Thomas S. Senger

Founding Partner

“Pressure drives me.” It is this life motto which Thomas challenges himself constantly to be in the forefront of his field. His determination keeps him committed to Portfolio companies; and he paces alongside them, building revolutionary products and sustainable businesses. Besides being a pioneer at Cygnet, Thomas also co-founded UNDRSTND, a strategy consultancy. He serves several Non-Executive Director and Advisory roles at privately held companies.

His prior career as Software Executive with his significant global leadership experience reinforces his capacity to advise seed companies. His forte is transitioning field organisations into industry leading players, setting benchmarks for robust sales growth and profitability. Thomas held international key management positions at Kofax, HP Software, Peregrine Systems, Realtech, Siemens Business Services, Oracle and Nixdorf Computer. 

Thomas is enthusiastic about spending time on one of his bicycles.
“I just love the challenge of cycling mountain roads. Cycling is a great analogy to the business we’re in. While it takes great tenacity from you, it is a dedicated team and impeccable execution that makes you a winner.”

Alexandra Prüßmeier

Managing Partner

“Knowledge is power but enthusiasm pulls the switch.” After completing a degree in economics, Alexandra embarked on a career in the financial sector. Her energetic engagement stood her well in over 15 years of advisory and investment banking experience, working for financial institutions such as BHF-Bank and Frankfurt Trust. She was part of the Neuer markt IPO-team before advancing to a director’s role, responsible for stock trading and supervision of institutional clients.

In addition, she gained first-hand entrepreneurial experience by running a real estate agency before returning to her investment roots as co-founder of VC Seven Miles Capital; and since mid-2017, a managing partner at Cygnet Ventures.

Alexandra is an ardent yoga practitioner and golfer. Her favourite indulgence is her Labradoodle, Emil, whom she treats with much care and affection. It is with similar dedication and zest which she assumes her responsibilities at Cygnet.

Jörg Prüßmeier

Founding Partner

“Impossibility is just an opinion. Every accomplishment starts with the decision to excel.” Jörg has spent his entire career with and around investments in companies.

From his early years taking swift actions on market fundamentals and breaking news on the trading floor of Deutsche Bank to selling equity stories to large investors for Schröder Münchmeyer and Merrill Lynch, his career rise was propelled by his “can-do” attitude and his tenacity to thrive in rapid paced, high pressure environment. Later in Management Board positions at Barclays and JP Morgan, his enlarged scope included capital raising, secondary placements of listed stocks and a series of IPOs.

Armed with more than 25 years of experience, Jörg has decided to shift his professional focus and become an entrepreneurial investor. Besides being a founding Partner at Cygnet, he is co-founder of VC Seven Miles Capital

In his leisure time, Jörg is often spotted honing his golf skills to perfection on the golf course.  His sport maxim, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”, mirrors his unwavering commitment to help young companies under Cygnet scale. 

Christina Lim

Founding Partner

“Seek to empower and impact the world we live in” is the convergence of personal conviction and professional acumen which has resonated throughout Christina’s corporate career in the Information and Communication Industry. Her previous tenure as Senior VP Business Controlling for Siemens Mobile has availed her a natural platform to spearhead and synergise business functions across diverse intercultural landscape; with strong drive pioneering start-ups and post merger integration

Her hobby as an avid scuba diver parallels her professional life.
“An eventful dive involves conscious steering through the elements while watching out for my dive buddy, Cygnet’s engagement offers me the opportunity to partner associates and entrepreneurs in navigating through various depths of business intricacies towards joint success.”

Michael Meinhardt

Founding Partner

“As venture investors, we invest in people, not business plans." Michael has spent most of his career building new businesses, launching new products and entering new markets. This is the passion that connects his first career in investment banking and his second one as a backer of entrepreneurs and investor in young companies.

In his twenty years in global investment banks, Michael held senior positions in areas as diverse as derivatives and structured products, capital markets and syndicate, mergers & acquisitions as well as running a European industry group.  He has hands-on transaction experience in Europe, the US and Asia. It was at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette that he discovered venture investing as an opportunity to combine his extensive experience with his passion for new business ventures. This is what he has been pursuing as a private venture investor for the last 15 years. His investments reflect the common theme of b2b services delivered through new technologies in areas as diverse as FinTech, marketing and legal technology. To be a more effective sparring partner for founders, he has also trained as an executive coach.

In his spare time, Michael is passionate about yacht racing, a genuine test of teamwork, resourcefulness and resilience with a healthy dose of fun and adrenaline mixed in; and he has been extensively supporting medical and educational charities in the UK and Germany.