Welcome to Dr. Ion Hauer, Principal at APEX Ventures
By Andreas Riegler, Partner
Let me introduce you to Dr. Ion Hauer, who joined APEX Ventures in April as a Principal. With a background in quantum physics and crucial experience in the world of startups and corporate venturing, Ion brings a unique blend of technical expertise and financial acumen to the company. I took the opportunity to sit down with Ion and learn more about his vision for supporting innovative deep-tech startups.
Ion, firstly explain your role at APEX Ventures and why you wanted to join us.
At APEX Ventures, I serve as a Principal, focusing on investing in early-stage deep-tech startups in the areas of quantum technologies, future computing, infrastructure AI and space. I joined APEX Ventures because of its strong focus on deep tech and its pursuit of these areas since 2017, which perfectly aligns with my interests and expertise.
The team at APEX Ventures is incredible, and I knew it was the right place to combine my technical background in quantum physics with my financial experience to support startups in their growth and development.
It felt like hitting the nail on the head, a bit of a coincidence, but the kind of luck that comes after months of research and networking to find the best players in the industry.
APEX Ventures’ commitment to deep tech and the opportunity to work with remarkable founders made it an easy decision for me to join as a Principal. The whole team at APEX Ventures has a technical background and that makes it very special.
Can you share insight into your story so far and how it has influenced your journey as an investor?
I was born in Romania, and my family moved to Germany when I was six years old. My academic journey led me to study quantum physics at the University of Heidelberg and, after completing my PhD, I explored the business side of things with a focus on management consulting in financial services as well as corporate venturing.
At Bosch, I co-created a Venture Client unit to help startups partner with large enterprises and collaborate efficiently. Meanwhile, I started angel investing and later became COO of one of my portfolio companies, a Berlin-based AI startup, which provides a digital platform for corporate startup collaborations. Eventually, I combined all my experiences to move into venture capital.
My journey as a first-generation immigrant — starting from zero with minimal resources and only the support of my family to getting established in the financial sector — has taught me the value of hard work, perseverance and resourcefulness, which I bring to my role in supporting innovative startups. I hope that it shows that it’s possible for others facing similar circumstances to pursue their dreams.
What areas of deep tech are you particularly interested in?
Given my background in quantum physics, I am particularly interested in quantum technologies as a whole. Quantum computing is a prominent area, but there’s also quantum communication and quantum sensing, all presenting exciting commercialisation opportunities.
Additionally, I look into the ‘future of computing’, focusing on semiconductor chip designs that enable new capabilities, such as mimicking the human brain and performing efficient edge computing. Computations that occur closer to the source of data, rather than in a central location ensure smoother and more energy-efficient operations.
Lastly, AI is obviously a hot topic at the moment, but we are particularly interested in AI at the infrastructure levels, where startups are creating groundbreaking solutions that are both unique and defensible. It’s more than just the application layer; we’re looking for startups that create something new, like a new algorithm or a novel way of computation. That’s what will set them apart, even if there are shifts in the AI landscape.
How do you identify unique and disruptive startups among a wealth of emerging deep tech companies?
A significant advantage for us at APEX Ventures is our strong presence in the Munich ecosystem and our close connections with universities and research institutions. This allows us to know about startups even before they fully incorporate. We place great importance on the technical aspects of startups, delving into technical white papers, code reviews, and prototypes during due diligence.
Our goal is to understand the uniqueness of their technology and the problems they aim to solve. We look for startups that have a deep understanding of their customer needs and demonstrate resilience, capital efficiency, and the ability to forge collaborations. As an investor in deep tech startups, my academic background also plays a crucial role in evaluating potential investments.
Can you share some insights into APEX Ventures’ new fund and its investment focus?
APEX Ventures has partnered with Amadeus Capital Partners to raise a new fund with a target size of €80 million. We have already completed the first closing and are actively seeking early-stage startups to invest in. Our investment focus remains in the areas of deep tech that I mentioned earlier, including quantum technologies, future computing, infrastructure AI, and space, with a new addition, techbio.
The ticket sizes for initial investments range from €1 million to €1.5 million, highlighting our dedication to early-stage startups.
How has the global economic downturn affected the startup ecosystem, and how does deep tech fare now?
The global economic downturn has undoubtedly impacted the startup ecosystem, causing funding challenges across various industries. However, I must say that deep tech has proven to be more resilient than many other sectors. While funding has experienced a downturn overall, deep tech startups, especially at the early-stage seed, have been relatively less affected compared to later-stage companies in areas such as fintech, blockchain or web3.
We have observed some positive indications, such as reduced layoffs and an increase in the number of rounds and round sizes, suggesting a potential rebound. But at APEX Ventures, we exercise caution while remaining active in our investments. In fact, within the first five months of our new fund, we have made four investments, which highlights our commitment to supporting innovative startups.
Our collaboration with Amadeus Capital Partners has been instrumental in this. Partnering with them has allowed us to combine the best of both worlds — their extensive experience spanning over 27 years and our fresh perspective on the Germany, Austria, Switzerland region, which holds great potential and is relatively untapped for them.
Finally, what advice would you give to startups in deep tech looking to secure investments and grow their ventures?
Startups in deep tech should focus on thoroughly understanding their customer needs and solving real problems. Seek out collaborations with partners, research institutions, and governments to validate your ideas and create strong value propositions.
Be capital efficient and explore diverse funding sources, such as public grants and government contracts, to support your growth. As a founder, believe in your technology and build relationships with investors who understand and value the uniqueness of your solutions.
We encourage startups to offer access to their products and provide proof of concepts, building strong partnerships that can lead to long-term relationships. Additionally, government contracts play a significant role in closing the growth funding gap, providing startups with the necessary revenue to build groundbreaking technologies. Ultimately, building a resilient and innovative startup requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace partnerships that drive meaningful progress.
