Verdane, the lower mid-market European investment firm, today announced the appointment of three new senior team members to Elevate, its in-house team of operational experts who partner with Verdane portfolio companies to accelerate growth and strengthen operational capabilities.
The three new hires will all work from Verdane’s Munich office as part of Verdane’s 35-strong Elevate team. Elevate provides strategic and operational support within areas such as commercial, talent, data, technology, cybersecurity, finance and sustainability.
Michael Anjard-Hummel joins Elevate as Chief Product & Technology Officer (CPTO) focusing on existing and future B2C companies. He brings extensive experience in technology leadership, product development and entrepreneurship, most recently working as Group Chief Technology Officer and Managing Director at MeinAuto Group.
Marina Falkhofen has joined Elevate as Executive Talent Director for the DACH region. She previously led recruitment and human resources at Fidelium Partners and brings a strong track record in building high-performing teams and leadership capability across European growth companies.
Sascha Alber has joined Elevate as Chief Product & Technology Officer focusing on B2B businesses, bringing 20 years of experience leading and scaling technology-driven SaaS and B2B businesses. Previously CPTO and Managing Director at zvoove, he helped drive the company’s growth and transformation, achieving strong commercial results and substantial platform expansion.
Together, Michael and Sascha’s joint industry experience covers two of the key business models where Verdane focuses its software investments.
The addition of three new Munich-based colleagues follows a nine-year history in the DACH region for Verdane. Verdane and its co-investors have invested close to €1 billion in the region and have made 20 core investments in the DACH region since 2016, backing businesses such as Hornetsecurity, momox, Fiskaly and Cropster.
Ellen Nyhus, CEO at Elevate, said: “We are delighted to welcome Michael, Marina and Sascha to Elevate. Their expertise in technology, product and talent will enhance our ability to support Verdane’s portfolio companies in scaling efficiently and sustainably. These appointments strengthen Elevate’s mission to provide hands-on expertise that drives long-term value creation across Europe.”
Dominik Schwarz, Partner at Verdane, said: “It’s great to see new additions to our Elevate team, strengthening Verdane’s presence in Germany and increasing the support available to our portfolio companies in the DACH region and beyond.”
About Verdane
Verdane is a specialist growth buyout investment firm that partners with tech-enabled and sustainable businesses that help to digitalise and decarbonise the European economy. The flexible mandates of Verdane funds allow it to invest as a majority or minority control investor, replacement or growth capital, in single companies or in portfolios of companies.
Verdane has raised €9 billion in capital and its funds have made more than 200 investments in fast-growing businesses since 2003. Verdane’s team of over 150 investment professionals and operating experts is based out of Berlin, Copenhagen, London, Helsinki, Munich, Oslo and Stockholm, and combines deep sector expertise with long-standing local networks and presence in core European markets.
Verdane is also a certified B Corporation, the most ambitious sustainability accreditation globally. The firm only backs businesses that pass its 2040 test, which indicates whether the company can thrive in a more sustainable future economy.
Verdane is partly owned by the Verdane Foundation, which is focused on two areas: climate change and more equitable and inclusive local communities.
More info: www.verdane.com
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