Lakestar Capital

Klaus Hommels serves as founder and chairman, with Stephan T. R. M. R. H. W. F. H. H. W. von H. von der Schulenburg and Javier Rives as partners leading investment activity. The investment committee includes partners with operating backgrounds from technology companies and venture capital firms (per Lakestar official communications).

Lakestar sources deals through direct founder relationships, its partner networks from prior technology exits, and thematic research on digital transformation trends. The firm also receives referrals from its limited partner base of European family offices and institutional investors. Board seats in portfolio companies lead to repeat transactions from the same founder networks.

Lakestar operates primarily as a venture capital firm managing commingled funds, but it also manages separate accounts for select European family offices. This dual structure allows it to blend institutional fund management with bespoke capital deployment for wealthy families. The Lakestar Foundation is a separate philanthropic vehicle (per the firm's official communications).

Lakestar invests directly in companies through its fund vehicles and separate accounts. The firm leads or co-leads rounds and takes board seats in portfolio companies. Co-investments with partners like Sequoia Capital and Index Ventures are part of its strategy across later-stage rounds.

Lakestar invests across the lifecycle from seed to growth equity, with a focus on Series A through Series C rounds. The firm's thematic approach leads it to back companies early in digital transformation sectors and support them through later funding rounds. Ticket sizes vary by fund vintage but generally range from €1 million to €20 million per round.

Lakestar does not publicly disclose explicit avoidance sectors, but its published portfolio excludes life sciences biotech, real estate, and natural resources in favor of technology-enabled business models. The firm avoids early-stage hardware companies requiring heavy capital expenditure, preferring software and data-driven businesses (per public portfolio review).

Klaus Hommels co-founded Lakestar after his work as an early investor in Skype and a founding partner of the venture firm Kite Ventures. His prior exits and networks provided the initial capital and deal flow for Lakestar. The firm maintains independent operations from any earlier vehicles.