking them on runs and hikes.

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Sascha Günther

Partner

Before joining Vorwerk Ventures in 2020 Sascha was co-founder and COO of the B2B travel tech startup Yilu which was funded by Lufthansa Group. Being responsible for Operations, Finance and HR, Sascha established the strategy and processes to scale the venture to 65+ employees. Prior to Yilu, Sascha headed the investment activities of Lufthansa Innovation Hub structuring two direct investments of Lufthansa Group into cargo.one and Fleet. Before joining Lufthansa Group, he built-up the investment team and processes at Project A ventures, scouted potential investments and conducted due diligences. In addition, Sascha has some years of experience in management consulting where he started his career. Sascha holds a double Master’s degree in International Management from UCD Dublin and ESADE Business School. In his free time, he enjoys all kind of sports as well as exploring culinary delights as foodist.
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