In more than 15 years of professional experience, Kai Panitzki has accumulated a wealth of experience and know-how as an entrepreneur and expert, above all in the technology and finance sector.

After a classic training as a banker and lawyer Kai began his career as an editor at Germany’s largest investor magazine “Der Aktionär”, where he gained valuable insight into the financial markets. In addition, he made intensive contacts with the venture capital scene.

In 1999 he moved to Bonn as a project manager for the BBDO subsidiary “Sponsor Partners”. Just one year later, he founded his own communications agency, from which “Scholz & Friends Düsseldorf” emerged in 2007, which Kai ran until January 2013. In parallel, 2007 he founded a company for press and social media monitoring, the “X-Ray PMD GmbH” and sold it in full to Scholz & Friends in 2009. In 2013, Kai became CEO of Börsenmedien AG, publisher of the investor magazine “Der Aktionär”. Kai took on various supervisory board and advisory mandates within the framework of his activities on the Management Board, some of which he still leads today. In 2015 he became CEO of the listed Finlab AG. Until his move to BitStone, he was responsible for strategy and communications. When Kai is not negotiating exciting deals, he is passionate about family, water sports, and reading many books.

Prior Stations: Börsenmedien AG, BBDO, Scholz and Friends / WPP, Finlab AG

Education: Banker (Sparkasse Köln / Bonn), lawyer (University of Bonn)

Ever since his teenage years, Manfred’s interest has been in special business ideas. With this deep-rooted instinct, he now supports the BitStone founding team in finding attractive investments and subsequent company building. After receiving his financial education, he experienced the visionary way of working of global early-stage investors and their criteria of success with a fund of funds. Immediately thereafter, he was able to contribute this valuable experience to the development of an investment company focused on infrastructure and financial investments. Subsequently, Manfred was instrumental in not only placing this company on the stock market, but ultimately also selling it to an international investor. His next station took him back to the roots, finding spectacular business models, at a company builder. Knowing very well the challenges of a successful launch, he also knows the importance of clear, open words. Mutual trust is “priceless” for him. Living in Cologne he would never deny his Eifel origin. There and in other breathtaking places in the world you can meet him on lonely paths – preferably without cell phone reception – to recharge the batteries.

Prior Stations: Deutsche Bank Private Equity, ADC African Development Corporation, crossbuilders

Education: Banker (Kreissparkasse Euskirchen), Dipl. Kfm. Banking & Finance (TH Cologne), M.Sc. Finance (Frankfurt School), Project & Infrastructure Finance Program (London Business School)

As a member of the Management Board of Lycos Europe and of Adlink Media AG, which belongs to United Internet AG, Marc gained valuable experience in the internationalization of digital advertising models and in the development of agile product development processes. In 2009 he took over the role of CEO at Immobilienscout-24 and developed the platform into the leading marketplace for real estate. Marc has been a member of the Supervisory Board since 2015 and develops digitization strategies for established companies. As an active business angel with a focus on PropTech, he invested in VRNow, Ogulo, Zinsbaustein and vermietet.de and initiated the industry accelerator.

Already 30 years ago, Lars founded Flowfact, a software development company specializing in real estate. The focus was on innovative and practice-oriented digital models such as private bidding processes and the “Make Me Move” purchasing strategy. In addition to his many years at Flowfact, he invested in real estate projects and participated as a business angel in successful real estate start-ups, including allthings, Maklaro and vermietet.de.

Lea studied economics / finance in Frankfurt am Main. During her studies she gained valuable practical experience, ia. at Deutsche Bank. In the investment team for mutual funds she learned valuable foundations for fund and market analysis, as well as financial market and product knowledge. At FinLab, where she became a working student she deepened her knowledge of FinTechs, venture capital and investment business. What she really fascinates is the always inspirational, innovative and current topics and people she gets confronted with in that business.

As part of the investment team at BitStone Capital Lea is always on the lookout for exciting and innovative business models.

Prior Stations: Deutsche Bank, Finlab AG

Education: B.Sc. Economics, Finance & Accounting (Goethe University Frankfurt) and Université Montpellier

Prior to joining BitStone Capital, Lukas completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance/Controlling in the Netherlands. Now he combines his daily work at BitStone with a master’s degree in Digital Business Management and can project the knowledge he has gained on parallel projects.

Digital processes impressed him early on, so he quickly knew which direction to take. During his bachelor’s studies, Lukas made important career moves at the TecDax company Telefónica, the Bertelsmann subsidiary Arvato and the auditing and consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. Within these, he dealt with the technologization of financial areas, implementation of new systems as well as fast-growing markets such as Connected Cars, Blockchain, Smart City and new digital and disruptive business models trying to change markets.

Stations: PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH WPG, Arvato SCM Solutions, Telefónica Germany

Education: B. Sc. Finance & Controlling (Fontys University, Netherlands and Universidad de Monterrey, Mexico), M.A. Digital Business Management (Rheinische Fachhochschule, Cologne)

Martin Bressem’s educational background lays within the studies of Media Management and Master of Business Administration with 10+ years of working-experience working at agencies, corporates and launching own startups. Most recently, he co-founded and exited detoxRebels (known by “Die Höhle der Löwen”, VOX) with the aim of inspiring people across the country in a rebellious way for a healthy lifestyle through innovative public events and corporate health management. Now, at BitStone Capital, Martin is Venture Development Manager, oversees portfolio startups and launches investment and company building processes. His core competencies are in the areas of strategic business development, brand building and Marketing.

Prior Stations: Chevrolet Germany, wrw united advertising agency, detoxRebels.

Education: B.A. Media Management (Macromedia University, Cologne), MBA (FOM, Cologne)