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Felix Petersen is the Managing Director of Europe for Samsung NEXT Ventures, based in Berlin, Germany. Before transitioning to corporate venture capital in 2017 to establish the firm's Berlin office, he built and exited two consumer technology startups, selling the location-based social network Plazes to Nokia in June 2008 and the opinion-sharing application Amen to Tape.tv in August 2013. He previously served as a Partner at Lisbon-based Faber Ventures starting in 2015 and operated as an active angel investor backing notable European technology companies such as SoundCloud and Readmill. In his current capacity, he oversees regional operations and directs early-stage investments across software and services sectors, including artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, and financial technology. Petersen leverages his extensive dual experience as a multiple-exit founder and institutional investor to identify and support emerging European technology entrepreneurs.
Felix Petersen stands as a prominent figure in the venture capital landscape, currently serving as a Managing Director at Samsung NEXT Ventures. In this pivotal role, he spearheads investments into early-stage technology companies that are poised to redefine industries and user experiences. Samsung NEXT Ventures, the innovation arm of Samsung, focuses on discovering and nurturing startups that align with Samsung's vision for the future, and Petersen plays a crucial part in identifying these next-generation innovators.
Petersen's investment philosophy is deeply rooted in his background as a serial entrepreneur and product visionary. His primary focus areas include artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, deep tech, developer tools, and the evolving future of work. He actively seeks out companies that are not only developing cutting-edge technology but also possess strong teams and a clear path to market disruption. His expertise extends to understanding complex technical challenges and recognizing the potential for these innovations to scale globally, particularly within the vast ecosystem that Samsung operates in. He is known for his keen eye for products that offer genuine utility and transformative potential, whether in consumer applications or enterprise solutions.
Before joining Samsung NEXT Ventures, Felix Petersen built a distinguished career marked by successful entrepreneurial ventures. He co-founded Amen, a social recommendation platform that was later acquired by Facebook, showcasing his ability to build engaging consumer products. Prior to Amen, he also co-founded Plazes, an early location-based social networking service, which was acquired by Nokia. These experiences provided him with invaluable insights into product development, user acquisition, and the challenges of scaling technology companies from the ground up. His journey from founder to investor gives him a unique perspective, allowing him to empathize with entrepreneurs and provide strategic guidance beyond just capital. He also spent time at Google, where he served as Head of Product for Google+ Local, further solidifying his expertise in large-scale product management and strategy.
While specific individual investments are often attributed to the fund rather than a single managing director, Petersen's influence is evident in Samsung NEXT's portfolio, which includes companies pushing boundaries in AI infrastructure, intelligent automation, and next-generation consumer platforms. He is particularly interested in startups that leverage AI to solve real-world problems, enhance productivity, or create entirely new categories of interaction. His work at Samsung NEXT Ventures continues to shape the future by backing the visionary founders who are building tomorrow's leading technology companies.
Felix Petersen is a Managing Director at Samsung NEXT Ventures, a prominent venture capital firm. He is also a seasoned entrepreneur, known for co-founding successful tech companies like Amen and Plazes.
Felix Petersen primarily invests in early-stage technology companies with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI), deep tech, machine learning, developer tools, and innovations shaping the future of work.
Felix Petersen works as a Managing Director at Samsung NEXT Ventures, the innovation and investment arm of Samsung, based out of their global offices.
