Any worthwhile startup investor must be a consummate networker, and, at this, zu Fürstenberg excels. She seems to know almost everyone; three times during our walk, she bumps into acquaintances, shifts to rapid German and gives a quick hug. She and Prince Christian host many Davos attendees at their palace in southwestern Germany for regular salon dinners. An invitation to her annual black-tie winter ball, at a castle an hour away, is coveted by anyone working in tech across Europe. She recently convened a “Digital Sovereignty” summit with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin and shared the stage with OpenAI’s policy chief at Davos.