Frank Thelen, Freigeist Capital

Frank Thelen is the Founder and CEO of Freigeist Capital, a German venture firm where he focuses. See portfolio, sector focus and contact routes.

About Frank Thelen

Frank Thelen is the Founder and CEO of Freigeist Capital, a German venture firm where he focuses on early-phase and deep tech seed investments after founding and managing over 10 technology companies since 1994. His investment thesis targets pre-seed through Series A stages in deep technology, artificial intelligence, mobility, and aerospace, with a global geo-scope centered on European innovation. Thelen typically acts as a lead investor, having been the first investor in notable startups, though specific check sizes are not publicly detailed in available sources. His portfolio includes prominent companies such as Lilium Aviation, Wunderlist, Xentral ERP Software, and EnduroSat, alongside investments in RobCo and YFood. A distinctive point of view is his advocacy for exponential technology and disruptive innovation, articulated in his bestselling books *Startup-DNA* (2018) and *10xDNA* (2020). He further shares insights on technology trends through his newsletter *Innovation Pulse* and maintains over one million social media followers. Thelen also gained public recognition as a seven-year judge on Germany’s *Die Höhle der Löwen* (Shark Tank),

Frank Thelen at a glance

Role
Founder & CEO
Organization
Freigeist Capital
Location
Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Investor type
Individual/Angel
Focus areas
General
Portfolio companies listed
12
Investments recorded
20

Frequently asked about Frank Thelen

What does Frank Thelen invest in?
Frank Thelen at Freigeist Capital (Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany) — sector focus: General.
How do I contact Frank Thelen?
Frank Thelen's published profile links (website, LinkedIn or X where available) are listed on the StartupFundraising.com investor profile.
Where is Frank Thelen based?
Frank Thelen is based in Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.

StartupFundraising tracks this investor record from SEC filings and announced rounds, updating focus, location and portfolio history as new data lands. Use it to gauge fit before an outreach, then widen the search to investors in Cologne.

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