Michaela Bessell

Investment Director at Henkel Ventures

๐Ÿ“ Germany๐Ÿ”„ Updated September 2026๐Ÿ’ผ 4 investments๐Ÿ“… 4 years investing๐Ÿ—“ Last invested Aug 2024
VC๐ŸŒ Germany
4
Total investments
1
Early stage
0
Mid stage
2
Late stage
4y
Years active

Portfolio

4 investments ยท sorted by recency
All investments
Early stage
Mid stage
Late stage
Board Observer
Aug 2024
Streetbees pioneered conversational research, leveraging AI to decode complex human behaviour over the last decade. By combining this deep expertise with the latest Large Language Models, weโ€™ve now made it un-bee-lievably easy for you to get the bespoke insights you need to fuel your decisions with our agile insights platform, SBX. No more painful processes. No more unanswered questions.ย No more compromises. Since 2015, Streetbees has raised over $50 million in investment and has grown from 0 to 200 employees. The company was voted one of LinkedInโ€™s Top 15 UK Startups 2020 and 2021, was awarded โ€˜AI Product of the yearโ€™ by Computing Magazine in 2021 and won the MRS Best Innovation in Data Analytics Award in 2022. In 2024, we have been nominated as finalists for MRS Best data Solution, National Technology and Digital Transformation Awards. www.streetbees.com
Board Observer
May 2024
Software Defined Automation provides end-to-end Industrial DevOps for automation engineers to simplify management and development industrial devices, increase factory uptime, and improve OT security. The comprehensive, integrated solution offers automated backup, code version control, browser-based engineering, secure remote access, AI-generated code documentation, and virtual PLC management. Founded by manufacturing, industrial software, and cloud experts, the company is headquartered in Boston with offices in Munich, Germany.
Board Observer
Aug 2022
Empowering the neighbourhood kirana stores to expand their business and continue their legacy is the backbone of LoveLocals (formerly known as m.Paani) mission! We digitize your favorite neighborhood stores so they can reach you with ease, and we charge ZERO commission from these retailers. This ensures that they stand tall amidst the competition & dont lose to quick commerce. - Consumers enjoy guaranteed freshness - the best of fruits, vegetables, groceries, and meat & fish products - Consumers get better-quality produce at prices up to 30% ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ๐ž๐ซ than quick commerce. - ๐•๐ข๐๐ž๐จ-๐›๐š๐ฌ๐ž๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐  - directly witness how the local shop looks from the inside, the quality of the products kept inside the shop that youll order, and more. You get what you see! - Retailers keep their hard-earned profits with ๐™๐„๐‘๐Ž commissions. - Deliveries are always ๐…๐‘๐„๐„! - ~40% of deliveries are organically delivered in less than 30 mins LoveLocal, is a Google Studio Company (1 of only 10 globally) and Google Launchpad 2018 Company (1 of only 24 globally). Our work has been awarded by both Hillary and Bill Clinton respectively and recognised in US Senate Resolution 418. LoveLocals key investors include AC Ventures, Henkel X, Candy Ventures, Gojek Co-founders, IDG Ventures India (aka Chiratae Fund), Blume Ventures, and noted angels Aprameya Radhakrishna, Adil Allana and Gautam Ivatury. We are based in Mumbai, India.
early stageRetail
Board Observer
Aug 2022
Started in late 2015, Washmenยฎ is a digital laundry and dry cleaning service in the UAE. The services are offered in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In 2019, Washmenยฎ launched its 30,000 sq ft facility in a bid to build the best operations the laundry industry has seen.
Experience ยท 5 entries
All (5)
Investments (4)
Board (4)
2024
Board Observer
Aug 2024
Streetbees pioneered conversational research, leveraging AI to decode complex human behaviour over the last decade. By combining this deep expertise with the latest Large Language Models, weโ€™ve now made it un-bee-lievably easy for you to get the bespoke insights you need to fuel your decisions with our agile insights platform, SBX. No more painful processes. No more unanswered questions.ย No more compromises. Since 2015, Streetbees has raised over $50 million in investment and has grown from 0 to 200 employees. The company was voted one of LinkedInโ€™s Top 15 UK Startups 2020 and 2021, was awarded โ€˜AI Product of the yearโ€™ by Computing Magazine in 2021 and won the MRS Best Innovation in Data Analytics Award in 2022. In 2024, we have been nominated as finalists for MRS Best data Solution, National Technology and Digital Transformation Awards. www.streetbees.com
Board Observer
May 2024
Software Defined Automation provides end-to-end Industrial DevOps for automation engineers to simplify management and development industrial devices, increase factory uptime, and improve OT security. The comprehensive, integrated solution offers automated backup, code version control, browser-based engineering, secure remote access, AI-generated code documentation, and virtual PLC management. Founded by manufacturing, industrial software, and cloud experts, the company is headquartered in Boston with offices in Munich, Germany.
2022
Corporate Director, VC Investor and Head of Venture Ecosystem & Partnerships at Henkel dx Ventures
Aug 2022
Henkel operates worldwide with leading innovations, brands and technologies in two business areas: Adhesive Technologies and Consumer Brands. Founded in 1876, Henkel looks back on more than 145 years of success. The company holds leading positions with its two business units in both industrial and consumer businesses thanks to strong brands, innovations and technologies such as Persil, Schwarzkopf and Loctite. Henkel, headquartered in Dรผsseldorf / Germany, counts among the most internationally aligned German-based companies in the global marketplace. Our company purpose expresses what unites us all at Henkel: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. We are a diverse team of about 47,000 colleagues worldwide, striving to enrich and improve life every day through our products, services, and solutions. Our Purpose is built from our roots and carries a long-standing legacy of innovation, responsibility, and sustainability into the future. Our shared values and Leadership Commitments guide our decisions and actions every day. Imprint: http://www.henkel.com/imprint Data Privacy: https://www.henkel.com/data-protection-statement-social-media
Board Observer
Aug 2022
Empowering the neighbourhood kirana stores to expand their business and continue their legacy is the backbone of LoveLocals (formerly known as m.Paani) mission! We digitize your favorite neighborhood stores so they can reach you with ease, and we charge ZERO commission from these retailers. This ensures that they stand tall amidst the competition & dont lose to quick commerce. - Consumers enjoy guaranteed freshness - the best of fruits, vegetables, groceries, and meat & fish products - Consumers get better-quality produce at prices up to 30% ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ๐ž๐ซ than quick commerce. - ๐•๐ข๐๐ž๐จ-๐›๐š๐ฌ๐ž๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐  - directly witness how the local shop looks from the inside, the quality of the products kept inside the shop that youll order, and more. You get what you see! - Retailers keep their hard-earned profits with ๐™๐„๐‘๐Ž commissions. - Deliveries are always ๐…๐‘๐„๐„! - ~40% of deliveries are organically delivered in less than 30 mins LoveLocal, is a Google Studio Company (1 of only 10 globally) and Google Launchpad 2018 Company (1 of only 24 globally). Our work has been awarded by both Hillary and Bill Clinton respectively and recognised in US Senate Resolution 418. LoveLocals key investors include AC Ventures, Henkel X, Candy Ventures, Gojek Co-founders, IDG Ventures India (aka Chiratae Fund), Blume Ventures, and noted angels Aprameya Radhakrishna, Adil Allana and Gautam Ivatury. We are based in Mumbai, India.
early stageRetail
Board Observer
Aug 2022
Started in late 2015, Washmenยฎ is a digital laundry and dry cleaning service in the UAE. The services are offered in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In 2019, Washmenยฎ launched its 30,000 sq ft facility in a bid to build the best operations the laundry industry has seen.
Investment activity
2022โ€“2024 ยท 4 investments
2022220242
Recent (last 2 years)Earlier