In this episode of the OVNIs Podcast, host Rebecca Miller welcomes Bettine Schmitz, General Partner at Auxxo, a German venture capital fund focused on backing startups with at least one significant female co-founder. Bettine shares the story behind Auxxo’s creation, the fund’s mission to address structural imbalances in venture capital, and the importance of meaningful female representation in startup leadership. She also discusses the journey of raising Auxxo’s funds and the challenges of building a thesis-driven investment vehicle in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Throughout the conversation, Bettine reflects on her personal path—from mathematics and consulting to angel investing and ultimately venture capital—and how her relationship with money and risk evolved along the way. The episode dives into how investors build conviction, the differences between investing personal capital versus managing a fund, and the broader cultural shifts needed to support diverse founders. With candid insights and practical perspectives, Bettine offers a thoughtful look at the future of inclusive venture investing in Europe.

[00:00:00] Introduction  

[00:01:04] Tina’s journey to becoming GP of Auxxo  

[00:04:30] From mathematics and consulting to venture capital  

[00:07:32] Discovering angel investing and learning to invest  

[00:11:08] Creating Auxxo: a VC fund for female founders  

[00:15:34] Raising Auxxo’s funds and the realities of fundraising  

[00:19:27] The structural gap for female founders in venture capital  

[00:23:18] Building conviction as an investor  

[00:26:42] What Tina looks for in founders and startups  

[00:29:30] Final thoughts and closing

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