Innovation
We invest in start-ups that transfer promising scientific findings into real-life applications.
OCCIDENT
The Science Investor.
We invest in the visions of today to make them a reality tomorrow. Our investments in deep tech start-ups bring scientific research results to the people.
As an owner-managed venture capital investor, we finance spin-offs from scientific research whose innovations generate concrete solutions for a variety of social challenges and create added value for society.
We accompany our portfolio companies over the long term – both financially as well as with our extensive experience and strong entrepreneurial mindset. We invest our own money, make decisions based on the sustainable potential for success, and enable founding teams to achieve outstanding results.
We lead innovations to success. We do it the OCCIDENT Way.
Our values
Team
Patrizia Schützenhöfer
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Heads OCCIDENT, defines the business strategy, brings inspiration and always maintains the overview; supports all investment decisions and is responsible for finance, human resources and marketing.
Studied economics in Vienna, has experience in marketing in international companies (Internet, consumer goods) and as a real estate and venture capital investor for many years.
Michael Pauer
Chief Investment Officer (CIO)
Heads investment management, supervises all investment cases until closing, defines the terms and brings an entrepreneurial mindset to portfolio management; supports all investment decisions and is responsible for controlling.
Studied economics in Vienna, has experience in controlling at international companies (food products, telecommunications) and as a venture capital investor for many years.
Cédric Barra
Senior Investment Manager (Life Sciences)
Always looking for the most promising and most innovative technologies and startups in the life sciences sector; responsible for deal sourcing, due diligence and active portfolio management. Leads the life sciences team.
Studied pharmaceuticals and economics in Zurich, many years of experience in private equity and venture capital.
Mirco Müller
Junior Investment Manager (Life Sciences)
Paul Sunzenauer
Junior Investment Manager (Life Sciences)
Passionate about disruptive innovations in the life sciences and biotechnology sectors. Responsible for deal sourcing, due diligence and portfolio building.
Master’s degree in Management from TU Munich and chemistry studies in Linz. Previous professional experience as an innoÂvation consultant and as an executive in a German fintech start-up with focus on financing sustainable projects and start-ups.
Eliane Wiedmer
Investment Analyst (Life Sciences)
Passionate about novel and purpose-driven innoÂvations in life sciences; supports deal sourcing, analysis and due diligence.
Studied Biomedicine at the University of Zurich and Health Science and Technology at ETH Zurich. Acquired initial exposure to clinical science, including field work in South Africa. Entered the venture capital industry as a Business Analyst Intern at the Swiss start-up Planted Foods.
Simon Schild von Spannenberg
Investment Manager (Industrial Tech)
Enthusiastic about technology-based start-ups with sustainable business models; responsible for deal sourcing, due diligence and building an industrial tech portfolio.
Studied Industrial Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) as well as Energy Science and Engineering at TU Darmstadt with a semester abroad in Nicaragua; experience as a founder and in the field of M&A with a focus on CleanTech.
Matthias Schrader
Legal Counsel
Responsible for the nexus of law, business and innovation – the legal counsel as pioneer and companion with many years of experience in the areas of venture capital, contract and corporate law, as well as corporate governance.
Admitted to the bar, studied law in Lucerne; experience in legal advisory and with an interÂnational insurance group.
Sandra Cvetkovic
Finance Manager
Responsible for financial and tax-related matters, single point of contact for all banks and tax authorities; handles the accounting & payroll and keeps track of all cash flows. Leads the team assistance.
Completed commercial training in Lucerne, has experience in customer service and accounting (telecommunications).
Olivia Adler
Team Assistant & Office Management
Responsible for the office management at the Zug location; supports the team in all administrative and organizational matters; collaboration in the area of accounting and finance.
Studied Global Business Management in Aberdeen; experience in event and account management; besides OCCIDENT also founder of a startup.
Want to be a part of our great team?
Portfolio
Co-operation with the founding teams of our portfolio companies motivates and inspires us every day. We are energized by their passion and drive, and the often very intense exchange spurs us on to tackle challenges together.
Our History
Our activity as a venture capital investor is based on Patrizia and Michael’s fascination for innovative technologies and ground-breaking scientific findings. As entrepreneurs, they laid the foundations in 2012 for investing in such technologies and thus financing their development into products with a concrete added value for patients and customers.
2012
Origins as venture capital investor in Switzerland
2014
Team expansion with 1st investment manager, focus on the life sciences field, 1st exit
2016
1st venture capital investment in Germany
2018
OCCIDENT portfolio comprises >10 start-ups
2019
OCCIDENT’s 2nd location in Munich
2020
1st investment manager for the industrial tech sector
2021
Munich location becomes OCCIDENT’s new head office
2022
1st investment in the industrial tech sector
2023
OCCIDENT portfolio with >25 start-ups and >5 exits
The Science Investor.
News
5th edition of the OCCIDENT Pitch Event in Munich
We had the opportunity to see 18 pitches from start-ups nominated by OCCIDENT, the Helmholtz Association and xista science ventures before spending the evening with inspiring networking.
Algiax presented promising results from Phase 2 study
The study with the lead compound AP-325 shows meaningful pain reduction in patients with peripheral post-surgical neuropathic pain, with fewer side effects.
Tubulis’ second drug candidate enters clinical evaluation
Tubulis advances its pipeline as TUB-030, a next-generation ADC targeting advanced solid tumors, enters Phase I/IIa trial.