Smart Infrastructure Ventures,
a Leipzig-based venture capital firm, has launched its second fund, SIVentures
II, with €30 million in capital, following the success of its first fund. The company
invests in early-stage startups developing innovative technologies in AI, IT
infrastructure, and energy.
After the successful closing of the first
fund in 2024, more than 75 per cent of the tarobtain value of €30 million has
already been achieved. The fund’s management plans to double its volume
compared to the first fund.
The fresh capital comes from companies,
banks, family offices, successful entrepreneurs and funds of funds across
Germany. Investments in the new fund can now be accepted too.
Dirk Frohnert, Managing
Director of SIVentures, explains:
We have already
recorded two successful exits, such as the sale of the Leipzig-based digital
health startup mementor to the US medical technology group ResMed. This
significant exit after a short period of time has naturally had a positive
impact on our fundraising for SIVentures II.
Other successful investments from the first
fund generation include the cybersecurity company Enginsight
from Jena and the customs startup traide AI from
Berlin. Collectively, portfolio companies have created over 300 new jobs in
Germany to date.
Focus on innovative technology startups from the
DACH region
The new fund
tarobtains B2B startups in the pre-seed and seed stages and has already created four
investments in the areas of AI, software development, and enterprise software.
Additional potential investments are currently undergoing due diligence. The
fund aims to invest in approximately 30 startup teams, primarily in the DACH
region, with initial investments of up to €500,000 per company.
Björn Bauermeister,
Managing Director of SIVentures, adds:
As an active investor, we not only offer startups
capital, but also see ourselves as a proactive sparring partner.
The SIVentures team
has more than 20 years’ experience in investment and entrepreneurship. The
founding team, consisting of Björn Bauermeister, formerly a trader at BNP
Paribas in New York and London, and Dirk Frohnert, formerly a fund manager at
JPMorgan in London, is supported by experienced companies and Falk Trietsch as
an investment manager.
SIVentures also
works closely with the SpinLab group, which manages several renowned
accelerator programmes in Germany and has an extensive partner network.
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