Young Founders Fund launches with 10 million euros

The Young Founders Fund is a new early-stage investor that specifically supports founders under the age of 26. The fund has an initial volume of around 10 million euros and aims to make it easier for young talents in Germany to enter the world of entrepreneurship.

Focus on founders under 26

The fund was set up by Darius Göttert (25), co-founder of the Young Founders Network, together with Hans-Joachim Allenfort, entrepreneur and former founder of the navigation app Calimoto. Their aim is to give young teams access to capital and operational support as early as possible without having to deal with the often lengthy hurdles of traditional VC processes.

We invest very early and think like business angels - quickly, pragmatically and with a focus on founder-market fit.

Darius Göttert, General Partner Young Founders Fund

According to him, we are looking for teams that"think big and are prepared to go all-in". Anyone who only sees their idea as a side project does not fit into the portfolio.

Support for the AI natives

The fund is aimed at the so-called next generation of founders. Those young entrepreneurs who have grown up with technology and develop scalable products from small teams in a short space of time. The fund remains thematically open, but places particular emphasis on technology, product innovation and founder quality.

The team not only wants to provide capital, but also operational support. Through the affiliated Young Founders Network and partnerships with institutions such as CODE University, founders gain access to mentors, educational programs and a broad network of successful entrepreneurs.

Reinvestment in the ecosystem

Part of the subsequent proceeds will flow back into the start-up ecosystem of young founders. In this way, the Young Founders Fund not only aims to generate returns, but also to contribute to strengthening the start-up scene in Germany in the long term."We believe in the next generation of founders - in courage, speed and entrepreneurial responsibility," emphasizes Göttert.

Ambitious goals

Over the next three years, the Young Founders Fund plans to make up to 100 investments in early-stage start-ups. The fund will be financed by successful founders, family offices and wealthy private individuals. If the first fund closes successfully, a follow-up fund is already being planned.

With this model, the Young Founders Fund is positioning itself as a unique VC in Germany that aims to systematically facilitate the market entry of young founders and thus close a gap in the early financing environment.