Thomas Golinski

Provides IT security components and smart card middleware

Neuhaus is a venture capital investment manager specialized in the information and communication industries. The firm invests in technology startups based throughout Europe, in sectors including hardware, software, IT services, Internet infrastructure and services, telecommunications services and technology, laser and photonics, microsystems technology and multimedia. They prefer to be the lead investor and acquire minority interests ranging from 5 to a maximum of 49 percent. They invest at least EUR 500 thousand, averaging EUR 1 to 2 million per financing round. For larger deals they identify and enlist co-investors. Neuhaus targets companies with outstanding management, a large potential market and a clear competitive advantage, either technological or in terms of time-to-market. They favor technology-oriented products which are combinations of hardware and software. In the case of pure software plays, they prefer that a service component be involved as well. Neuhaus provides their portfolio companies with consulting support and access to their extensive network while avoiding interference in day-to-day operations. They have a long-term outlook and may stay invested from startup to IPO and beyond. Although they aim for IPO, their most common exit strategy is a trade sale.