AUFF means ‘open’; AUFF is a prefix: AUFF is simple; AUFF is complex

AUFF is a very personal name as it stands for Anneliese, Uwe, Family and Friends.

Through AUFF, I would like to build upon the legacy of my late husband Uwe while staying true to my own values and beliefs.

When Uwe and I established the company more than 20 years ago we wanted AUFF to be a company and a place where people exchange ideas and stretch their thinking. Uwe’s background as a chemical engineer and a materials expert was very different from mine, being a lawyer by training and a Master Certified coach later in life. Our discussions with family, friends and investors were always lively. They often resulted in beautiful projects, some still existing today such as Cord’O cohousing and Man&Science focusing on relief for cluster headache.

After being dormant for a while, I now would like to reinvigorate the company, and myself in the process.

As an investment company, AUFF wants to make investments in meaningful projects. “What is meaningful?” you may ask. Meaningful is very personal since it is closely linked to values and beliefs. So a meaningful project for AUFF will, in the end, be a meaningful project for myself. Investments in which I believe because of the product or the activity, not necessarily linked to legal ESG criteria (after all, should one not determine on a case by case basis which of these criteria are most important?) But mostly investments in which I believe because of the leadership of the company. I believe that when leaders run a company with their brain and their heart combined, it will be successful. I believe that when leaders are able to connect the brains and the hearts of their people,  there will be fireworks.

And so, AUFF wants to invest. “I” want to invest.

For the next generation.

To make my small contribution in bringing some positive energy to the world.

To make my small contribution to pay things forward.

I trust Uwe is watching over me.

Anneliese Monden