Michelle Koo

Christoph Janz is a prominent figure in the venture capital landscape, currently serving as the Managing Partner at Point Nine Capital, a leading early-stage venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany. He co-founded Point Nine Capital in 2011, focusing primarily on investments in Software as a Service (SaaS) companies. Under his leadership, the firm has built a diverse portfolio that includes notable companies such as Zendesk, Algolia, and Delivery Hero.135

Career Background

Before his venture capital career, Janz was an entrepreneur. He founded his first internet startup, DealPilot.com, in 1997, which was an online comparison shopping service. This venture was followed by the co-founding of Pageflakes in 2005, a personalized homepage service that was later acquired by Live Universe. After these entrepreneurial efforts, he transitioned into angel investing, where he made early investments in several successful startups, including Zendesk and Clio.235

Investment Philosophy

Janz is known for his hands-on approach to investing, often described as an integral part of the teams he invests in. He emphasizes the importance of product-market fit and has a keen interest in helping founders navigate the complexities of scaling their businesses. His insights into the fundraising process and the dynamics of early-stage investments have made him a respected voice in the venture capital community.234

Personal Insights

In addition to his professional endeavors, Janz is also a writer, maintaining a blog titled "The Angel VC," where he shares his thoughts on venture capital and startup ecosystems. He is fluent in both German and English and is known for his passion for long-distance running and engaging discussions about technology and innovation.345