A Novel Approach
to Tech-Investments
Strategic Capital and Hands-on Expertise
for Lasting Impact
A specialized product and industry
focused investment strategy
Our main target group for investments are private technology companies, with headquarters in Europe or North-America serving a global customer base.
Strategic capital and hands-on
expertise for lasting impact
Empowering hard-tech and software companies to innovate and deliver
Patient capital for the long game
We are prepared for a multistage journey that often includes overcoming risks related to science, technology, engineering, customers and unit economics as well as commercialization and scalability in ever changing economical environments. In addition, and by investing and risking our own capital, we are far more incentivized than any VC in ensuring successful outcomes for our portfolio companies, their key stakeholders, and for us.
Focus on speed of execution and capital-efficient growth
We don’t define business success about the amount of funding a company has raised (or intends to raise), are preferring a tranche-based funding approach aligned with major product or operating milestone accomplishments and are seeking a clear path to profitability combined with an efficient use of capital as part of every investment. This approach keeps our companies lean, agile and responsive.
Beyond funding: Operational support on a global scale
Every single aspect of our firm is focused on helping our companies to succeed.
With X2|E infrastructure, resources and partnerships geared up in all key industrial regions (US, Europe and Asia), we are committed to create value through continuous operational support to our portfolio companies on a global scale.
Entrepreneurial expertise for lasting impact
We bring our own entrepreneurial experience in, using operational and strategic levers to accelerate the path to commercial success.
We aim to play an active role in our portfolio companies, typically assume a seat on the Board and work with task-based project teams to support management and staff on a project-by-project or daily basis (where the skills and responsibilities are typically complementary).
Flexible investments tailored to each business cycle and situation
Early / Seed
State of Business
Product Stage
Uses of funds
Funding of prototyping and market entry stage
- Advanced prototyping: Development of prototype iterations or MVP to prove that the technology / solution is viable based on a clearly defined customer specification and acceptance criteria from a key strategic target customer
- First customer evaluations and pilots
- Market entry phase - First commercialization of technologies, products and solutions
Growth
State of Business
Product Stage
Uses of funds
Funding of organic growth measures
- Build-up of sales organisation (including channnel partners, vertical key account management), supply chain, etc.
- Continuous R&D, Product Development, and NPI (“Time to Market” approach)
- Mass customization of products and solutions for specific customers, markets or industries (new or existing verticals)
- Internationalization of sales and operations
- Joint ventures and strategic partnerships along the value chain
Special Situations
State of Business
Product Stage
Uses of funds
Funding of „Turnarounds“
- Complex investments in underperforming tech companies with operational improvement potential
- Operational realignments and restructurings combined with a new revised operating and strategic growth plan - developed by X2 experts in close cooperation with existing or new management
- Support during implementation of all measures by experienced X2 specialists
Early / Seed
Product Stage
Company is in advanced prototyping or MVP development - proof of technology
Funding of prototyping and market entry stage
- Advanced prototyping: Development of prototype iterations or MVP to prove that the technology / solution is viable based on a clearly defined customer specification and acceptance criteria from a key strategic target customer
- First customer evaluations and pilots
- Market entry phase - First commercialization of technologies, products and solutions
Growth
Product Stage
Company has a proven technology, more than one paying customer, and product is ready to scale / monetize
Funding of organic growth measures
- Build-up of sales organisation (including channnel partners, vertical key account management), supply chain, etc.
- Continuous R&D, Product Development, and NPI (“Time to Market” approach)
- Mass customization of products and solutions for specific customers, markets or industries (new or existing verticals)
- Internationalization of sales and operations
- Joint ventures and strategic partnerships along the value chain
Special Situations
Product Stage
Company has a mature technology or product, serves customers within our focus industries and product segments - but business is underperforming
Funding of „Turnarounds“
- Complex investments in underperforming tech companies with operational improvement potential
- Operational realignments and restructurings combined with a new revised operating and strategic growth plan - developed by X2 experts in close cooperation with existing or new management
- Support during implementation of all measures by experienced X2 specialists
Our backing goes beyond
just capital
Through direct and continuous engagement, we provide the operational support tools, resources and global network designed to help our companies to maximize their potential and to mature operationally, strategically, and financially.
Business Development
- Market entry strategy, planning and execution
- Short- to long-term operating and strategic planning
- Go-to-Market, key accounts, channels and alliances
- Origination and execution of strategic partnerships along the value-chain
- Corporate Finance and M&A / Exit Planning
Product Development
- Customer and application driven R&D and NPI road mapping
- System product design and rapid prototyping support (“Time-to-Market”)
- Design, prototyping, certification and first batch builds – supported by a community of long-term X2 partners (HardTech)
Growth and Operations
- Organizational design and implementation
- Vertical sales strategies, technical program and global key account management
- Operations and supply chain – e.g., for series production ramp of hardware products
- International expansion of sales and operations
- Customer success and after-market programs
Operational Improvements
- Cost and margin improvement programs
- Development and implementation of operating and financial restructuring plans
- Design and implementation of 100 days plans to stabilize company including engagements with all key stakeholders (e.g. customers, vendors investors, employees etc.) in an advanced crisis event
Leadership
Marc Sperschneider
Marc is CEO and Founder of X2 I Equity in charge of investments, portfolio development, and strategy.
Before founding X2IE, Marc served as managing shareholder at MatriX Technologies GmbH, a market leading supplier of Automated In-Line X-Ray Inspection system solutions (AXI) to global manufacturers from the Automotive, Consumer Electronics, EMS, and Semiconductor industry. During his tenure, MatriX emerged as a global AXI equipment market leader and significantly expanded sales, profitability and its international operations. After the sale of MatriX to a public listed US corporation, Marc founded X2 I Equity with a focus on the funding and scaling of high-tech companies active in technology systems, advanced components, industrial software and smart industrial services.
Marc has previously served as an Investment Director at a public-listed industrial holding company (2008 – 2012), as a Vice President (M&A) at two investment banks (2003-2008), and has earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration/Economics from the University of Regensburg, Germany.
He is or was a board director of Sensemetrics, Intraratio, FBGS, twingz and Direct Conversion, and serves as Executive Chairman of Aispire and Limata.
Sameer Patel
Sameer is a Managing Director and leads X2 I Equity’s North American operation out of Phoenix, AZ.
He brings over a decade of experience establishing, leading and managing operations, logistics and supply chain teams across the semiconductor, consumer electronics, financial, software and medical device industries. During his career, Sameer has held leadership roles with industry leaders such as Apple, Intel & Medtronic. Sameer is passionate about helping build organizations and teams that are mission focused & socially conscious. In his current role at X2 | Equity, Sameer leads all aspects of our North American operations including investment advisory & portfolio management and oversees X2’s operation innovation and strategic key account initiatives on a global basis.
Sameer’s non-professional interests include mentorship & coaching. He is an avid reader with a passion for business development literature and a lifelong fan of his hometown St. Louis Cardinals.
Sameer has a Master’s degree in Business Administration in Supply Chain Management from the W. P Carey School of Business and a Finance degree from the University of Missouri.
Cory Baldwin
Cory is a Senior Advisor and supports technology assessments and strategy for key X2 | Equity investments.
He has spent the entirety of his career pioneering the development of technology, products, and solutions to address the challenges of the world’s largest and most challenging industries – Infrastructure, Energy, Natural Resources, and Construction. From focused development and application of novel processing techniques for GNSS capable of millimeter-level geospatial monitoring of critical infrastructure – to development of a broad end-to-end IoT platform capable of providing integrated insights across the world’s largest portfolio of structural, geotechnical, environmental, geospatial, and process sensors – he is passionate about addressing customer’s challenges regardless of the scope or complexity.
Cory is the founder and CEO of sensemetrics Inc., with successful exit to Bentley Systems in 2021.
European roots
with a global footprint
Germany (Munich)
X2 Main Office
- Investments
- Portfolio management and operational support (EU portfolio companies)
United States (Phoenix, AZ)
X2 North American Office
- Investment advisory for the North American market
- Portfolio management and operational support (US portfolio companies)
China (Suzhou)
X2 China Office
- Demo lab / application center
- Shared operational support platform for X2 portfolio companies (China / Greater Asia)