About Us

Investing for change:
sustainable, innovative, impactful.

We are a partner to founders shaping change through their ideas. Get to know and discover what drives us.

Beyond Equal - Dots
Beyond Equal - nachhaltige Start-ups

“Together, we can achieve more. Beyond Equal is my way of amplifying women’s voices in climate tech and advancing sustainable innovation around the world.”

Sevilay Wilhelm
Founder
The woman behind Beyond Equal
Sevilay Wilhelm
Founder
Beyond Equal - nachhaltige Start-ups
What we believe in

Great ideas change the world - we invest in them.

Beyond Equal backs bold innovation, entrepreneurial foresight, and genuine responsibility. We invest in technological progress that goes beyond business models – they are the key to a regenerative economy and a livable planet.

Trust as the foundation, excellence as the standard.
Every great idea begins with a leap of faith – but only real performance leads to success. We invest not only capital, but also strategic expertise, relevant connections, and the experience needed to scale innovation. We expect excellence – and stand as a long-term partner alongside those who deliver it.

More than capital: responsibility for people and markets.
Success is not measured in numbers alone. Beyond Equal invests in climate tech companies that create real impact through scalable business models. Sustainable growth means combining economic strength with ecological responsibility – not as a compromise, but as a strategy for long-term viability. Those who want shape change must think boldly, act entrepreneurially, and rewrite the rules.

Interview

Because diversity shapes the future

Question
Answer
What criteria are most important to you when selecting climate tech start-ups?

We take a broad, layered approach.
Our top priority is climate impact – how strongly the start-up contributes to climate action. Just as important is whether it supports other sustainability goals, such as biodiversity or clean water. We also assess scalability – of both the business model and the technology – the market access, and any IP protections like patents. But above all, what matters most to us, is the founder behind it.

Worldwide, women are disproportionately affected by the consequences of the climate crisis - yet remain underrepresented when it comes to delivering solutions. How does this factor into your investment strategy?

This aspect is central to our work. Take one example: human trafficking is a tragic consequence of the climate crisis – and one that disproportionately affects women and girls. We focus on impact investments that address both: climate action and gender equity. By supporting companies that promote female leadership in green start-ups, we create a double impact – actively contributing to climate solutions while helping to dismantle systemic inequality. And when we consider the positive effect on future generations, investments like these can also act as powerful social accelerators in the regions most affected.

Where do you see the biggest challenges for climate tech founders - and how can Beyond Equal help overcome them?

Diverse perspectives are still often missing in the tech and climate tech space – and that hinders innovation and makes teams less resilient. That’s why Beyond Equal actively supports founders who lead with a clear vision, resilience, and a willingness to learn. We help them navigate crises, grow from setbacks, and remain decisive when it matters most.

Investment is also a matter of trust - in your view, what makes a strong founder?

Vision and resilience: I’m inspired by founders who have a clear sense of the problem they want to solve, how they plan to tackle it – and why now is the right time. Resilience, a willingness to learn, and a healthy relationship with setbacks are absolutely essential. I’m especially drawn to people who’ve already been through a difficult phase. They tend to act with more calm, more thought – and stay focused even in a crisis.

Beyond Equal relies on a strong network - why is that such a key factor for success?

A strong network offers access to knowledge, experience, and skills you may not have yourself. This is particularly crucial when it comes to issues like gender equality, which require both societal and structural change. Engaging with experts and like-minded peers is essential. Networks bring together diverse perspectives, spark creative ideas, and help challenge entrenched patterns – all of which are key to driving lasting progress on equality

Partner
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Book
Sevilay Wilhelm - Mutter Erde und ihre Töchter

Mutter Erde und ihre Töchter

Why unleashing women’s power is essential to building a better world.

In times of unprecedented crisis – one that threatens the very foundations of life – we can no longer afford outdated power structures. We need every pair of hands, every mind, every heart to help heal our planet. No one is expendable. Least of all the 50 percent of the world’s population.

Kennzahlen und Meilensteine
Seed Investments seit 2020
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Reinvestments seit 2020
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Vorträge zum Thema Investment in 2024
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Beyond Equal - Dots
Beyond Equal - nachhaltige Start-ups

Sevilay Wilhelm im Gespräch mit Franca Lehfeldt

Sevilay Wilhelm steht für eine neue Generation von Investorinnen: strategisch, wettbewerbsorientiert und mit einer klaren Vision für nachhaltigen Fortschritt. Seit fast 20 Jahren bewegt sie sich an der Schnittstelle von Wirtschaft, Politik und Technologie – stets mit dem Anspruch, nicht nur mitzuwirken, sondern Märkte aktiv zu gestalten. Ihr Weg begann 2000 mit der Gründung der Controlution GmbH, spezialisiert auf sichere Datenzugriffslösungen.

Ihre Lösungen dienen heute als Vorbild für effiziente Sicherheitsstrukturen. Parallel dazu baute sie ihr Engagement in den Erneuerbaren Energien aus und begleitet heute zukunftsweisende Investitionen, die wirtschaftlichen Erfolg mit nachhaltiger Wirkung verbinden.

Ihr Engagement für nachhaltige Ideen wuchs, bis 2020 Beyond Equal entstand – mit dem Ziel, die stärksten Climate-Tech-Ideen voranzutreiben und Frauen gezielt dort zu fördern, wo sie bislang unterrepräsentiert sind. 2024 veröffentlichte sie ihr Buch „Mutter Erde und ihre Töchter“, in dem sie persönliche Einblicke in ihre Motivation gibt und aufzeigt, warum Frauen eine zentrale Rolle im Kampf gegen den Klimawandel spielen – nicht als Gegenpol zu Männern, sondern als Mitgestalterinnen in einem Wettbewerb, in dem die besten Lösungen zählen.

Geprägt von ihrer Kindheit zwischen Deutschland und der Türkei sowie ihrer langjährigen Erfahrung in internationalen Märkten, vereint Sevilay Wilhelm wirtschaftliche Exzellenz mit gesellschaftlicher Verantwortung – und investiert in diejenigen, die beides in sich tragen.