The automotive industry design icon and EV pioneer will serve as board member for a venture capital group focused on discovering new, agile mobility technology companies in Europe and abroad to disrupt the automotive sector

• Fisker to help guide efforts to increase collaboration between promising new suppliers, SMEs and OEMs to lower manufacturing costs and enable smarter scaling 
• Fisker Inc. to co-invest in motec portfolio companies in sectors ranging from smart manufacturing, AI-based process optimization to concrete autonomous driving applications 

VIENNA/BERLIN (August 13, 2018) – Global automotive design icon and renowned entrepreneur, Henrik Fisker, has joined forces with Berlin-based motec ventures in an advisory role. The entity is a collaboration between German automotive and mobility consulting firm, e&Co. AG and Venionaire Capital, one of Austria’s leading venture capital firms. In addition, Fisker Inc. will engage in co-investment opportunities that may be synergistic with the OEMs upcoming vehicle lineup, as well as the proprietary Fisker Solid-State Battery program.

• With a robust combination of industry expertise and resources for investment, motec is a driving force in discovering and cultivating new, agile and innovative technology companies that will usher in a new wave of experiences inside and outside of a vehicle. From mass electrification across the globe, EV architecture to ride sharing applications and everything in between, the project is aimed at tapping into the hotbed of engineering and tech talent in Germany, Europe and abroad.

• Fisker – famous for having designed some of the most stunning vehicles in history, from the BMW Z8, the Aston Martin DB9/V8 Vantage, the Fisker Karma to the new Fisker EMotion luxury electric sedan – will support managing directors Berthold Baurek-Karlic and Geza Brugger through regular discourse on technical and entrepreneurial issues. The group’s focus will also center on increasing collaboration between small and medium-sized enterprises, global OEMs and promising new suppliers to help drive down manufacturing costs and to enable smarter scaling. SMEs are the strong backbone of Europe’s manufacturing industries. 

Geza Brugger, co-managing director at motec ventures GmbH

“Henrik Fisker is, from my perspective, the Steve Jobs of the automotive world: a strong visionary and full-blooded entrepreneur with experience from both successful projects, as well as those that brought challenges and lessons learned. As a European living in the United States, having implemented some revolutionary projects there, we will be strongly challenged and reinforced by him. We are very much looking forward to working with Henrik and are pleased to have gained an experienced icon in the automotive and mobility industry." 

Berthold Baurek-Karlic, co-managing director at motec ventures GmbH

"This concentrated automotive know-how, together with our venture capital expertise at Venionaire Capital, form a perfect foundation for further developing the future of mobility. And, above all, it finally will allow SMEs to participate in interesting business models from the start-up scene. I look forward to an exciting and challenging time together.”

Henrik Fisker, chairman and CEO of Fisker Inc.

“I am extremely excited to join motec’s Advisory Board and support the team in finding new and untapped brainpower and technological innovation across Germany, Europe and the globe that will help transform mobility even more by creating better experiences. There is a great deal of investors in Germany, the hotbed of automotive leadership, that would like to find promising new technology suppliers without having to cross the pond to places like California – and we see a wealth of these undiscovered entities in Europe alone. In addition, this collaboration allows Fisker Inc. to invest and tap into an impressive group of portfolio companies, providing access to the most compelling next-generation mobility technologies. We believe the result will be beneficial for all shareholders – as well as the manufacturers through lower costs and a smarter way to scale.”

e&Co. AG, a founding member of motec ventures, has supported well-known players from the automotive and mobility industry in strategy, organizational and operational change issues – and has been working with Henrik Fisker on a variety of projects to date.

 To schedule interviews with Henrik Fisker or motec ventures managing directors, contactFisker@GoDRIVEN360.com.

About Henrik Fisker

Henrik Fisker is synonymous with iconic cars and leadership in premium electric vehicle development with an aura and style simply beyond compare. When luxury car and automotive design fans around the world hear his name, stunning images of the BMW Z8 sports car – with James Bond at the wheel, battling supervillains throughout the 1999 blockbuster film, The World Is Not Enough – immediately surface. Celebrated as a true iconic figure in the industry, behind some of the most emotionally appealing vehicles ever created – from that Z8, the Aston Martin DB9/V8 Vantage, VLF Force 1 to the Fisker Karma and more – Henrik is taking that famed creative genius and is channeling it into an inspiring vision of a world where automotive passion, the next generation of electric vehicle expertise, tomorrow’s technology and compelling design collide for the advancement of human mobility and comfort.

About motec ventures GmbH 

motec ventures aims to shape the future of mobility and guide European SMEs into the digitalized future – serving as an innovation accelerator and link between SMEs and start-ups. A joint project between German automotive and mobility consulting firm, e&Co. AG and Venionaire Capital, one of Austria’s leading venture capital firms, motec is discovering new, innovative technology companies – helping them scale and partnering them with players across the automotive industry. For more information, please visit www.motec.vc.

About Fisker Inc.

California-based Fisker Inc. is revolutionizing the automotive industry by developing the most emotionally desirable electric vehicles complemented with the longest range and shortest charging times on earth. As a leading force in influencing mass market electrification across the globe, the company’s scientific breakthroughs include the patent-pending Fisker Flexible Solid-State Battery – ushering in a new era in fast charging, safety, range and costs of less than $100 per kWh.

The brainchild of EV pioneer and world-leading automotive designer, Henrik Fisker, Fisker Inc.’s mission is to set a new standard of excellence and performance in the electric vehicle industry and mobility services – developing unique, high-performance electric vehicles that feature the latest in autonomous driving technology and exciting user experiences. To learn more, visit www.FiskerInc.com.