Therefore, we focus on companies in the field of “digital sustainability”, on companies that use the tools of digitisation to develop resource-saving solutions, primarily in the classic sectors:
- Mobility
- Proptech
- Energy
- Food
- Smart city, and
- Circular economy.
From an investor’s and entrepreneur’s perspective, it is not so much about impact – ultimately, every company should positively impact society. Instead, it is more about profiting from the sustainable transformation of the economy.
HOW DO WE WORK?
We will work with you for as long as and intensively as you wish, tailoring our approach to your requirements.
We can help you build your company on solid ground right from the start. We can support you and teach you the craft of company building. But it’s your company…and you are the ultimate decision maker.
The situation is quite similar to professional sports. Every athlete always has a personal coach to push him to explore his full potential. In contrast, founders have to bear the pain on their own. Rarely do they have a long-term partner to bounce their ideas off and coach them through this challenging process.
At Business Buddies, we aim to change that. We act as a supporter, networker, “ass-kicker” and sparring partner – but we promise to stay in our coaching zone.
As a partner, we will be demanding, supportive, motivating and provide constructive criticism. We will help to cope with setbacks and fears. Frequently, we will also challenge you and play the devil’s advocate. We will encourage you to make mistakes and learn from them, recover and continue. As Marc Andreessen once said:
“Along the way, all kinds of shit hits the fan over and over again.”
The goal is to build a successful business. There is no guarantee of this—quite the opposite. The risk of failure is always greater, as every statistic shows. But that doesn’t matter because it’s not a failure; it’s trying out something completely new. It can work, but it doesn’t have to. And as every child knows, life goes on, even when things don’t work out, and you’re lying on the floor. But then it usually goes straight back up again because you’re already down.
Dr. Marc Mogalle
Business BuddiesI studied economics in Hanover and St. Gallen, then did my doctorate in sustainable development and management of transdisciplinary research at the University of Oldenburg and ETH Zurich, graduating magna cum laude.
During my doctorate, I was already intensively involved with entrepreneurship and the importance of “green” start-ups. In 1998, I also drafted a first business plan for a green venture capital fund with fellow students – undoubtedly still very naive and about 20 years too early.
In 2000, just in time for the collapse of the New Economy, I started my career at innotech, a VC fund that already focused on Climate Tech. There I could learn the venture capital business from scratch and get to know many Climate Tech start-ups.
In 2004, I moved on to Finlab AG (before Altira Group) where I was involved in a number of investments, IPOs, mergers, trade sales and even fund investments, e.g. investments in RTT AG (acquired by Dassault Systèms) and blau.de (acquired by KPN) and fund-commitments in Creathor Ventures and Neuhaus Partners.
In 2007, I took the chance to participate in the AIG Sustainable Investment Group’s set-up, managing a €400m fund focused on growth and fund investments between €5 and €20m in the Climate Tech sector.
After AIG got into trouble during the financial crisis, I decided to switch sides and co-found ZAPITANO, a kind of Facebook around the television. I was responsible for the financing and everything not directly related to the product, such as human resources, legal, and strategic partnerships.
Ultimately, it was a tough time; I wouldn’t wish anyone. But it was also a very educational time. Looking back, I wouldn’t be where I am without this experience, and I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.
Besides that, I acted as a Venture Partner for Finlab AG and Heliad Equity Partners. I was a guest lecturer for Entrepreneurship and Strategy at the University of St. Gallen and TU Berlin.
Since 2014, I have been a coach at the Climate KIC Accelerator; since 2018, I have been a Member of the Supervisory Board SleepZ AG (listed in the Prime Standard, German Stock Exchange), and since 2020, I have been a member of the Masters of Scale network. Besides this, I also run the Berlin Alumni chapter of the University of St. Gallen.
I founded Business Buddies in 2014 and have since supported numerous founders, often for years (references).
“A man must know what he wants and what he can do: For then he will show character and be able to create something of value.”
“Each has an inborn talent, but only in a few is that degree of toughness, endurance, and energy born and trained that he really becomes a talent, becomes what he is, that is, that he discharges it in works and actions.”