(Telecompaper) Deutsche Telekom wants to set up an investment fund worth EUR 500 million for a five-year period, on top of its existing T-Venture investments. Deutsche Telekom's supervisory board has approved the setup of a specialist team of investment managers for the new Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners (DTCP), set to launch early next year. The plan doubles the group's commitment to investments in ventures and innovation. DTCP will be one of the largest investment funds in Europe, and will also advise Deutsche Telekom on existing investments in STRATO, Interactive Media, Scout, Deutsche Telekom Innovation Pool (TIP) and T-Venture. T-Venture, the venture capital fund established in 1998, will be closed to new investments but the team will remain on board and continue to manage the existing portfolio of around 100 companies. T-Venture will also retain responsibility for follow-up investments within this portfolio. New investments will be executed through DTCP. DTCP will support Deutsche Telekom's strategy as an external innovation engine through investments in venture capital, with a special focus on Germany's start-up scene. On top of that, DTCP will also expand its activities to include private equity investments in existing undertakings to foster operational cooperation between over-the-top companies and Deutsche Telekom.