Man wearing black t-shirt standing in front of a wall

Filip Dames

Founding Partner

Filip is a Founding Partner at Cherry. Originally on track to become a classically trained musician, he took an unexpected detour into entrepreneurship — and never looked back.

Before becoming an investor, Filip built and scaled multiple ventures. He first founded a digital marketplace for art and collectibles, then joined the founding team of Zalando, where he focused on product, business development, and international expansion. His work helped turn Zalando into Europe’s leading lifestyle destination. These experiences gave him a deep understanding of the founder journey — the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the constant need to build — and shape his hands-on approach to supporting Cherry’s portfolio companies.

Beyond Cherry, Filip serves on the board of KfW Capital, the German Startup Association, and the Board of Trustees of the State Opera Berlin. He guest lectures at WHU and IMD Lausanne, and through his family foundation, works to provide access to entrepreneurship and education for underprivileged families.

Filip is a three-time Midas List Europe honoree and was named Investor of the Year 2022 by the German Startup Association.

He is especially drawn to founders pushing the frontier of technology — from AI to deep tech and breakthrough products. Filip partners with visionary teams like The Exploration Company, Robeauté, and Proxima Fusion to help turn bold ideas into the next generation of category-defining companies.

What drives you?

I want to partner with teams that build lasting businesses that can positively influence the lives of millions of people. Whether it’s in fintech, healthcare or infrastructure, I get excited by working on big problems that make our world a better place. I find my job a true privilege, as we get to work with some of the brightest and most ambitious minds in Europe.

What lit the entrepreneurial spark in you?

I always wanted to build things – as a kid, as a founder, as an investor. I see Cherry as our startup and not a venture fund. We’re building it like we’d build a company.