High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH. (12/9/24). "Press Release: HTGF Strengthens Life Science Expertise – Dr. Achim Plum to Become New Managing Director". Bonn.

	Organisation	High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH
	Group	High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) (Group)
	Organisation 2	InfanDx AG
	Group	InfanDx (Group)
	Product	venture capital
	Product 2	LIFE SCIENCES
	Person	Plum, Achim (High-Tech Gründerfonds 202501– Managing Director before InfanDx + SphingoTec + Curetis/OpGen + Siemens)
	Person 2	Schlitzer, Guido (High-Tech Gründerfonds 202006–202412 CEO joined 2005 before tbg + IonGate Biosciences LEFT 12/24)

Dr. Achim Plum is to become Managing Director of High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) on 1 January 2025, joining Romy Schnelle and Dr. Alex von Frankenberg on the management team. Dr. Plum, who holds a PhD in genetics, was appointed to the role by the HTGF Investor Advisory Board. He succeeds Guido Schlitzer, who will be leaving HTGF on 31 December of this year, as previously announced.

With the appointment of Dr. Plum, the early-stage investor is strengthening its life science expertise within the management team, helping to elevate the importance of this rapidly growing segment. HTGF is already extremely successful in this area. This year, the investor achieved an outstanding result with the exit of Cardior Pharmaceuticals: The Danish global healthcare company Novo Nordisk acquired the portfolio company for up to €1.025 billion. In addition, HTGF portfolio companies such as SciRhom (€63 million) and Tubulis (€128 million) completed major follow-on financing rounds.

Dr. Plum has over 20 years of experience in the life science industry, combined with extensive management expertise. He has amassed substantial know-how in areas including diagnostics, precision medicine, life science tools and medical technology. Dr. Plum has held leadership positions at early- and growth-stage companies, as well as at global tech corporations. During this time, he has successfully established processes, created structures and led organisations through phases of strong growth.

Combining scientific expertise with strategic business development is one of Dr. Plum’s strengths. His career to date has involved positions at companies including Epigenomics, Siemens, Curetis, Ares Genetics, SphingoTech and InfanDx. Dr. Plum has a track-record in corporate finance including two IPOs and is familiar with the financing perspectives of companies in all stages of development. His broad network in the life science industry will open up access to a wide range of partnerships and new opportunities.

Dr. Achim Plum: “I’m looking forward to switching my perspective from entrepreneur to seed investor and supporting Germany’s start-up ecosystem in this new role. I have great respect for my new assignment and am very excited about working with my fellow Managing Directors and the entire HTGF team. I will leverage my experience and network to ensure we continue this success story – both for HTGF and its portfolio companies.”

Dr. Matthias Koehler, Chairman of Investor Advisory Board and a Deputy Director-General at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action: “We are delighted that Dr. Achim Plum will be strengthening the leadership team with his extensive expertise in the life science sector and in leading and developing organisations. In appointing Dr. Plum as Managing Director, HTGF is continuing its strategy of ensuring the three focal areas of investment – industrial tech, life sciences and chemicals, and digital tech – are all represented at executive level. Life sciences is a key field of innovation, acting as a driving force behind the transformation of our economy as well as advances in medicine and healthcare. Thanks to his expertise and strong network, Dr. Plum will help to further expand the HTGF portfolio, provide valuable impetus for HTGF’s strategic development, and solidify its role as a leading seed-stage investor in the long term.”

About HTGF – High-Tech Gründerfonds

HTGF is one of the leading and most active early-stage investors in Germany and Europe, financing start-ups in the fields of Deep Tech, Industrial Tech, Climate Tech, Digital Tech, Life Sciences and Chemistry. With its experienced investment team, HTGF supports start-ups in all phases of their development into international market leaders. HTGF invests in pre-seed and seed phases and can participate significantly in later-stage financing rounds. Across its funds, HTGF has over 2 billion euros under management. Since its inception in 2005, HTGF has financed more than 770 start-ups and achieved over 180 successful exits.

Fund investors in the public-private partnership include the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, KfW Capital as well as 45 companies and family offices.
For more information, please visit HTGF.de or follow us on LinkedIn.

Media contacts

High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH
Stefanie Grüter, Partner Communications & Relations
T.: +49 228 – 82300 – 188
[email protected]

Tobias Jacob, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager
T.: +49 228 – 82300 – 121
[email protected]

Record changed: 2024-12-19