Freigeist

Experience. Hard Work. Capital.

We are Founders

We are building and scaling technology companies for over 20 years. We understand your challenges: hiring great people, choosing the right technology, shipping a product users love, distribution, scaling - we are here to support.

We invest our own Money

We have no committees that need to approve your deal. It is our money and we back founders and products we believe in. We have zero time pressure. Building new technologies requires experienced makers believing in your long-term vision.

We understand Technology

Whatever we created, we utilized cutting-edge technologies often before they became mainstream. We have built and maintained complex systems and infrastructures. Technology is our core DNA and we are here to think and create with you.

We love food

Food should be delicious and healthy. It must employ the best available ingredients and should be produced sustainably. We need to change the way we think about food and nutrition. We back founders and products driving this change.

Why

We believe startups are the key driver of innovation and progress. Ultimately, startups improve the quality and sustainability of our lives. In our 20 years of founding and supporting startups, we have been through the highest highs and lowest lows. Building a company is an insanely tough challenge, but we can think of no better way to spend your professional life.

As a founder you need capital to build your company. But, even more important, you need an experienced, straightforward and fair investor-team you can rely on, when things don’t go according to plan.

How

We are active investors and like to be the first. We work with you and your team on all aspects of your business: from product and team to marketing, distribution and finance. We help you build a solid foundation for further growth and funding.

Frank Thelen

Founder & CEO, Technology, Design, Sales

Frank is a European serial founder, technology investor and TV personality. Since 1994, he founded and managed over 10 technology and design-driven companies. Frank works with our founders on technology, design, team, sales and fundraising.
Marc Sieberger

Founder & COO/CFO, Operations, Finance, Legal

Marc has built and run operations as well as financial- and legal organizations in several companies. He led over fifty financing- and M&A transactions across multiple geographies. Marc studied at WHU. He graduated with a double degree as Dipl. Kfm. and MBA. Marc works with our founders on operations, finance, marketing, and fundraising.
Marcel Vogler

Junior Partner

Marcel holds a Master’s degree from WHU and worked at numerous startups and companies throughout his studies. As co-owner of several McDonald’s franchises he has a deep understanding of operations. In his role as Junior Partner at Freigeist he works with founders on scaling operations, boosting sales and streamlining finances.
Alex Koch

Founder & CTO, Technology, Tech-Teams

Alex has built and led technology teams, designed and developed complex software solutions and advised many startups in technological challenges. Alex has a deep understanding of IT (software design, efficiency, and clouds), electronics and physics. In his role as a founder and CTO of Freigeist, he works with our founders on choosing the best technology, building and growing teams, set up the IT infrastructure and optimize processes using appropriate software solutions.
Niklas Hebborn

Junior Partner

Niklas is an ESCP Europe Master graduate. He worked for digital and high-tech companies as a Roland Berger consultant and gained experience in Private Equity with Quadriga Capital. As a Head of International Business with PEC Group, he scaled up the company from 50 to 120 employees and accompanied the M&A sell-side process to Hilti AG. In his role as Junior Partner at Freigeist, he sources new deals and supports portfolio company’s to realize their strategy.