Gründerfonds Ruhr

Gründerfonds Ruhr is a venture capital fund based in Essen, Germany, that invests in early-stage B2B technology startups, particularly those in the seed stage. The firm targets innovation-driven companies across sectors including Life Sciences, MedTech, Cybersecurity, and EdTech, providing capital, entrepreneurial expertise, and access to international corporate networks. Its second fund, Gründerfonds Ruhr II, closed in October 2024 with €31M in initial capital, with a projected growth to €50M by late 2025. Gründerfonds Ruhr also co-manages the GF BRYCK Ventures Fund, launched in April 2025 with €10M in partnership with BRYCK and RAG-Stiftung, which provides up to €300,000 per early-stage investment and supports startups in energy transition, decarbonization, and healthcare. Key personnel include Managing Partners Ann-Christin Kortenbrede and Jan Gräfe. The organization was founded in 2017.