Lars Windhorst |
| German Businessman and Entrepreneur |
Lars Windhorst Brief Bio
Lars Windhorst became a business man when he was a teenager at 16 years old. He recognized that by purchasing wholesale computer parts in the Far East and assembling the computers for sale in Germany and Western Europe he could beat the competition's price and still be very profitable. Windhorst was able to execute this plan perfectly, he partnered up with a business man from China named Ming Rong Zhang and founded the Windhorst Electronics company.
Windhorst Electronics was successful within a short period of time reaching sales of $50 million and employing over 70 people. The German press was covering Lars Windhorst extensively because of the success he had at such a young age but also because of the fresh perspective he had over business in general. Windhorst was also one of the very few entrepreneurs ever to be invited to accompany ex German Chancellor Dr. Helmut Kohl on an official state visit.
In the mid 90's Windhorst began to spend more time in Hong Kong as he founded Windhorst Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd, a company that was handling the Windhorst group's activities in Asia. Two years later the Windhorst group had expanded into a multinational company with exposure not only to electronics but also finance and real estate with offices in several parts of Europe, Vietnam and mainland China. At this point Lars Windhorst established Windhorst AG and Windhorst Capital Holding GmbH.
The new millennium saw the world economy changing and the internet market growing rapidly Windhorst AG, which was then the holding company of Windhorst Electronics GmbH was also changing its focus and investing heavily on the internet market as well. When the Internet market came crashing down stock markets were deeply effected as well. Windhorst AG ran into financial struggles and had to shut its doors in 2003.
In 2004 after profiting from several successful trades Lars Windhorst started the Sapinda investment group along with a South African Investor. In light of the economic downturn the company was restructured in 2009. Lars Windhorst is currently the CEO of Sapinda Deutschland GmbH, a German financial investments firm.
Lars Windhorst was interviewed by Sueddeutsche Magazine, and in that interview he related the way he had learned about risk-taking the hard way. When he was a young entrepreneur at the age of 14, he didn’t’ understand how to protect himself, hire a professional and supportive staff, or how to stay focused on the task at hand. He suffered financially, but has weathered each storm and learned from each and every mistake.
In addition to his financial struggles to stay on top, he suffered severe physical injuries in 2007 when a plane he was riding in suddenly lost control and crashed into a wall. The crash took the life of one of the pilots, injured the remaining pilot and a flight attendant and inflicted bruises and burns to Lars Windhorst's chest and face as well as several broken ribs. The injuries did not keep him down long, and within a month he returned to work.
Back in business at Sapinda, he surrounds himself with a strong team of experienced players who are a perfect fit. His new risk management techniques and strong support system help him see projects through to a successful finish and give him the freedom to pursue innovative but solid business transactions. But he hasn't forgotten the lessons he learned as a young man and joined with the Mentor Foundation as a board member for five years. The foundation, which is associated with the World Health Organization, provides the tools that community caregivers, parents and youth leaders need to help youth of today combat substance abuse. In addition, the group founded the Scientific Advisory Network, which is comprised of international experts in the field of drug abuse who advise, teach and offer support to the Mentor Foundation.