Gregor Janknecht Starts as CFO at Next Big Thing AG
- Berlin venture studio brings finance expert to join the team
- Consolidates internal structures and makes NBT even more capital market-oriented
- Drives fundraising for portfolio companies and advances internationalization
Berlin, August 12, 2021 – The Berlin-based venture studio Next Big Thing AG (NBT) brings Gregor Janknecht on board as CFO. He completes the management team alongside NBT’s CEO, Harald Zapp. As CFO, Janknecht is responsible for finance, legal, operations, and HR.
Gregor Janknecht has proven financial expertise in the field of venture building and joins NBT as an asset in this domain. For the past ten years, he has held leading positions at Rocket Internet where he most recently led Rocket's international finance department as VP of Finance & Controlling. Together with the finance team at NBT, Janknecht wants to further consolidate and professionalize internal processes and structures to make them more capital market-oriented. Further focal points will include supporting the fundraising of the existing portfolio ventures, transparently communicating the company's success in regular financial reporting, and promoting the international expansion of NBT.
Substantially Strengthening NBT’s Management
"We are delighted to have Gregor Janknecht, a proven industry expert, join in supporting and further expanding NBT as the leading European venture studio. The goal is to strategically position NBT to better align with our goals in successfully launching promising deep-tech startups, strengthen the existing portfolio, and substantially enhance the NBT management team," comments Harald Zapp, founder and CEO of NBT, on the appointment.
Recently, NBT successfully closed its Series B financing round. The investment volume of 19 million euros far exceeded the self-set target which speaks to the reputation of the NBT business model and proves its high credibility in the market.
Startup Model Reduces Investment Risks
"I want to be part of this uniquely innovative venture studio to advance the Machine Economy with unprecedented and relevant products. NBT’s vision is to unleash the transformative and disruptive forces of future technologies in the Machine Economy," says Gregor Janknecht. "I couldn’t have asked for a more exciting company to join and support the development of sustainable and successful business models with my venture building experience."
NBT acts as an experienced co-founder with a comprehensive portfolio that offers support services for company building and specializes in establishing startups primarily in the field of machine economics. Only truly valid and viable business models are considered for this which minimizes investment risks and ensures high success rates. Companies founded by the venture studio, NBT, typically reach market maturity more rapidly and subsequently prove to be sustainably profitable. NBT combines profound market knowledge with technological and commercial expertise. This combination creates ideal conditions for truly disruptive innovations.
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About Next Big Thing AG
Founded in 2016 in Berlin, Next Big Thing AG (NBT) is a venture studio for the Machine Economy that co-founds deep-tech ventures with aspiring founders to deliver real-world impact. With its comprehensive portfolio of startups in IoT, AI, and DLT, NBT provides long-term support for B2B companies, including the full range of development toolkits, innovation strategies, mentoring for entrepreneurs and startups, as well as technical expertise and smart financing to future-proof Germany's position as an innovation location in Europe.