The High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), the early-stage investment fund aimed at German-based start-ups, raised some EUR 500 million in its fourth and latest round. That’s the largest sum ever in the 18-year history of the fund. The HTGF currently has EUR 1.4 billion at its disposal.

The HGTF is supported by the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the state development bank KfW Capital. In addition, 45 private investors, including Deutsche Bank, Deutsche Post and Evonik, and the Fraunhofer research society took part in the latest round.

The new capital means that the public-private fund will be able to invest up to EUR one million in seed rounds for promising young companies. All told, over the four rounds, the HTGF can invest up to EUR four million in a single start-up.