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From the lectern to the start-up office
Christian Lindner is making a change - the former Federal Minister of Finance is becoming a start-up investor. As reported by Die Welt in reference to the Gründerszene portal, the German government has officially given the green light: From November 2025, Lindner will be allowed to financially support start-ups with his investment company - as an angel investor. It is due to start as early as December.
The legal basis for changing sides: according to the rules of conduct for former members of the federal government, ministers and other members of government must report their career plans for a certain period of time after leaving office - usually 18 months. The reason for this is transparency - and above all protection against nepotism. The federal government has checked - and found no risk of a conflict of interest.
Lindner wants to get back to his roots
The scene is not entirely new to him. Lindner explains: "I was once a founder myself." And that's exactly where he wants to pick up again. His aim is not only to provide money, but also experience, contacts and a tailwind. He wants to support both early-stage start-ups and companies with growth ambitions.
He is convinced that economic success depends heavily on a vibrant start-up culture. That is why he remains committed to it, he explains to Gründerszene.
Lindner wants to make the first investments together with other angel investors and funds - and, above all, rely on people who convince him personally. "Regardless of the industry and idea, I have been won over by personalities and teams that I will now be happy to accompany on their journey," Lindner told Gründerszene.
The new job: capital, contacts - and a bit of a stage
In addition to his role as an investor, Lindner will also be active on company advisory boards. It is already known that he will sit on the board of The Stepstone Group in future. It remains to be seen whether Lindner's new commitment will turn out well for all sides. Because one thing is clear: anyone who moves from politics to business must quickly find their way between idealism, opportunity and eye level.
How we see it
When an ex-finance minister suddenly breathes entrepreneurial spirit again, that sounds good at first. But the big question remains: Is this genuine commitment - or a strategic career chapter with added PR value? If you want to have a say, you should at least know what real company formation feels like. If Lindner really lives it, then perhaps he is exactly the investor that start-ups need. If not, there are plenty of others who know the difference.
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