Private Equity

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Sunfish Partners

Sunfish Partners is a Berlin-based investment firm established in 2016. It focuses on investing in deep tech startups from Central and Eastern Europe.

Sunfish Partners logo

Sunfish Partners

Sunfish Partners is a Berlin-based investment firm established in 2016. It focuses on investing in deep tech startups from Central and Eastern Europe.

General information

Firm type

Private Equity

Year founded

2016

Location

Region

Europe

Country

Germany

City

Berlin

Corporate office

Berlin, Germany

Principals

Dr. Marcus Erken

Core Team

Max Moldenhauer

Core Team

Paweł Lipkowski

Core Team

Sector focus

SpaceTechDefenseTechCybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareHealthTechAI/MLPropulsionRobotics & AutomationDronesManufacturing3D PrintingDigital TwinsEdge ComputingData StreamingAutomation

Frequently asked questions

What is the investment focus of Sunfish Partners?

Sunfish Partners exclusively invests at the pre-seed stage in space and defense startups from Eastern Europe, writing €150,000 to €300,000 checks. The firm targets dual-use hardware and software technologies that advance European strategic autonomy.

Who runs investment decisions at Sunfish Partners?

The core team driving investment decisions consists of Marcus Erken, Max Moldenhauer, and Pawel Lipkowski, supported by a senior advisory group that includes Christian-Cornelius Weiss and Holger Schlageter.

How does Sunfish Partners source deal flow?

Sunfish Partners sources exclusively from Eastern Europe, with a strong pipeline in Poland and the broader CEE region. Founders submit pitch decks directly through the firm's website, and the leadership's deep regional networks serve as the primary origination channel.

Does Sunfish Partners participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The firm appears to execute exclusively direct pre-seed equity investments in operating companies. There is no indication of fund-of-fund commitments or secondary investment activity.

Which sectors does Sunfish Partners explicitly avoid?

The firm does not publish a sector-exclusion list, but its portfolio reveals a strict thematic concentration on space, defense, cybersecurity, AI, and advanced manufacturing. B2C internet, consumer finance, and consumer lifestyle sectors are notably absent from the portfolio.

Profile maintained by using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.

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