Zukunftsfonds Heilbronn

Zukunftsfonds Heilbronn, now operating as D11Z.Ventures, is a prominent European family office and venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments. The firm is dedicated to identifying and supporting digital entrepreneurs with groundbreaking ambitions across the continent. They provide patient, passionate, and smart capital, focusing on digital business models in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Deep Tech, B2B SaaS, and asset-light IoT. D11Z.Ventures aims to drive the advancement of disruptive technologies that foster exponential growth and shape the future of the global economy.

The firm was originally founded in 2005 as Zukunftsfonds Heilbronn (ZFHN) with the mission to promote and support innovative technology firms, particularly those established in or willing to relocate to the Heilbronn region of Germany. In early 2024, it underwent a significant transformation and rebranded as D11Z.Ventures, expanding its investment focus technologically and regionally with a clear goal to become a leading pre-seed and seed VC fund for AI in Europe. The firm is privately financed and backed by the Dieter-Schwarz-Stiftung, the family office of Lidl founder Dieter Schwarz, managing hundreds of millions of euros in owner's equity.

D11Z.Ventures boasts a diverse portfolio of companies that are shaping various industries through technological innovation. Notable investments include DaphOS, a data platform with AI-modules for operational excellence; TrustNXT, focused on protecting images and videos from manipulation in the AI era; Whisper, providing predictive threat intelligence; deeplify, addressing critical infrastructure's data challenges; Plato, powering an AI operating system for distributors; CertHub, an AI-first compliance platform for medical devices; and Alago, an AI co-pilot for construction project managers. The firm typically invests between €100,000 and €1.5 million in initial tickets, with readiness for follow-up investments, primarily in Pre-Seed and Seed stages, and sometimes Series A/B.

The team at D11Z.Ventures comprises digitalization enthusiasts committed to a founder-first approach. Led by CEO Tom Villinger, who has extensive venture capital experience, the firm provides not just capital but also strategic guidance, industry expertise, and access to a broad network of partners. They offer added value through initiatives like the D11Z academy, which provides founders with expert support on challenges such as sales, HR, fundraising, and marketing, and pro bono access to secure European cloud infrastructure (STACKIT).