Frank Thelen
Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia,Germany
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Frank Thelen is a German entrepreneur, venture capitalist, author, and keynote speaker. He is widely recognized as one of the early and prominent investors on the German version of "Shark Tank," called "Die Höhle der Löwen," where he participated from 2014 to 2020. Thelen is the founder and CEO of Freigeist Capital, a technology-focused venture capital firm that invests in early-stage European startups, particularly in deep tech areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics, and sustainable energy. He began his entrepreneurial journey in the 1990s, co-founding several companies, including ip.labs (a photo service software company sold to Fujifilm) and Doo (a document management app). Thelen is a vocal advocate for innovation and digitalization in Europe and has authored books like "Startup-DNA" and "10xDNA: Das Mindset der Zukunft," sharing his insights on entrepreneurship and future technologies.
Professional Summary
Frank Thelen's work history includes a series of influential roles in various companies. Here is a detailed list of his professional journey:
Notable Achievements
Founder & CEO of Freigeist Capital
Established Freigeist Capital, a venture capital firm focusing on early-stage deep-tech startups in Europe, backing innovative companies in AI, quantum computing, and sustainable technologies.
Investor on 'Die Höhle der Löwen'
Served as a prominent investor on the popular German TV show 'Die Höhle der Löwen' (Germany's 'Shark Tank') from 2014 to 2020, significantly raising his public profile and investing in numerous startups.
Successful Tech Entrepreneur
Co-founded and successfully exited multiple tech companies, including ip.labs, which was acquired by Fujifilm in 2008, demonstrating his ability to build and scale businesses.
Bestselling Author
Authored influential books such as 'Startup-DNA' and '10xDNA: Das Mindset der Zukunft', sharing his entrepreneurial experiences and vision for technological advancement, which became bestsellers.
Advocate for European Tech Innovation
Actively promotes and invests in the European technology ecosystem, aiming to foster a culture of innovation and help European startups compete globally.
Educational Background
Pädagogium Godesberg - Year 1987
Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences
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Company Overview
TEQ CapitalTEQ Capital LLP is a specialist investment firm based in London, UK, focusing on technology-enabled businesses. They partner with ambitious management teams, providing both capital and strategic expertise to support growth and value creation. TEQ Capital typically invests in established UK companies with proven products or services, strong market positions, and clear potential for scaling. Their approach is hands-on, aiming to build long-term partnerships with the companies they back.
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