We Walk the Talk: Launching the "Dorfner Venture Studio"

Germany faces a €30 billion annual financing gap in its startup ecosystem and has set an ambitious goal to triple venture capital investment by 2030, with a focus on private capital. The "Innovation Agenda 2030-- World Class Made in Germany," published by the German Startup Association on September 9, 2024, aims to position Germany as a leading global hub for DeepTech by 2030. To achieve this, the document emphasizes, among other priorities, the importance of enhancing collaboration between German SMEs and DeepTech startups, which are at the forefront of innovation and pivotal in driving advancements that can transform industries.

"We need to connect SMEs and deep tech startups more closely. This is a win-win situation that also benefits our entire business ecosystem." Verena Pausder, Chairwoman of the Board of the German Startup Association/Startup-Verband

But what does the current landscape of industrial partnerships look like? The "Innovation Agenda 2030" states that many German mid-sized companies are missing out on the opportunity to collaborate with and invest in startups. Despite such partnerships being considered a vital long-term source of innovation, this lack of a collaborative mindset among German SMEs limits their growth potential and puts them at risk of falling behind in an increasingly competitive market.

Joining Forces with SiO2 Ventures

In my recent article "Breaking the "Hard Skill" Mold: Embracing a Mindset Shift", I stressed the need to embrace a mindset shift to unlock companies' potential. I talked about the importance to reconsider how we view business, strategy and entrepreneurship and how we approach concepts such as skills, talent, and growth. The observations, calls for action and suggestions included in the "Innovation Agenda 2030" of the German Startup Association/Startup-Verband not only resonate with what we, as a company, also emphasize but also come at a very timely moment, as we have just joined forces with SiO2 Ventures, integrating them into our company and establishing the Dorfner Venture Studio based on the concept of corporate venturing.

SiO2 Ventures consists of an agile team of young entrepreneurs who are also founders, working to provide AI-driven solutions in areas that intersect with our operations and strategic goals. FireWell and Airgonomics.ai are just two examples of the innovative solutions they have developed and manage in their portfolio.

By launching our Venture Studio within Gebrüder Dorfner GmbH & Co. Kaolin- und Kristallquarzsand-Werke KG, we aim to create an in-house ecosystem that will foster ongoing growth, sharpen our competitive edge and position our company as a leader in the industry. This initiative will also enable us to offer a new portfolio of services both within the industry and for the industry.

The Importance of Investing Within Your Circle of Competence

Dorfner has been operating since 1895. Over the years, it has evolved and navigated challenges, and in 2025, it will celebrate its 130th anniversary. As a company, we have identified what distinguishes us from others and why. Our core competencies are the "why we", and we work systematically to answer this question.

To continue leveraging our core competencies in a rapidly changing world, we took a decisive step a few years ago by exploring how to integrate the latest technological tools, such as AI, into our business. At the same time, we began actively participating in large and niche ecosystems at local, regional, and international levels. These efforts led to new opportunities for growth and development. Building on this success, we reflected on what comes next and how we can advance further to enhance our core business and forge new alliances for growth. It was time for us to go the extra mile with the establishment of our own corporate venture capital.

The launch of the Dorfner Venture Studio marks a new chapter in the company's history, setting the stage for direct investments in innovative startups, building new companies from scratch and leveraging AI to scout tailored solutions. It aims to foster a collaborative environment for talent to design and implement cutting-edge solutions, share expertise through training and mentorship and expand networks beyond traditional industry boundaries.

How Dorfner Venture Studio Creates Value for Us

Our Venture Studio will be more than just a venture capital in-house firm; it will serve as an incubator that fosters a culture of experimentation, rapid prototyping, and continuous learning. By collaborating with startups, our company will quickly test new ideas, make adjustments on the fly, and scale up successful ones—ensuring we stay ahead of the curve and that our capabilities grow with the market. By incorporating these practices into our workflow, Dorfner will not only grow but also enhance its brand, attract top talent, and successfully navigate toward a sustainable future.

How Dorfner Venture Studio Creates Value for Other Companies and the Broader Ecosystem

As active members of relevant ecosystems to us such as UnternehmerTUM, FamilienUnternehmerTUM (both operated by TUM), as well as OTH Regensburg and OTH Amberg-Weiden, with which we also work closely, we have seen firsthand how startups, SMEs and companies can benefit from collaboration in practice.

Thus, from the very beginning of designing the Dorfner Venture Studio concept, we established several overarching questions: What functions and characteristics will the living and working spaces of the future require? What solutions can our Venture Studio provide for both Dorfner and external partners? What methods should we implement to establish clear processes and success measurement tools? What characteristics and offerings will set us apart?

The outcome of this assessment was a detailed roadmap that includes a wide spectrum of offerings spanning investment, performance tracking, support, and mentoring, to name a few.

These offerings blend the elements of both venture clienting and venture partnering, setting us apart in the marketplace and the venture capital landscape. By integrating these two approaches, we leverage each other's unique strengths, allowing us to create innovative solutions that meet the diverse needs of startups and established companies.

For the startup community, these offerings present a unique opportunity to access the capital, resources, expertise, and network that can accelerate their growth and enhance their competitive edge. Simultaneously, established companies can tap into fresh ideas, agile methodologies, and a one-stop shop for finding the right partners within the startup ecosystem to help them achieve their goals.

From the beginning, the Dorfner Venture Studio was built to offer the startup community and the broader industry valuable opportunities that unlock significant added value, enhance collaboration, and contribute to a dynamic ecosystem that fosters continuous growth and innovation.

On a personal note

As someone who has successfully founded two startups over the past 15 years, I know firsthand what it takes to implement an innovative idea. As the CEO of a mid-sized company, I understand the importance of incorporating an entrepreneurial mindset into our company’s DNA. As an active member of this country’s business and entrepreneurial landscape, I recognize that initiatives like the Dorfner Venture Studio are a viable way to move forward. Exciting times are ahead!

Feel free to reach out. I will be happy to discuss our new initiative and explore opportunities together.

*Article Photo: Aleksandar Dukanovic, SiO2 Ventures GmbH (left), Mirko Mondan, Gebrüder Dorfner GmbH & Co. Kaolin- und Kristallquarzsand-Werke KG (middle), Aleksandar Mi?kovi?, SiO2 Ventures GmbH (right), Alexander Carlsson, SiO2 Ventures GmbH (missing from the picture)