Our Vision
We believe in finding and supporting the best entrepreneurs across the globe that are using cutting edge technology and research to help solve the world's problems.
Global Innovation
In Emerging Markets
Our goal is to work with the brightest emerging enterprises to strengthen innovation and social change across the region and around the world.
Strategic Knowledge
To Solve Social Challenges
We actively support these teams with strategic insights and access to transformative resources, like our 500+ Investor Portfolio and in-depth Research Reports, to enable growth and market expansion.
Entrepreneurial Challenges
To Foster The Next Generation Of Entrepreneurs
We have developed a Practical Ethical Guide to Artificial Intelligence for Founders and Managers of companies in the AI sector and industry guidelines for various ethical challenges. Interested in the long-term impact of your venture? Or how to price your impact into your startup's valuation? Looking to find startups or investors interested in Social RoI along with financial returns? ethicaltech@avestu.com
Catalytic Partnerships
Succeed Faster With The Right Network
With a network of strategic partners strewn between Central Europe, Britain, the United Arab Emirates and the United States, we can assess the regional risks and potentials for your startup and help you map and navigate market entry scenarios effectively.
Meet Our Executive Team
Our multinational team combines experience with passion for entrepreneurship, the creativity to think outside the box, and the dedication to get things done. Our team works from our global offices. But wherever we are in the world - our commitment is to supporting our start-up clients and investors.
Verena A. Sturm
With a background in PPE, International Relations & Political Risk Analysis, Verena combines interest in research with entrepreneurial passion.
After completing her IR degree with Hult International Business School in London with Honours, she developed a method to improve Delphi-based Scenario Analysis in innovation-intense contexts with Prof. Hisham Al Saghbini and went on to found Avestu Institute: a Start-up Strategy Think Tank based in London, Berlin and Munich.
At Avestu Institute, she has been supporting founders throughout the varied strategic challenges that come with life as an entrepreneur. Mixing classic forecasting tools and scenario analysis with semi-quantitative methodology, her focus is on formulating custom solutions to her clients needs. Since 2014, she has been specialising in Investor Relations and fundraising during Seed Stage, Series A and B.
With Avestu Capital she crystalized that vision into a dedicated Investor Readiness & Match-Making service covering the entire company life cycle, from early stage to build & buy strategies or sucession planning in 2018.
She also acts as Lecturer in Venture Capital & Finance at ISM Munich and as Founding Partner of Mandatory Ventures, a FoF that invests in Emerging Managers in VC.
She believes in creating long-standing, high impact societal value via entrepreneurship and supporting investors in taking 'value'-based investment decisions. She has a heart for ethical technological innovation, life science and social ventures.
Verena has always been drawn to entrepreneurial challenges and creating opportunities by bringing together the right parties to help ventures succeed. Her network is fuelled by a genuine interest in establishing cordial & reliable long-term business partnerships.
When she is not out scouting for interesting start-ups, you are most likely to find her in an art gallery, looking at antiques or planning her next trip.
Steven Windmill
Having worked in the consulting industry for over 25 years, Steven has led a major change management programme that saved £4.3 Billion, executed multi-national deals worth over £200 million pa and negotiated contracts on behalf of the UK Government in excess of £600 million.
He is a sophisticated turnaround change strategist with more than two decades of experience in over 23 global markets and across VC, Private Equity, corporate, government, and military sectors. Areas of expertise include: business and revenue improvement; turnaround of at-risk businesses, projects and programmes; stakeholder satisfaction; pre-deal and post-deal M&As; high-stakes multi-million/billion-dollar negotiations (M&A - sell side & buy side), IPOs, Follow-Ons, Convertibles, Debt).
He received his MBA from Henley Business School and completed degrees at the University of London in Philosophy with further studies at The Defence Academy of the United Kingdom in Military and Strategic Leadership; RMA Sandhurst and the universities of both Durham and Warwick.He acted as a Professor for Consulting and Change Management at Hult International Business School and became a Board Member with Avestu Institute in 2011.
When Steven is not on a turn-around consulting mission for a multi-national, he enjoys guiding the next cohort of entrepreneurs and consultants. Divorced, he has two grown children.In his spare time, he enjoys parachuting, hill walking and racing his collection of Aston Martins.
Christophe C. Meeus
Following his Law Degree in Antwerp and Louvain in Belgium, Christophe gained extensive experience as a lawyer (avocat) in Brussels, Paris, London and Munich.He made the switch to the industry-side in 1994, being invited to assist a German company with its private placement activities in the United States.Since, he was appointed Managing Director of select Private Equity funds concentrated along the economic axis between France, US, Israel and Germany; positions he will continue to honour while being active at Avestu. In parallel, Christophe also managed, advised, restructured and liquidated companies ranging from software to hardware and from real estate to consumer goods.Currently, he is also President of the Supervisory Board of a German software company and of a digital provider company.At Avestu, Christophe will focus on bridging the gap between the investment needs of later stage startups and the operational milestones and benchmarks they have to meet, in order to be considered suitable candidates for acquisition by PE entities or other industry players.A true Art Deco and Modern Art enthusiast and a hockey fiend, Christophe brings a mind set of jovial competition, constant evolution and disruption to Avestu.For Investors
Expertise, Networking and Match-Making
Tune Your Portfolio
Your portfolio companies could need a little 'extra'?
We're happy to help get your portfolio companies up to speed for the next round of investment. To do so, we work with our trusted circle of consultants, entrepreneurs and industry experts specifically assembled to give your portfolio company the edge it may need. This is what we call a 'custom think tank'.
Then, we will continue working with the companies we advise until milestones are reached and critical improvements in core KPIs made.
Match-Making & Scouting
Looking for something specific? Interested in diversifying your startup investments?
We are happy to source the most interesting deals across a variety of industries for you. Our expert pool is filled with professionals with in-depth expertise that give us the insight we need - sector by sector. Wether you are interested in molecular biology, fin tech or regional legal developments, we'll hand pick and prequalify a catalogue of innovative start-ups according to your requirements for you - within a time-frame you specify.
Become A Part of the Avestu Investor Portfolio
We are looking forward to meeting you
Join the 500+ members of our Avestu Investor Portfolio and get 'first look' access to the start-ups Avestu sources across ecosystems. We act as a customised deal-flow funnel. To become a part of the portfolio, you will have to get past a telephone interview session and a personal meeting that helps us understand your background and personality as an investor. Once we know what you are looking for - from industry preferences and ticket sizes to fund stage and diversification needs, we will match with start-ups that fit your criteria.
Reach out to: portfolio@avestu.com
Exclusive Memberships in the AAIC
Our exclusive network for Angels & Investors:
The Avestu Angels' & Investors' Circle
Apply to become a member - or find out more: aaic@avestu.com
For Start-ups
We are NOT for one-size fits all solutions. Can't find what you need? Talk to us!
Investor Readiness
Are your KPIs investor-ready?
We have helped 100+ start-ups improve their investment KPIs during seed stage and series A investment rounds. Working with our close-knit investor community you get feedback directly from the 'mouth of the lion'.
We want our start-ups to enter negotiations from a point of strength. Thus via in-depth feedback, we help you come up with your best pitch and investment strategy.
As your partners, we are by your side throughout the entire process.
Match-Making
What kind of investor is right for you?
We help you identify your essentials and help you identify a target list of potential candidates. We have close personal relationships with the investor community we work with, thus, once a start-up truly is investment ready, we can introduce you to partners that are a good strategic fit.
We also offer support during negotiations and in-depth (de-)briefings before we introduce you, so you can put your best foot forward.
Working with us drastically reduces the time spent on assembling your next financing round - allowing you to focus on your core business instead.
Investor Roadshows
Tap into the wisdom (& financial capability) of crowds
At times, all an early stage start-up needs is a room full of the right people. We'll take the hassle out of getting you in front of these people, prepping and proofing your materials along the way.
We also pre-qualify the attending investors, keeping attendance lists relevant to your financing goals. As we frequently work with deep-tech ventures, we are prepared to work with you during confidential or pre-patent stages.
Our Investor Roadshows can consist of up to five events in different cities throughout Europe or internationally. Our trusted partners, network and contacts in various European start-up ecosystems allow for a quick set-up times whatever your target market.
Intensive Pitch Training Sessions
Are you ready?
Storytelling is an art. The good news is, it can be learned and EVERYONE can get better at it. We help you assess your room for improvement via multiple rounds of feedback, including
- Review & analysis of existing materials, needs. & potentials.
- Refining your elevator pitch, business model & investment ask.
- Insights from the investor perspective.
- Valuation Theory.
- Fundraising Do's & Don'ts.
- Story-telling, presentation flow.
- Review of core KPIS and Benchmarks for your market.
- Positioning, competior landscape & USPs.
- First round design & graphic input where necessary. We are happy to introduce you to our experienced partners on the graphics and text side for more extensive alterations.
- Editioral Feedback & Bullet-proofing your presentation in English & German
- A video-taped pitching session that allows you to reflect on your presentation skills. You may even 'take home' the final video & send it to your shortlist of investors.
- A session with a reknowned voice coach.
- A sounding-board session with one of our 'friendly' investors
Strategy Consulting
& The Sourcing Of Strategic Partners
Get where you want to go.
Building a start-up from scratch can certainly feel like an up-hill battle at times. You don't have to go it alone - get expert support, honest feedback and actionable milestones from our team of experienced entrepreneurs, consultants and the members of our expert pool.
Our expert pool stars distinguished professors, consultants, angel investors, and leading entrepreneurs across a diverse set of industries such as the Life Science industries & MedTech, InsurTech, AI, FinTech, EdTech, logistics, product research & development - and, of course, M & A and Private Equity.
Our network also includes valuable leads to strategic corporate partners such as hidden champions and the automotive and engineering sector.
For Corporates
Custom Technology Sourcing & Training and Consulting for Intrapreneurship Efforts by Established Players
Targeted Tech Info-Sessions
Who are the up-and-coming players in your sector? What concepts & technologies are they working on?
Find out more: corporate@avestu.com
Introductions to Innovators & Enabling of Technology Transfers
Start-ups may already be working on solving your organisation's technological bottle necks - harness their power.
Looking to solve a particular technological challenge? Talk to us.
Innovation & Technology Scouting
Disrupt yourself
We offer a tailored match-making service for 'incumbent' companies such as established corporations and hidden champions.
This includes:
- Sourcing
- Pre-qualification
- Match-making with up-and-coming tech start-ups
- Enabling and implementation of technological transfers
Minimize your risk exposure and stay abreast the latest technological challenges.
Forecasting of Disruptive Technological Challenges
Be ahead of the curve
We offer a tailored match-making service for 'incumbent' companies such as established corporations and hidden champions.
This includes:
- Improved version of the Delphi forecast via expert panels
- Generated 'threat' heat map
No one can see a black swan coming, but you can be prepared for change nonetheless: in a world, where the consequences of progress are not always foreseeable, we help you navigate long-term costs associated with modern technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Virtual Reality.
We also offer Country and Industry Insight Reports: Improve your risk minimisation via expert panels, reports and scenario-based and/or location-based analysis and prepare for the grey areas where tech and country risk intersect.
Business Ethics
Shape the future
Supercharge your CSR efforts by preparing for the world of the future.
Business Ethics - determine the challenges to the core values that your company is working towards.
Take a look at the long-term and short-term ethical implications behind cutting-edge technologies, algorithms and medical developments.
Intrapreneurship Hacks
Hack your way to innovative solutions with custom workshops
Tell us about specific areas of interest - or find out which parts of your company are most likely to be cannibalised by up-and-coming players and/or technologies such as digitisation, dataisation, automatisation, artificial intelligence or virtual reality.
Investor Relations for Corporate Start-ups
Find strategic partners & formulate a professional investor relations strategy
Plug into our ecosystem and source external validation for in-house ventures and find strong partners that help you see your industry anew. Take your innovative ventures and industry know-how to the next level.
Utilise synergies with other established players to leverage collective strengths - or source strategic know-how from our network of experts across industries and our investment community.
More from Avestu...
- PressYou want to feature one of our start-ups, write about Avestu or interview one of our executives?
Apply to register for our next press roundtable or press release mailing lists.
Get in touch with the Avestu Press Desk:
We are happy to send you the Avestu Press Kit upon request, arrange an interview or help you with any questions you might have. Don't hesitate to talk to us!
All rights reserved. Picture rights are with Avestu Capital or open source unless otherwise stated. Avestu Capital LLP Feldbergstr.20 81825 München Germany Avestu Capital is a daughter company of the think tank Avestu Institute. The entities are legally fully separated. Contact: Managing Partner: Verena Sturm Avestu Capital is legally represented by its managing director Verena A. Sturm. The Institute for Idea Management & Intellectual Capital Think Tank that provides Strategy Consulting for Startups & Others and Investor Relations during Seed Stage & Series A. Munich - London - Berlin - San Francisco Phone: 0049 (0)89 96087093 Email: info@avestu.com Managing Partner: Verena A. Sturm Our Offices Munich Office Feldbergstr.20 81825 München Please contact VerenaSturm@avestu.com London Office 149 St Andrews Road Coulsdon – Surrey CR5 3HL - UK Please contact StevenWindmill@avestu.com Court of registry: Amtsgericht München Tax Number: 146/224/80086 UST-Id-Nr: DE290188887 For further information please contact us directly: info@avestu.com © Avestu reserves all rights, including - also in part - the rights of photomechanical reproduction, duplication and dissemination by means of special procedures (for instance data processing, data carrier, data networks). All rights reserved. All text, images, diagrams, audio, video and animation files and their arrangements are subject to copyright law and other statutes for the protection of intellectual property. They may not be copied either for commercial purposes or for dissemination, nor may they be changed and used on other websites. Avestu's web presence may also include materials provided by third parties, and thus material that is subject to third-party copyright. Liability This website has been prepared with the greatest possible care. Nevertheless, it is not possible to guarantee that it is free from error or that all of the information it contains is accurate. No liability can be accepted for any damage or loss arising directly or indirectly from the use of this website, unless it is a result of malicious intent or of gross negligence. Avestu cannot accept any responsibility for the content of any third-party websites to which links are provided on this website. Privacy Policy We, the Avestu Capital LLP headquartered in Munich (Feldbergstr. 20, 81825 München), take safe-guarding your personal data most seriously and adhere strictly to the regulations under German data protection law (e.g. Telemediengesetz (TMG), the German Teleservice Act and the Rundfunksstaatsvertrag (RStV), the German Interstate Broadcasting Agreement). On this website personal data is only collected to the extent necessary for technical reasons. Under no circumstances will collected data be sold or disclosed to third parties for any other reasons. The following statement will provide an overview as to how exactly we ensure the safety of your data and which information is collected for which purpose. Your personal data will be shared with third parties only should exceptional circumstances arise, e.g. on the suspicion of misuse of this website or if mandated by law. Avestu, as operator of this site, takes the protection of your personal data very seriously and particularly respects the rules of data protection (e.g. Telemediengesetz (TMG), the German Teleservice Act and the Rundfunksstaatsvertrag (RStV), the German Interstate Broadcasting Agreement). On this website, personal data or data which possibly enables identification is collected only to the extent necessary to technically maintain this website. Your data will solely be transmitted to third parties if this is necessary to process your enquiries or upon your agreement. We will never sell the data collected nor disclose it to third parties for any other reason. Data Processing on this website Automatically generated Server Log Files are comprised of information your Browser provides us with. They include: Browser type and version Operating system used Referrer URL (the previously visited site) Host name and IP address of your PC and router respectively Date and time of the server request Such data typically does not allow for identification of specific users. We do not merge this data with other sources of data; moreover, the data acquired will be deleted after statistical evaluation. Google Analytics This website also employs Google Analytics, a web analysis service provided by Google Inc. („Google“). However, we would like to point out that this website uses Google Analytics with the "_anonymizeIp()" code and, therefore, IP addresses will merely be processed in a shortened form – thus, eliminating the possibility to directly connect/associate information with individual users. The information the Cookie generates about your usage of the website will be transferred to a Google server in the U.S. and saved there. 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You can object to the data collection and the use of your IP address by Google Analytics at any time and with immediate effect for the future. To find out more, click here. Cookies Avestu’s websites use so-called Cookies in several places. Cookies are small text files which are placed on your hard disk and saved by your browser. Most of the Cookies used by us are so called „Session-Cookies“. Cookies are not able to cause harm to your computer system and they do not contain viruses. You have the option to modify your browser settings so that they will either accept or reject Cookies. Contact Form, Emails Clearly we store and save data which you enter on the web sites of AVESTU or which you provide us with in a different manner. This regards data (such as subject matter, full name, company name, e-mail address, telephone number) you enter in the respective fields on the contact form. Such information is provided voluntarily and is in no way subject to monitoring. Right to Information You have the right to review the personal data stored, the origin and recipient of the data, as well as the purpose of the data storage. Information concerning the saved data will be provided to you by Avestu’s data protection officer (datenschutz@avestu.de). Additional Information Your trust is precious to us. Thus, we will provide you with information concerning your personal data processed by us at any time. If your questions have not been answered by this privacy statement, please do not hesitate to contact our data officer under (datenschutz@avestu.de) regarding any further concerns you may have - or should you wish for more detailed information pertaining to a certain topic. Contact You can contact our data protection officer by sending an e-mail to: datenschutz@avestu.de
IMPRINT
This web site is administered by Avestu Capital:
Avestu Capital LLP
Nymphenburgerstr 12
81835 München
Germany
Phone: 0049 (0)89 96087093
Email: info@avestu.com
Managing Partner: Verena A. Sturm
Web: www.avestucapital.com
Avestu Capital is legally represented by its managing directors Wolfgang Schwellenbach and Verena A. Sturm.
The managing directors Wolfgang Schwellenbach, Verena A. Sturm are legally responsible for the content of this website.
Company seat & district court: Munich, Germany
TERMS OF USE
1. ONLINE CONTENT
Avestu Capital LLP (Avestu Capital) disclaims all liability in any way or form for the timeliness, completeness, accuracy or quality of the information on this web site. Avestu Capital reserves the right to refuse in principle any liability claims against it related to material or other damages incurred by the use of, or the failure to use the above-mentioned information, or by the use of inaccurate or incomplete information, barring any evidence of deliberate or gross negligence on the part of Avestu Capital. All offers are non-binding and subject to change. Avestu Capital also reserves the specific right to add to, change or delete all or part of the content on the web site without notice, advance or otherwise, or to temporarily or permanently cease operation of the web site.
2. HYPERLINKS
For direct and indirect links to other third-party web pages ("hyperlinks") beyond its sphere of influence, Avestu Capital does not accept any content-related liability of such third-party sites unless Avestu Capital continually has knowledge of such content and unless it is technically and reasonably possible for Avestu Capital to prevent usage of such possibly illegal content. Avestu Capital hereby expressly declares that it has no knowledge of any such illegal content on the sites linked hereto as of the time when these links to third-party content were created. Avestu Capital does not take responsibility for current and future design, content, or authorship of any linked sites. It hereby distances itself expressly from all content on linked or connected websites that are altered after the links are put in place. This statement applies to all links within this web site as well as those included by third party entries in guest books, discussion forums or mailing lists set up by Avestu Capital. The web provider of the linked sites, rather than the party that creates the links to this published material, is solely responsible for all content, including illegal, inaccurate or incomplete content, and in particular for damage incurred by the use of, or the failure to use the information presented in these links.
3. COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK
Copyright
The contents of this website, provided by the website operater, are subject to the German copyright act. The duplication, modification, distribution and any kind of exploitation outside the limitation of the copyright, require the written consent of the author or originator. Downloads and copies of this site are only allowed for the private, non-commercial use. The contents on this site not provided by the website operater are subject to the copyright of third parties. In particular contents of third parties are identified as such. However, should you become aware of a copyright infringement, we appreciate the information: info@avestu.com. After infringements become known to us, we will immediately eliminate the respective contents.
Avestu Capital will aim to adhere to copyright in all publications containing graphics, sound clips, video clips and written text; to use its own graphics, sound clips, video clips and written text, or to use graphics, sound clips, video clips and written texts freely available in the public domain. "Avestu Capital" and the Avestu Capital Logo are registered trademarks of Avestu Capital. All other protected brands and trademarks contained in this internet presence, including those legally protected by third-parties, are wholly and solely subject to the regulations of each of the applicable copyright and ownership laws of the individual registered owner. The mere mentioning of a brand name on this web site shall not be deemed to signify the lack of third party legal protection of such brand name. The copyright for objects created and published by Avestu Capital remains with the author of these web pages. Any duplication or use of these graphics, sound clips, video clips or written texts in other electronic or printed publications shall not be allowed without the express written approval of the author.
4. DATA PROTECTION
As far as the possibility exists to enter personal or business data (electronic mail addresses, names, postal addresses) within this web site, or if emails are sent to employees or consultants of Avestu Capital, the disclosure of such data or content within such emails by the user or sender, respectively, occurs on an expressly voluntary basis. The usage and payment of all services offered shall – in as far as technically possible and reasonable – also be allowed without specifying such data or by specifying anonymous data or a pseudonym. The use of contact data published within the framework of the imprint, or comparable published information such as postal addresses, telephone numbers, fax number and electronic mail addresses, by third parties for the purpose of sending information not specifically requested is not allowed. Avestu Capital reserves the right to initiate legal action against the senders of so-called spam mail who violate this request.
5. SEVERABILITY
These Terms of Use and the liability exclusions contained herein are to be viewed as an integral part of the web site that is referred to in these Terms of Use. In as far as parts of, or any individual wording within these Terms of Use are deemed to be unenforceable under applicable law, the remaining parts of the Terms of Use shall remain unaffected in content and applicability.
6. Google Analytics
This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. ("Google"). Google Analytics uses "cookies", which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website, including your IP address (your IP address is made anonymous with _anonymizeIP () and can therefore not be allocated to your computer's access), will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States. Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google's behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website. By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above. Installing the deactivation-add-on http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de to your browser will allow you to disagree to being part of this data collection.