FTTF

FTTF stands as Germany's pioneering venture capital fund dedicated exclusively to supporting deep-tech startups emerging from the prestigious Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft research organization. Established in 2019 with a substantial capital pool of 60 million euros, this independent early-stage investor specializes in identifying and nurturing groundbreaking technological innovations during their most formative phases. The fund's investment capacity extends up to 5 million euros per portfolio company, providing crucial financial backing when traditional investors might consider the technology too nascent or complex for investment.

Since its inception, FTTF has built an impressive portfolio of 39 startups, each leveraging cutting-edge Fraunhofer technologies across diverse sectors including advanced materials, medical devices, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and sustainable energy solutions. The fund's investment strategy focuses on companies with defensible intellectual property, significant market potential, and strong technical founding teams. FTTF's deep connection to the Fraunhofer ecosystem gives portfolio companies unique advantages, including access to specialized research facilities, technical expertise, and an extensive network of industry partners.

The fund operates with substantial institutional backing, counting the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft itself and the European Investment Fund (EIF) among its key supporters. This financial foundation is strengthened through multiple European Union initiatives, including InnovFin Equity backed by Horizon 2020 financial instruments, the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) established under the Investment Plan for Europe, the European Recovery Program - EIF Facility, and the LfA-EIF Facility through LfA Gesellschaft für Vermögensverwaltung mbH. This robust financial architecture enables FTTF to take calculated risks on transformative technologies that might otherwise struggle to secure early funding.

FTTF distinguishes itself through a hands-on investment approach, providing not just capital but strategic guidance, operational support, and valuable connections to help portfolio companies navigate the challenging journey from laboratory innovation to commercial success. The fund's investment professionals combine deep technical knowledge with business acumen, enabling them to evaluate complex technologies and help founders build sustainable business models around scientific breakthroughs. By bridging the critical gap between academic research and commercial application, FTTF plays a vital role in Europe's innovation ecosystem, transforming Fraunhofer's world-class research into market-ready products and services that address pressing global challenges.