Carsten Jens Maschmeyer is a German billionaire businessman, investor, and author whose fortune was founded in the financial services sector. Born in Bremen, West Germany, in 1959, his early life was marked by hardship: he grew up in Hildesheim and had a deprived childhood, never knowing his father and living for a period in an orphanage. This challenging beginning instilled in him an extraordinary work ethic and a fierce drive for financial security.

Maschmeyer received his higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) and served two years in the German Armed Forces. As a teenager, he was a successful middle-distance runner (athlete). His entrepreneurial career began in the early 1980s, recognizing the immense, untapped market in independent financial advisory services for individuals.

Carsten Maschmeyer's defining entrepreneurial act was the founding of AWD (Allgemeiner Wirtschaftsdienst) in 1988. AWD specialized in providing independent financial advisory services to individuals, selling insurance, investments, and pensions. Maschmeyer grew the company rapidly, expanding it into eleven countries and establishing it as Europe's largest independent financial services firm.

His strategic success was built on a massive, highly successful sales force and a disciplined business model. In 2000, he successfully launched AWD on the stock market (into the M-DAX). In 2007, he sold his stake to Swiss Life, securing his multi-billion dollar fortune and allowing him to pivot to investment and venture capital. Since then, he has become a prolific anchor investor through his Maschmeyer Group, supporting over 170 young entrepreneurs. He is also a well-known public figure, serving as a panel member on the German investment television series, Die Höhle der Löwen (The Lions' Den).

Carsten Maschmeyer's social impact is structural, stemming from the massive employment and financial literacy provided by AWD. His later philanthropy focuses on education, poverty alleviation, and youth development.

His personal story, rising from an orphanage and poverty, is a major source of inspiration for German entrepreneurs. He actively supports young founders (over 170 investments) and is committed to causes related to children's well-being. He is married to German actress Veronica Ferres, whose social profile amplifies his charitable work.

Carsten Maschmeyer maintains the polished, highly successful style of a German media personality and financial titan. His attire is consistently bespoke, favoring tailored suits and a modern aesthetic. His style reflects his public visibility and his professional authority in the investment world.

Residing in Berlin, Germany, his luxury is the immense security and autonomy derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to venture capital, supporting innovation, and high-profile public and philanthropic engagement, leveraging his status as a self-made man who overcame a deprived childhood.