Cipio Partners
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Cipio is the grown-up in the room when European tech companies need to transition from scrappy startup to serious business. They're not chasing the latest AI hype or throwing money at unproven models - they want companies with €10M+ revenue that need capital and operational expertise to scale. The team has serious operational chops (multiple successful exits, board experience) and isn't afraid of complex deals that provide liquidity to early investors while fueling growth. Founders consistently praise their hands-on approach and M&A expertise. The downside? They're not your Series A darling - if you're pre-revenue or looking for patient capital to figure out product-market fit, look elsewhere.
- —Best for: Revenue-stage B2B tech companies needing growth capital and exit prep expertise
- —Watch out for: Not suitable for early-stage or consumer-focused startups
- —Known for: Complex transactions, hands-on operational support, and successful exits
Cipio provides growth capital and minority buyout solutions to companies that have outgrown the venture stage and need a strong partner to bridge them to a successful exit. They love complex transactions that offer liquidity solutions to existing shareholders while also providing growth capital support towards creating a near-term liquidity event.
European growth stage technology businesses with €10-50 million in revenue, making initial investments ranging from €5-15 million. Focus on software, technology-enabled B2B products & services, components and consumer internet. Recent deals include deep tech (Hololight), AI (Druid AI), digital health (Dawn Health), and collaboration tools (Conceptboard).
Co-founded Cipio in 2003 after being Senior Principal at Atlas Venture and VP Strategic Development for NASDAQ-listed Viasoft Corp, following the sale of his company R&O Software-Technik. Founded R&O in 1984 after a career in IT strategy consulting, holds MSc in Computer Science from Bonn University.
Located in Munich, leads transaction origination and serves on boards, started his PE career at 3i Group doing technology and mid-market buyout deals. Former strategy consultant with BCG and Roland Berger, holds MBA from MIT Sloan and Master of Electrical Engineering from ETH Lausanne.
Located in Munich, leads fund operations and investor relations, oversees transaction structuring and represents Cipio on portfolio boards. Former Finance Manager at Wellington Partners and Senior Risk Analyst at Dresdner Bank, holds degree in Banking Administration from Frankfurt School of Finance.
Co-founded Cipio in 2003 after being CEO of b-business partners BV (Wallenberg Group) and CEO of GE Capital IT Solutions Europe, following the sale of his company CompuNet AG to GE Capital. Former McKinsey consultant and Deutsche Bank executive, holds MBA and Ph.D. from Frankfurt University.
Based in Munich, responsible for new investments and portfolio management, joined Cipio Partners in 2021 from High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) where he was a Partner. Brings strong early-stage tech investing experience from Germany's premier deep tech fund.
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