Nico Wittenborn is the founder of Adjacent, a venture capital fund built around the concept of the adjacent possible—investing in products that feel like the very next logical step for consumers rather than distant moonshots. He specializes in mobile-first subscription businesses and has built a track record in breakout consumer apps like Calm, Revolut, Oura, BeReal, and Photoroom, often taking concentrated positions as a solo GP while actively writing about his investing philosophy under the theme exploring the adjacent.

• Enthusiasm for hardware startups, particularly those combining physical products with subscription models or strong user experiences. He specifically highlighted how a company like Bird Buddy created a defensive moat through a combination of user experience, data, and network effects, and has recently noted that the hardware sector is becoming attractive to investors again.
• A dedicated investment thesis around forming healthier relationships with technology. He actively supports companies tackling this issue across different age groups, citing investments in screen time management tools for adults like Opal, digital toys for toddlers like Pok Pok, and screen-free audio devices for children like Nodi.
• Value placed on long-term relationships and founder persistence, often tracking people for years before finally investing. For instance, he noted partnering with a founder named Kais on a project eight years after they first discussed the idea, and he frequently supports former colleagues or people from his professional network.
• Strategic interest in business model expandability, specifically how companies can overcome market limitations through adjacent expansion. He has shared thoughts on how consumer startups often face customer acquisition ceilings while B2B companies face total market size limits, arguing that a founder's drive to expand into related areas is the key to overcoming both obstacles.
• Connection to the German tech ecosystem and culture. He frequently posts about his hometown, local cultural quirks like vending machines, or market moves in the region, such as the pre-sale launch of portfolio companies in Germany, making this a strong relational angle for European founders.