news 
Meet the new VC firm secretly backed by Volkswagen
In a surprising move, Leitmotif has emerged as a new venture capital firm with significant backing from Volkswagen. The company, led by experienced investors Michael Wiese and David Trevithick, is already gaining attention due to its unique focus on decarbonization efforts.
According to sources close to the matter, Wiese’s experience at Volkswagen Group played a significant role in securing the automaker’s support. During his nearly 8-year tenure, he developed strong connections with the venture community, both in Europe and the U.S. This network has undoubtedly helped pave the way for Leitmotif’s entry into the market.
Trevithick, on the other hand, boasts a decade-long partnership at Venrock, where he concentrated on green energy investments during the early 2010s clean tech boom. His expertise in navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by the subsequent bust is expected to be invaluable as the industry faces uncertainty once again.
The company’s confidence stems from Trevithick’s perspective that the current tumultuous environment will disproportionately benefit entrepreneurs, startups, and venture capitalists. This assertion appears to align with Wiese’s sentiments, who emphasized that Leitmotif invests in businesses capable of succeeding regardless of external factors.
Leitmotif is now poised to capitalize on this unpredictability, with a focus on backing companies focused on decarbonization efforts. With their extensive backgrounds and connections, it will be interesting to see how they tackle the current landscape and create value for their investors.
Stay tuned for more updates on Leitmotif as they navigate the ever-evolving world of venture capital and decarbonization efforts.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/10/meet-the-new-vc-firm-secretly-backed-by-volkswagen/
