Engelhardt Kaupp Kiefer & Co. Management GmbH

About The Fund

Engelhardt Kaupp Kiefer & Co. Management GmbH (EKK & Co.) is a venture capital fund headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, specializing in equity and mezzanine investments with a focus on expansion stages. They support high-growth companies by investing in businesses positioned for significant scaling, specifically those that have already identified their product-market fit. The firm's holistic growth investing approach fosters not just financial success but also personal growth, economic impact, and societal relevance, acknowledging that success is multilayered and should extend beyond financial metrics alone.EKK & Co.'s investment philosophy underscores the importance of personal development as a critical success factor. They believe in nurturing entrepreneurs' individual growth alongside their businesses, understanding that challenges faced in business development require a combination of experience and interpersonal qualities. Their commitment extends to helping entrepreneurs manage their own resources and capabilities effectively, realizing that personal growth is a prerequisite for corporate expansion.Financial success is central to EKK & Co.'s strategy, recognizing that profitability affords companies greater freedom and is a mandatory return for all stakeholders—founders, management, and investors alike. They are driven to achieve motivating returns on time, energy, and money invested.EKK & Co. values the economic impact of their investments, taking pride in watching portfolio companies leave a lasting imprint in their industries, shift paradigms, excite customers, and challenge competitors. Witnessing the growing economic significance and the 'real-life' effects of their business activities provides a unique dimension to their success.They also acknowledge the importance of societal relevance in contemporary business success. EKK & Co. is intent on investing in companies with sustainable products or services in economic, social, and ecological terms. Their strategy includes supporting portfolio companies in recognizing opportunities that arise from complex objectives and regulations, enabling positive differentiation in the marketplace.Their portfolio strategy does not limit itself to specific industries, instead prioritizing passion, ambition, diligence, and talent across various sectors. EKK & Co. seeks companies ready for the next major growth step, with high scalability and market growth potential. Their belief in aligned interests extends beyond the business relationship to investment cases, aiming to ensure that founders maintain a majority stake throughout company growth and eventual sales. The firm maintains a close connection with entrepreneurs in their network, often engaging them as co-investors or partners to support current investments.EKK & Co.'s experienced team offers personalized support and strategic insights, partnering with entrepreneurs to shape companies in line with their vision, emphasizing that personal passion is contagious and essential for all stakeholders' success.