Chris Püllen (NaroIQ)
Overview
Chris Püllen is a German entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of NaroIQ, a fintech company based in Cologne, Germany. NaroIQ is recognized for its innovative approach to digitalizing fund infrastructure, particularly in the European exchange-traded fund (ETF) market. Founded in 2022 with Nils Krauthausen, the company provides a technological platform designed to enable banks, insurers, and asset managers to launch and manage their own ETFs efficiently. Püllen, leveraging his extensive background in finance and investments, aims to challenge the traditional dominance of US companies within the European ETF space.
Recent Developments
- June 2025: NaroIQ closed a significant seed funding round, securing $6.5 million from investors including Berlin-based venture firms Magnetic and Redstone, alongside existing investors like General Catalyst. The funding round highlights investor confidence in NaroIQ's vision to innovate and provide a European alternative to the current ETFs dominated by US companies.
- 2024: The company raised $3 million in a pre-seed funding round led by La Famiglia (now part of General Catalyst) and Discovery Ventures. This funding aimed to establish a robust digital infrastructure to support the creation and management of ETFs and funds.
- 2023: A notable announcement was made regarding NaroIQ's plan to launch its first partner integrations, which is set to enhance operational efficiencies for its clients in fund management.
- 2022-2023: NaroIQ has been actively positioning itself as a key player in transforming the European fund market that traditionally relied on manual processes. By leveraging APIs and cloud technology, NaroIQ offers a cost-effective, digital approach to managing funds, addressing key inefficiencies and reducing barriers for smaller fund providers.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chris Püllen |
| Born | Western Germany |
| Nationality | German |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, CEO of NaroIQ |
| Known For | Co-founding NaroIQ |
| Education | Bachelor's in Business Administration from Düsseldorf |
Early Life and Education
Chris Püllen hails from the western part of Germany. His formative years were marked by an early interest in finance and investments, instilled by his grandmother, who was influential in sparking his curiosity about the stock market. By his early teens, Püllen was already experimenting with building investment portfolios. He pursued his education in business administration in Düsseldorf, where he met his future co-founder, Nils Krauthausen. His academic journey laid the foundation for his career in banking and investment.
Püllen's professional path involved internships and roles at notable financial institutions, including HSBC and local German portfolio managers. A pivotal moment occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic when he was living in Geneva. The period of introspection led him to pursue a master's degree in finance in Cologne, during which the idea for NaroIQ was conceived.
Career and Notable Achievements
Chris Püllen's career trajectory has been closely linked with his passion for finance and technological innovation:
- 2022: Co-founded NaroIQ, with an innovative focus on disrupting the traditional fund management landscape in Europe by digitalizing the fund infrastructure.
- 2021: Developed a B2C platform that introduced a modern approach to stock trading, attracting over 6,000 users.
- His professional experiences also include significant roles in banking and investment management, where he honed his understanding of regulatory frameworks and investment strategies.
Current Work and Impact
Currently, Chris Püllen is spearheading NaroIQ's efforts to transform the European financial services industry by providing cutting-edge digital solutions for fund management and ETF administration. The company is at the forefront of addressing inefficiencies and promoting financial sovereignty in Europe, thereby reducing the market dominance of US-based entities.
Conclusion
Chris Püllen's work with NaroIQ reflects a deep commitment to innovation in the fintech space, especially in creating a more equitable and accessible financial ecosystem in Europe. His leadership in digital fund infrastructure is paving the way for significant changes in how ETFs and funds are managed and launched in Europe. As NaroIQ continues to grow, Püllen's vision may significantly alter the landscape of European finance, offering smaller players robust tools to compete with larger entities.