TRUMPF Venture

Dr. Dieter Kraft 

Dieter's many years of experience with venture capital, combined with his business excellence, allow him as Managing Director to lead TRUMPF Venture GmbH as a fair partner and investor. For him the criteria for success for shaping the joint success of TRUMPF and its portfolio companies are strategy development and implementation. He was previously a partner at Robert Bosch Venture Capital for 9 years, being responsible for the region of Europe, and having built up system development in the field of electric mobility worldwide. Dieter holds a doctorate in physics from the University of Frankfurt. Even in his free time he enjoys a dynamic environment, either riding his motorcycle or sailing.

Franz Lehmann

With a broad understanding of technology as well as experience in business strategy, Investment Manager Franz shapes the industry of the future together with innovative company founders. He was previously a strategy consultant for international projects (in particular digitization and growth strategies) at McKinsey. In addition to a German computer science degree and a French engineering degree, he holds an MBA from the Collège des Ingénieurs. Franz worked as a ski instructor alongside his studies, coaching others to reach the finish line faster, and still likes to spend his free time up on the slopes.

Christina Kotzur, CFA Christina is fascinated by how companies are created and grow as a result of new ideas. She assists our start-ups on their path to success in her role as a financial professional, using her experience in the financial sector, right up to successful turnarounds when supporting portfolio companies. Over the past 10 years, Christina worked in the private equity field in Madrid, most recently as CFO at Everwood Capital. She studied International Business Administration and has also earned the CFA title. She is a visionary in her spare time, too – prior to hitting the ball on the golf course, she always imagines how the ball will go into the hole. 

Asem Arsuzi

As an investment analyst, Asem is driven by working with new technologies, business model innovations, and founders on a daily basis. He is able to draw on 10 years of professional experience, both as an independent solicitor and operations manager (specifically logistics, medicine approval, customer service) at Al-Bayan. Asem holds a Bachelor of Laws from Damascus University and is currently finishing an MBA at Steinbeis University Berlin, which he is studying for while working. He is a gifted chess and table tennis player and always up for a match.

Niklas Hering

Niklas possesses comprehensive expertise in operations and IT management by virtue of his roles as consultant and senior engineer at an RWTH Aachen University institute as well as head of company logistics at the TRUMPF Group. He takes these skills with him in his role as investment manager. Niklas studied industrial engineering and earned his doctorate in engineering sciences at the RWTH Aachen. He also holds an MBA from RWTH Aachen/University of St. Gallen. Niklas trains in Krav Maga in his free time – even here, coming out on top requires thoroughly evaluating situations and planning patterns of action in advance.

Claudia Richter

With her great organizational skills, Claudia brings order to TRUMPF Venture as an executive assistant. With her approachable nature, she is the first point of contact for any questions. Claudia ensures that meetings and trips run smoothly, and with over 10 years of professional experience as an executive assistant, is just about able to solve any problem. She provides support during the assessment of investment requests from start-ups, and sets up internal and external meetings. Claudia is also an all-rounder in her private life, searching for balance in nature, preferably through hiking or yoga.