Paul Steffen

Leonardo Venture is a venture capital investment manager focused on start-up and early-stage high-technology firms in Germany and the German-speaking region. They invest in sectors related to health and the quality of life, including new materials, microtechnology, nanotechnology, embedded systems, measurement and control technology, safety engineering, water technology, medical technology, proteomics, tissue engineering and bioinformatics. The firm is a long-term investor which bases their investment decisions on a combination of in-house due diligence and assessment by an independent third-party. The firm targets companies with the potential of becoming market leaders in their segments. Their investment criteria include a sound and earnings-focused business plan, a substantial and sustainable competitive advantage, a high customer benefit, a unique selling proposition, technological excellence, and an entrepreneurial and competent management team. Leonardo Ventures follows a hands-on investment approach. They believe in establishing an intensive collaboration with their portfolio companies and concentrate their supporting efforts on management, strategy, business development and networking. They also assist their investees with marketing, controlling, procurement and logistics. They actively foster growth, both in Germany and internationally.