Our investments

Each of our investments is an act of personal conviction.
Every success story is the result of intensive teamwork.

Human Med

Human Med AG develops promising patented technologies and products in the field of aesthetic and regenerative medicine.

Healthcare
+ MedTech

Sector

MBI, Succession

Reason for investment

Human Med

With patented technologies and products in the field of aesthetic and regenerative medicine, Human Med AG is a market leader in the treatment of fat distribution disorders in an industry with very high growth potential. Its patented WAL (waterjet-assisted liposuction) technology is one of the gentlest forms of liposuction. Human Med is also the world’s leading technology company for the extraction of autologous fat. This innovative procedure is suitable for numerous follow-up applications (breast reconstruction, wound treatment, etc.) where the body’s natural fat is reused.

Healthcare
+ MedTech

Sector

MBO

Reason for investment

Medical
technology

Industry

since
2022

Investment period

Investment procedure

Strategic priorities were defined at the start of the investment. In addition to expanding its market leadership, the aim is to further promote the growth potential of Human Med AG – both in existing markets and in new markets due to new areas of application in regenerative medicine. PREMIUM is the majority shareholder.

Strategic and operational measures

  • Expansion into new areas of medical application

  • Focusing sales and marketing on the most important markets and customer groups 

  • Expansion of the organisation and capacities as a prerequisite for realising high growth potential

Milestones in the company's development

  • Succession solution with a new buy-in CEO

  • Completion of the management team

„Human Med uses innovative technologies to effectively and gently treat lipedema and other health issues that have been inadequately treated until now. Regenerative medicine is an important field in the future of medicine.“
– Pieter van Halem, Managing Partner

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Pieter van Halem
Managing Partner

Kontakt

Berthold Hackl
Supervisory board chair and operating partner

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heinekingmedia

heinekingmedia is the digitalisation partner for educational institutions and companies – and a fast-growing hidden champion in the industry with a broad distribution network.

Software
+ Connectivity

Sector

MBI

Reason for investment

heinekingmedia

heinekingmedia is the digitalisation partner for educational institutions and companies – and a fast-growing hidden champion in the industry with a broad distribution network.

As a pioneer in the field of collaborative hardware and software solutions (UCC/Unified Communications and Collaboration), heinekingmedia uses proprietary products and services to optimise information and communication processes in the classroom and for distance learning, as well as in virtual meeting rooms. More than 1.5 million school children already use GDPR-compliant mobile apps, messaging apps and collaborative software solutions from the market leader – in part thanks to their user-friendly systems.

Software
+ Connectivity

Sector

MBO

Reason for investment

Digital communication
technology

Industry

since
2021

Investment period

Investment procedure

heinekingmedia is the second investment of the PREMIUM SME II fund. As the majority shareholder, PREMIUM works closely with the management. At the start of the investment, PREMIUM defined the strategic priorities together with the management and advisory board. Brand recognition and sales are to be increased and the development of innovative software and content solutions intensified.

Strategische und operationelle Maßnahmen

  • Solution for operational succession with new buy-in CEO

  • Expansion of R&D activities

  • Increased marketing presence in schools, school authorities and companies

Meilensteine der Unternehmensentwicklung

  • Geographical expansion into Switzerland and Austria through an add-on acquisition

  • Strategic partnerships with content providers

  • Establishment of a separate R&D unit

„For us, heinekingmedia, represents not only a contribution to the development of digital information and communication solutions, but also a consistent step towards sustainable education.“
– Fabian Walesch, Managing Partner

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Fabian Walesch
Managing Partner

Kontakt

Bernd Kuhlin
Advisory board chair and operating partner

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ic! berlin Group

ic! berlin has become one of the most well-known German eyewear brands in the premium price segment.

Consumer
+ Lifestyle Goods

Sector

MBO, Succession

Reason for investment

ic! berlin Group

ic! berlin has become one of the most well-known German eyewear brands in the premium price segment. As a pioneer in extra-light metal eyewear, ic! berlin sunglasses and corrective eyewear are known for their design, high manufacturing quality and outstanding comfort, as well as patented screwless joints. In addition to metal glasses, its product portfolio also includes acetate frames – manufactured in-house in Berlin. ic! berlin takes care of development, design, manufacturing and sales to leading opticians and distributors, and has its own flagship store.

Consumer
+ Lifestyle Goods

Sector

MBO

Reason for investment

Premium
Eyewear

Industry

since
2017

Investment period

Investment procedure

ic! berlin is the first investment of the two PREMIUM SME funds launched with Bankhaus Lampe. As the majority shareholder, PREMIUM works closely with the management, which was also involved in the transaction. Management, the advisory board and PREMIUM defined the strategic priorities at the start of the investment. There is a particular focus on enhancing brand recognition and driving international sales.

Strategic and operational measures

  • Expansion of the sales team, hiring a new CSO/CMO

  • Joint venture with a leading Chinese luxury eyewear retail chain

  • Introduction of LEAN processes

Milestones in the company’s development

  • Introduction to the Chinese market

  • Unbeatable delivery times thanks to significant reduction in production lead times

„By rethinking and implementing digital structures and processes, we have been able to reduce production time by 50%. In this way, ic! berlin combines manufacturing quality and Industry 4.0.“
– Marcel van Wijk, Founding and Managing Partner

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Marcel van Wijk
Founding and Managing Partner

Kontakt

Dr. Wolfgang Rebstock
Advisory board chair and operating partner

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Sectors

Our investment focus is on innovative small and medium-sized companies in German-speaking countries in Europe (DACH region). In addition to focusing on forward-looking target industries, we only invest in companies that make a positive contribution – both economically and socially.

Technology
+ Industry

Technology
+ Industry

We invest in sectors with high market appeal and in companies with strong differentiating features from segments including Manufacturing Industries & Transportation, Special Chemicals, Automation & Digitalization, Environmental Technology, Machinery & Niche Manufacturing, and Business Services.

Consumer
+ Lifestyle Goods

Consumer
+ Lifestyle Goods

In our investments, we focus on innovative companies and products that enable a modern lifestyle. We accompany, strengthen and support companies in their sales and marketing strategies as well as in their internationalisation.

Healthcare
+ MedTech

Healthcare
+ MedTech

Healthcare is becoming increasingly important in our society and is a market with significant growth opportunities. We target companies offering products and services that enable doctors and patients to achieve better treatment results.

Software
+ Connectivity

Software
+ Connectivity

In our investments, we focus on companies that are dedicated to the pioneering fields of e-commerce (B2B/B2C), software (FinTech, Industrial, SaaS), cyber security, telecommunications, logistics and hardware technology (e.g. embedded computing) – and offer a range of services that give their customers opportunities for greater competitiveness and increased efficiency.

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Partner and Team

Dr. Thomas Duhnkrack
Founding and Managing Partner

Vita

Dr. Thomas Duhnkrack

As a founding partner, Thomas Duhnkrack has been with PREMIUM since 2011. He holds a doctorate in business administration and spent more than 20 years at Deutsche Bank (including seven years in Japan) before joining the executive board of DZ BANK in 2003. He has been a member of various boards at larger SMEs.

  • Member of the supervisory board of Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG, previously Operating Partner at Advent International (2010—2013).

  • DZ BANK AG: member of the executive board for corporate clients as well as corporate and structured finance, foreign subsidiaries and Chairman of the executive board in asset finance (real estate, ships and aircraft, leasing) and at VR Equity Partner.

  • Deutsche Bank AG: most recently as executive board member responsible for German corporate banking and international sales financing. Member of the Corporate and Investment Banking Board, London.

  • Apprenticeship in banking, business administration and doctorate at the University of Hamburg.

Kontakt

Fabian Walesch
Managing Partner

Vita

Fabian Walesch

Fabian Walesch has been a partner at PREMIUM since August 2015. He began his private equity career by joining the HALDER Group, where he completed several buy-out transactions together with Marcel van Wijk from 2005 onwards. Before joining PREMIUM, he spent four more years working for the Swiss private equity fund, Cross Equity Partners, for which he generated, executed and supervised several medium-sized investments in Switzerland and Germany. 

  • Cross Equity Partners: Senior Investment Manager, formerly Halder Germany: Investment Manager 2005-2011.

  • M&A Boutique, Boehm-Bezing, Sieger & Cie in Stuttgart, previously a Private Equity Placement Agent at Triago.

  • MBA (Imperial College, London, also Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA); degree: International business administration at the Munich Business School.

Kontakt

Kristina Mickerts
Finance Director

Vita

Kristina Mickerts

As Finance Director, Kristina Mickerts has been part of the PREMIUM team since April 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she worked for the auditing firm Mazars GmbH & Co. KG. As senior auditor she was responsible for the execution of audits of stand-alone and consolidated financial statements for companies of different legal forms and sizes, in accordance with German accounting regulations (HGB) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

  • Mazars GmbH & Co. KG in Frankfurt am Main: Senior auditor from 2013 to 2018.

  • Ernst & Young GmbH auditors in Eschborn.

  • Master of Laws (LL.M.) at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management; specialising in: Mergers & Acquisitions, Finance & Accounting.

Kontakt

Maximilian Bühler
Associate

Vita

Maximilian Bühler

Maximilian Bühler has been part of PREMIUM's investment team since February 2023. Previously, he worked for a family office in Munich for two years, which primarily invests in small- to medium-sized companies. Since 2017, Maximilian was a Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft (PwC) in Munich, where he advised financial and strategic investors on M&A transactions and worked on several restructuring projects.

  • Previously part of the investment team of a Munich-based family office with a focus on small- to medium-sized companies

  • Senior Associate at the Transaction Services and Business Recovery team at PwC

  • Master in quantitative economics at the University of Konstanz and the University of Essex

Kontakt

Philipp Väth
Investment Manager

Vita

Philipp Väth

As Investment Manager, Philipp Väth is part of the PREMIUM investment team. Until April 2019, Philipp Väth worked as Manager in the Transaction Services division at the auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH (PwC) in Frankfurt am Main. Having joined PwC in 2013, he primarily supported private equity companies with their due diligence and numerous buy- and sell-side mandates.

  • PwC: Manager in Transaction Services, previously in the Transaction Graduate Program.

  • Graduate in business administration with a focus on banking, finance and auditing.

  • Studied business administration at the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, which included a study visit to the Grande École de Commerce (INSEEC) in Paris.

Kontakt

Marcel van Wijk
Founding and Managing Partner

Vita

Marcel van Wijk

Marcel van Wijk was one of the founders of PREMIUM in 2011. With his extensive 30 years of experience in the investment business, he has analysed, supervised, successfully executed and divested more than 25 transactions. During this time, he has been involved in initiating and structuring management buy-outs and acquiring majority and minority interests in various medium-sized companies, has set up several SME funds and cultivated international investor relations.

  • Before co-founding PREMIUM in Frankfurt, he was a partner of the Halder Group.

  • Halder Germany: 1998-2010 finishing as partner; Halder Netherlands 1993-1998.

  • Fundraising for four medium-sized funds.

  • Degree: Business Administration at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Kontakt

Konstantin Skora
Investment Director

Vita

Konstantin Skora

Konstantin Skora has been with PREMIUM since June 2017 and, as Investment Director, has extensive experience in the field of private equity – including deal origination and execution as well as in the development of portfolio companies. From 2008 onwards, he worked in the Transaction Services division, then from 2010 onwards in the medium-sized investment business for L-EA Private Equity and Cross Equity Partners in Switzerland, where he worked with Fabian Walesch.

  • Cross Equity Partners: Investment Manager from 2014 to 2017, previously an investment professional at L-EA Private Equity GmbH.

  • AMR International: Consultant Transaction Services/Commercial due diligence.

  • Degree: International MBA and Master in Research Methodology at the Instituto de Empresa, Madrid; Master in Strategic Management at the University of Tilburg.

Kontakt

Pieter van Halem
Managing Partner

Vita

Pieter van Halem

Active in the investment business for over 25 years, Pieter van Halem joined the PREMIUM partnership in April 2021. In recent years, he has launched several funds, completed, managed and successfully sold over 15 buyout transactions, growth financing and an equal number of add-on acquisitions. He has also held numerous supervisory and advisory board positions at medium-sized companies.

  • Human Med AG: Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

  • CornerstoneCapital Group: Executive Board, Managing Partner, co-founder since 2001.

  • Investment Director at 3i, previously held positions at Arthur Andersen management consultancy and Citibank.

  • Degree: Business Administration at the European Business School in Oestrich-Winkel, MBA from the University of Virginia/Darden School of Business.

Kontakt

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