Welcome!
As Managing Partner at Carlsquare, I advise entrepreneurs and “German Mittelstand”-companies on mergers and acquisitions, growth financing and support them on further grow the business with the right partner. With more than 25 years of experience, I combine strategic insight with hands-on execution – helping clients navigate complex decisions and achieve sustainable outcomes.
The path leading to Carlsquare
Hi, I'm Mark!
Before starting Carlsquare, I gained experience at Deutsche Bank and Bertelsmann AG. I studied Economics, Business Administration and Music at the University of Witten/Herdecke, at the University of Texas at Austin (as Fulbright Scholar) and the DHBW Karlsruhe. At Hochschule Fresenius I completed the program Master Business with AI.
+150 successful transactions
More transactions
What inspired and inspires me
Over the years, I've had the privilege of meeting countless inspiring people, attending thought-provoking podcasts and events, and diving into new ideas that challenge my perspective. What drives me most is that insatiable curiosity, the constant hunger to learn something new, whether it's a breakthrough in AI, a fresh approach to finance, or an unexpected insight from a meaningful conversation.
Catch me as a podcast guest
Carlsquare events
At Carlsquare, we are hosting a variety of events bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts. These gatherings create a platform for exchanging ideas, discussing market trends, and exploring opportunities in the M&A landscape. Whether through conferences, exclusive roundtables, or live podcast sessions, I truly value the chance to connect with inspiring people and share my perspective on the future of mid-market transactions.
A glimpse of our past conferences
Consumer Conference, Munich
This year, we hosted the 3rd annual Carlsquare Consumer Conference bringing together
over 400 consumer champions and investors shaping the future through more than 250 one-on-one meetings.
Global Tech Summit, California
GTS25 is an exclusive, invitation-only gathering of CEOs and founders from high-growth U.S. and European technology companies, alongside senior decision-makers from the most active strategic acquirers and leading tech-focused private equity firms.
SaaSalon, Berlin
We’re bringing together 150+ of Europe’s top SaaS entrepreneurs and investors for two days packed with insights, inspiration, and high-impact networking. From growth strategies and market trends to capital needs and international expansion, there’s something for every SaaS leader to explore.
Counder Conference, Cape Town
This year’s conference highlighted Africa as a premier investment destination, bringing together regional and sectoral experts alongside leading international investors.
Seed to Harvest, Berlin
Together with Capvisory, Cherry Ventures, FLEX Capital, and YPOG, we launched Seed to Harvest earlier this year – an exclusive event series guiding founders and investors through the entire startup lifecycle, from seed to exit.
SXSW, Austin
SXSW was all about meeting old and new friends – ranging from young tech founders to keynote speakers like Peter Attia, Scott Galloway, and Amy Webb, as well as the cast of The Death of the Unicorn at the bar of the Four Seasons.
Globalscope Conference, Seoul
From strategic boardroom discussions and exploring Seoul’s vibrant culture, to unforgettable culinary experiences that brought our global community even closer together, the conference was unforgettable! The absolute highlight: Carlsquare was honored with the Most Active Member Award!
Family Business Congress
From the very beginning, I have been involved with the Family Business Congress – first as a founder, then as a dinner speaker at the 25th anniversary celebration, and in the last two years with my own workshop. The 28th Congress for Family Businesses at the University of Witten/Herdecke was also a real highlight for me: inspiring conversations, new ideas and the familiar spirit of entrepreneurial families who lead the way with courage and vision.
My investments & work with founders
I am passionate about working with, investing in, and learning from early-stage startups, witnessing firsthand how they shape and change the world. I bring a strong, well-established network, hands-on support in financing, and strategic guidance through the exit process. Beyond that, I share the experience I've gained from scaling a business internationally, insights that I also channel into my work as a coach for the EO Accelerator program.
The first hearbeat of a company?
Some 20 years ago the founding father of Entrepreneuship research, Klaus Nathusius made a call for papers on the question: “When is the firstbeat of a company”. Here is my answer which was awarded the 1st Price of the competition.
Beyond Business
Outside the world of M&A, I’m passionate about exploring new places and pushing myself beyond comfort zones. Whether it’s hiking through mountain trails, canyoning through wild rivers, cliff jumping into the unknown, dancing, or discovering new countries and cultures – adventure is what keeps me energized and inspired.
