Founding story January 2025: DNA Detectives

DNA detective searches for people and connects families. As a DNA detective, Alexander Alberts-Dakash uncovers family secrets worldwide. He supports adoptees, donor children, foundlings and cuckoo children as well as victims of child trafficking in their search for their biological roots.

Since founding his company in January 2023, he has turned his former voluntary work into a career. Juggling around 60 ongoing cases, he navigates through complex investigations that can take weeks, months or even years - always with the aim of bringing long-hidden family connections to light.

The search for his own biological family inspired Alexander Alberts-Dakash to found a detective agency that helps others in similar situations. His interdisciplinary studies in the humanities, social sciences and computer science in Germany, the UK and Norway give him a unique combination of empathy and analytical thinking. He honed these skills by training as a detective and networking in relevant forums and groups. Thanks to his impressive success rate, the number of research assignments grew rapidly, underlining the demand for his specialized services.

Alexander, how does the family search work?

"Using saliva samples, the data from my own DNA is entered into DNA databases and compared with the data of other people who have already registered there. Then I hope for close matches from, for example, second to fourth-degree relatives. Then the real work begins with researching which matches could fit which part of the family. To create hypothesis family trees, I use various software programs and program my own analysis tools. I also go to archives with publicly accessible data from the 17th to 19th centuries. These can be state archives or the genealogical library of the Niedersächsischer Landesverein für Familienkunde e.V. (NLF) just around the corner in Hanover. The USA has been a pioneer in DNA and genealogical research since 1999, while DNA genealogical tests have only been directly available in Germany since 2017. Here, it is rather difficult to obtain quick results due to the lack of digitization in many cases and strong data protection."

Who is coming to you?

"People who believe that something is wrong in their family, that secrets are not being revealed, or people who know that they were adopted and/or are searching for their roots. I now also work with the authorities, for example to identify unknown persons or to find the father of a child."

What does your service cost?

"The cost of my research work is comparable to that of a summer vacation. I offer various packages that are based on my experience and calculated according to the hourly rates customary in the industry. These packages also include the sometimes considerable costs for necessary database licenses. The duration and complexity of the search vary greatly: while US soldier cases can often be solved more quickly, the search for foundlings is usually more time-consuming. In general, the search is usually easier in the English-speaking world than in Germany. In exceptional cases, a search can be successfully completed after just four hours, but this is the exception rather than the rule."

How did hannoverimpuls support you in setting up the company?

"I came to hannoverimpuls via starting business, the start-up service at Leibniz Universität. At first, I started up part-time and quickly got tips on funding. By taking part in competitions such as plug & work or the Startup Impuls competition, I thought analytically about my business project and got a lot of experts to help me. I had discussions with professionals, adjusted my figures and had to present and defend my project. I still benefit from this today. I learned an incredible amount, especially in areas that I wasn't interested in before, such as taxes, law, marketing, e-billing and more."

What are you planning for the future?

"My goal is to be able to support my family with my business. I would also like to set up a secretariat and hire someone to do the research, because I'm getting more and more inquiries that I can't cope with on my own. This also means that work processes have to be optimized in order to have more time for new projects. With every inquiry, it's not always clear at the beginning how long it will take to get a satisfactory result."

What tips do you have for other founders?

"Just do it and still get started in a well-considered way and with good support. Yes, there is a risk, but you get into it quickly, you don't really stop learning new things. You grow with your business project. You shouldn't shy away from tasks that seem unfamiliar at first. Keep your curiosity for everything that comes your way. What I underestimated was the direct planning. How do I deal with the many inquiries? How do I set the prices?"

How was the collaboration with hannoverimpuls?

"That was and is an indispensable part of my founding story, both professionally and personally. Without hannoverimpuls, I wouldn't be where I am today. The best thing about it is that there are people who want you to succeed. As a father of four, I thought about every step for a very long time. You get a tailwind and plenty of motivation here."

Contact details:

Alexander Alberts-Dakash

Detective agency for DNA genealogy and family tracing

E-mail: post@dna-detektiv.de

Web: www.dna-detektiv.de

Julius Wolff, Project Manager Universities/Research starting business about Alexander Alberts-Dakash:

"When Alexander came to us with his idea, it quickly became clear that this start-up was something special, if not unique, in Germany. Combined with his personal history and his analytical and empathic skills, many factors come together here that will make the 'DNA Detective' project a model for success."

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