Rouven Dresselhaus

Rouven Dresselhaus is a highly influential figure in the European early-stage venture capital landscape, serving as a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Berlin-based Cavalry Ventures. Established as a leading early-stage VC firm, Cavalry Ventures primarily targets pre-seed and seed-stage technology companies across Europe. Dresselhaus plays a pivotal role in shaping the firm's investment thesis and identifying promising startups, often being the first institutional investor to back innovative founders. His strategic vision has been instrumental in Cavalry's growth and its reputation for hands-on support for its portfolio companies.

Cavalry Ventures' investment strategy, under Dresselhaus's leadership, is characterized by its early engagement and significant follow-on capital commitment. The firm typically deploys initial investment tickets ranging from €300,000 to €2 million, providing crucial early-stage funding that enables nascent companies to develop their products and gain initial market traction. Beyond the initial cheque, Cavalry Ventures is known for reserving substantial follow-on capital, ensuring continued support for its portfolio companies as they progress through subsequent funding rounds and scale their operations. This approach underscores their long-term partnership philosophy with founders.

The success of Cavalry Ventures is evident in its robust fundraises and impressive portfolio. The firm recently closed its fourth fund, Cavalry Ventures IV, securing €160 million in 2023, which brought their total assets under management to approximately €400 million. This consistent growth in fund size reflects investor confidence in their ability to identify and nurture high-potential ventures. Among their most notable investments are McMakler, a leading German real estate technology company, and Forto, a digital freight forwarder that has achieved significant scale. These investments highlight Dresselhaus's acumen in backing disruptive technologies across diverse sectors, solidifying his position as a key enabler of European tech innovation.