C arsten Maschmeyer is a German self-made billionaire, investor, and television personality. He made his initial fortune by founding and building the financial advisory group Allgemeiner Wirtschaftsdienst (AWD). He grew AWD into one of Europe's largest independent financial services providers before selling it to a Swiss insurance company in 2007 for over a billion euros.

Since the sale of AWD, Maschmeyer has reinvented himself as a prominent venture capital investor. He now runs several investment funds, including Alstin Capital, which focuses on backing early-stage technology startups in a variety of sectors. He has also become a well-known public figure in Germany through his role as one of the 'lions' (investors) on the popular television show 'Die Höhle der Löwen,' the German version of 'Shark Tank' or 'Dragons' Den.' He is married to the well-known German actress Veronica Ferres.