The commodities trading industry in the DACH region includes the exchange and trade of physical goods like metals, energy, and agricultural products. Key players range from investments firms and venture capitalists to banks and corporations, each providing essential services such as trading platforms, storage solutions, and financial markets management. The industry is shifting towards more sustainable practices, reflecting global trends in energy transition and digital innovation. For instance, technologies like blockchain are starting to streamline transactions, making them more transparent and efficient. Increasingly, stakeholders are aligning with environmental goals to attract socially conscious investments.


This list features a diverse group of 12 investors specializing in commodities trading in the DACH region. Spanning venture capital firms and corporate investors, these companies are headquartered in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. With sizes ranging from small teams to large organizations, these investors were founded between 1870 and 2012 and collectively participated in 2024 with significant deal-making activity. For example, Deutsche Bank engaged in 32 investment deals, showcasing their robust presence in this dynamic market, while venture firms like Point Nine highlighted their strategic focus on digital platforms.


Top 12 Commodities Trading Investors in DACH


1. Deutsche Börse

  • Website: deutsche-boerse.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Eschborn, Hesse, Germany
  • Founded year: 1990
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: deutsche-borse

Deutsche Börse AG, founded in 1990 and based in Eschborn, Hesse, Germany, is a leading financial services company that offers a wide range of solutions including trading, clearing, and investment management services. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, Deutsche Börse serves asset managers and institutional investors, facilitating efficient market operations and investment strategies through advanced technology and analytics. Notably, Deutsche Börse has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its trading capabilities, such as the acquisition of a 75% stake in Tradegate Exchange, aimed at expanding its offerings for private investors in the European retail market. Additionally, the acquisition of the multi-bank FX trading platform 360T for EUR 725 million marks its entry into significant currency markets, which could also relate to commodities trading. These transactions highlight Deutsche Börse's commitment to enhancing its trading infrastructure, making it a relevant player in the commodities trading landscape.


2. Deutsche Bank

  • Website: db.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
  • Founded year: 1870
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 32
  • LinkedIn: deutsche-bank

Deutsche Bank AG is a prominent investment bank and financial services provider based in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, founded in 1870. The bank offers a wide range of solutions, including investment banking, corporate banking, cash management, trade finance, and securities services. It serves corporate and institutional clients, helping them manage their financial assets and liquidity effectively through its digital platform, Autobahn. In recent years, Deutsche Bank has been involved in significant transactions within the commodities sector, such as providing $600 million in debt financing to BB Energy, a company engaged in energy trading, and participating in a $3.33 billion financing for VARO Energy, which focuses on sustainable energy investments. These transactions highlight Deutsche Bank's active role in supporting companies within the commodities trading industry, reinforcing its relevance in this sector.


3. Point Nine

  • Website: pointnine.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: point-nine-capital

Point Nine is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage companies, particularly in the SaaS, enterprise software, and B2B marketplace sectors. They provide funding at the seed stage and are committed to participating in subsequent funding rounds to help startups scale their operations. Notably, Point Nine has invested in Metalshub, a digital platform for commodity trading, participating in both a Series Seed funding round in 2018 and a Series A round in 2021. These investments highlight Point Nine's engagement in the commodities trading industry, alongside their broader focus on technology startups.


4. responsAbility Investments AG


Responsability Investments AG is an impact investment firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2003. The firm specializes in managing investments in emerging markets, with a strong emphasis on financial inclusion, climate finance, and sustainable food production. They provide investment solutions aimed at generating positive societal and environmental impacts alongside financial returns, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries. Notably, responsAbility has been involved in several transactions relevant to the commodities trading sector, including a joint investment of $20 million in Sohan Lal Commodity Management, which focuses on commodity management in India. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for Samunnati, a company that enables agricultural value chains, further highlighting their commitment to the agricultural commodities space. These transactions demonstrate responsAbility's active role in the commodities trading industry, particularly in supporting sustainable practices within this sector.


5. Mercuria


Mercuria Energy Group Ltd. is a corporate investor based in Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2004. The company operates globally in the commodity markets, with a strong focus on crude oil, natural gas, and renewable energy. Mercuria provides trading services and invests in sustainable projects, catering to various industries that rely on energy procurement and management. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Noble Americas Gas & Power Corp. and the ethanol plant in South Bend, which highlight their commitment to expanding their footprint in the energy commodities sector. In 2024, they participated in significant funding rounds, including a $145 million Series C investment in Lilac Solutions, further emphasizing their active role in the commodities trading landscape.


6. 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 Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 2012, specializing in early-stage investments in startups across Europe. The firm provides capital, mentorship, and resources to founders in various sectors, including SaaS and mobility. Notably, Cherry Ventures has invested in enmacc, a Munich-based energy trading platform, participating in its seed funding round in 2017 and subsequent Series A and B rounds in 2019 and 2022, respectively. These investments highlight their engagement in the energy commodities trading space, as enmacc aims to expand its digital trading platform for gas and electricity. Despite this, Cherry Ventures maintains a diverse investment portfolio, focusing on innovative companies across multiple industries.


7. European Energy Exchange AG


European Energy Exchange AG (EEX) is a corporate investor based in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany, founded in 2000. EEX operates as an energy exchange facilitating trading in power, natural gas, and environmental commodities, serving businesses and organizations in the energy sector. They provide a platform for risk management and price discovery, along with registry services and training for market participants. Notably, EEX has expanded its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, including a 66% stake in GET Baltic, enhancing their presence in the Baltic and Finnish gas markets. They also acquired Global Dairy Trade, a trading platform for dairy derivatives, which diversifies their involvement in commodities trading. Furthermore, EEX owns Grexel Systems Oy, a leading energy certificate registry provider in Europe, further solidifying their role in the energy commodities market.


8. 10x Group

  • Website: 10x.group
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2006
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: 10x-group

10x Group is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2006. The firm focuses on investing in founders and startups across Europe and Silicon Valley, particularly in technology and software sectors. In 2022, 10x Group participated in a Series B funding round for enmacc, a German tech startup that operates a digital trading platform for gas and electricity. This funding round raised a double-digit million amount and was led by Klima Energy Transition, with participation from Chevron Technology Ventures and Piton Capital. The investment aims to support enmacc's expansion in the energy trading market, highlighting 10x Group's engagement in the commodities trading space. Additionally, they were involved in earlier funding rounds for enmacc, including a Series A round in 2019, further demonstrating their commitment to this sector. In 2023, they also participated in a venture round for Upvest, although this transaction is less directly related to commodities trading.


9. Project A

  • Website: project-a.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2012
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 13
  • LinkedIn: project-a-ventures

Project A is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2012. They specialize in early-stage tech investments and provide operational support for startups. Their services include consulting in technology and growth, access to a network of investors, and pre-seed investment opportunities. In 2023, Project A led a seed funding round for METYCLE, a platform focused on the secondary post-consumer metals market, raising approximately €4.7M. This investment highlights their engagement in the commodities trading sector, particularly in the metal trading space. Additionally, they have participated in various other tech-focused investments, but their involvement with METYCLE showcases their potential interest in commodities trading.


10. Acton Capital


Acton Capital is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1999. The firm specializes in investing in startups at the Series A stage and beyond, providing financial backing and strategic guidance to mission-driven teams across various sectors. Notably, Acton Capital led a Series A investment in Metalshub, a commodities trading platform, raising $11 million to expand its operations beyond Europe. This investment highlights Acton Capital's interest in the commodities trading industry, alongside their broader focus on technology and eco-friendly consumer goods. In addition to Metalshub, Acton Capital has participated in various funding rounds for other companies, but their engagement in the commodities sector through Metalshub is particularly relevant to this context.


11. BayWa AG

  • Website: baywa.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
  • Founded year: 1923
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: baywa

BayWa AG is a corporate investor based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, founded in 1923. The company operates across various sectors, including agriculture, construction, and renewable energy, providing a wide range of products and services to farmers, construction firms, and consumers. Notably, BayWa AG has made significant strides in the commodities trading sector through strategic acquisitions. In 2012, they acquired Cefetra Group for €125 million, enhancing their capabilities in agricultural commodity trading. This acquisition allowed Cefetra to operate independently while benefiting from BayWa's strategic agricultural initiatives. Additionally, in 2017, BayWa expanded its agricultural trade activities by acquiring Cargill Cereale, a Romanian division of the US agribusiness giant Cargill, for approximately €1.85 million. This acquisition included two silos in Romania, further solidifying BayWa's position in the agricultural commodities market.


12. VARO Energy

  • Website: varoenergy.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2012
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: varo-energy

VARO Energy is a corporate investor based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, founded in 2012. The company specializes in the manufacturing, storage, and distribution of both conventional and sustainable energy solutions. VARO serves a diverse range of customers, including those in aviation and agriculture, by providing reliable energy products and services tailored to their operational and sustainability needs. The company is committed to accelerating the energy transition through innovative solutions. Notably, VARO has made significant acquisitions in the commodities trading context, including the acquisition of Calpam BV, which aims to enhance sustainable oil focus, and NWB Nord- und Westdeutsche Bunker GmbH, which strengthens their position in the fuels value chain in North Western Europe. These strategic moves underline VARO's active role in the commodities trading industry.



Commodities Trading Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Deutsche BörseEschborn, Hesse, Germany10001+19903
Deutsche BankFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany10001+187032
Point NineBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201116
responsAbility Investments AGZurich, Zurich, Switzerland201-50020039
MercuriaGeneva, Geneva, Switzerland1001-500020047
Cherry VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201225
European Energy Exchange AGLeipzig, Saxony, Germany501-100020000
10x GroupMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020062
Project ABerlin, Berlin, Germany51-200201213
Acton CapitalMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019993
BayWa AGFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany10001+19231
VARO EnergyBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-500020121


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