Max-Planck-Förderstiftung
Also known as Max Planck Foundation, MPF, Exzellenzstiftung zur Förderung der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
Munich foundation funding Max Planck Society research; ~€725m endowment run on an endowment model, invested only via external, bank-independent fund managers.
Private foundation supporting the Max Planck Society; not the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft itself, nor its tech-transfer arm Max-Planck-Innovation GmbH.
- HEADQUARTERS
- Munich, Germany
- FOUNDED
- 2006
- AUM
- €725M (2025)
- OUTSIDE CAPITAL
- No — own capital only
- TEAM LISTED
- 12 people
FOCUS
- STAGES
- —
- SECTORS
- —
- ASSET MIX
- Funds (as LP)Private equityVenture capitalPublic equitiesReal estate
- GEOGRAPHY
- Global
WHAT IT IS
Institutional LP. Pension funds, endowments, foundations and sovereign funds that commit capital to funds and, sometimes, directly.
- Programme preparing Max Planck scientists to found start-ups (workshops, mentoring, scouting)
ABOUT
The Max-Planck-Förderstiftung is a private, independent charitable foundation in Munich, founded in 2006 by Dr. Stefan von Holtzbrinck and Prof. Dr. Reinhard Pöllath, that funds basic research at the Max Planck Society. Its in-house asset management follows the endowment model of large US universities, with a high share of equities and private equity and a focus on alternative and illiquid asset classes, overseen by an international investment committee. It invests exclusively in external funds run by bank-independent managers who co-invest a substantial share of their own money. In 2019 it was a limited partner, alongside the EIF and aws, in the first closing of the drug-discovery fund KHAN-I.
INVESTMENT THESIS
Endowment model: globally diversified across asset classes and strategies, high share of equities and private equity, focus on alternative and illiquid assets, long horizon; only external, bank-independent managers with institutional processes, professional co-investors and significant own capital invested.
PORTFOLIO (1)
- KHAN-I (Khan Technology Transfer Fund I; Khanu Management GmbH)Biotech & Life Sciences · since 2019
TEAM
- Thomas van BremenManaging Director, CIO (Vermögensverwaltung) · source
- Vincent HöhnSenior Investment Manager · source
- Francisco Peres CorreiaSenior Investment Manager · source
- Lara HofmannSenior Investment Associate · source
- Nadine Melerowicz-RinkInvestment Officer (Investment-Referentin), asset management · source
- Karin TheedeManaging Director, Philanthropy & Engagement · source
- Dr. Dietmar ScheiterSpokesman of the Executive Board · source
- Dr. Horst GoßExecutive Board member, asset management · source
- Dr. Christoph PhilippExecutive Board member · source
- Dr. Simone SchwanitzExecutive Board member (Secretary General, Max Planck Society) · source
- Prof. Dr. Reinhard PöllathCo-founder; Foundation Council member · source
- Dr. Stefan von HoltzbrinckCo-founder; Foundation Council member · source
LINKS
FAQ
Max-Planck-Förderstiftung is a institutional investor based in Munich, Germany, founded in 2006.
Max-Planck-Förderstiftung does not primarily invest directly in private companies. It also commits capital to third-party funds as an LP.
Key people at Max-Planck-Förderstiftung include Thomas van Bremen (Managing Director, CIO (Vermögensverwaltung)), Vincent Höhn (Senior Investment Manager), Francisco Peres Correia (Senior Investment Manager) and Lara Hofmann (Senior Investment Associate).
Max-Planck-Förderstiftung's investments include KHAN-I (Khan Technology Transfer Fund I; Khanu Management GmbH).
The most recent publicly reported investment by Max-Planck-Förderstiftung is KHAN-I (fund commitment, first closing) (Fund commitment), announced in Sep 2019.
No. Max-Planck-Förderstiftung invests its own capital and does not raise money from outside investors.