Those early days sparked an artistic spirit that still guides Maximilian von Aufschnaiter, a Marketing Manager for the DACH market at Invesdor Group and our guest in this edition of #meettheteam. 

In this interview, Maximilian shares what he values most about his work at Invesdor and reflects on how his years in South Tyrol and his life in Berlin shape the way he approaches marketing, blending calm reflection with urban energy and creativity with strategy. 

What sparked your interest in marketing in the first place? 

I grew up surrounded by creativity. My mother, an artist and graphic designer, and my father, a photographer, transformed our living room into a vibrant mix of an art studio and a photo lab. Brushes, colors, and cameras were part of my everyday life, and as kids, we spent countless hours drawing and painting together. That environment sparked an early passion for creativity in me. 

Years later, I discovered marketing through its digital side and realized it was the ideal way to blend my creative roots with my growing interest in strategy and systems. At first, I was focused on making things look visually appealing, but as time went on, my curiosity about why things work took over. This shift led me to dive deeper into the strategic and data-driven aspects of marketing. Now, I focus on building smart systems and automating processes to make campaigns more effective and impactful. 

Are you more of a “big-picture visionary” or a “details-matter” kind of person? 

“Big picture visionary” sounds like a big label. What I would say about myself is that I tend to focus more on the bigger picture, especially when it comes to strategy. I like to understand the overall direction and goals because if you know where you want to go it makes everything else clearer. But knowing the direction is not enough you also have to set things up properly and work through the details to get there. For me it is a mix of both keeping the focus on strategy while making sure the steps to get there are developed and executed well. So I would say I lean a little more toward the strategic side but I am definitely hands on when it comes to making sure it actually happens. 

What marketing trends excite you the most right now? 

In the last year, so much has changed in how we work. New technologies and opportunities have come up, especially around automation tools, no code solutions, and the whole AI sector in general. What I’m currently focused on is AI agents and hyper personalization. One of the hardest things in business is that there is never enough time for actual strategy. There are always a bunch of small repetitive tasks that eat up your day. What I like about AI agents is that they are really useful, they can handle those tasks for you, link up different tools, and adjust things on the fly based on data. That gives you more space to focus on the bigger stuff. 

The second trend I’m currently looking deeper into is hyper personalization. It’s really about showing people only what they actually care about. Instead of sending the same message to everyone, you use data and AI to make the message fit each person. This means looking at things like what they’ve done before, what they’re interested in, or what they need right now. The message then feels more relevant and personal, which makes people more likely to listen and engage. 

What’s your favorite part of being a Marketing Manager at Invesdor Group? 

My favorite part of being in marketing at Invesdor is definitely the culture of collaboration and trust. I really appreciate having the freedom to take ownership of my projects, come up with new ideas, and test them out. What makes it even better is working closely with colleagues from different countries and departments. It gives me a broader perspective, I’m always learning something new, and I get to see how marketing connects with the bigger picture of the company. 

Having lived in both South Tyrol and Berlin, would you say you’re more alpine calm or Berlin energy when it comes to your creative process? 

“I would say both the calm of the Alps and the energy of Berlin,” he reflects. Having lived in South Tyrol for a few years I learned the importance of slowing down and taking time to reflect whether it is hiking in the forest or simply enjoying nature’s quiet. I still visit South Tyrol regularly to see my mum, where I recharge and enjoy being in nature, which I sometimes miss in Berlin. 

At the same time, Berlin’s urban energy is very inspiring. Being around driven people and a fast-moving environment pushes me to stay focused, act quickly, and keep up with new ideas and opportunities. I also love trying new things and finding inspiration, which is something you find more of in Berlin than in South Tyrol. “So, I appreciate both worlds,” he smiles. 

You have a free weekend and no plans. What’s your ideal way to spend it? 

“It really depends on where I am, Berlin or South Tyrol,” he grins. 

If I am in Berlin, I would book a small cabin at Raus for the weekend. I would spend time in the kitchen trying out new recipes and enjoying simple meals. Afternoons might be for sitting outside sipping coffee and soaking up the quiet away from the usual city noise. The evenings are perfect for reading or just relaxing under the open sky. 

When I am in South Tyrol, the day usually starts with a hike through the forest, keeping an eye out for chanterelle mushrooms. Later I would go for a swim in the Kalterer See. As the day ends I would gather with friends around the stove, cooking a mushroom pan, sharing stories, together. 

What’s a quote that inspires Maximilian?

Whether he is cooking with friends in South Tyrol or testing new ideas at Invesdor in Berlin, Maximilian brings the same mix of curiosity, creativity, and strategy to everything he does. His perspective adds a unique voice to our team, and we’re excited to continue sharing more stories like his in the upcoming editions of our #meettheteam series.

Read an interview with Franziska Haeßler here:

The fascination of venture capital – about innovation, investments, and big ideas:
Interview with Lukas Linn

The post Between alpine calm and Berlin buzz: Meet Maximilian von Aufschnaiter  first appeared on Invesdor - Blog.

Born and raised in southwest Germany, Lukas has lived and worked across international innovation hubs like London, Copenhagen, Vienna, and the San Francisco Bay Area before landing in Berlin, a city he now calls home.

In this interview, he shares what excites him about working with early-stage companies, how California shaped his perspective, and why wellness help him reset after long days of venture building.

What excites you most about working with early-stage companies?

The energy, actually! Early-stage companies are driven by innovation, bold ideas, and a genuine desire to reshape the world for the better. I am inspired by the visionary thinking and passion that founders usually bring to the table. It is impressing that start-ups and scale-ups are able to spot trends early and challenge the status quo. And beyond that, the entrepreneurial spirit I encounter daily motivates me personally – it is a constant reminder of why I am in this field and fuels my own ambition to build something big one day!

What’s been one of your most rewarding moments at Invesdor so far?

Over the past 1.5 years at Invesdor Group, I have experienced many exciting & memorable moments. I really enjoy working with smart colleagues from different countries, forward-thinking founding teams, and visionary investors who ask the right questions.

But one of the most fulfilling milestones has been proving – through our recently launched business section in DACH and my newly created role – that impact investment platforms in Germany (and Europe, anyways!) can invest real equity. This is just the beginning of something bigger: enabling scale-ups to access growth capital in exchange for shares through an investment platform like ours. That is something truly new for the German-speaking market – and I am happy to help shape the new direction and drive this shift!

What first got you into the world of Venture Capital?

I have always been fascinated by start-ups, investments, and innovation. That interest guided my academic path – from writing my bachelor’s thesis on start-ups to pursuing a master’s in innovation management, combined with working student roles and projects in the European start-up ecosystem.

A key moment was my exchange semester in California – the world’s innovation capital. The experience was incredibly inspiring: from top-tier university lectures and professors to guest speakers like VCs and serial entrepreneurs. Company visits to tech giants like Airbnb, DocuSign, and Uber – once small start-ups themselves – made innovation feel tangible and real change possible.

Returning to Europe, I was eager to bring that mindset and inspiration back with me. I found the perfect opportunity for my master’s thesis and later a full-time position for several years at Europe’s first PropTech accelerator and the leading innovation platform in real estate. The role as Scouting & Investment Manager combined my passion for innovation, technology, investment, and the built world.

Now at Invesdor Group in Berlin, I am heading the equity funding efforts for the DACH market – right at the intersection of start-ups, scale-ups, and investors. It is exactly where I see most potential when driving innovation forward: inside the start-up- & VC-ecosystem, helping outstanding innovators enter their next phase in their journey.

What motivated you to leave your hometown and make the move to Berlin, and how has the transition been so far?

Before moving to Berlin, I had the chance to live, study, and work in some amazing metropolises like London, Vienna, Copenhagen, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Just before COVID hit, I returned to Germany and spent most of my time between Mannheim (with my family) and Frankfurt (for work). After almost four great years, I felt it was time for a new chapter, in a place where all my interests come together: a big, international city, exciting opportunities, great people, and one of Europe’s leading start-up hubs. Berlin basically ticked all the boxes.

The transition has been going really well, and honestly, it has been a lot of fun. A few close friends were already living here, which made the early days – including the no-apartment phase (he laughs) – much easier. Since then, I have met a lot of new people, had a great start at Invesdor with awesome colleagues, and joined more business events than I can count. And thanks to my constant curiosity (or slight FOMO), I have discovered a lot of what the city has to offer – though my Berlin to-do list somehow keeps getting longer… (he smiles)

What’s your favorite way to disconnect after a long day?

Definitely sports and wellness! After a long day (or short weekend… he grins), there is nothing better than a good workout, sometimes even with friends, followed by some real relaxation in the wellness area. Ideally with strong sauna infusions or a quiet steam bath. I take my sauna sessions very seriously (he smiles) – yes, I know the exact schedule in detail and the sauna masters know me quite well. It’s the perfect way to reset and recharge!

What’s a quote that inspires Lukas?

“Work hard, play hard.” Life is about balance – don’t let the pursuit of success make you forget the joy of living.

Lukas’ think-outside-the-box mindset and passion for building bridges between innovators & investors is as clear as his curiosity for new challenges (and Berlin’s endless to-do list). With his energy and willingness to question the status quo, he is helping shape the future of equity funding at Invesdor, one venture at a time.

The post Start-ups, Serendipity, and Sauna Sessions: Meet Lukas Linn first appeared on Invesdor - Blog.

In this interview, she shares honest insights into what it was like in the early days, what makes great leadership in a startup, and what she might be doing if finance hadn’t come calling.

Looking back at the early days, did you ever imagine Invesdor would become what it is today?

No, I didn’t exactly think Invesdor would one day become Europe’s go-to platform for impact investing. We started out as a small German startup with big dreams and the goal of reshaping SME financing.

I still remember nervously sitting in the ‘back room’ of one of our shareholders, probably never meant for actual work, waiting for our very first project to launch. There were maybe five of us, and everyone did a bit of everything: marketing before lunch, customer support after, and maybe cleaning the coffee machine in between.

Today, we’ve grown into a European company with a strong presence in four core markets and real experts in every area. The leap from local startup to international business came with a few bumps, but that mix of chaos, ambition, great people, and just enough caffeine during nightshifts (she smiles) helped us grow into who we are today.

What advice would you give to someone joining a startup today?

Be prepared for the unexpected, seriously. The most important skill in a startup isn’t coding, pitching, or even making great coffee (although that helps). It’s being able to adapt when the unexpected hits. I know that sounds like a motivational poster, but it’s true.

Thinking flexibly, being open to feedback, and never ever uttering the words “but we’ve always done it this way” is exactly the mindset you need in a startup. And that’s how we still work at Invesdor today.

Change is the only constant. Yes, Heraclitus said it first, but we live it daily. And honestly, that’s what I love most about working at Invesdor. No two days are alike. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, surprise! Something new lands in your inbox. Everyone at Invesdor has embraced this mindset in their own way. It’s what enables us to push boundaries together, keep each other motivated, and achieve results for our customers that others would have given up on ages ago.

Obviously, it can be intense sometimes, but routine is far more draining for me than change will ever be.

What’s a leadership lesson you always carry with you?

Listen carefully! No skill is as underrated as genuine listening. Really, most problems don’t arise because people don’t talk, but because others don’t actually listen.

Usually, people tell you exactly what’s bothering them, what they need, or how you could help. It’s all there, loud and clear. You just have to resist the urge to start composing a clever reply in your head before they’ve even finished their sentence.

Sure, leadership is also about balancing interests and finding compromises, just like in relationships, family dinners, or group holidays. But making your team feel heard, seen, and genuinely taken seriously? That’s the core of good leadership, at least in my book.

And honestly, this isn’t just about the office. It applies just as much when you’re grilling with friends (“yes, your tofu sausage matters too”), in a relationship (“yes, I am listening this time”), or dealing with a grumpy government clerk.

If you take a moment to really listen and show a bit of empathy, most problems dissolve faster than you can say “Was that so hard?”

If you weren’t working in finance, what would you be doing?

Sometimes I joke in the office that if I weren’t working at Invesdor, I’d probably be in the secret service (she laughs), you know, trench coat, sunglasses, mysterious phone calls, the full package.

Because honestly, if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s finding missing information and connecting the dots. No matter how well something is hidden, give me a hint and a cup of coffee, and I’ll track it down.

Maybe it’s no coincidence that I have a soft spot for spy movies and political thrillers. The mix of classified intel, shadowy alliances, and high-stakes decision-making? That’s totally my thing, minus the car chases. Usually.

If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?

Dr. Oppenheimer. I was deeply moved by the recent film, especially his inner conflict between scientific innovation and moral responsibility. As someone who also strives to act with good intentions, I’d love to discuss how decisions can ripple through a lifetime… ideally over a glass of wine.

What’s a quote that inspires you?

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Our conversation with Franziska is a reminder that startups grow on passion, adaptability, and strong leadership. Stay tuned for more stories from the people behind Invesdor, the ones making impact investing happen every day.

The post From a small German startup to a leading European platform: Meet Franziska Haeßler first appeared on Invesdor - Blog.

Once a year, IEX – from investors for investors – awards the Golden Bull. The nominations and final awards give investors an indication of which financial service provider offers the most value for money in the eyes of the jury and/or private investor. This makes the vast array of investment products and services more manageable for consumers. In the “Crowdfunding Platform of the Year 2023” category, a party that was not yet operating under the name Invesdor in 2023, won. Before November, we knew this party as Oneplanetcrowd, a platform for sustainable investments that has been around since 2012. European-based Invesdor was already active in Germany, Austria and Finland before acquiring Dutch-based Oneplanetcrowd. The merger makes them the largest pan-European investment platform for sustainable, social businesses.    

Expert jury sees Invesdor as an example for the industry

According to the jury, Invesdor is “a good example of where things are heading” in the crowdfunding market, following the introduction of the mandatory European ECSP license. Oneplanetcrowd already obtained that license in 2022 as the second Dutch platform. “By acquiring Oneplanetcrowd, Invesdor shows as one of the first parties what is possible with the new European passport in hand,” the jury said. The merger gives Dutch investors access to an extensive network of investors in Europe and enables investors to better diversify their portfolio of investments. In this way, Invesdor/Oneplanetcrowd actually makes use of the European rules and is, in the eyes of the jury, an example for the sector. 

More reasons for a Golden Bull 

Investors benefit directly from the merger: at Invesdor, entrepreneurs pay the fees, completely eliminating the 0.8% management fee previously charged by Oneplanetcrowd. The jury was also charmed by Invesdor’s “Acadamy”, where investors can gain knowledge and insights about crowdfunding, using the platform and managing an investment clause. The large mandate it obtained for a €10 million civic participation program (Windpark Fryslân) combined with the unchanged mission of offering ‘double returns’ (financial and social) ensures that the jury wholeheartedly awarded this annual award to Invesdor.  

“The IEX Golden Bull is a great recognition of our investors and entrepreneurs. We are very proud and honored. It also feels like the icing on the cake after Oneplanetcrowd merged with Invesdor, making us now the largest impact investment platform in Europe,” said Maarten de Jong. 

The Golden Bull has been awarded annually since 2007 by an independent professional jury to brokers, asset managers and other financial institutions for their exceptional performance. The Golden Bull is an initiative of IEX Media, a cross-media investment platform with a monthly reach of 2.5 million private investors in the Netherlands and Belgium. 

The post Invesdor receives IEX Golden Bull award for Best Crowdfunding Platform 2023 first appeared on Invesdor - Blog.

‘That the world needs change is beyond question,’ says Invesdor CEO Christopher Grätz. He also emphasizes, ‘But it won’t change on its own – someone has to take action. And, above all, someone has to finance it.’ As a pan-European impact investing platform that emerged from the merger of several platforms from different European countries, Invesdor has focused on one key question: If the most significant progress in the world is made by adventurous, entrepreneurial individuals who have the courage to think differently, what if we gave this opportunity to everyone? The opportunity to decide what kind of future they want to pursue? The chance to choose which companies can bring about this change? And the chance to participate in financing it all?

At Invesdor, we believe that investors can shape their future by investing in companies they believe in. This forms the basis of our call to investors: Let’s finance the future together. People have long decided – as shown by societal trends in recent years – what this future should look like: more sustainable, more equal, and more responsible. ‘Sustainability is a huge market, with corresponding massive interest and investment capital,’ says Christopher Grätz.

With the merger with Oneplanetcrowd, Invesdor has positioned itself as a leading European impact investing platform: Oneplanetcrowd has long pursued a targeted impact strategy, focusing exclusively on projects that have a clear impact on one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the meantime, the entire Invesdor Group has set the goal of presenting investors exclusively with projects that contribute to a sustainable world of the future. To achieve this, we have formulated two essential sustainability guidelines:

1. All Invesdor issuers and their projects undergo an ESG risk assessment before being listed.
2. For all projects, the impact on at least one of the mentioned SDGs is determined through measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The ‘Oneplanet’ label highlights outstanding projects.

We take these guidelines very seriously – they have the same priority for us as credit risk policy does for loans and investment policy does for equity projects.

ESG: Responsible in Three Areas

ESG is one of the aspects at the core of Invesdor’s guidelines for sustainable investing. The abbreviation stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance and refers to the three central factors for measuring the sustainability of an investment. Environmental criteria (represented by the ‘E’ in ESG) address how a company contributes to solving environmental issues (e.g., waste, pollution, greenhouse gases, deforestation, and climate change). Social criteria (the ‘S’ in ESG) relate to the treatment of employees and customers by the respective company (e.g., human capital management, diversity and equal opportunity, working conditions, health, and safety as well as misleading sales). Governance criteria (the ‘G’) examine how a company is managed (e.g., executive compensation, tax practices and strategy, corruption and bribery, as well as diversity and structure).

The growing importance of ESG in finance is based on the simple idea that companies deliver high returns when they create value for their stakeholders – employees, customers, suppliers, and society as a whole – and not just for the company’s owners.

How Invesdor Assesses ESG Risks

The ESG analysis can be complex. When considering ESG factors, it is not only about evaluating the products and services of a company but also its behavior, its supply chain, and other aspects related to its corporate governance. As part of our ESG risk assessment, we investigate whether the company has negative impacts on sustainability factors such as environmental, social, and labor issues, respect for human rights, and the fight against corruption and bribery. In addition, we assess whether a company is exposed to serious sustainability risks, meaning an ecological, social, or governance event or condition that could significantly impair the value of the investment if it were to occur.

The goal of the ESG risk analysis is to identify both risks and opportunities and thus uncover potential areas for improvement. At Invesdor, we firmly believe that a more forward-looking and dynamic approach is needed when evaluating ESG risks and opportunities. Furthermore, an ideal analysis should not only consider the latest ESG data but also the company’s strategy, overall impact, and evidence that it adheres to its promises and standards. It should also include a forward-looking perspective, so that investment decisions are not based solely on historical data.

The ESG risk assessment is a free analysis that Invesdor conducts for every new project that is to be placed on the platform. The goal of this assessment is to answer the following two questions:

1. Does the project harm the environment, society, and/or stakeholders?
2. Could the value of this project be jeopardized by ESG developments?

If the answer to either of these questions is ‘Yes,’ the project will not be included on the Invesdor platform.

The table below contains some examples for each of the ESG criteria:

The 6 environmental objectives of the EU, as defined in the Taxonomy Regulation, are:

1. Mitigation of climate change,
2. Adaptation to climate change,
3. Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources,
4. Transition to a circular economy,
5. Prevention and reduction of environmental pollution, and
6. Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems.

Impact: Doing Good – and How Invesdor Measures It

The potential of companies or projects in terms of impact investing is also part of Invesdor’s sustainability guidelines. Impact investing means investing in something that measurably contributes to one of the goals for sustainable development, the aforementioned SDGs. It is a form of sustainable investing that goes beyond simply excluding companies or countries. With impact investing, investors achieve not only financial returns but also a positive sustainable impact. ‘Invesdor decided to use the SDGs as a framework for determining intended and realized impacts,’ explains Christopher Grätz. The SDGs serve as a blueprint for addressing the biggest societal challenges of our time, such as combating diseases (SDG 3) and renewable energy (SDG 7). Together, the SDGs form a roadmap for achieving peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future. ‘Invesdor only awards the impact label to companies in the financial sector that make a positive contribution to at least one of the SDGs,’ says the Invesdor CEO.

Where Invesdor Draws Red Lines in Terms of ESG and SDGs

To emphasize that Invesdor does not compromise in certain areas, we have identified specific services, products, and sectors that are under no circumstances acceptable for the platform and thus cross the red lines. As such no-gos, Invesdor excludes projects from companies that:

• Are involved in the production, marketing, or sale of tobacco and cannabis products for recreational use.
• Are involved in the gambling industry or provide services in this sector.
• Manufacture weapons, specifically designed components for weapons, or provide weapons-related services. Companies involved in the production or sale of dual-use technologies. Dual-use technologies are subject to strict scrutiny, as their products must not be intended to inflict physical harm on humans or animals or contribute to such harm.
• Have a high risk of using conflict minerals or those who mine and supply such minerals without making efforts to source conflict-free minerals. Invesdor also requires this from its suppliers.
• Operate in the sex industry.
• Conduct animal testing that is only acceptable for legitimate medical purposes, and Invesdor does not place companies that do not conduct carefully controlled animal testing based on the principles of ‘reduce, refine, replace.’
• Use animal products or ingredients and do not have animal welfare policies and practices that go beyond legal requirements. We prefer companies that have clear goals for improving animal welfare and actively advocate for better animal welfare standards in the industry, as well as companies that offer plant-based alternatives for the production or use of animal products.
• Do not contribute to sustainable fishing and aquaculture practices.
• Are involved in the production and sale of fur and specialty leather for which animals are bred.
• Cause extensive or repeated damage to biodiversity or are in businesses with a high potential risk of causing such damage without managing these risks.
• Show no awareness of deforestation, do not practice sustainable forestry, and do not source and use responsible forestry products.
• Are unaware of climate change and do not make credible efforts to eliminate their greenhouse gas emissions and find alternatives to non-reducible emissions as quickly as possible.
• Are unaware of the dangers of using hazardous substances and do not contribute to the introduction, development, and promotion of less harmful alternatives.
• Are involved in accounting irregularities or irregularities in compensation that raise significant ethical and moral concerns.
• Offer excessive compensation and remuneration packages for directors that do not comply with local or international standards for best practices.
• Are involved in irregularities related to corruption, bribery, or money laundering.
• Engage in tax avoidance schemes that raise serious ethical or moral concerns and clearly violate local or international standards.
• Are involved in violations of laws and regulations, codes of conduct, or conventions, unless there are indications of structural change within the company that lead to fundamental behavioral changes.

We believe that with the Invesdor investment guidelines, we can contribute to perhaps the most pressing issue of our time: the transition to a more sustainable, equitable, and responsible economy.

The post Sustainability: How Invesdor Implements ESG, SDGs, and More first appeared on Invesdor - Blog.

Max, you founded Beets & Roots in 2016 together with star chef Andi Tuffentsammer. You offer healthy bowls, salads, wraps and high-quality soups in your restaurants and via online ordering. You first financed your growth via crowdfunding on Invesdor in 2019, and you are now in your fourth crowdfunding round. How did you get into crowdfunding? 

At that time, we only had our first three restaurants in Berlin and wanted to expand further. With our ordering system via the internet, we had a real boom phase at the time and wanted to expand that further. We used the capital to open more restaurants. In the meantime, the investors have received their 750,000 euros back, along with 8.5 per cent interest per year and a one-time profit interest of 5 per cent. So it was a complete success for us and for the investors.

Your second funding campaign was then in October 2021, in the middle of a peak phase of the pandemic. Wasn’t that risky?

Corona was like a dark shadow over us at the time. But we wanted to continue the growth course and reach more customers with our own app, among other things, despite the pandemic. It was important for us to become a mobile-first company in the next step, and we made up for it. In addition, we want to take customers and investors along on our journey to climate neutrality 2025, which we had set as a goal. Our products, the brand and our target group fit very well with the theme of sustainability. That’s why we designed the second campaign differently.

What did you do differently from the first time?

This time we did not pay interest on a subordinated loan from our investors, but issued 16,000 shares in our company as participation rights, which corresponds to 8.7 percent in our company. In return, the basic interest rate was lower at 5.0 percent. With the participation rights, we offered investors a new participation model, especially since we tokenised the shares, i.e. issued them digitally. This allows investors to participate in the increase of the company’s value. We were among the first in Germany to choose this path.

Was that well received?

Yes, after only 22 days we had the 1.1 million euros together. The goal of this financing round was to also expand nationwide with restaurants in Stuttgart, Frankfurt am Main and Düsseldorf.

In 2022, a third round of financing for 537,000 euros took place. Did you take the big leap after the Corona pandemic? 

That’s one way to put it. In the third crowdfunding round, the main focus was on financing our new high-frequency locations in Berlin at Potsdamer Platz, at the main railway station and at BER airport. Here, too, crowdfunding was the best fit because we had already won the leases and were able to appeal to the travel industry at the same time. For investors, this was an interesting investment opportunity. We always finance everything in a mix, which means we financed both equity and mezzanine capital via the crowd. In terms of marketing, we focused less on the retail investor and more on the semi-institutional investor.

You also joined a large family office, which brought you 2.7 million euros for 18.5 percent of the company shares. Why did you turn to the professional investor?

For us, it is important to create stable growth, and for that we need a stable financing structure with substantial equity. That’s why we didn’t want to focus everything on the crowd, especially in uncertain times where the equity cushion always plays a big role. We need strong partners, we need a strong equity ratio. That is also in the interest of the crowd. 

Is this participation of a family office directly linked to distributions or does it only rely on an increase in the value of the company?

There are no distributions, we are a growth company and reinvest our cash flow in our growth projects. This is also comprehensible for all existing shareholders and crowd investors. No one has to fear that any shareholders will be served from crowdfunding funds.

How is the fourth crowdfunding round offer constructed?

In terms of company law, it is the same as the first and third rounds, so it is a subordinated loan. But because of the increased interest rate environment, we have also increased the interest rate to 10 per cent. In addition, a one-off success interest of another 10 per cent is possible. The financing costs have risen for us, as they have for all companies, which is why we now have to offer investors a higher return.

What sum are you aiming for and what do you intend to do with it?

For example, we currently have the second contract with Deutsche Bahn in the pipeline for Ostbahnhof, where we would like to open a restaurant. We are hoping for investor money between 500,000 and one million euros. We would also like to use the money to expand the licence business. We already have two licensed stores with partners, for example in Frankfurt. We want to grow in the markets outside of Berlin primarily with licence partners, simply because it enables operational stability and faster growth.

Where does beets & roots stand today, how has the business developed?

We now have 14 restaurants in five major cities. In 2022, we had a turnover of 7.2 million euros including the licence partners. For 2023, we expect a turnover of around 11 million euros. We also have initial cooperations with Rewe and Edeka, which resell our bowls from the freezer. The delivery services Flink and Gorillas have also included our dishes in their range. The desire for healthy, sustainable gastronomy is huge.

You have remained loyal to Invesdor as a crowdfunding platform for your campaigns. What are the advantages for you? Why did you choose Invesdor?  

At the end of the day, what counts for us is the relationship of trust, which also comes from our circle of shareholders. From the first to the fourth campaign, the cooperation with Invesdor has been characterised by a high level of professionalism. That gives us a very good feeling. After all, we also enter into liabilities with this form of financing and want everything to be based on the highest legal and social standards, both for the investors and for us. Invesdor guarantees that.

Another huge plus is the flexibility and simplicity. Existing banks are more cumbersome in the financing process than a modern, digitalised partner like Invesdor.  In addition, Invesdor itself is a growth story and has continued to expand through mergers and continuous improvements to the platform and investor experience. This shows us that we are betting on the right partner.

So further crowd campaigns with Invesdor are not out of the question?

Absolutely not! The bigger we get, the bigger the funding pots get, and the mix can certainly change in some way. But the crowd always plays a big role for us. As long as it works for us and for the investors, we want to continue the cooperation.

The post Interview with Max Kochen from beets & roots first appeared on Invesdor - Blog.

Invesdor Group operates two digital investment platforms: Invesdor.com and Finnest.com. Of the two platforms, Invesdor.com offers mostly equity issues by Finnish and Nordic companies, whereas Finnest is more specialized in mezzanine funding and their target companies are mostly from the German-speaking DACH market.

The numbers detailed below* provide the combined statistics for the two platforms from the year 2020. We reported the wrong number regarding the total funding raised in the final newsletter of 2020: one of the numbers used was taken from a wrong datapoint due to human error. The actual number was higher – we apologize for the mistake.

• Funding rounds on the Group platforms raised a total of €29,692,054.
• Average figure raised by a funding round was approx. €957,800.
• Eleven funding rounds raised more than €1M. Of these, four rounds passed the €2M mark.
• 31 funding rounds (18 on Invesdor.com **, 13 on Finnest.com). 
• Share of funding rounds that reached their minimum target: 88.8%. ***
• 6,110 investment transactions took place.
• Average investment size was ca. €4,860.

Some funding rounds from last year are worthy of a special mention. On the Invesdor platform, medtech company Injeq raised €2M with their third equity issue: with this, they became the first company to have raised more than €5M in total via Invesdor.com. In addition, Invesdor introduced some historic rounds with the first equity issues (Biogena, Neoh) and bond issues (PV-Invest) from Austrian companies on the platform.

On the Finnest platform, the Group’s first ever funding round using a participatory capital instrument was introduced. The target company was Hüffermann Krandienst GmbH: their part-cap round successfully raised €637,000. In addition, Biogena GmbH continued their long-running co-operation with Finnest with their 13th funding round on the platform.

* The numbers include investment that succeeded and were finalized. Refunds made in funding rounds that did not meet their minimum target, have been excluded. 

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