High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF)

Europe’s leading pre-seed investor for quantum technologies, bridging the critical funding gap between research and commercialization since 2005

Overview

High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is Germany’s premier early-stage venture capital fund and one of Europe’s most active quantum computing investors. As a public-private partnership, HTGF addresses the critical funding gap in early-stage deep tech, having invested in over 790 startups across its 20-year history.

With a fund volume exceeding €2 billion across four main funds plus the HTGF Opportunity Fund (launched 2024), HTGF typically invests around €1 million in pre-seed and seed stages, with the capability to participate in later-stage rounds for high-performing portfolio companies.

Why HTGF Matters for Quantum

HTGF has established itself as the go-to investor for European quantum startups seeking their first institutional capital. The fund’s patient capital approach and deep tech expertise make it particularly well-suited for quantum technologies, which often require extended development timelines before commercialization.

Operating from offices in Bonn, Berlin, and Munich, HTGF’s experienced investment managers provide not just capital but strategic support, industry connections, and entrepreneurial guidance critical for early-stage quantum ventures.

Investor Information

• Type: Government-backed VC (Public-Private Partnership)

• Founded: 2005

• Headquarters: Bonn, Germany (offices also in Berlin & Munich)

• Fund Size: €2B+ across all funds (HTGF I-IV + Opportunity Fund)

• Investment Stage: Pre-seed to Seed (€1M typical initial investment)

• Total Portfolio: 790+ startups across all sectors

• Website: https://www.htgf.de

Investment Focus

Primary Sectors:

• Quantum Technologies (hardware, software, sensing, communications)

• Deep Tech (industrial technologies, advanced materials)

• Climate Tech (sustainability solutions)

• Life Sciences & Chemistry (quantum-enhanced drug discovery)

• Digital Tech (AI/ML, quantum computing applications)

HTGF particularly excels in supporting hardware-intensive quantum startups, including:

• Quantum computing platforms (superconducting, ion trap, photonic)

• Quantum sensing and metrology

• Cryogenic infrastructure and cooling systems

• Quantum networking and communications

• Quantum simulation software

Quantum Portfolio Highlights

HQS Quantum Simulations

Investment: Seed round of €2.3M (2020), Series A of €12M+ (2023)

Europe’s leading quantum simulation software company, HQS develops algorithms for quantum computers to predict material properties and accelerate development cycles in chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Their algorithms are designed to avoid intrinsic errors of current quantum computers, making them particularly valuable for near-term quantum advantage.

Key Achievement: Successfully transitioned from seed to Series A with HTGF’s continued support alongside UVC Partners and btov Industrial Technologies.

kiutra

Investment: Seven-figure seed round (2019), €13M growth round (2023)

Munich-based cryogenics pioneer and the world’s first company to consistently provide ultra-low temperatures without expensive and rare liquefied gases. Using innovative magnetic cooling technology, kiutra has become essential infrastructure for quantum computing and sensing applications.

Total Funding: €30M+ in combined private and public funding Significance: Addresses critical bottleneck in quantum hardware scalability and operational costs

Delft Circuits

Investment: Series A of €6.3M (2023)

Netherlands-based designer and manufacturer of I/O (cabling) solutions for cryogenic environments operating quantum systems. Delft Circuits’ technology is essential for scaling quantum computers toward thousands of qubits.

Co-investors: Deeptech XL, QuVest Capital, Scholt Group

Aegiq

Investment: Seed round of £3.5M+ (2022)

UK-based quantum photonics company building next-generation networking and computing with their pioneering single-photon and integrated quantum optics platform, addressing fiber and satellite quantum communications.

Qnami

Investment: CHF 2.6M seed round

Swiss quantum sensing company developing diamond-based quantum sensors for nanoscale magnetic imaging and metrology applications.

Co-investors: Quantonation, investiere, ZKB Startup Finance

Investment Strategy

HTGF’s quantum investment thesis centers on:

1. Early Intervention Investing at pre-seed/seed when quantum startups need capital most

2. Patient Capital Understanding quantum’s long development cycles

3. Follow-on Support Backing winners through growth stages via Opportunity Fund

4. Ecosystem Building Creating networks between portfolio companies, research institutions, and industrial partners

5. Hardware Expertise Deep understanding of capital-intensive quantum hardware businesses

Track Record

550+ Startups Supported Backed companies across all sectors since 2005

790 Companies in Current Portfolio One of Europe’s largest early-stage portfolios

Leading Quantum Portfolio in German-Speaking Europe Most active pre-seed/seed investor in the region’s quantum ecosystem

High Co-Investor Attraction Portfolio companies regularly secure follow-on funding from top-tier VCs

Proven Exits Multiple successful exits across deep tech portfolio demonstrating strong returns

For Quantum Startups

HTGF is ideal for quantum startups that:

• Are pre-seed to seed stage
• Have strong technical founders from research institutions
• Are developing novel quantum hardware or software
• Need patient capital for multi-year development
• Can benefit from German/European ecosystem connections
• Require follow-on funding support for scaling

Typical Investment Structure:

• Initial investment: ~€1M
• Follow-on potential through Opportunity Fund
• Syndication with other deep tech VCs
• Active board participation and strategic support

Related Resources

• View All Quantum Investors

• Quantum Computing Companies Directory

• Investment Tracker

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