Connect. Create. Cultivate.

These three words sum up my work quite well. It’s what I love doing and what I’m good at.

In collaboration with KölnBusiness and Ginsep I had the great pleasure to host a networking lunch during the INDERNET exhibition at Kunsthafen Rhenania.

In an artful environment and relaxed atmosphere investors from India and entrepreneurs from Köln used the opportunity to get to know each other and connect.

Among the official guests were representatives from TIA Summit, Baker Hughes, Candidate SELECT, Wolfe Strategies Finance, the Cologne Chamber of Commerce (IHK), and several colleagues from KölnBusiness and GINSEP. The event offered a valuable opportunity for early-stage startups, founders, and investors to connect, exchange perspectives, and explore future collaborations across borders.

I was pleased to welcome a diverse group of peers and collaborators. Baicy Terbrüggen, a consultant in skilled labour immigration, shared her experience working on connecting healthcare professionals from India with opportunities in Germany. Dave Nelles, founder of Tacit Therapeutics in San Francisco, brought a background in biotech and gene therapy into the mix. Hans Dohrmann, my close business partner and managing director of PAWAO – an investor network we co-founded – reflected the increasing interest in purpose-driven investment.

Also present was Heinrich Rauh, co-founder of Planted, a startup using tree planting to support climate goals. Joel Vilangappara, who runs several Indian restaurants in Cologne including the much-loved Masala Empire, added perspective from the hospitality and diaspora business space. From academia, Leo Kurian, head of the KurianLab at the University of Cologne, added depth with his work in developmental and regenerative RNA biology.

Mario Dohr, managing director and partner at ISI, contributed insights from the environmental consulting sector. We were also joined by Jonathan Haehn, founder and CEO of Cannaflos, a medical cannabis company, and Raj Sanjeevaiah, founder of kochtiger.de, a sustainable cooking box startup.

The atmosphere was relaxed and collaborative, with conversations flowing naturally across disciplines and interests. With founders, researchers, creatives, and investors all at one table, the gathering reflected what cross-cultural exchange can look like when it’s grounded in openness, curiosity, and a shared view toward the future. I’m grateful to everyone who joined – and looking forward to more moments like this.

Thanks to Kochtiger for the delicious food and to Linghuan Zhang for the lovely pictures!