TRUMPF Venture

TRUMPF Venture is the corporate venture capital arm of the TRUMPF Group, the German high-tech machine-tool and laser manufacturer, established in 2016 and based at the company's headquarters in Ditzingen near Stuttgart. The unit invests globally in early-stage deep-tech startups whose technologies are complementary or adjacent to TRUMPF's core business, with a clear emphasis on photonics and laser technology, new laser concepts, optical systems, advanced and additive manufacturing, sensors and automation, connectivity and computing, electronics, quantum technologies and sustainability themes such as the circular economy and energy-conversion efficiency. TRUMPF Venture launched with an initial fund of around EUR 40 million and has since raised a second fund more than twice the size of the first. Cheque sizes typically run from roughly EUR 0.5 million to EUR 4 million for an initial investment, targeting a minority stake of between 5% and 25%, and the firm positions itself as an active, long-term partner that supports portfolio companies through subsequent financing rounds, willing to lead. Investment criteria centre on strategic fit, high innovation leverage and differentiation, an experienced management team and risk-adequate financial returns. The unit is led by Managing Director Dieter Kraft, a recognised corporate-venturing expert, and frequently co-invests, including a partnership with Unternehmertum Venture Capital. Notable portfolio companies span the quantum and photonics frontier, including Quside, kiutra, Q.ant and the optical gas-sensor startup Tunable AS, with around 28 investments made to date. By aligning its capital with TRUMPF's photonics and manufacturing expertise, TRUMPF Venture backs deep-tech founders building adjacent and complementary technologies.