Susanne Meinhardt

Managing Partner

“Never stand still - the next challenge awaits just round the corner“ Susanne holds a degree in business economics and worked in banking for many years, specialising among other things in financing new technologies and LBO's in Germany. In her role as managing partner, Susanne's focus is on keeping finances in check with her extraordinary organisational and problem-solving skills.

Susanne’s credo “Challenge yourself and grow” is much reflected in both her work and personal interests. She is a fitness enthusiast, linguist and an avid traveller who doesn’t shy away from a challenge - whether it's navigating the streets of Beijing or learning Spanish from scratch.

Thomas S. Senger

Founding Partner

“Pressure drives me”  It is this life motto in which Thomas challenges himself constantly to be in the forefront of his field. This determination keeps him committed to come alongside Portfolio companies to build  revolutionary products and sustainable businesses. In addition to being a Partner at Cygnet, Thomas co-founded UNDRSTND, a strategy consultancy firm. He also 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 fortes are transitioning field organisations into industry leading players and 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” Upon completion of an economic degree, Alexandra embarked on a career in the financial sector and it is her energetic engagement in which Alexandra poured into tasks on hand which stood her well. With 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 upon 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 spends 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 IPO’s.

Armed with more than 25 years of experience, Jörg decided to shift his professional focus and  became 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 resonates throughout Christina’s corporate career in Information and Communication Industry the past decades. Before launching into early stage investment, her tenure as Senior VP Business Controlling for Siemens Mobile availed her a natural platform to spearhead and synergise business functions across diverse intercultural landscape within global organisations; with strong drive in pioneering start up 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 sees me partnering associates and entrepreneurs through various depths of business intricacies towards joint success”

Michael Meinhardt

Founding Partner

“As venture investors, we invest in people, not business plans" Michael 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 and 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.