About
Frank Thelen is a German serial entrepreneur, technology investor, and TV personality who has founded and led over 10 technology and design-focused companies since 1994. He was a judge on the German version of 'Shark Tank' for seven years, authored two bestselling books, and supports founders on technology, design, team, sales, media, and fundraising.
Invests in
Deep Tech
Experience
- TEQ CapitalFounder & CEOcurrent2022 — presentBonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- TEQ CapitalChief Research Officercurrent2021 — presentBonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- FreigeistFounder & CEOcurrent2018 — presentBonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- FreigeistFounder & CEOcurrent2010 — presentBonn Area, Germany
- LiliumSeed Investorcurrent2016 — present
- Xentral ERP Software GmbHBoard Membercurrent2018 — present
- KRAFTBLOCKBoard Membercurrent2018 — present
- EnduroSatSeed Investorcurrent2020 — presentSofia, Sofia City, Bulgaria
- RobCoSeed Investorcurrent2021 — presentMunich, Bavaria, Germany
- PROSION TherapeuticsSeed Investorcurrent2022 — presentCologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- BioThrustSeed Investorcurrent2024 — presentAachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- United Manufacturing Hub (UMH)Seed Investorcurrent2024 — presentCologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- PitchInvestorcurrent2018 — present
- air up®Seed Investorcurrent2019 — presentMunich, Bavaria, Germany
- Hardt HyperloopInvestorcurrent2019 — present
- Smartlane GmbHBoard Membercurrent2019 — presentMunich Area, Germany
- SuperlistInvestorcurrent2020 — present
- Build.OneSeed Investorcurrent2021 — present
- LEKO LabsInvestorcurrent2022 — present
- Scanbot (Former doo GmbH)Board Membercurrent2015 — present
Education
- Pädagogium Godesberg1987 — 1992
- Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences
Skills & more
InvestmentsAngel Investing33Venture Capital60Entrepreneurship81Startups11Seed Capital18Skateboarding6Start-ups99Public Speaking15UX/UI2Business Strategy35Mobile Applications26
+12 more
Mobile DevicesStrategic PartnershipsSaaSE-commerceManagementProduct DevelopmentGo-to-market StrategySoftware DevelopmentProduct ManagementCloud ComputingScrumEnterprise SoftwareLanguages English · German
From Frank's professional profile.
Same school
Also attended Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences4
Shared employers
Also worked at Xentral ERP Software GmbH7
Maximilian StadlerJunior Finance Manager at BONVENTUREAlex ClaytonPartner at Meritech Capital PartnersRobert LacherFounding Partner at Visionaries ClubNiklas HebbornPartner at Freigeist CapitalMarc SiebergerFounder and COO/CFO at Freigeist CapitalDomenico CipollaPartner at Freigeist Capital
+ 1 more
Also worked at KRAFTBLOCK3
Also worked at LEKO Labs1
Also worked at Scanbot (Former doo GmbH)2
Colleagues at Freigeist Capital
Network6
Ciaran O'LearyScout
General Partner at BlueYard Capital
Florian HeinemannScout
Partner at Project A Ventures
Verena PausderScout
Strategic Advisor / Serial Entrepreneur & Angel Investor at AENU
Brent Hoberman
Executive Chairman, Founder at Founders Factory
Hendrik Brandis
Co-Founder and General Partner at Earlybird Venture Capital
Neil Rimer
Investor at Index Ventures
Investors connected to Frank in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.