Roman Kirsch: Pioneering Entrepreneurship and Investment in Europe
Biography of Roman Kirsch:
Roman Kirsch is a prominent figure in the German
entrepreneurial landscape, known for his serial entrepreneurship and
investments in the technology and consumer internet sectors.
Early Life in the Kazakh SSR and Migration to Germany
Roman Kirsch was born in 1988 in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist
Republic, a country that no longer exists today. At the age of four, he moved
to Germany with his family, settling in Hamburg.
Entrepreneurial Beginnings
Growing up in Hamburg, Kirsch developed a keen interest in
trading and business from a young age. He embarked on his entrepreneurial
journey by selling products sourced from local outlets on eBay and flea
markets. Despite the challenges, including harsh German winters, Kirsch found
success in selling items like perfumes, showcasing his early entrepreneurial
spirit.
Educational Pursuits
Roman Kirsch boasts an impressive educational background,
having earned a business degree from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management,
a renowned German business school. Additionally, he holds a Master of Science
degree in Finance, Accounting, and Management from the esteemed London School
of Economics. His academic journey also includes stints at the University of
Southern California and the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore,
showcasing his dedication to gaining diverse perspectives and experiences in
his field.
University Years: Learning from Entrepreneurs
During his four years in university, Roman Kirsch gained
valuable experience by interning and working with several entrepreneurs. Many
of these individuals would later become success stories in the tech industry.
This hands-on exposure provided Kirsch with insights into the dos and don'ts of
building and scaling companies, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors.
Key Lessons Learned
Through his experiences, Kirsch learned that courage and a
bit of luck are all you need to get started in entrepreneurship. These qualities,
coupled with the knowledge and lessons acquired from working alongside
successful entrepreneurs, fueled Kirsch's determination to pursue his own
ventures in the business world.
Early Entrepreneurship
Roman Kirsch's entrepreneurial journey began at a remarkably
young age. At just 13 years old, he ventured into business by importing watches
from China. Demonstrating remarkable initiative, he showed an early knack for
identifying opportunities and taking action to capitalize on them.
Founding Ventures
In 2003, Roman Kirsch founded his first official company at
the age of 15—a souvenir shop located in Hamburg, Germany. This early endeavor
laid the groundwork for his future ventures and provided him with invaluable
experience in the world of business.
Casacanda and Acquisition
In 2011, Kirsch launched Casacanda, a furniture company that
quickly gained traction in the market. Just a year later, in February 2012,
Casacanda was acquired by Fab.com, marking one of the swiftest exits in tech
history for such a young founder. Following the acquisition, Kirsch assumed the
role of CEO of Fab Europe, overseeing the company's expansion and eventual
attainment of unicorn status, reaching a valuation of USD 1 billion.
Recent Developments
Despite its initial success, Fab.com Berlin, the direct
legal successor of Casacanda, faced challenges and completed its insolvency
procedure in January 2023. This underscores the dynamic and often unpredictable
nature of the business world, where even promising ventures may encounter
obstacles along the way.
Expansion into Investment and Entrepreneurship
In 2012, Roman Kirsch expanded his focus to include
investing in and building multiple companies. One notable venture during this
time was his founding investment in Amorelie, a female-focused lingerie company
based in Europe. Under his guidance, Amorelie flourished and in 2015, it was
acquired by media company Pro7Sat1, achieving a valuation of €100 million.
Roman Kirsch: Pioneering Entrepreneurship and Investment in Europe / Biography of Roman Kirsch:
Founding Lesara
In 2013, Kirsch, along with Matthias Wilrich and Robin
Müller, co-founded Lesara, a Berlin-based e-commerce startup. Taking on the
role of CEO, Kirsch played a pivotal role in steering the company's growth and
development. Lesara quickly gained recognition as the fastest-growing tech
company in Europe in 2016 according to "The Next Web" and as the
fastest-growing tech company in Germany in 2017 by Deloitte.
Rapid Pioneers Group
Through his Rapid Pioneers Group, Roman Kirsch has been
instrumental in co-founding and investing in several consumer technology
companies and brands, with a particular emphasis on the European market. This
diverse portfolio underscores Kirsch's commitment to fostering innovation and
entrepreneurship within the region.
Ventures in Consumer Brands
In 2015, Roman Kirsch made significant strides in the
consumer brands sector by becoming the first investor and advisor in Fitvia, a
pioneer in direct-to-consumer (DTC) ventures on Instagram. This investment
paved the way for Fitvia's eventual acquisition by stock-listed Dermapharm in
June 2019. Kirsch has also been involved as a founding investor in other
consumer brands, including K-Beauty brand Yepoda, natural cosmetics brand
Happyglam, and couponing platform Lumaly.
Expansive Portfolio
The Rapid Pioneers Group, led by Roman Kirsch, boasts an
extensive portfolio comprising over 25 companies. Among these are notable
ventures such as green climate tech unicorn Enpal GmbH, Carprice, SevenSenders,
Bending Spoons, Hive logistics, everdrop, and Wild Cosmetics. Kirsch's
contributions to these ventures have earned him recognition, including being
named one of the best 50 seed investors in Europe by Business Insider in 2022.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Despite successes, Kirsch has encountered challenges in his
entrepreneurial journey. In 2018, Lesara faced financial difficulties and
eventually declared bankruptcy. While Kirsch navigated this setback, his focus
remained on building and investing in innovative ventures.
Tio Tech Venture and Closure
In April 2021, Kirsch achieved a milestone with the
successful IPO of Tio Tech on the NASDAQ stock exchange, raising $345 million.
Serving as CEO, Kirsch led Tio Tech's endeavors until its closure in April
2023, following challenges in completing a transaction within a stipulated
two-year deadline.
Roman Kirsch: Entrepreneur and Investor
Roman Kirsch's entrepreneurial journey is marked by his
involvement in successful e-commerce ventures like Casacanda, Fab, Lesara,
Amorelie, and Yepoda. Additionally, he has been an early supporter and investor
in prominent consumer internet and technology companies such as enpal, Animoca
Brands, Bending Spoons, and everdrop.
Rapid Pioneers Group: Fostering Innovation
Through his private internet holding company, Rapid Pioneers
Group, headquartered in Berlin, Kirsch has played a pivotal role in co-founding
and nurturing exceptional consumer internet and commerce-enabling software
companies since 2011. Dedicated to launching 1-2 companies annually and
investing in 3-5, the group primarily focuses on European enterprises.
Impressive Portfolio and Impact
Kirsch's impressive portfolio comprises over 30 companies
that have collectively raised more than $5 billion in follow-on capital. These
ventures have created employment opportunities for over 10,000 individuals and
have produced four unicorns: enpal, Bending Spoons, Fab, and Animoca. Through
his strategic vision and commitment to innovation, Kirsch continues to shape
the landscape of the tech and consumer internet sectors.
Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe Recognition
Roman Kirsch gained notable recognition in January 2016 when
Forbes Magazine US included him in its prestigious 30 under 30 Europe list for
retail and e-commerce. This acknowledgment highlighted his impactful
contributions to the industry at a young age.
Capital's 40 Under 40 List
In 2017, Roman Kirsch's achievements were further
underscored when the esteemed business magazine Capital featured him in its 40
under 40 list for young elites. This acknowledgment underscored his significant
influence and accomplishments in the business realm.
Membership in Global Initiatives
Apart from professional accolades, Roman Kirsch is actively
involved in global initiatives. He holds the distinction of being a
"Global Shaper" of the World Economic Forum Davos, reflecting his
commitment to shaping global dialogues and initiatives. Additionally, Kirsch is
a member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), highlighting his
engagement in fostering connections and leadership development among young
business leaders.
