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Janis Zech is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Weflow and an active angel investor based in Berlin, Germany. He previously co-founded the ad-tech platform SponsorPay in 2009, which was later rebranded to Fyber and successfully scaled to a global workforce of over 300 employees. Following the ad-tech company's acquisition for more than €150 million in 2014, Zech transitioned to serve as a Venture Partner at the early-stage venture capital firm Point Nine Capital. Returning to entrepreneurship in 2020, he launched Weflow to develop a modern pipeline management workspace for Salesforce users, subsequently securing a $2.7 million initial seed funding round led by Cherry Ventures. His current professional focus centers on advancing sales technology and revenue operations software while continuing to financially back multiple early-stage B2B SaaS startups across the broader European technology ecosystem.
Janis Zech stands out as a highly influential figure in the European tech and startup ecosystem, renowned for his entrepreneurial prowess and strategic investment acumen. As a co-founder of two transformative companies, Zalando and Trade Republic, Zech has played a pivotal role in shaping the digital landscape, particularly in e-commerce and fintech. His journey from building multi-billion dollar enterprises to becoming an active angel investor provides him with a unique perspective and invaluable insights for the next generation of innovators.
Zech's career trajectory began with the co-founding of Zalando in 2008. What started as an an online shoe retailer quickly evolved into Europe's leading online platform for fashion and lifestyle, demonstrating remarkable growth and market penetration. His operational leadership and strategic vision were instrumental in scaling Zalando from a startup to a publicly traded company with a vast customer base across numerous countries. This foundational experience equipped him with deep expertise in e-commerce operations, logistics, marketing, and international expansion.
Following his success with Zalando, Janis Zech transitioned into a more active role as an investor and co-founder of new ventures. A significant milestone in this phase was the co-founding of Trade Republic, a groundbreaking mobile-only broker that democratized access to financial markets for millions of Europeans. Trade Republic quickly became a leader in the neo-brokerage space, reflecting Zech's ability to identify and execute on disruptive business models within regulated industries.
As an angel investor, Janis Zech focuses primarily on early-stage technology companies with high growth potential. His investment portfolio typically spans sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, SaaS, and other innovative digital platforms. He seeks out founders with strong vision, execution capabilities, and a clear path to market leadership. Zech is known for not just providing capital, but also for offering strategic guidance, leveraging his extensive network and operational experience to help portfolio companies navigate challenges and accelerate their growth. While specific public lists of all his angel investments are not always available, his involvement often signals strong potential for a startup. His affiliation with entities like Project A Ventures further solidifies his position within the broader venture capital community, where he contributes to identifying and nurturing promising European tech ventures.
Janis Zech's impact extends beyond capital injection; he embodies the spirit of a founder-turned-investor who genuinely understands the entrepreneurial journey. His continued commitment to fostering innovation makes him a sought-after partner for startups aiming to make a significant mark in their respective industries.
Janis Zech primarily invests in early-stage technology companies. His focus areas include fintech, e-commerce, SaaS, and other innovative digital platforms, often within the European market.
Janis Zech operates as an independent angel investor and co-founder of new ventures. While he co-founded Zalando and Trade Republic, he is now actively involved in supporting various startups through his investments and strategic guidance.
