Lars Windhorst

At the age of 14, Windhorst, the son of a local stationery store owner, turned the family garage in his hometown of Rahden into a makeshift computer lab.{{cite book|title=The Economist|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jr9IAAAAYAAJ|year=1996|publisher=Economist Newspaper Limited}} He mobilised his classmates to help him build PCs, which he later sold in his father's shop, while seeking suppliers of individual components in China.{{cite web|last1=Grill|first1=Markus|title=Verehrter Verlierer|url=http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-87818605.html|website=Der Spiegel|publisher=Der Spiegel|accessdate=29 September 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Karacs|first1=Imre|title=Teenage tycoon earns a place in German legend|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/teenage-tycoon-earns-a-place-in-german-legend-1317439.html|website=The Independent|publisher=The Independent|accessdate=29 September 2015}}

In 1993 while still at school, he established his first company. He was helped in administering its operations by his parents, given he was underage, such as by signing contracts on his behalf and driving him to work. Windhorst became well known as one of the most successful young entrepreneurs in Germany. Dubbed the "Wunderkind" and Germany's Bill Gates, he was invited to join the former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl on a trip to Asia as part of the official government delegation.{{cite book|author=John Elkington|title=Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business|url=https://archive.org/details/cannibalswithfor00elki_0|url-access=registration|year=1998|publisher=New Society Publishers|isbn=978-0-86571-392-5}}{{cite book|title=West Africa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aMpyAAAAMAAJ|year=2001|publisher=West Africa Publishing Company, Limited}} It was on this trip that Windhorst developed international business contacts, being the youngest participant in the World Economic Forum in Davos.{{cite web|title=Wunderkind Lars Windhorst am Potsdamer Platz eingezogen|url=http://www.bz-berlin.de/artikel-archiv/wunderkind-lars-windhorst-am-potsdamer-platz-eingezogen|website=BZ|publisher=BZ|accessdate=29 September 2015}}{{cite book|title=Europe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pJ4rAQAAIAAJ|year=1997|publisher=Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities}}

In October 1993, Windhorst founded his first company, Windhorst Electronics GmbH, alongside Chinese businessman Ming Rong Zhang. The activities of Windhorst Electronics GmbH initially focused on the import and trade of electronic components and computer parts from Asia as well as the sale of IT products throughout Germany and Europe. Just one year after the company was founded, Windhorst Electronics, with a total of 80 employees, reported a turnover of £80 million.{{cite book|author=John Arnold|title=Managing Careers into the 21st Century|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U_4VA5yqFckC&pg=PA196|date=28 May 1997|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=978-0-85702-319-3|pages=196–}}

In 1995, Windhorst moved to Hong Kong and founded Windhorst Asia Pacific Holding Limited, a holding company for the business operations of the group in Asia. Until 1996, the Windhorst Group expanded its business as a trading and investment firm in the electronics, industry, trade, real estate and finance sectors. The company had offices and branches in Europe and Asia, including mainland China and Vietnam.

In 2000, Windhorst founded Windhorst New Technologies AG with a focus on investments in the internet and new technologies sectors. In 2002 Windhorst New Technologies AG was set to be listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. However, with the onset of the economic crisis the group found itself in difficulties and had to subsequently declare bankruptcy in 2003.{{cite web|last1=Ahlemeierund|first1=Melanie|last2=Beise|first2=Marc|last3=Ritzer|first3=Uwe|title="Und dann verlor ich das Bewusstsein"|url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/lars-windhorst-im-gespraech-und-dann-verlor-ich-das-bewusstsein-1.61464|website=Süddeutsche Zeitung|publisher=Süddeutsche Zeitung|accessdate=29 September 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Agnew|first1=Harriet|title=Mandelson’s mellowing views|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/2e21fc06-e410-11e4-9039-00144feab7de.html#axzz3n9cxVtDR|website=Financial Times|publisher=Financial Times|accessdate=29 September 2015}}

In 2004, Windhorst became co-founder of the Sapinda investment group, which coordinates financing with its affiliate, Anoa Capital, to provide funding to public, private and start-up companies.{{cite web|last1=Farchy|first1=Jack|title=Sapinda proposes alternative Petropavlovsk deal|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/ab4785d8-b78e-11e4-981d-00144feab7de.html#axzz3sGM1SeRP|website=Financial Times|publisher=Financial Times|accessdate=22 November 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Gaudiosi|first1=John|title=eSports companies are attracting venture capital and being targeted for acquisition. Here's why|url=http://fortune.com/2015/05/15/134-million-esports-fans/|website=Fortune|publisher=Fortune|accessdate=22 November 2015}}{{cite web|title=Windhorst-Firma erhöht Beteiligung an Air Berlin|url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/berliner-wirtschaft/grossinvestor-windhorst-firma-erhoeht-beteiligung-an-air-berlin/1139474.html|website=Der Tagesspiegel|publisher=Der Tagesspiegel|accessdate=29 September 2015}} In approximately five years Sapinda processed investments to the value of more than €2 billion. During the 2008 financial crisis, the Group, and its German company Vatas Holding GmbH in particular, sustained considerable losses. As a result of the 2008 financial crisis, the company started restructuring talks; in January 2009 the partners had to file for bankruptcy for the German subsidiary Vatas.{{cite web|agency=Reuters|title=Insolvenzantrag: Lars Windhorst scheitert mit Beteiligungsgesellschaft|url=http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/insolvenzantrag-lars-windhorst-scheitert-mit-beteiligungsgesellschaft-a-604394.html|website=Der Spiegel|publisher=Der Spiegel|accessdate=29 September 2015}}

In April 2009, all business activities were restructured and the new parent company for the group became Sapinda Holding BV, founded that same year in Amsterdam. The Group now has offices in several countries and employs a team of more than 80 employees worldwide. Sapinda Holding BV combines investments in agriculture and food processing with mining/raw materials, oil and gas extraction and production, in both public and private companies.{{cite web|last1=Agnew|first1=Harriet|last2=O’Murchu|first2=Cynthia|title=Dealmakers: The irrepressible Mr Windhorst|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/cf7f48b4-9f41-11e5-8613-08e211ea5317.html#axzz3xQGFh85y|website=Financial Times|publisher=Financial Times|accessdate=16 January 2016}} It also holds stakes in the media, technology and real estate sectors.{{cite web|title=City Insider: To Russia with love|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/43146786-8757-11e4-8c91-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3n9cxVtDR|website=Financial Times|publisher=Financial Times|accessdate=29 September 2015}} In February 2018 Sapinda acquired luxury brand La Perla.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-laperla-m-a-sapinda/sapinda-buys-lingerie-firm-la-perla-after-fosun-talks-stumble-idUSKCN1GA1NN|title= Sapinda buys lingerie firm La Perla after Fosun talks stumble |website=Reuters.com|accessdate=26 February 2018}}

Together with Carl Heinrich Bruhn, Lars Windhorst set up Amatheon Agri to give Sapinda Holding BV exposure to the African agricultural sector, according to German news magazine Der Spiegel.{{cite web|title=Ex-Vorzeigeunternehmer: Lars Windhorst feiert Comeback in Afrika|url=http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/lars-windhorst-feiert-comeback-in-afrika-a-850855.html|website=Der Spiegel|publisher=Der Spiegel|accessdate=29 September 2015}} In an interview, Windhorst stated the Sapinda business organised investments amounting to around €3.5 billion between 2009 and 2012, including loans for companies like Air Berlin and Infineon.{{cite web|last1=Iwersen|first1=Sönke|title=Das Comeback des Lars Windhorst|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/management/karriere-wende-das-comeback-des-lars-windhorst/3376364.html|website=Handelsblatt|publisher=Handelsblatt|accessdate=29 September 2015}} Sapinda's partners include management consultant Roland Berger, its advisory board being managed by Hubertus von Grünberg, who is also Chairman of Swedish-swiss corporation ABB Ltd.{{cite web|last1=Iwersen|first1=Sönke|title=Lars Windhorst stellt Top-Gremium zusammen|url=http://www.wiwo.de/unternehmen/prominente-aufsichtsraete-lars-windhorst-stellt-top-gremium-zusammen/6141958.html|website=Wirtschafts Woche|publisher=Wirtschafts Woche|accessdate=29 September 2015}}

In May, 2019, Sapinda Holding BV changed its name to Tennor (Tennor Holding B.V.).

Windhorst filed for personal bankruptcy in the summer of 2007. According to an article in German news magazine Focus from 3 September 2007, the lawsuit against him presented by his joint creditor, Ulrich Marseille, was rejected by the German Federal Court of Justice in August, meaning Windhorst's debts were cleared.{{cite web|title=Freenet-Geschäft bringt 100 Millionen Euro|url=http://www.focus.de/finanzen/boerse/aktien/windhorst-firma_aid_131482.html|website=Focus|publisher=Focus|accessdate=29 September 2015}}

The Public Prosecutor in Berlin pressed charges against Windhorst for fraud, breach of trust, embezzlement and several counts of insolvency offences in 2009.{{cite web|last1=Grill|first1=Markus|title=Untreue-Vorwurf: Staatsanwälte klagen Unternehmer Lars Windhorst an|url=http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/untreue-vorwurf-staatsanwaelte-klagen-unternehmer-lars-windhorst-an-a-614575.html|website=Der Spiegel|publisher=Der Spiegel|accessdate=29 September 2015}} Windhorst's breach of trust involved transferring €800,000 of personal funds into one of his alternative accounts.{{cite web|last1=Gilligan|first1=Andrew|title=Conservative Party took £10,000 from convicted criminal Lars Windhorst|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/7784393/Conservative-Party-took-10000-from-convicted-criminal-Lars-Windhorst.html|website=The Independent|publisher=The Independent|accessdate=29 September 2015}} After a plea bargain, prosecutors agreed to drop the fraud charges if he paid a fine of €1 million, repaid €2.5 million to his alleged victim and admitted a breach of trust offence, for which he was given a one-year probation period.{{cite web|title=SAPINDA ASIA LIMITED|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1559275/000092189513002127/sc13da309525002_09302013.htm|website=SEC|publisher=UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION|accessdate=29 September 2015}} At proceedings commencing on 18 December 2009, these charges were discontinued, and the amount was paid back.{{cite web|title=Verfahren gegen Windhorst eingestellt|url=https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article200130/Verfahren-gegen-Windhorst-eingestellt.html|website=Die Welt|publisher=Die Welt|accessdate=29 September 2015}}

In 2010, Windhorst also faced a civil suit by Alki Partners, an American hedge fund, which filed papers in a Manhattan court alleging that he and others took part in a "fraudulent scheme" to "manipulate" the share price of Remote DX, a US company. The complaint was dismissed later that year.{{cite web|title=Alki Partners, LP v. Vatas Holding GmbH|url=http://www.plainsite.org/dockets/24l1xrcb4/new-york-southern-district-court/alki-partners-lp-v-vatas-holding-gmbh/|website=PlainSite|publisher=New York Southern District Court, Case No. 09 Civ. 8125(DAB)|accessdate=29 September 2015}}

Windhorst is a founding patron of the Serpentine Sackler Gallery and member of the Council of Trustees of the Serpentine Gallery in London.{{cite web|last1=Moore|first1=Rowan|title=Serpentine pavilion 2015: So where’s the function?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/jun/28/serpentine-pavilion-all-style-no-shelter|website=The Guardian|publisher=The Guardian|accessdate=29 September 2015}}{{cite web|title=New Serpentine Sackler Gallery opens as Michael Bloomberg steps in to be chairman|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/new-serpentine-sackler-gallery-opens-as-michael-bloomberg-steps-in-to-be-chairman-8838675.html|website=Evening Standard|publisher=Evening Standard|accessdate=29 September 2015}} Since 2014, he has supported the C/O-Gallery in Berlin, a private museum specialising in photographic-art, acting as a "Patron".{{cite web|title=Lars Windhorst unterstützt Berliner C/O-Galerie|url=https://www.welt.de/regionales/berlin/article131346856/Lars-Windhorst-unterstuetzt-Berliner-C-O-Galerie.html|website=Die Welt|publisher=Die Welt|accessdate=16 January 2016}}

Windhorst purchased part of the Christo and Jeanne-Claude collection, including documents and objects (such as scaffolding) involved in the 1995 Reichstag "wrapping".{{cite web|last1=Tell|first1=Willem A.|title=Verhüllter Reichstag zurück in Berlin|url=http://www.bild.de/lifestyle/2015/christo/verhuellter-reichstag-zurueck-in-berlin-41401554.bild.html|website=Bild|publisher=Bild|accessdate=29 September 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Conrad|first1=Andreas|title=Die Christo-Schau kommt später|url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/kunst-im-bau-die-christo-schau-kommt-spaeter/12313220.html|website=Der Tagesspiegel|publisher=Der Tagesspiegel|accessdate=29 September 2015}} In November 2015, Norbert Lammert, President of the Bundestag, and the artist Christo opened an exhibition displaying 400 original drawings and sketches of the wrapping after Windhorst donated the works to the Bundestag until 2035.{{cite web|last1=Reucher|first1=Gaby|title=20 años del "Reichstag envuelto" de Christo|url=http://www.dw.com/es/20-a%C3%B1os-del-reichstag-envuelto-de-christo/a-18878761|website=Deutsche Welle|publisher=Deutsche Welle|accessdate=16 January 2016}}

From 2002 to 2012, Windhorst served as board of trustees of the Mentor Foundation, and collaborates with the Ein Herz für Kinder foundation.{{cite web|last1=Bulatov|first1=Alexei|title=Грешки экономического вундеркинда|url=http://www.peoples.ru/undertake/internet/lars_windhorst/|website=Peoples.ru|publisher=Peoples.ru|accessdate=22 November 2015}}

In June 2019, Windhorst bought stakes of Bundesliga side Hertha BSC.[https://www.forbes.com/sites/manuelveth/2019/07/02/hertha-berlin-the-windhorst-deal-analyzed/?sh=798da245553d Hertha Berlin - The Windhorst Deal Analyzed][https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/hertha-berlin-lars-windhorst-shares-investment-bundesliga Hertha Berlin investor Lars Windhorst increases stake to 49.9%] In all, Windhorst has invested €374mn in Hertha since 2019, but has since agreed to sell his 64.7 per cent stake.[https://www.ft.com/content/9cf84194-a229-4d26-ac66-3e42c124ef34 Lars Windhorst covered bill for Hertha Berlin smear campaign, probe finds] In September 2022 the Financial Times revealed that Windhorst had commissioned Israeli private intelligence company Shibumi Strategy to orchestrate a campaign against Hertha’s then-president Werner Gegenbauer.

{{reflist}}

Tenor Holdinghas moved to switzerland. Duch companies has no assets anymore

Internal deals between Tenor and the Swiss sistercomany under investigation.==External links==

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130916091419/http://larswindhorst-archive.co.uk/ Lars Windhorst Archive]

{{Hertha BSC}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Windhorst, Lars}}

Category:1976 births

Category:Living people

Category:Child businesspeople

Category:German expatriates in the United Kingdom

Category:German investors

Category:German football chairmen and investors

Category:Hertha BSC