A brand-new corporate design for HTGF

We’ve did it! HTGF now has a new design that reflects who we are and what we stand for – and also puts our impressive portfolio centre stage. To mark our 20-year anniversary, we have given ourselves a new brand image.

As a venture capitalist, we have continued to gain experience and expertise as well as enjoying success over the years.

“It was time for us to showcase how far we’ve come. Our new visual identity reflects both the diversity of our portfolio and the breadth of our investment approach. At the same time, it embodies the energy of our team, who are passionate about supporting founders every day as they use their ideas and technologies to change the world,”

explains Managing Director Romy Schnelle.

High-Tech Gründerfonds will not only be operating with a new design in future –  the “HTGF” abbreviation, which has long been established on the international scene, will become a central part of the company’s entire brand communication.

Brand Purpose

The German startup ecosystem has also changed a great deal over the years. As one of the most active seed investors in Europe, HTGF has played a big part in this development. Since 2005, we have been making early-stage investments in tech startups – the international market leaders of tomorrow. We often invest earlier than others to enable cutting-edge technology and pioneering business models to take the next important step right from the pre-seed phase.

“As a VC, this not only means taking risks early on, it also requires an understanding of people above all,”

says Romy Schnelle.

A key aspect of HTGF’s success and the cornerstone of its purpose remains the following guiding principle: “We invest in people”. This crucial message will continue to play a central role in HTGF’s new brand image.

Brand Personality first

We meet entrepreneurs on an equal footing – a simple yet unbeatable recipe for success. This is why some of the most innovative startups in Europe started out with HTGF – because our partners and investment managers have consistently demonstrated their intuition for company founders and the right timing.

“To coincide with the relaunch of the brand, it was important for us to conduct initial analyses of our brand personality. Alongside the numerous perspectives of our team, we also wanted to hear from our portfolio startups,”

explains Claudia Seifert, project lead for the brand relaunch.

To do so, we asked founders from our portfolio about how they see the HTGF brand. The results were impressive. Our brand values are also perceived as vibrant and tangible by our external stakeholders – whether in direct cooperation with our investment professionals or at the HTGF Family Day, our flagship conference.

However, it was also felt that there was a clear need for a design relaunch. The visual appearance of the HTGF brand had fallen short of its potential.

“In addition to choosing an experienced agency to help with the rebranding, it was essential to focus on projecting the brand from the inside out,”

explains Claudia Seifert.

Diversity as a factor for success: tech founders are different

One of our major strengths lies in the diversity of our three investment areas. Our investment teams in the fields of industrial tech, climate & deep tech, life sciences & chemistry and digital tech bring together experts from the worlds of industry, science and research – with in-depth, specific tech know-how, experience in founding companies and an entrepreneurial mindset. Tech startups have very different needs and require specific network support as well as an in-depth understanding of the market in various business fields. We have sought to convey this diversity in our new design through our colourful central visual.

“As a VC, we operate in dynamic structures and markets – just like our startups. Being a startup team means navigating a constant process of transformation. That is why our new design serves as a visual expression of how we are able to adapt quickly and flexibly to new requirements,”

says Stefanie Grüter, Partner Communication & Relations.

In addition to the colourful nature of the new design, a new logo helps to underline HTGF’s standing in the German and European venture capital scene. The logo confidently sets the four letters “HTGF” in black and white, creating a contrasting statement to the dynamic design.

“Variable, free-standing elements help shape the ‘F’ – just like our funds themselves, which are constantly being rejuvenated. At the same time, the typographic logo illustrates the key themes of performance and growth,”

explains Stefanie Grüter.

🚀 Colourful: As diverse as our portfolio. As dynamic as our investment approach. As versatile as our expertise.

⚡ A clear, international logo: Approachable, confident and focused – this is our approach to working with startups, partners and investors in Germany, Europe and on the international stage.

🌍 Brand personality: Familiar, approachable, connected and with a vision for a successful future – we offer more than just capital and investments.

A new home for transparency and openness

HTGF has also found a new physical home to coincide with the launch of the new design and website. With our new office at our headquarters in Bonn, our team will be able to work together even more openly and closely.

“Now we are very much looking forward to bringing the new brand identiy to life for all our stakeholders in the near future,”

says Managing Director Romy Schnelle.

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If you have any questions concerning our new design or the use of our logo, please contact:

Claudia Seifert,
communications@htgf.de