Frank Thelen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank Thelen
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Thelen in 2020
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| Born | 10 October 1975 Bonn, West Germany
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| Occupation | Investor, businessman, author |
| Television | Die Höhle der Löwen |
Frank Thelen was born on October 10, 1975. He is a German businessman, investor, and author from Bonn. He is well-known for being an investor on the TV show Die Höhle der Löwen. This show is the German version of the popular TV series Shark Tank.
Contents
Frank Thelen's Career Journey
Frank Thelen helped start several companies, including ip.labs and doo. Since 2014, he has been the CEO (chief executive officer) of Freigeist Capital. This company is a "venture capital" firm. This means it invests money in new, growing businesses called "startups."
Investing in New Companies
Freigeist Capital has invested in many interesting startups. Some of these include Wunderlist, MyTaxi, KaufDa, and Lilium. They also supported Hardt Hyperloop and Endurosat. These investments help new ideas and technologies grow.
Supporting Innovation in Germany
Thelen also advises the Microsoft Ventures accelerator in Berlin. This program helps new companies get started. He supports startups in German politics too. He works with Dorothee Bär, a German State Minister. Together, they are important members of the German Innovation Council. This group helps Germany stay strong in new technologies.
Awards and Public Speaking
In 2012, Frank Thelen spoke at the Founders Conference in New York. That same year, he received an award from Microsoft. It was called the "Innovate by Society" Award. German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave him this award for his startup "doo."
Views on Europe's Future
Frank Thelen believes that Europe needs to work harder to compete with countries like the U.S. and China. He thinks Europe should show more teamwork and commitment. He also supports the idea of a universal basic income (UBI). This is a system where everyone would receive a regular payment from the government.
TV Appearances and Books
In 2014, Thelen joined the German TV show Die Höhle der Löwen as an investor. This show is similar to Dragons' Den or Shark Tank. He is also a regular guest on the German talk show Hart aber fair. In 2018, he wrote his autobiography. It is called Startup-DNA – Hinfallen, aufstehen, die Welt verändern. This book became a bestseller. He believes that the next ten years will be a very big challenge for humanity.
Awards and Recognition
In 2012, Frank Thelen received the "Innovate 4 Society Award" from Microsoft. This award was for his startup "doo." Angela Merkel, who was the German Chancellor at the time, presented him with the award.
