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. 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)

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.

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.

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)

After completing his bachelor’s degree in technical journalism and PR, Fabian started his career in corporate communications at Deutsche Telekom. He then moved to the Board of Management department Technology & Innovation, where he completed an extra-occupational Master’s degree in International Management alongside his work on topics such as corporate innovation, intrapreneurship and change management.

Gripped by the start-up fever, Fabian left Deutsche Telekom to found his start-up Quizblix. A learning platform that helps companies to train and motivate their employees in a playful way by using micro-learning and gamification. In addition, he started a consultant business, helping corporations with digital transformation, work organization and new work. With his startup, he merged with Platform3L GmbH, where he last worked as Chief Product Officer.

At BitStone Capital, Fabian is Venture Development Manager and takes care of the placement of BitStone Capital in the PropTech world, supports portfolio start-ups and accompanies investment and company building processes. His competencies are in the areas of business development, marketing and communications.

Fabian is passionate about Smart Cities and sustainable technologies, which motivates him to make a difference in the Proptech industry.

Prior Stations: Deutsche Telekom AG, Quizblix Sp. z o.o., platform3l GmbH, Ewenz Consulting

Education: M.Sc. International Management / MBA (Steinbeis, School of International Business and Entrepreneurship), B.Sc. Technical Journalism/PR (Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences)

Tobias combines almost 15 years of real estate and private equity experience.

After graduating from the University of Cologne with a degree in business administration, he visited Frankfurt School for a sector-specific Real Estate Finance Professional course, which he completed at the top of his class.

In his role as Investment Manager at Generali Real Estate, Tobias spent several years doing real estate investments for one of Europe’s largest insurance companies. He then worked as a Principal at Caplantic Alternative Assets, where he invested more than EUR 1 billion in over 40 private equity and venture capital funds for institutional investors. He started his career as an associate at Deutschen Bank’s fund of funds manager, followed by a position as associate at the private equity fund Odewald & Compagnie. Tobias holds the title of Chatered Alternative Investment Analyst.

When Tobias is not in the office, he enjoys working as a craftsman, building furniture, making smart apartments or redesigning his garden. Furthermore, despite his age, he is an active footballer in his home club.

Prior Stations: Caplantic Alternative Assets, Generali Real Estate S.p.A., Odewald & Compagnie, Deutsche Bank Private Equity

Education: Graduate in Banking & Finance, Real Estate Finance Professional, Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA)

As marketing assistant Pia supports the team actively in all matters. She completed her training as an office management assistant at the Episcopal General Vicariate in Münster. Afterwards she gained valuable experience as an assistant in the press office and her enthusiasm for administration and communication awakened.To become a professional in this area, Pia is also studying “Marketing and Digital Media” at the FOM in Cologne. She combines her commercial skills with the knowledge acquired during her studies and takes on both commercial/administrative tasks as well as tasks in corporate communications. 

Stations: Bischöfliches Generalvikariat/Episcopal Vicariate General
Education: Management Assistant for Office Management, BA Marketing and Digital Media (FOM Münster and Cologne)