Carsten Maschmeyer

$2.06 B

Ranked #2041 in World

About Carsten Maschmeyer

Carsten Maschmeyer, a renowned German billionaire, combines his entrepreneurial and philanthropic passions through his Maschmeyer Group, which focuses on seeding and accelerating startups across various sectors via entities like ALSTIN, Paladin Asset Management, and Seed & Speed. Born into humble beginnings in Bremen and growing up in Hildesheim, Maschmeyer's journey from an orphanage to establishing the AWD financial group, expanding it across Europe, and finally selling it to Swiss Life for CHF 1.9 billion, underscores his financial acumen. His investments span from health to technology with significant interests in companies like HMNC Brain Health and Syntellix AG. Beyond business, Maschmeyer is an influential consultant, speaker, and author, recognized for advising on strategies across business domains, and is committed to charitable causes, notably in education and health. Residing between Munich and Beverly Hills, and married to Veronica Ferres, Maschmeyer's life reflects a blend of financial success and social responsibility, making him a figure of considerable interest in global finance circles.

Born

May 08, 1959 in Bremen, West Germany

Age

66 years

Source Of Wealth

Finance Services

Industries

Finance & Investments

Citizenship

Germany

Residence

Munich

Spouse

Veronica Ferres (Married: 2014)

Carsten Maschmeyer, a German billionaire businessman, investor, and panel member of "Die Höhle der Löwen" (The Lions' Den), was born in Bremen, Germany, and grew up in Hildesheim, Lower Saxony. He had a deprived childhood, never met his father, and lived in an orphanage. At the age of 40, he met his half-brother. As a teenager, Maschmeyer was a successful middle-distance runner.

He completed his Abitur in 1978 and joined the German Armed Forces for two years. While studying medicine in Hanover, he worked part-time in sales at a financial advisory firm. In 1982, he became a full-time financial consultant, leaving university without a degree. Maschmeyer rose to prominence as the director of the Lower Saxony division at OVB Vermögensberatung, where he managed 3,000 employees. He also served as a reserve officer of the Joint Medical Service of the Bundeswehr.

Carsten Maschmeyer: Career

In 1988, Maschmeyer established AWD (Allgemeiner Wirtschaftsdienst) financial group, which rapidly grew to become Europe's largest independent financial advisory. The company went public in 2000, listed in M-DAX, and expanded to 11 countries with 11,000 employees. By 2007, AWD managed €15 billion for 2 million customers. However, in the same year, Swiss Life acquired all shares in AWD for CHF 1.9 billion.

Carsten Maschmeyer: Investments

Maschmeyer maintains significant holdings in various companies. His private equity fund has invested in two top 10 fastest-growing startups in Germany. As a result, he ranked 112th in the list of 500 richest Germans, with assets estimated at €1.2 billion.

Carsten Maschmeyer: Companies

Maschmeyer has invested in several successful companies, including:

HMNC Brain Health: Develops diagnoses and therapies for depression and anxiety disorders.
Syntellix AG: Medical technology company specializing in bio-absorbable metal implants.
papagei.com: Video language learning platform.
Orderbird: Cash register system for restaurants based on iPad technology.
Blacklane: Worldwide booking platform for chauffeur-driven limousines.
nu3: E-commerce platform for nutritional supplements.

Carsten Maschmeyer: Consultant, Author, Speaker

Maschmeyer is a sought-after consultant who advises decision-makers on strategies in various businesses. He is also a popular speaker on entrepreneurship, investments, sales, communication, networking, marketing, success, and mental power. Maschmeyer is the bestselling author of "Selfmade - erfolg reich leben" and "Die Millionärsformel – Der Weg zur finanziellen Unabhängigkeit".

Carsten Maschmeyer: Charity and Donations

Maschmeyer is actively involved in charitable activities. He is an honorary senator of Leibniz University in Hanover and a freelance lecturer at the International School of Management in Munich. He finances scholarships at both institutions and promotes the "Neurological Learning" project at the University of Hildesheim. Maschmeyer co-founded the "Neurobionic" foundation and finances a professorship at the Music College in Hanover.

He supports various charity projects for children and founded "AWD Kinderhilfe". Maschmeyer made the largest single donation of €1 million to "Herz für Kinder" and donated a helicopter to the Order of Saint John. He also supports the ALS-Gala, Sean Penn's "J/P Haitian Relief Organization", Surgeon-Congress, HOPE Cape Town against AIDS, and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

In 2015, Maschmeyer shared his private house with Syrian refugee families and provides free online language learning programs to refugees.

Carsten Maschmeyer: Television Career

Maschmeyer joined the German TV show "Die Höhle der Löwen" as a potential investor. The show is the German version of the US show "Shark Tank," where entrepreneurs present business ideas to five investors for funding in exchange for shares.

Carsten Maschmeyer: Legal

Maschmeyer has been involved in legal disputes with Bank Safra Sarasin and MLP. Bank Safra Sarasin refunded Maschmeyer after investing in an illegal tax refund fund. MLP accused him of violating reputing obligations, but the claim was unsuccessful.

Carsten Maschmeyer: Personal Life

Maschmeyer resides in Munich, Hanover (Germany), Côte d'Azur (France), and Beverly Hills (California, US). He is married to actress Veronica Ferres since 2014 and has two sons from a previous marriage and a stepdaughter.

Maschmeyer is an art collector with works by renowned artists such as Damien Hirst, Andreas Gursky, David Reed, Daniel Richter, Thomas Ruff, Steve McQueen, David LaChapelle, Anselm Kiefer, and Igor Mitoraj.

Wealth History

Timeline

1959

Carsten Maschmeyer was born in Bremen, Germany.

1978

Completed Abitur and joined German Armed Forces for two years.

1982

Became a full-time financial consultant, leaving university without a degree.

1988

Established AWD (Allgemeiner Wirtschaftsdienst) financial group.

2000

AWD went public, listed in M-DAX, expanded to 11 countries with 11,000 employees.

2007

Swiss Life acquired all shares in AWD for CHF 1.9 billion.

2014

Married to actress Veronica Ferres.

2015

Shared private house with Syrian refugee families, provides free online language learning programs to refugees.

Carsten Maschmeyer : FAQs

What is Carsten Maschmeyer's current net worth?

Carsten Maschmeyer's current net worth is $2.06 billion.

What is Carsten Maschmeyer's current global rank among billionaires?

Carsten Maschmeyer holds the 2041st position globally among billionaires.

What is Carsten Maschmeyer's current ranking within the Germany?

Carsten Maschmeyer holds the 121st position in Germany.

What was the change in Carsten Maschmeyer's net worth compared to the previous year?

Carsten Maschmeyer's net worth increased by 52.41 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 2.01 billion dollars.

What are Carsten Maschmeyer's main sources of wealth?

Carsten Maschmeyer's main source of income comes from Finance Services.

In which industry does Carsten Maschmeyer primarily operate?

Carsten Maschmeyer is primarily involved in the Finance & Investments industry.

How old is Carsten Maschmeyer?

Carsten Maschmeyer is 66 years old.

How many children does Carsten Maschmeyer have?

Carsten Maschmeyer has 2 children.

Who is Carsten Maschmeyer and what is he known for?

Carsten Maschmeyer is a German billionaire businessman, investor, and panel member of 'Die Höhle der Löwen' (The Lions' Den). He is known for founding the Maschmeyer Group and investing in a wide range of industries through his investment firms such as ALSTIN, Paladin Asset Management, and Seed & Speed.

What challenges did Carsten Maschmeyer face in his early life?

In his early life, Carsten Maschmeyer faced several challenges including a deprived childhood, living in an orphanage, and never seeing his father. Despite these hardships, he succeeded as a middle-distance runner in his teenage years and later pursued a career in sales while studying medicine.

What major career milestones has Carsten Maschmeyer achieved?

Carsten Maschmeyer's major career milestones include establishing the AWD financial group in 1988, which became Europe's largest independent financial advisory, and its acquisition by Swiss Life in 2007 for CHF 1.9 billion. He managed €15 billion for 2 million customers in 2007.

What are some key companies and projects Carsten Maschmeyer has invested in?

Carsten Maschmeyer has invested in several key companies and projects including HMNC Brain Health, Syntellix AG, papagei.com, Orderbird, Blacklane, and nu3. His investments focus on emerging industries like medical technology, digital learning platforms, and e-commerce for nutritional supplements.

How does Carsten Maschmeyer contribute to charity and education?

Carsten Maschmeyer contributes to charity and education through various means including financing scholarships at Leibniz University and the International School of Management, promoting the "Neurological Learning" project, and supporting children's charity projects. He also gave a substantial donation to 'Herz für Kinder' and supports multiple charitable organizations.