Raising capital is one of the most important and at the same time most time-consuming tasks faced by founders. In Germany, the process can feel particularly complicated — from finding the right investors to the legal structure and cap table. Anyone who only searches in obvious places or follows generic advice is likely to miss out on valuable opportunities.
This article shows you:
- Creative and often overlooked ways to find investors in Germany
- How to prepare a pitch that is really convincing
- What investors really pay attention to in the early phase
- And how to efficiently handle the investment process with Tokenize.it
Finding investors: Beyond the usual channels
The German startup ecosystem is well-connected, but often not very transparent. VC websites and demo days help — but they're only part of the picture. With these rather unconventional but very effective strategies, you can increase your chances:
1. Start with your product community
If you have active users or early adopters, they could be your first — and most appropriate — investors. Talk to them directly and ask if they would like to participate in your financing round. This works particularly well when you use platforms such as Tokenize.it, as smaller tickets can be processed quickly and in a legally secure manner.
2. Use second-degree networks in a targeted manner
Filter for “angel investors” or “early-stage investors” on LinkedIn and limit yourself to second-degree contacts. Ask joint contacts specifically for a warm introduction. For example:
“I've seen that you're connected with [investor]. We're just raising a €250K pre-seed round for [short pitch]. I think it's a good fit. Would you be open to an intro? ”
3. Go to previous investments
If someone has already invested in a startup in your sector, your pitch is more likely to be relevant. Take a look at portfolio companies, find thematic overlaps and adjust your cover letter accordingly.
4. Network outside of Berlin
Berlin may be a center, but there are also exciting investors in Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne and in university ecosystems. Use:
- Accelerator networks (e.g. UnternehmerTUM, TechQuartier)
- University spin-offs (TUM, HHL, RWTH, WHU)
- Regional pitch events and demo nights
There is often unused angel capital and close referral networks here.
5. Visibility through thought leadership
Investors pay attention to founders who publicly share their thoughts. Post regularly about traction, market analysis, or product learning. Consistency counts more than virality. End your posts with subtle clues like:
“We're currently preparing our pre-seed round. If you are an investor or operator in this area — I look forward to hearing from you. ”
The pitch deck: What counts — and what doesn't
A pitch deck isn't a formalism — it shows how clearly you can think. Investors see hundreds of decks per year. In order to stand out, structure and focus on the essentials are crucial.
Mandatory slides:
- problem
- solution
- Market size and potential
- Product overview (including visuals)
- business model
- Traction & KPIs (e.g. MRR, DAUs, Retention)
- Go-to-market strategy
- contest
- team
- financial planning
- Funding requirements and use of funds
Keep it under 15 slides. Show real figures, screenshots, and concise statements. Avoid buzzwords. Investors value substance more than euphoria.
What is particularly important to investors in Germany:
- Realistic and conservative assumptions
- Clear overview of burn rate and runway
- Early traction and product-market fit
- A team with credibility and expertise
Transparency creates trust. Also talk about risks, such as:
“Customer acquisition cost is still volatile” or “Adoption outside the niche is untested.”
Making the pitch: From deck to decision
When you're in a meeting (live or online), it's not just about presenting — it's about showing control, credibility, and persuasion.
Show urgency
Why is now the right time? Are you changing in regulation, market, customer behavior? Show it.
Know your numbers
You should always be able to answer:
- What is your current monthly burn?
- CAC vs. LTV?
- How long is your sales cycle?
- How high is the retention?
Having figures ready shows professionalism.
Frame round strategically
If there are already commitments, use them to build momentum:
“We're raising €300K and have already committed €75K from two strategic angels. ”
This creates social proof and progress.
Tokenize.it: Legal and cap table without complexity
Onboarding is often the biggest hurdle — especially when it comes to multiple angels or smaller tickets. In Germany, there is otherwise a need for notary appointments, cap table changes, legal reconciliations. That costs time and money.
With Tokenize.it, you can:
- Issue virtual shares with economic rights — 100% legally compliant
- Onboard investors (whether 5 or 50) without changing your GmbH structure
- Eliminate notary duty and paperwork
- Manage contracts, KYC and investment terms digitally
Perfect for community rounds, customer participation, or syndicates that would otherwise be difficult to process.
examples:
- €100K from early adopters or angels — fast and individual
- Advisor participation without GmbH shares or voting rights
- Community rounds without SPV before VC entry
Tokenize.it gives you the infrastructure — fast, legally secure, scalable.
conclusion
Raising capital in Germany is feasible — but not with standard processes. Successful founders create momentum through creative networks, convincing materials and efficient execution.
Finding investors is just the start. Paving the way for a “yes” — and making onboarding seamless — is the difference between good and excellent.
Are you interested in a well-founded, scalable investment process? Get in touch with our team by Tokenize.it!
