Spotlight: BMWiVentures featured team member Thomas Molleker

Thomas Molleker, Associate

Please provide your bio.

I am originally from southern Germany, close to Lake Constance, and I recently joined the investment team at BMW i Ventures as an Associate. Before joining BMW i Ventures, I was an analyst at the growth equity fund Digital+ Partners. During my time at Digital+, I worked on B2B technology investments, focusing on companies in the Industrial Tech space. 

Before making my way into venture capital, I earned my degree from the University of Mannheim in Business Administration with a focus on finance and entrepreneurship. While studying, I was able to spend a semester abroad at the University of Washington, where I explored Seattle’s vibrant technology industry. After coming back to Germany, I was inspired to pursue my passion for entrepreneurship, so I launched my own e-commerce business, which gave me great insights into the startup world. 

What do you focus on at BMW i Ventures?

As part of the European team, my main goal is to connect and develop relationships with purpose-driven entrepreneurs throughout Europe and Israel. On a daily basis, my focus can be broken down into two main parts. On one hand, I work to discover companies that will redefine the automotive industry and aim to identify trends that will positively impact our future. On the other hand, I execute the due diligence and investment processes.  

What was your pathway into venture capital?

My interest in venture capital began long before I even knew the proper term. Growing up, I was fascinated by the many businesses and “hidden champions” headquartered in my state. As such, ever since high school, I decided that I wanted to help businesses that put innovation first and build technologies that disrupt the status quo – just like the automobile once did.

Then, after gaining initial work experience in a startup and the M&A department of a German broadcasting company, I discovered my passion for learning about various industries and business models. These experiences all naturally pointed me towards venture capital. In venture capital, I’m able to combine my interest in finance and innovation and pair that with helping businesses pioneer new solutions. Essentially, venture capital put a name to my goal as a teenager.  

What do you look for in a potential investment?

When it comes to a potential investment, I like to start by getting to know the team. Just like in sports, where you need both a strong defense and a driven offense, a business thrives when the team members’ skills complement each other, and they are able to work together towards a common goal. This is especially important during a company’s growth phase, which is typically complex and constantly changing. 

Additionally, I always consider the value-add that the product or service brings to the end-user. Initial customer validations, as well as a measurable return on investment, are some of the signs of this added value, among other indicators. 

What is your most contrarian view on an existing or emerging technology trend?

Although it is gaining more popularity, I believe that the product-driven growth strategy is not yet as widely used as it should be. Many businesses would benefit from this type of go-to-market strategy, since it emphasizes the product experience. This approach can help establish early adopters from the beginning, as the individual user already experiences value during the self-serve trial period. By putting the end-user first, businesses can reap the benefit of networking effects and drastically improve their sales cycles and metrics, especially in enterprise software. 

What advice would you impart to entrepreneurs?

The separation is in the preparation! In my opinion, a financing round starts well before any investor conversations. It starts with your internal communication. It’s vital to communicate relevant milestones and consistently share and refine the business’s strategy with the entire team to make sure that everyone is working towards the same end goal. 

In addition, while preparing for investor talks, keep a well-organized data room. Not only does it give an important first impression, but it will also be invaluable during future collaboration with the investor.

Finally, the business strategy and financial plan presented to potential investors should be constantly referred to and kept up-to-date. Those documents don’t only serve as a basis for the financing round, but also as a tool to successfully manage the organization. Don’t let your work go to waste!

What’s something interesting about yourself that most people may not know?

I am very passionate about sports, especially volleyball. Growing up, I had the opportunity to be part of many amazing teams, participate in several international tournaments, and build lasting friendships. 

Also, I come from a family that immigrated to Germany from the former Soviet Union, so I learned early on that being on a team is an amazing tool for integration. Once I was old enough, I worked to get my volleyball coaching license and coached a youth team in my home city so that I could share the benefits with others as well.