On the back of a particularly active 2020, BlackFin continues to expand as the leading pan-European private equity platform focusing on financial services. In this context, Dr.Kai Franzmeyer, in charge of BlackFin’s activities in the DACH region, and Julien Creuzé, responsible for the firm’s FinTech funds, have been promoted to equity partners.
Dr. Kai Wilhelm Franzmeyer
Kai, aged 57, joined BlackFin in 2018 to spearhead the firm’s presence in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH). In addition to building a high-quality team in the Frankfurt office, Kai has played a crucial role in establishing BlackFin Capital Partners as a trusted and influential counterpart in the German financial services sector.
Prior to joining BlackFin, Kai was a member of Senacor Technologies AG’s senior management. Senacor is a leading provider in business and IT transformation, digitalization, and software development services.
Before that, he was Chairman of the Managing Board of Portigon AG, where he was responsible for efficiently implementing the European Commission’s decision to wind up the former WestLB. During the financial crisis, he was member of a managing board team seconded to Hypo Real Estate Holding AG and Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG by the German financial authorities.
After completing his business management studies and obtaining a doctorate in law, Kai worked for Commerzbank until 2008, in the Group Strategy department, as a derivatives trader (where he worked with Laurent Bouyoux and Paul Mizrahi, two of BlackFin’s founding partners), and finally as Group Treasurer.
Julien Creuzé
Julien, aged 34, joined BlackFin in 2016 to help launch the venture capital and FinTech investment capabilities. After raising a first Fintech fund in 2018 and building a pan-European team, Julien has been instrumental in making BlackFin the VC of choice for Fintech entrepreneurs.
Julien serves on the Board of portfolio companies Akur8, Descartes Underwriting, Epsor, Pretto and Viabill.
Prior to joining BlackFin, Julien was a partner at Aster Capital. He spent 6 years between Paris and the US office he launched in San Francisco (2012 to 2014).
Julien entered the French startup ecosystem just after graduating. He started as an Entrepreneur-in- Residence at Agoranov, a Paris-based tech incubator in 2009 and then teamed up with two experienced computer scientists from INRIA to launch Antelink.
A French national, Julien Creuzé is a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris.
Laurent Bouyoux, Founding Partner and Chairman of BlackFin: “Germany and the DACH region play a key role in our European strategy. Since Kai joined BlackFin, this strategic opportunity has opened up for us and we have gained access to many additional and highly attractive investment opportunities. This local network and reach has cemented our leadership as the most active financial services investor in Europe.”
Laurent adds: “Being able to invest across stages from venture to buyout in the FinTech and financial services sector is a unique competitive edge to participate and invest in the deep transformation of this industry. The capabilities set-up by Julien and the performance of our Tech 1 fund are impressive.”