Learn about the new VC company supported by Volkswagen

It is called a new adventure company leitmotif It has been in a state of calm raid over the past 16 months, as about 20 start -up companies focused on carbon removal. Its portfolio includes EV companies, the plays of space and batteries, and four startups in nuclear fusion. But the company only said that its financing is a “European industrial interests”.

Now, I told Leitmotif Techcrunch from where the money came: Volkswagen Group.

The German auto giant has committed to $ 300 million to the first Leitmotif box, which is its only limited partner; Leitmotif has published about a third of it so far.

And Leitmotif, according to the company’s management partners, Matt Trevik and Jeanss, want to wander in consecutive money that attracts more European industrial attention beyond Volkswagen. (A spokeswoman for the Volkswagen Group refused to comment as the interruption of communications has passed before its annual meeting later today.)

It is an ambitious effort. Establishment of startups, especially those with a dangerous manufacturing component, has been difficult during the past few years. But Trevithick believes that the time to try to invest in these types of companies.

“Technology has always been a driver for human progress, and I think the United States is about to be superficially.” “I think the next few years are about to produce a number of technical capabilities in the United States that will be surprised by the rest of the world.”

Leitmotif also builds a high -level box while the geopolitical environment is tense by the Trump administration.

Despite these turmoil, Weiss – who was the head of the Volkswagen Burial Burial Group, investment consultations, and the partnerships section before the start of Leitmotif – said that the comprehensive goal of the new company is to “create a bridge between the European Industrial Corporation and the American innovation ecosystems.”

The first priority: earning money

Trevith Woyesi said that Volkswagen had a top priority when she agreed to invest in the fund: earn money.

“First of all, it is about creating a successful project company,” Wissi said.

While the Volkswagen Group wanders in hundreds of billions of dollars annually in revenue, Wissi said that earning money is still partially important because “how the industry maintains the result.”

After that, VC said it plans to invest in the “identification category of companies in our interests”, according to Wiese, as well as determining “new pockets of innovation” that can benefit the Volkswagen group.

Wes said that he expected nearly a quarter of the Leitmotif portfolio over time to interact with Volkswagen and her countless brands.

EV Truck Startup Harbinger is one example. Leitmotif participating in Herbinger $ 100 million Series B in JanuaryWes said that the young man had discussed cooperation with the truck transport department in Volkswagen.

Geographically, the investment strategy was organized in Leitmotif so that about 70 % of its capital is deployed in the United States, with the other 30 % investment in the European Union, the company will maintain offices in both Palo Alto and Munich.

Treviths said that 70 % of the global investment of Leitmotif in this first fund will be made in startups that “solve the problems known today” and are present in “one billion dollars in addition to the markets with customers who are ready to buy innovation.”

Other 30 % of the fund will focus on what he called “revolutionary innovation”, which will create “one billion dollars in the twenties and beyond.”

To date, this strategy has led to investments at Redwood Materials, the reusable missile company, and until the start of the circular polyester. Leitmotif publicly has publicly supported 13 startups so far, although more in its unnamed wallet.

LEITMOTIF will eventually have another money. Trevithick and Wiese said they are especially looking for robots and AI after that. Volkswagen will have the right to invest in that if it chooses, but Leitmotif is independent, and at the present time, focus on completing its first box.

Timing is everything

It can be said that late 2023 was the worst time for emerging companies in modern memory to close the large financing rounds, especially those that focus on devices or “deep technology”, thanks to high interest rates.

Trevithick said this made it a great time to start Leitmotif.

It is in the lower markets when strong companies are separated from the weak. In a bubble, everyone is funded. “

Trevithk said that the slowdown of collecting donations has caused other companies less risk outside the startups that have already invested.

He said: “There were less new dollars available to finance the good companies that were there, because everyone got a limitations about their own wallet.” “I think this is why we got a lot of interest to participate in rounds, at the time of the bubble, perhaps we could not reach it.”

This interest came greatly thanks to Wiese’s and Trevation wallpapers.

Wes spent nearly 8 years in the Volkswagen Group, where he conducted integration, acquisitions and investments in the German auto industry. During this task in Volkswagen, Wiz developed what he called “a completely deep network in the project community, whether in Europe or in the United States” that included strengthening a relationship with the battery maker, where Weiss was a member of the Board of Directors until 2024.

Meanwhile, Trevith was a partner in Venrock for a contract. There, he focused on making investments in the field of green energy during the original clean technology boom in early 2010, as his maximum bet was on an early batteries at Atieva-the company that eventually became clear engines.

Trevithik said that investment, advice and directing of companies through a bust of clean, subsequent technology was a valuable experience in moving in uncertainty that the industry is currently afflicted.

While many “net net” targets of companies are either hedge or abandoned directly, Treviths said that the clean technology industry “begins to put the best this time.”

In addition, Trevithick said he believed that the inability to predict will provide more opportunities for companies such as Leitmotif – startups to it.

“I think we can all agree that it will be a very volatile environment. Which should prefer emerging entrepreneurs, and adventure capitalists.

“We feel very confident in our wallet,” Wes added. “Yes, (carbon removal) is our comprehensive topic. At the same time, we invest in companies that we are convinced that they have the issue of work to succeed regardless of what, let’s say, today’s topic is.”