The puzzles making industry in the DACH region represents a vibrant market focused on creativity and problem-solving. Companies span from traditional puzzle manufacturers to tech-driven game developers, producing everything from classic jigsaw puzzles to augmented reality games. As newer technologies are blended with classic gameplay, there’s an exciting shift towards environmentally friendly materials and digital experiences. The rise of online platforms and mobile gaming has also reshaped consumer interactions, allowing for expanded audiences. With a growing interest in cerebral and tactile entertainment, this industry is set for inspiring innovations and fresh offerings in the years ahead.


The investors in this list signify a robust mix of venture capital and private equity firms concentrated in major DACH cities like Frankfurt and Berlin. Operating in sizes ranging from startups to notable giants, they were all established recently with several founded since the mid-1990s. The year 2024 saw these investors make a remarkable total of 76 deals in the technology and gaming sectors. These engagements not only reflect their financial strategies but also highlight their commitment to nurturing companies in the puzzles making industry.


Top 10 Puzzles Making Investors in DACH


1. Partners Group

  • Website: partnersgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: partners-group

Partners Group Holding AG is a prominent investment management firm based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, specializing in private equity, private infrastructure, private real estate, and private debt. Founded in 1996, the firm manages over USD 149 billion in assets and is recognized for its innovative approach and commitment to sustainability. Among its notable transactions, Partners Group acquired a majority equity stake in Schleich, a company renowned for its high-quality toys and collectibles, including puzzles. This acquisition, announced on July 9, 2019, aims to support Schleich's international growth and enhance its online capabilities. Additionally, Partners Group has been involved in various other sectors, such as outsourcing with the acquisition of SPi Global, but their investment in Schleich highlights their relevance to the puzzles making industry.


2. TA Ventures

  • Website: taventures.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: ta-ventures

TA Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in early-stage technology startups across various sectors, including HealthTech and FinTech. TA Ventures provides capital and strategic support to help startups grow and succeed in competitive markets. Notably, they have invested in Pixonic, a social network games publisher, which received $5 million in a Series C funding round. This investment highlights their engagement in the gaming industry, which can include puzzle games. Additionally, they invested $5.6 million in Lalo during a seed round, although this transaction does not directly relate to puzzles. With a global presence, TA Ventures actively builds networks for its portfolio companies, enhancing their growth potential.


3. Blockchain Founders Capital

  • Website: bfc.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Altenahr, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
  • Founded year: 2022
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: blockchain-founders-capital

Blockchain Founders Capital is a venture capital firm based in Altenahr, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, founded in 2022. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage companies at the intersection of Web2 and Web3, focusing on mission-driven founders. They provide not only capital but also strategic support and networking opportunities to help startups thrive in the competitive blockchain industry. Notably, Blockchain Founders Capital has invested in Last Gameboard, which raised $225,000 in a seed round, and Mirror Engine, which secured $2.3 million in a pre-seed round. These investments suggest a commitment to innovative projects that may include gaming and puzzle elements, making them a relevant player in the puzzles making industry.


4. FunPlus

  • Website: funplus.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Zug, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: funplus

FunPlus is a corporate investor based in Zug, Switzerland, founded in 2010. As a prominent video game developer and publisher, FunPlus creates engaging mobile games for a global audience, with popular titles such as State of Survival and King of Avalon. The company is known for its innovative interactive entertainment experiences and operates with a diverse team to provide immersive gameplay. In 2021, FunPlus participated in a seed funding round for Drop Fake, which raised $9 million to develop a 4X strategy game for mobile devices. Additionally, in 2024, FunPlus was involved in funding ArenaX Labs, which raised $6 million to develop an AI-based gaming platform. These transactions highlight FunPlus's commitment to advancing gaming technology and experiences, positioning them as a significant player in the gaming industry.


5. 1kx

  • Website: 1kx.network
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: 1kxnetwork

1kx is a Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 2018, specializing in the cryptocurrency sector. The firm focuses on ecosystem growth and provides advisory services to founders in the web3 space, helping them bootstrap token networks and achieve economic sustainability. 1kx emphasizes community engagement and hands-on support in the creation and design of token models. In 2023, they participated in notable transactions such as the seed funding round for Seam Social, which raised $2.5 million, showcasing their commitment to supporting innovative projects. Additionally, they were involved in a funding round for Trame, further indicating their active role in fostering new ventures within the cryptocurrency and web3 landscape, which may include applications relevant to puzzle-making.


6. IBB Ventures


IBB Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1997. The firm specializes in early-stage financing and has invested in over 270 startups, providing not only capital but also expertise and resources to help these businesses thrive in competitive markets. Notably, IBB Ventures has participated in transactions such as Stilnest, a 3D printing and curated web platform for designer jewelry, where they provided seed funding of approximately $1 million. This investment highlights their interest in innovative design and technology. Additionally, they invested in Cocoli, which raised over $3 million in a seed round, further showcasing their commitment to supporting creative and tech-driven startups. These transactions reflect IBB Ventures' focus on fostering innovation, which aligns with the puzzles making industry.


7. BlueYard Capital

  • Website: blueyard.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: blueyard-capital

BlueYard Capital is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in early-stage investments across a variety of innovative sectors, including cryptocurrency, biotechnology, and engineering. BlueYard Capital is known for supporting entrepreneurs by providing not only funding but also resources to develop groundbreaking technologies that address significant global challenges. Among their notable transactions, they participated in funding rounds for Vectary, a 3D and Augmented Reality design platform, which aims to make high-quality 3D design accessible and transform web experiences into immersive 3D/AR environments. This involvement highlights their interest in creative technologies that could be relevant to the puzzles making industry. Additionally, they invested in Ingonyama, a semiconductor company focused on privacy and cryptography, which, while not directly related to puzzles, showcases their commitment to innovative technology solutions.


8. System.One

  • Website: systemone.vc
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: system-one-vc

System.One is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, typically ranging from €300k to €1.5M, and focuses on technology-driven companies across various sectors, including AI, data analytics, and developer tooling. In 2023, System.One participated in a pre-seed funding round for Martian Lawyers Club, a generative AI powered game personalization startup. This investment highlights their interest in innovative gaming solutions, which is relevant to the puzzles making industry. System.One aims to be an impactful investor, helping startups secure the necessary funding to develop their innovative ideas, particularly in technology and gaming.


9. Fly Ventures

  • Website: fly.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: fly-ventures

Fly Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies across Europe, with a particular focus on supporting technical founders who are tackling complex challenges. Fly Ventures provides not only capital but also strategic guidance to help startups thrive in competitive markets. One of their notable transactions includes leading a $2.2 million pre-seed funding round for Martian Lawyers Club, a startup that utilizes generative AI to personalize gaming experiences. This investment highlights Fly Ventures' interest in innovative technology within the gaming sector, which is closely related to puzzles and interactive entertainment.


10. Game Seer Venture Partners


Game Seer Venture Partners GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2019. The firm specializes in the gaming industry, providing funding and strategic support to indie game development studios to help them create and publish their games. They focus on building partnerships with studios to enhance their capabilities and ensure successful project outcomes. One notable transaction includes their investment in Gamera Interactive, which raised $1,300,000 in a seed round on December 12, 2020. This investment highlights their active role in supporting game development, which may encompass various genres, including puzzles.



Puzzles Making Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Partners GroupBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-5000199619
TA VenturesFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany11-5020105
Blockchain Founders CapitalAltenahr, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany1-1020228
FunPlusZug, Zug, Switzerland1001-500020103
1kxBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201819
IBB VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50199718
BlueYard CapitalBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020169
System.OneBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020162
Fly VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020162
Game Seer Venture PartnersAschaffenburg, Bavaria, Germany1-1020191


Want to find more investors focusing on the puzzles making industry?

If you want to find more investors that are active in the puzzles makingindustry, you can do that with Inven. We built this list and analysis throughInven's Investor Search, and there are a lot more private equity, venturecapital, and corporate investors like these globally.

With Inven, you'll also get to know:

  • Deal History: Number of deals and their sizes.
  • Portfolio: Companies they've invested in.
  • Contact data: Key dealmakers, including their emails and phonenumbers.
  • ...and much more!