TS Ventures

TS Ventures operates as an early-stage venture capital firm, investing from pre-seed to Series A rounds. The firm backs technology startups across Europe and the US, focusing on information growth and SaaS companies. It provides capital and strategic guidance, fostering the development and scaling of promising ventures.

Stephan Jacquemot and Tim Schumacher founded TS Ventures in 2016. Schumacher, a seasoned entrepreneur, previously co-founded and led Sedo.com, a prominent domain marketplace. Jacquemot brings expertise in developing and supporting tech companies. Their combined insight into early-stage challenges prompted the firm's establishment, empowering new founders.

Portfolio companies receive essential funding and strategic mentorship. TS Ventures partners closely with these emerging businesses to overcome initial hurdles and achieve sustainable growth. Its long-term vision identifies and empowers visionary entrepreneurs, building impactful technology companies that drive the digital landscape.

High-Level Overview

TS Ventures is a German early-stage venture capital firm focused on pre-seed to Series A investments in SaaS, AdTech, Marketplace, and (Climate) Impact startups, with initial checks starting at €200k.[1][2][3] Run by experienced entrepreneurs Tim Schumacher and Stephan Jacquemot, the firm emphasizes hands-on support beyond capital, aiding founders in strategy, business development, scaling, HR, and follow-on fundraising with institutional VCs.[1][3][4] Its portfolio exceeds 20 companies, including notable names like Ecosia, Zolar, Pachama, and SaaS.group, contributing to the European startup ecosystem by bridging entrepreneurial expertise with growth-stage needs.[1]

(Note: A separate entity, TS Ventures Fund, is a 2021 corporate VC fund by Telekom Srbija in Serbia, targeting high-tech innovations for rapid market transformation; this profile focuses on the primary German firm matching the query context.)[6]

Origin Story

TS Ventures was founded by Tim Schumacher, co-founder of Sedo.com (the world's largest domain marketplace) and 2020's best investor in Germany per the German Startup Association, and Stephan Jacquemot, former leader of Microsoft's startup units and Accelerator in Berlin.[1] Schumacher, now Chairman at Eyeo (AdBlock Plus makers) and co-founder of SaaS.group, brings serial entrepreneurship; Jacquemot has a track record of 15+ angel investments and directs Founders Education at Bertelsmann's Founders Foundation.[1]

The firm's evolution centers on leveraging partners' tech and entrepreneurial backgrounds to support digital and impact startups, evolving from individual angel activities into a structured pre-seed/Series A investor with a Cologne headquarters.[1][3]

Core Differentiators

• Hands-On Operating Support: Beyond €200k-€600k tickets, provides active guidance on strategic decisions, business development, scaling, HR, and VC intros, drawing from partners' operator experience.[1][3][4]
• Proven Network and Track Record: Portfolio of >20 exits and successes (e.g., Ecosia, Hitfox, Zolar); Schumacher's domain marketplace legacy and Jacquemot's Microsoft ties offer unique founder sparring.[1]
• Targeted Thesis: Focuses on high-potential SaaS, AdTech, Marketplaces, and Climate Impact in Europe (Germany, France, etc.) and select global markets, at prototype/early revenue/scaling stages.[1][2][3]
• Angel Network Model: Operates as a compact, founder-centric team from Bergisch Gladbach/Cologne, prioritizing ambitious digital startups over broad spraying.[3][4]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

TS Ventures rides the wave of Europe's SaaS and climate tech boom, where early-stage funding gaps persist amid rising VC competition and impact mandates.[1][2] Timing aligns with post-2020 recovery, as founders seek operator VCs amid economic pressures; their €200k+ tickets fill pre-institutional voids, especially in DACH and Southern Europe.[3] Market forces like AI-driven AdTech evolution and green transitions favor their sectors, amplified by partners' networks in big tech (Microsoft, Bertelsmann) and proven exits.[1] They influence the ecosystem by nurturing unicorns like Ecosia, fostering cross-border scaling, and modeling "smart money" for angel-to-VC handoffs.[1]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

TS Ventures is poised to expand its portfolio amid tightening early-stage markets, potentially doubling down on AI-infused SaaS and climate tech as EU regulations boost impact investing.[1][3] Trends like founder-led VCs and hybrid angel models will shape their path, with Schumacher and Jacquemot's credibility drawing top deals. Their influence may grow via larger follow-ons or fundraises, solidifying as a go-to pre-seed partner—echoing their mission to build "the next big things" side-by-side with Europe's boldest founders.[1][3]