Suggestions
Bettine Schmitz
Funding the strongest female founders.
Bettine Schmitz is a prominent figure in the venture capital landscape, serving as a Partner and Founder at the Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund, a Berlin-based investment firm focused on supporting startups with at least one female founder. Established in January 2019, the fund aims to bridge the gap between female entrepreneurs and the traditionally male-dominated venture capital space, promoting equitable participation of women in both founding and investing roles within the industry.135
Professional Background
Before co-founding Auxxo, Schmitz had a diverse career in various roles:
- Vice President at Axel Springer Plug and Play Accelerator (2014-2021): Here, she was involved in selecting companies for investment and managing accelerator activities, contributing to over 100 investments at the pre-seed stage.2
- Business Angel: She has made numerous angel investments, focusing primarily on companies aligned with Auxxo's mission.2
- Consultant at OC&C Strategy Consultants: Schmitz worked in media and private equity sectors, providing commercial due diligence services.2
Education
Bettine holds a Master's degree in European Business from ESCP Europe and a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Imperial College London.2
Vision and Impact
Schmitz is passionate about changing the perception and reality of female entrepreneurship. She believes in fostering environments where women can thrive as founders and investors. The Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund has made significant strides in this direction, having completed around 30 investments in early-stage companies led by women across Europe. In addition to financial support, the fund emphasizes building strong networks for female founders to enhance their access to resources and opportunities.346
Through her work with Auxxo, Bettine Schmitz not only invests in promising startups but also actively participates in initiatives aimed at increasing diversity within the venture capital ecosystem, including founding the Evangelistas network of female business angels.36
