Empowering ambitious entrepreneurs to redefine success through adaptability and execution.
About us
A European awakening is manifesting
We empower passionate entrepreneurs who execute and are building the European economy of the future.
The world has changed – Europe must forge its own path. We amplify opportunity for those Europeans committed to startup success. But the USA still has the capital, so as a German and an American we bridge Europe and America by having feet in both – ensuring our startups have a superior market, fundraising, and exit path.
Our role is curating dynamic startups, leading their early-stage rounds and bridging them to America for subsequent growth. Our approach is hands-on and tailored to address the gaps of the European startup ecosystem. We start relationships early. Contrary to typical practice in Europe, we lead funding rounds. We build personal relationships with founders long before they seek venture capital. We only work with motivated, coachable founder teams with the drive and ability to execute in large markets.
We are committed to discovering and supporting unique founders, including women and other under-represented groups. Our principles ensure we not only invest in businesses but also nurture the leaders who will drive future innovation.
We aim to curate and cultivate “dragons”. Our focus is on realized returns (actual exit value), not just valuation on paper. This means lucrative exits, more quickly. We focus on a select range of industries and geographies where we have deep expertise, which enhances alignment with investors, reduces failure rates, and further improves return on investment.
Pre-Seed and Seed AI companies (Applied, Tools and Infrastructure) and B2B SaaS (LegalTech, Compliance and FinTech) in Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and the Baltics.
Meet the founders – and say hi:
A committed European, Madeleine is an original builder of the startup ecosystem in Berlin. Her vision led her to entrepreneurship as co-founder of betahaus!
betahaus! is one of Germany’s pioneering coworking brands with locations in Berlin, Hamburg, Sofia, Barcelona, and Bucharest. This entrepreneurial experience led her to be named as one of the EU’s top 50 influential women in startup. She is an angel and startup board member with ample connections.
She brings hands-on management experience, an extensive network, and keen insight to XTR. Before founding betahaus, she worked at Politikfabrik, known for Germany’s Wahl-O-Mat, and in the office of Bundestag Vice-President Gerda Hasselfeldt. Madeleine studied history and German literature at the University of Potsdam. She served as a World Vision Germany board member from 2014 to 2023. Her resilience is shown by her being a Mom to 3.
- Email: madeleine@xtr.capital
- LinkedIn: /madeleine-gummer-v-mohl
A serial founder and investor, Derek values the unconventional thinking, authenticity, and diversity that underlie meaningful opportunities.
Over the years Derek has, as a founder, executive, and investor, successfully operated internationally – most significantly launching the largest broadcaster of European premier league soccer in the US, founded in a garage in Silicon Valley. He brings valuable insight, mentoring, and executive and legal experience to XTR.
Derek holds two patents related to interactive television software infrastructure and has a J.D. from Boston University School of Law and a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley
- Email: derek@xtr.capital
- Phone: +49 155 66282967
- LinkedIn: /dfooter
About you
You are:
Founders
who want a multi-round supportive relationship with investors that can bridge to US funding and market – focused on resilience, execution, and outsize ambitions, not merely credentials.
Investors
seeking exceptional returns from impactful companies with reasonable valuations, partnered with managers whose interests closely align with your own.
If this is you, connect with us at exceptional@xtr.capital