Thorsten: Venture Capital Leader & Innovator | From Deutsche Telekom to the NATO Innovation Fund & Thinkstorm Ventures

In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You, host Stephen Ibaraki speaks with Thorsten "Thor" Claus, Founding Partner of the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF), venture capitalist, technologist, engineer, and educator.From dismantling discarded electronics as a curious child in Germany to leading investments across Silicon Valley and Europe, Thorsten shares lessons from a career spanning hypergrowth startups, global venture capital firms, and the pioneering NATO Innovation Fund. He discusses the importance of curiosity, servant leadership, supporting diverse emerging fund managers, strengthening transatlantic technology ecosystems, and balancing venture investing with hands-on engineering in advanced manufacturing.Whether you're a founder, investor, innovator, or lifelong learner, Thorsten's journey offers practical insights into building resilient organizations, embracing continuous learning, and creating meaningful impact.