Roman Kirsch: Pioneering Entrepreneurship and Investment in Europe
Biography of Roman Kirsch:
Early Life & Migration
Roman Kirsch was born in 1988 in what was then the
Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. When he was four years old, his family
migrated to Germany, eventually settling in Hamburg.
Early Entrepreneurial Strides
In Hamburg, Kirsch developed an early knack for business.
Even as a teenager he was buying goods locally and reselling them via eBay and
at flea markets perfumes among other items — learning hands-on about commerce
and logistics.
Education & Global Exposure
Kirsch pursued higher education in Germany and abroad. He
holds a degree in business from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management.
Additionally, he earned a MSc in Finance, Accounting & Management
from the London School of Economics. He also spent time in programs at
University of Southern California and Indian Institute of Management Bangalore,
gaining international perspective.
Roman Kirsch: Pioneering Entrepreneurship and Investment in Europe / Biography of Roman Kirsch:/entrepreneur & investor#age#net worth#startup
First Ventures & Exits
At age 15, Kirsch founded his first formal business, a
souvenir shop in Hamburg, marking his first experience as a company founder.
Later, in 2011 he started Casacanda, a furniture/e-commerce brand, which
was acquired by Fab.com in February 2012. Post-acquisition, Kirsch led Fab
Europe. Another early investment was Amorelie, a female-focused
online brand, which later sold to Pro7Sat1.
Rapid Pioneers Group & Portfolio Expansion
Since about 2011, Kirsch has been building and investing via
his holding company Rapid Pioneers Group, based in Berlin. His strategy
is to build around 1-2 companies per year, and invest in 3-5
others, largely in European consumer internet and tech businesses.
As of 2025, Rapid Pioneers has over 40 companies in
its portfolio, which cumulatively have raised over US$5 billion in
follow-on funding, employ more than 10,000 people, and include 4
unicorns: Enpal, Bending Spoons, Fab, and Animoca Brands.
Recent Projects & New Business Ideas
- In
2024, Kirsch and his group launched The Global Talent Co., a firm
focused on connecting top marketing talent worldwide (especially in
countries like South Africa, Argentina, Mexico) with tech companies,
including handling international payroll, compliance, and training.
- Other
active brands in his build/invest portfolio include Yepoda (K-beauty
brand), Amuzed (blockchain/music app), Wild Cosmetics, everdrop, Enpal
(solar energy solutions), and Bending Spoons. Some exits: Casacanda (to
Fab), Amorelie, Fitvia, and Wild (to Unilever).
Challenges, Setbacks & Learning Moments
- One
of his earlier ventures, Lesara, which had rapid growth in its
early years, was unable to sustain and declared insolvency in January
2023.
- Another
project, Tio Tech, IPO-bound in 2021, was shut down by April 2023
after failing to complete a transaction within a two-year deadline.
These experiences seem to have shaped his later investment
approach: balancing growth with sustainability, insisting on clarity in
operations and exit options, and building human capital and culture from early
stages.
Current Status & Influence
- Kirsch
continues to be a regular speaker in European startup/tech forums; for
example, he was a keynote speaker at the EU-Startups Summit in May 2024,
where he shared his experiences building companies and investing.
- His reputation is strong within Europe’s early-stage and consumer tech investment scene. Many know him not only for his successes, but also for his resilience in the face of failures.
