Oliver Borrmann in an interview with Startup Mitteldeutschland

Tia Ayler from Startup Mitteldeutschland had the opportunity to gain deep insights into the world of venture capital in a conversation with Oliver Borrmann, Managing Partner and founder of bmp Ventures AG. Since its founding in 1997, bmp Ventures has financed and supported more than 250 startups — a journey through highs and lows that reflects not only the company’s own growth but also the evolution of the entire venture capital landscape in Germany. Oliver provides insights into the adaptations, challenges, and success factors that have shaped bmp Ventures along the way.

The Venture Capital Scene: A Landscape in Transition

Looking back at the early days, Oliver describes the venture capital scene at the time as “a bunch of wild ones from the New Economy.” He recalls:

When we embarked on the venture capital adventure with bmp in 1997, there were virtually no venture capital investors in Germany.

Investment Philosophy and Success Strategies

Oliver’s approach to selecting investments reflects a strong belief in the importance of sustainability and entrepreneurship. He emphasizes: “We are not looking for the next unicorn where we can multiply our investment fiftyfold.” Instead, the focus is on companies “that we believe can sustainably succeed in the market with their products over the long term.” This philosophy is driven by a pursuit of genuine innovation and founder teams who are passionate about their vision. Oliver adds:

We do not shy away from risk and often get involved already at the idea stage, even if in some cases it is a bit of a gamble. It is not called venture capital for nothing.

However, by weathering the dot-com bubble and subsequently professionalizing its processes, bmp has grown from these modest beginnings into a key player in the German economic system. “Today we are an established industry and an integral part of the economic system,” explains Oliver, highlighting both the significant transformation of the sector and bmp’s role within it.

Valuable Tips for Founders

With over 140 trade sales and IPOs, Oliver shares some essential advice for founders. One of the most fundamental lessons he offers is the importance of listening and being open to guidance. “You have to be able to listen. Founders who are unteachable or resistant to advice often don’t get very far,” he explains, referencing bmp Ventures’ experience with thousands of teams, which allows for a quick assessment of whether a team and concept have the potential for success.
This openness to feedback and the ability to integrate constructive criticism into the growth process are crucial for the development of a startup. Another point Oliver addresses concerns negotiations with VCs. Here, he advises fairness: “Startups should not try to optimize themselves in negotiations with VCs.” An investment must make sense for both sides and offer a good risk-return profile to ensure a productive relationship.
A good VC brings not only capital but also valuable know-how and networks, providing a real contribution to the startup. Finally, Oliver reminds of a “golden rule”:

It always takes twice as long and costs twice as much.

This realistic assumption should be incorporated into every business plan to avoid disappointments and to create a solid foundation for company growth. Overly optimistic planning benefits neither the founders nor the investors.

Looking Ahead: Trends and Opportunities

In our conversation, we discussed the future directions and trends in the startup ecosystem that are particularly noteworthy. Oliver’s insights highlight that bmp Ventures not only operates at the forefront of the industry but also actively contributes to shaping the future.

Trends come and go, but some fall into the category of “flavour of the day” and quickly fade away.

He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between temporary hype and fundamental developments. One long-term trend that, in his assessment, “requires a lot of venture capital” is digitalization. This encompasses a wide range of technologies and applications, from traditional B2B SaaS tools to advanced AI applications that have the potential to fundamentally transform industries.
A specific example he highlights is drug discovery. Here, AI could significantly shorten research and development timelines, advancing medical science by years. These technologies exemplify the type of innovations bmp Ventures aims to invest in: solutions that address real problems and promise a sustainable impact.

Between Tradition and Future: bmp Ventures’ Ongoing Mission

In conclusion, Oliver reflects on the role of bmp Ventures in an ever-changing venture capital landscape.

Our mission is not only to provide financial resources but also to support companies as an active partner—those that are shaping the world of tomorrow.

The combination of deep market understanding, a strong network, and the ability to recognize and leverage long-term trends positions bmp Ventures as a key player, ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the future.
Oliver’s personal dedication to his work becomes evident when he expresses his passion for the world of venture capital:

Since I truly love my job and cannot imagine anything more enjoyable or, above all, more varied, I hope to continue doing it for a very long time.

This passion for his work and the industry as a whole drives him to continuously seek new opportunities to lead bmp Ventures and the startups they support to success.

from Tia Ayler
Startup Mitteldeutschland