The cold chain logistics industry in the DACH region focuses on the transportation and storage of perishable goods that require constant temperature controls. This industry mainly includes companies that provide refrigerated transportation, warehousing, and supply chain management for products like pharmaceuticals, food, and chemicals. With a growing emphasis on health and sustainability, firms are increasingly investing in innovative technologies to improve efficiency and reduce waste. Paralleling broader trends, the cold chain market is set to expand rapidly, with e-commerce and stringent quality regulations driving advancements and investments in logistics solutions designed for temperature-sensitive goods.

Our list showcases a mix of venture capital, private equity, and corporate investors headquartered in the DACH region. Founded between 1847 and 2016, these firms vary in size. They range from 11 to 10,000+ employees, reflecting a blend of early and established entities. In 2024, they collectively executed a notable number of investments, underscoring a robust interest in cold chain logistics and technological advancements within this sector.

Top 12 Cold Chain Logistics Investors in DACH

1. Dhl

• Website: dhl.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
• Founded year: 1969
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: dhl

DHL is a global logistics company founded in 1969, headquartered in Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With over 10,000 employees, DHL specializes in comprehensive transportation and delivery services, offering solutions that include courier services, air and ocean freight, and supply chain management across various industries. In recent years, DHL has made significant acquisitions to strengthen its position in the cold chain logistics sector. For instance, the acquisition of Polar Transportes in 2017 enhanced their capabilities in temperature-controlled transportation for the Life Sciences and Healthcare industry. Similarly, the acquisition of Eurodifarm in 2011 allowed DHL to bolster its presence in pharmaceutical logistics in Italy. These transactions reflect DHL's strategic focus on expanding its cold chain logistics offerings, ensuring timely and safe delivery of temperature-sensitive goods.

2. 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 investment strategies and commitment to sustainability. Among its notable transactions, Partners Group has invested in Apex Logistics International, a logistics provider that could play a role in cold chain logistics, and Ecom Express, which raised significant funding for its logistics operations. These investments highlight Partners Group's engagement in the logistics sector, suggesting a potential interest in cold chain logistics solutions as part of their broader investment strategy.

3. MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company

• Website: msc.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
• Founded year: 1970
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 4
• LinkedIn: msc-mediterranean-shipping-co--s-a-

Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. (MSC) is a logistics company specializing in shipping and transportation services, founded in 1970 and based in Geneva, Switzerland. With over 10,000 employees, MSC offers a wide range of solutions, including inland transportation, air cargo, and digital business services tailored to various industries such as agriculture, automotive, and pharmaceuticals. In recent years, MSC has made significant acquisitions to expand its logistics capabilities, including the acquisition of Integrated Container Logistics in 2019, which marked a strategic move into landside logistics. In 2024, MSC acquired a majority stake in MVN Srl, enhancing its entry into integrated industrial logistics, which is crucial for cold chain operations. Additionally, the acquisition of Bolloré Africa Logistics in 2022 further strengthens MSC's logistics network, potentially improving its cold chain logistics services across Africa. These transactions highlight MSC's commitment to enhancing its logistics operations, making it a relevant investor in the cold chain logistics sector.

4. Bayern Kapital

• Website: bayernkapital.de
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Landshut, Bavaria, Germany
• Founded year: 1995
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 27
• LinkedIn: bayern-kapital-gmbh

Bayern Kapital is a venture capital firm based in Landshut, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1995. The firm specializes in providing investment and growth capital to innovative high-tech startups and scale-ups in Bavaria. They support their clients with financial resources and access to a network of industry experts, helping them navigate the challenges of growth and development in various sectors, including life sciences and software. Notably, Bayern Kapital has been involved in several transactions relevant to the logistics industry, such as their investment in BOX ID Systems, a logistics software provider that raised €3.5M to enhance its SaaS platform used by industry leaders. Additionally, their participation in the funding round for FERNRIDE, a logistics startup, further highlights their engagement in the logistics sector. These transactions indicate that Bayern Kapital is not solely focused on high-tech startups but also recognizes the importance of logistics innovations, which can include cold chain logistics solutions.

5. HV Capital

• Website: hvcapital.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
• Founded year: 2000
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 28
• LinkedIn: hvventures

HV Capital is a venture capital firm based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, specializing in investing in digital companies and supporting entrepreneurs from seed stage to exit. With over €2.8 billion under management, HV Capital provides capital and strategic guidance to startups across Europe, helping them navigate growth challenges and achieve market success. Notably, HV Capital has invested in Zencargo, a London-based digital freight forwarder that raised significant funding in both Series A and Series B rounds, indicating a focus on innovative logistics solutions. Additionally, their investment in Sennder, a Berlin-based logistics company that has raised substantial funding across multiple rounds, further highlights their engagement in the logistics sector. These transactions reflect HV Capital's commitment to supporting companies that are transforming the logistics landscape, including aspects relevant to cold chain logistics.

6. DB Schenker

• Website: dbschenker.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
• Founded year: 1872
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: dbschenker

DB Schenker, founded in 1872 and based in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is a leading logistics company that provides comprehensive supply chain management solutions, including transport services across land, air, and sea. With over 10,000 employees, DB Schenker caters to businesses in various industries, helping them optimize their logistics operations and improve efficiency. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Transportes Santos Campos and Grupo Loserco to enhance their presence in the Iberian market, and the acquisition of Vähälä Logistics Oy, which strengthens their position in central and northern Finland. These strategic acquisitions indicate DB Schenker's commitment to expanding its logistics capabilities, which likely includes cold chain logistics as part of their service offerings.

7. La Famiglia

• Website: lafamiglia.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2016
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 4
• LinkedIn: la-famiglia-vc

La Famiglia is a venture capital fund based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in early-stage and growth-stage investments in technology companies, providing capital, market access, and strategic partnerships to tech entrepreneurs. Notably, La Famiglia has invested in Forto, a digital freight forwarding company that raised $250 million in Series D funding in March 2022, and has been involved with Forto since its Seed Round in 2016. Additionally, they have invested in OnTruck, a logistics platform that raised funds to expand its operations in Europe. These transactions highlight La Famiglia's focus on enabling disruptive innovations in logistics, particularly in areas that intersect with cold chain logistics.

8. Picus Capital

• Website: picuscap.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
• Founded year: 2015
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 28
• LinkedIn: picus-capital

Picus Capital is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 2015, specializing in early-stage technology investments. They partner with innovative startups across various sectors, including fintech and healthcare, providing not only capital but also strategic guidance and HR support. Notably, Picus Capital has invested in Zencargo, a digital freight forwarder that raised significant funding in multiple rounds, indicating their interest in logistics solutions. Additionally, they have invested in Hive, an e-commerce logistics startup, which aims to expand its operations and develop proprietary warehouse software. These transactions highlight Picus Capital's engagement in the logistics sector, including potential cold chain logistics applications.

9. Hapag-Lloyd AG

• Website: hapag-lloyd.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
• Founded year: 1847
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: hapag-lloyd-ag

Hapag-Lloyd AG, founded in 1847 and based in Hamburg, Germany, is a leading shipping company specializing in container shipping and logistics services. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, the company operates a vast fleet of vessels and offers comprehensive logistics solutions tailored for businesses engaged in global trade. In recent years, Hapag-Lloyd has made strategic acquisitions to bolster its logistics capabilities, including the acquisition of the container liner business of Deutsche Afrika-Linien, which enhances its service offerings in Africa. Additionally, the acquisition of port terminals and logistics businesses from the SAAM Group in Latin America demonstrates their commitment to expanding their logistics footprint in key markets. Their investment in J M Baxi Ports & Logistics Limited further emphasizes their focus on terminal and infrastructure investments, particularly in India, a growing market for logistics services. These transactions highlight Hapag-Lloyd's strategic direction towards enhancing its logistics services, making it a relevant player in the cold chain logistics sector.

10. Cherry Ventures

• Website: cherry.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2012
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 25
• LinkedIn: cherry-ventures

Cherry Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in early-stage investments across Europe, providing capital, mentorship, and resources to innovative startups. Their investment focus spans various sectors, including SaaS and mobility. Notably, Cherry Ventures has been involved in multiple funding rounds for Forto, a freight technology startup that raised significant capital in Series A, B, and C rounds, totaling over $300 million. This involvement highlights their commitment to supporting companies that are transforming logistics, which is a critical component of cold chain logistics. By backing Forto, Cherry Ventures is positioned within the logistics industry, making them a potential player in the cold chain logistics space.

11. Momenta

• Website: momenta.one
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Engelberg, Obwalden, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2012
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn: momentapartners

Momenta is a venture capital firm based in Engelberg, Obwalden, Switzerland, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in industrial impact and digital transformation, providing strategic investments and advisory services to Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups across various sectors, including energy, manufacturing, smart spaces, and supply chain. Notably, Momenta has been involved in several transactions relevant to cold chain logistics, such as its investment in Axiom Cloud, which raised $7.4 million in a Series A financing round. Axiom Cloud's focus on refrigeration software is particularly significant for cold chain management, as it aims to optimize refrigeration loads in grocery stores, thereby reducing energy costs and improving operational efficiency. Additionally, Momenta's investment in ParkourSC and Axino, which provide solutions for supply chain and quality assurance in food retail, further demonstrates its commitment to enhancing the cold chain logistics sector.

12. DPD Deutschland

• Website: dpd.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, Germany
• Founded year: 1986
• Headcount: 5001-10000
• LinkedIn: dpd-deutschland

DPD Deutschland, a subsidiary of Geopost, is a logistics company based in Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, Germany, specializing in parcel delivery services. Founded in 1986, the company operates a vast network that delivers millions of parcels daily across various regions, catering to both businesses and consumers. DPD Deutschland has made significant strides in the cold chain logistics sector, particularly through its acquisition of Cool Runnings Transport BV, a logistics expert in the conditioned transport of fresh and frozen foods, announced on November 4, 2022. This acquisition is part of DPD's strategy to enhance its services in the food and healthcare markets, responding to the growing demand for fresh food transportation. Additionally, DPD has acquired an 88.9% stake in Epicery, an online food marketplace, further solidifying its commitment to improving food delivery services across Europe. These transactions highlight DPD's active role in the cold chain logistics industry, despite its broader focus on parcel delivery.

Cold Chain Logistics Insights: Key Investors in DACH

Investor	Headquarter	Size	Founded	Deals 2024
Dhl	Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany	10001+	1969	1
Partners Group	Baar, Zug, Switzerland	1001-5000	1996	19
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company	Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland	10001+	1970	4
Bayern Kapital	Landshut, Bavaria, Germany	11-50	1995	27
HV Capital	Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany	11-50	2000	28
DB Schenker	Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany	10001+	1872	1
La Famiglia	Berlin, Berlin, Germany	11-50	2016	4
Picus Capital	Munich, Bavaria, Germany	11-50	2015	28
Hapag-Lloyd AG	Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany	10001+	1847	1
Cherry Ventures	Berlin, Berlin, Germany	11-50	2012	25
Momenta	Engelberg, Obwalden, Switzerland	11-50	2012	7
DPD Deutschland	Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, Germany	5001-10000	1986	0

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