hassoplattnerventures, a venture capital fund, was set up with more than 25 million euros on 1 july 2005 in potsdam with the goal of supporting young entrepreneurs in transforming their ideas into marketable products. as of december 2009 hpv manages €150 million and has 17 companies in its portfolio. an affiliate fund, hpv africa, was founded in 2008 with €29 million, and has already invested in five companies. plattner provides the lion's share of this investment capital.