TEAM
We are Cipio Partners
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Roland Dennert
Managing PartnerRoland is a Managing Partner. He is located in Munich and is responsible for both new investments and portfolio management since 2005. He started his private equity career at 3i Group doing technology and mid-market buyout deals. Before 3i, Roland was a strategy consultant with Roland Berger and The Boston Consulting Group in Paris, as well as a robotics engineer with Hitachi Ltd. in Japan.
Roland holds an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management and a Master of Electrical Engineering from ETH Lausanne, Switzerland.
TitleManaging Partner
LocationMunich
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LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rolanddennert/
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Dr. Hans-Dieter Koch
Managing Partner, ManagerHans-Dieter is a Managing Partner as well as a Manager to our Luxembourg entities. Located in Munich, he serves on a number of boards in addition to co-leading our Luxembourg operations. Prior to co-founding Cipio Partners in 2003, he was CEO of b-business partners BV, the global growth equity investment arm of Investor AB/Wallenberg Group, Stockholm. Previously, he was CEO of GE Capital IT Solutions, Europe, responsible for 7,000 staff and US$4bn in revenue. Hans-Dieter assumed that role following the sale of his company, CompuNet AG, Europe’s largest IT service provider, to GE Capital. Prior to co-founding CompuNet, Hans-Dieter was with McKinsey, Deutsche Bank and Matuschka Group.
Hans-Dieter holds MBA and Ph.D. degrees from Frankfurt University.
TitleManaging Partner, Manager
LocationMunich, Luxembourg
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LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-hans-dieter-koch-3821aa/
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Diana Meyel
Managing Partner, ManagerDiana is a Managing Partner and the company’s COO as well as a Manager to our Luxembourg entities. She is located in Munich and leads our funds’ operations and investor relations. Diana also oversees transaction structuring and represents Cipio Partners on the board of selected portfolio companies. Furthermore, she is a member of the Invest Europe Professional Standards Committee. Prior to joining Cipio Partners in 2004, Diana was a Finance Manager at Wellington Partners, the pan-European venture capital firm and worked as a Senior Risk Analyst for Dresdner Bank Group nka Commerzbank in Germany and Bogotá, Colombia.
Diana holds a degree in Banking Administration from Frankfurt School of Finance & Management.
TitleManaging Partner, Manager
LocationMunich, Luxembourg
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LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-meyel-0038318a/
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Dr. Ansgar Kirchheim
PartnerAnsgar is a Partner. He is based in our Munich office and is responsible for both new investments and portfolio management. Before joining Cipio Partners in 2021, Ansgar was a Partner at the High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF). Previously, he was a founder and managing director of KircTec, a German technology start-up. He started his career at ERGO Group.
Ansgar holds an economics Ph.D. from WHU – Otto-Beisheim-School of Management, Germany, and a Diploma in Physics from Humboldt University, Germany.
TitlePartner
LocationMunich
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LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ansgar-kirchheim-6b106aa0
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Werner Dreesbach
Founding PartnerWerner is a Founding Partner. Prior to co-founding Cipio Partners in 2003, he was Senior Principal of Atlas Venture, a global VC firm focused on IT, Communications and Life Sciences, and member of its global management and investment committees. Before, Werner was VP Strategic Development for NASDAQ-listed Viasoft Corp., following the sale of his company, R&O Software-Technik, one of Europe’s largest system software developers. Werner founded R&O in 1984 after a career in IT strategy consulting.
Werner holds a MSc in Computer Science with a minor in Psychology from Bonn University.
TitleFounding Partner
LocationMunich
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Christoph N. Kossmann
ManagerChristoph is a Manager of our Luxembourg entities. He is located in Luxembourg and co-leads our local operations since 2007. He has been a Managing Director of SGG nka IQEQ, a Luxembourg based family office and investment services provider, since 2006. Prior to this role, Christoph served as a Senior Officer at Sal. Oppenheim’s Luxembourg headquarters with responsibilities for the group’s corporate and trust activities. Before that, he was a Member of the Executive Board of Luxembourg based EXPERTA Corporate and Trust Services S.A. of Dexia Banque Internationale à Luxembourg. Earlier in his career he worked as a lawyer admitted to the Berlin courts.
Christoph holds a law school degree from Freiburg University.
TitleManager
LocationLuxembourg
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LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christoph-n-kossmann-4a49ba29/
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Carlo Schlesser
ManagerCarlo is a Manager of our Luxembourg entities. He is located in Luxembourg and co-leads our Luxembourg operations since 2007. Carlo has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SGG nka IQEQ, a Luxembourg based family office and investment services provider. Carlo began his career as tax advisor at Kredietbank Luxembourg, an international wealth manager and also worked for Arthur Andersen in Luxembourg.
Carlo holds degrees from HEC Lausanne, Switzerland, Master in Economics and ESSF Brussels, Belgium, Diploma in upper taxation studies.
TitleManager
LocationLuxembourg
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Ülviye Bokeloh
Office Manager -
Mariam Görtz
Fund Administration Manager -
David Kreppel
Chief Financial Officer -
Thomas Lenz
Senior AssociateThomas is a Senior Associate. He is located in Munich and active in both new investments and portfolio management. Before joining Cipio Partners in 2022, Thomas worked as Investment Manager at Bayern Kapital focusing on early-stage VC deals and as Assistant Manager at KPMG Strategy Group/ Deal Advisory.
Thomas holds a Master of Science in International Business from Copenhagen Business School in Denmark and a dual Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration of University Augsburg in Germany.
TitleSenior Associate
LocationMunich, Munich
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LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-lenz-a80a49103/
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Nils Matthies
PrincipalNils is a Principal. He is based in our Munich office and is responsible for both new investments and portfolio management. Before joining Cipio Partners in 2024, he served as Associate Director at AEQUITA - Private Equity. Before that, Nils founded and led the Voith Innovation Lab, a joint venture between The Boston Consulting Group and Voith incubating SaaS products in industrial markets. Earlier in his career, Nils was a Project Manager at Siemens Management Consulting working on assignments in Siemens’ various software businesses and was a founding team member of Next 47, Siemens’ corporate venture fund.
Nils holds a Master in Strategy and International Management (SIM) from the University of St. Gallen.
TitlePrincipal
LocationMunich
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LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nilsfmatthies
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Simone Moriconi
Senior Finance Manager -
Endric Mueller
Senior Associate -
Julia Nagasawa
Fund Administration Manager -
Imari Barrenechea Ishii
In-House Legal Counsel -
Kerstin Planitzer-Zipf
Chief Compliance Officer -
Sandra Schuerkmann
Executive Assistant, Finance -
Sonja Seet
Senior Financial AccountantSonja is a Senior Financial Accountant. She is located in Munich and oversees all German accounting matters. Furthermore, she assists with the financial and tax reporting of Cipio Partners Germany. Prior to joining Cipio in 2022, Sonja was with Fritz Gosse GmbH, where she worked as an accountant. She started her career in the hotel industry and worked among others as convention sales executive at Hotel Sheraton.
Sonja is a financial accountant, as well as a qualified hospitality professional.
TitleSenior Financial Accountant
LocationMunich
Emaill7zJrc3NlZXRAY2lwaW9wYXJ0bmVycy5jb20=
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Lucia Spieth
Legal Counsel
Roland Dennert
Roland is a Managing Partner. He is located in Munich and is responsible for both new investments and portfolio management since 2005. He started his private equity career at 3i Group doing technology and mid-market buyout deals. Before 3i, Roland was a strategy consultant with Roland Berger and The Boston Consulting Group in Paris, as well as a robotics engineer with Hitachi Ltd. in Japan.
Roland holds an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management and a Master of Electrical Engineering from ETH Lausanne, Switzerland.
Article printed from Cipio Partners: https://www.cipiopartners.com
URL to article: https://www.cipiopartners.com/team.html
Dr. Hans-Dieter Koch
Hans-Dieter is a Managing Partner as well as a Manager to our Luxembourg entities. Located in Munich, he serves on a number of boards in addition to co-leading our Luxembourg operations. Prior to co-founding Cipio Partners in 2003, he was CEO of b-business partners BV, the global growth equity investment arm of Investor AB/Wallenberg Group, Stockholm. Previously, he was CEO of GE Capital IT Solutions, Europe, responsible for 7,000 staff and US$4bn in revenue. Hans-Dieter assumed that role following the sale of his company, CompuNet AG, Europe’s largest IT service provider, to GE Capital. Prior to co-founding CompuNet, Hans-Dieter was with McKinsey, Deutsche Bank and Matuschka Group.
Hans-Dieter holds MBA and Ph.D. degrees from Frankfurt University.
TitleManaging Partner, Manager
LocationMunich, Luxembourg
Article printed from Cipio Partners: https://www.cipiopartners.com
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Diana Meyel
Diana is a Managing Partner and the company’s COO as well as a Manager to our Luxembourg entities. She is located in Munich and leads our funds’ operations and investor relations. Diana also oversees transaction structuring and represents Cipio Partners on the board of selected portfolio companies. Furthermore, she is a member of the Invest Europe Professional Standards Committee. Prior to joining Cipio Partners in 2004, Diana was a Finance Manager at Wellington Partners, the pan-European venture capital firm and worked as a Senior Risk Analyst for Dresdner Bank Group nka Commerzbank in Germany and Bogotá, Colombia.
Diana holds a degree in Banking Administration from Frankfurt School of Finance & Management.
TitleManaging Partner, Manager
LocationMunich, Luxembourg
Article printed from Cipio Partners: https://www.cipiopartners.com
URL to article: https://www.cipiopartners.com/team.html
Dr. Ansgar Kirchheim
Ansgar is a Partner. He is based in our Munich office and is responsible for both new investments and portfolio management. Before joining Cipio Partners in 2021, Ansgar was a Partner at the High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF). Previously, he was a founder and managing director of KircTec, a German technology start-up. He started his career at ERGO Group.
Ansgar holds an economics Ph.D. from WHU – Otto-Beisheim-School of Management, Germany, and a Diploma in Physics from Humboldt University, Germany.
Article printed from Cipio Partners: https://www.cipiopartners.com
URL to article: https://www.cipiopartners.com/team.html
Werner Dreesbach
Werner is a Founding Partner. Prior to co-founding Cipio Partners in 2003, he was Senior Principal of Atlas Venture, a global VC firm focused on IT, Communications and Life Sciences, and member of its global management and investment committees. Before, Werner was VP Strategic Development for NASDAQ-listed Viasoft Corp., following the sale of his company, R&O Software-Technik, one of Europe’s largest system software developers. Werner founded R&O in 1984 after a career in IT strategy consulting.
Werner holds a MSc in Computer Science with a minor in Psychology from Bonn University.
Article printed from Cipio Partners: https://www.cipiopartners.com
URL to article: https://www.cipiopartners.com/team.html
Christoph N. Kossmann
Christoph is a Manager of our Luxembourg entities. He is located in Luxembourg and co-leads our local operations since 2007. He has been a Managing Director of SGG nka IQEQ, a Luxembourg based family office and investment services provider, since 2006. Prior to this role, Christoph served as a Senior Officer at Sal. Oppenheim’s Luxembourg headquarters with responsibilities for the group’s corporate and trust activities. Before that, he was a Member of the Executive Board of Luxembourg based EXPERTA Corporate and Trust Services S.A. of Dexia Banque Internationale à Luxembourg. Earlier in his career he worked as a lawyer admitted to the Berlin courts.
Christoph holds a law school degree from Freiburg University.
Article printed from Cipio Partners: https://www.cipiopartners.com
URL to article: https://www.cipiopartners.com/team.html
Carlo Schlesser
Carlo is a Manager of our Luxembourg entities. He is located in Luxembourg and co-leads our Luxembourg operations since 2007. Carlo has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SGG nka IQEQ, a Luxembourg based family office and investment services provider. Carlo began his career as tax advisor at Kredietbank Luxembourg, an international wealth manager and also worked for Arthur Andersen in Luxembourg.
Carlo holds degrees from HEC Lausanne, Switzerland, Master in Economics and ESSF Brussels, Belgium, Diploma in upper taxation studies.
Article printed from Cipio Partners: https://www.cipiopartners.com
URL to article: https://www.cipiopartners.com/team.html
Ülviye Bokeloh
Ülviye is an Office Manager. She is located in Munich. Since 2024, she supports the team with administrative matters and is responsible for marketing and PR activities. Before joining Cipio Partners, she was Junior City Operations Manager and held several courier coordinator positions at Takeaway Express B.V. & Co. KG in Munich and Hannover.
Ülviye holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences in Wolfsburg, Germany.
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Mariam Görtz
Mariam is a Fund Administration Manager and based in Luxembourg. In her role she is responsible for handling fund administration and the day-to-day business of the Luxembourg entities. Before joining Cipio Partners in 2021, Mariam worked as an accountant at Arendt Services S.A., a Luxembourg based services provider.
Mariam holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from Goethe University in Frankfurt a. M..
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David Kreppel
David is the Chief Financial Officer. He is located in Munich and supports the partnership in due diligence and portfolio management topics. Furthermore, he is responsible for valuations and assists in investor relations, fund controlling and reporting since 2015. David started his career as a Research and Teaching Associate at University of Trier.
David holds a Master in Mathematics and Finance from University of Trier.
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Thomas Lenz
Thomas is a Senior Associate. He is located in Munich and active in both new investments and portfolio management. Before joining Cipio Partners in 2022, Thomas worked as Investment Manager at Bayern Kapital focusing on early-stage VC deals and as Assistant Manager at KPMG Strategy Group/ Deal Advisory.
Thomas holds a Master of Science in International Business from Copenhagen Business School in Denmark and a dual Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration of University Augsburg in Germany.
Article printed from Cipio Partners: https://www.cipiopartners.com
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Nils Matthies
Nils is a Principal. He is based in our Munich office and is responsible for both new investments and portfolio management. Before joining Cipio Partners in 2024, he served as Associate Director at AEQUITA - Private Equity. Before that, Nils founded and led the Voith Innovation Lab, a joint venture between The Boston Consulting Group and Voith incubating SaaS products in industrial markets. Earlier in his career, Nils was a Project Manager at Siemens Management Consulting working on assignments in Siemens’ various software businesses and was a founding team member of Next 47, Siemens’ corporate venture fund.
Nils holds a Master in Strategy and International Management (SIM) from the University of St. Gallen.
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Simone Moriconi
Simone is a Senior Finance Manager. He is based in Munich and assists the partnership on investor relations, fund controlling, reporting and other finance related due diligence and portfolio management topics. Before joining Cipio Partners in 2021, Simone worked as Investment Controller at Munich Private Equity Partners, a German/Luxembourgish Fund of Fund.
Simone holds a Master in Intermediaries, International Finance and Risk Management from Sapienza University in Rome, Italy.
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Endric Mueller
Endric is a Senior Associate. He is located in Munich and active in both new investments and portfolio management. Endric started his career in 2018 at Cipio Partners in Luxembourg where he worked for three years before moving to Munich.
Endric holds a Master in Business Administration from University of Trier.
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Julia Nagasawa
Julia is a Fund Administration Manager and based in Luxembourg. In her role she is focusing on AML/KYC matters and is ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering requirements. Before joining Cipio Partners in 2023, Julia worked as an AML/KYC Associate at Equiom (Luxembourg) S.A. and as an AML/KYC Officer at Mitsubishi UFJ Investor Services & Banking (Luxembourg) S.A..
Julia holds a Master in Japanese Studies, Sociology & Cultural Anthropology from University of Trier.
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Imari Barrenechea Ishii
Imari is an in-house legal counsel and is based in Munich. She is involved in legal matters, such as the legal due diligence of investments, data security and other corporate law matters. Before joining Cipio Partners in 2024, Imari was sales operations manager at Velocity Electronics GmbH in Augsburg.
Imari holds a Bachelor of Law from the University San Pablo CEU, a Master in Financial Management and Accounting from the University Isabel I and a Master in International Trade from the University Camilo José Cela. She completed all her degrees in Madrid.
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Kerstin Planitzer-Zipf
Kerstin is the Chief Compliance Officer and is located in Munich. She focusses on transaction and fund structuring and oversees all day-to-day legal, financial and administrative functions relating to our funds. Prior to joining Cipio in 2003, Kerstin was Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel at b-business partners, the growth equity affiliate of Investor AB, where she ran fund formation as well as all new-investment activities. Prior, Kerstin headed Finance and Legal at GE Capital IT Solutions Europe and handled all M&A and restructuring work.
Kerstin holds an MBA from Technical University of Berlin.
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Sandra Schuerkmann
Sandra is an Executive Assistant. She is located in Munich and is responsible for the overall office management since 2017. In addition, she supports the team on finance and investor relations matters and is responsible for organizing the annual investors’ day. Before joining Cipio Partners, Sandra managed her own cake design retail business, held several office management roles within the Bavarian medical association and started her career as a landscape architect.
Sandra has a Postgraduate Diploma in Landscape Design and Ecology from the University of Sheffield.
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Sonja Seet
Sonja is a Senior Financial Accountant. She is located in Munich and oversees all German accounting matters. Furthermore, she assists with the financial and tax reporting of Cipio Partners Germany. Prior to joining Cipio in 2022, Sonja was with Fritz Gosse GmbH, where she worked as an accountant. She started her career in the hotel industry and worked among others as convention sales executive at Hotel Sheraton.
Sonja is a financial accountant, as well as a qualified hospitality professional.
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URL to article: https://www.cipiopartners.com/team.html
Lucia Spieth
Lucia is a Legal Counsel. Located in Munich, she advises acquisitions, financing rounds and exits of portfolio companies since 2011. Lucia started her career at the international law firm Clifford and Chance in the corporate/M&A team. After leaving Clifford Chance she opened her own law office and is since then advising clients in all aspects of corporate matters.
Lucia graduated with the 2nd state exam in law from Munich University.
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