The educational research services industry in the DACH region encompasses companies focused on improving educational outcomes through research and technology. Enterprises here range from innovative edtech startups to established organizations providing assessment tools, learning platforms, and consulting services. As the demand for personalized learning grows, investments in this sector have surged, fostering the development of interactive and data-driven educational solutions. Industry trends point toward an increased emphasis on remote learning tools and analytics to enhance teaching methodologies and student engagement, aiming for more impactful educational experiences in the years to come.


The investors in this list represent a range of venture capital firms and corporate entities, primarily located in Switzerland and Germany. Founded between 1997 and 2020, they vary significantly in size and structure—from small operations with fewer than ten employees to global organizations with thousands. In 2024, these investors completed notable 16 to 77 deals, reflecting a robust interest in the educational research services sector, particularly in early-stage companies that exhibit potential for growth in a rapidly evolving market.


Top 12 Educational Research Services Investors in DACH


1. Holtzbrinck Digital


Holtzbrinck Digital is a venture capital firm based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in innovative startups within the digital education, science, and content sectors. Holtzbrinck Digital supports its portfolio companies through capital investment and strategic guidance, helping them to grow and succeed in their respective markets. Notable transactions include investments in bettermarks, which raised significant funding in 2012 and 2013 for its educational technology solutions, and tutoria GmbH, which focuses on tutoring services. Additionally, the firm invested in UberResearch, which operates in the research analytics space, further demonstrating its commitment to supporting educational and research-oriented initiatives.


2. Verve Ventures

  • Website: verve.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 25
  • LinkedIn: investiere-venture-capital

Verve Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in deep tech investments across Europe, providing funding and strategic support to science and technology startups. Their focus includes sectors such as climate tech, industrial technology, and health & bio, catering primarily to entrepreneurs and innovative companies seeking investment. Notably, Verve Ventures has participated in funding rounds for companies like Goodwall, a professional network aimed at students and graduates, which raised $10.8 million in a Series A round. This investment highlights their engagement in the educational sector. Additionally, they have invested in TestingTime, which raised over $2.8 million in Series A funding, a company that can be linked to educational research through its user testing services. These transactions demonstrate Verve Ventures' potential relevance to the educational research services industry.


3. Sictic

  • Website: sictic.ch
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2014
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 77
  • LinkedIn: sictic

SICTIC is a not-for-profit organization based in Zurich, Switzerland, that connects smart money investors with innovative Swiss early-stage technology startups. Founded in 2014, SICTIC provides investment opportunities, networking events, and educational resources to facilitate the growth of startups and the investment community. Among their notable transactions, SICTIC has invested in Taskbase, an edtech startup that raised CHF 1.3 million, highlighting their engagement in the educational technology sector. Additionally, they have been involved in funding rounds for other startups like TestingTime and Goodwall, which, while not exclusively focused on educational research services, contribute to the broader educational landscape. This diverse portfolio showcases SICTIC's commitment to fostering innovation in technology, including education-related ventures.


4. Speedinvest

  • Website: speedinvest.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 45
  • LinkedIn: speedinvest

Speedinvest is a venture capital firm based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in funding early-stage tech startups across Europe, providing both capital and hands-on support to help these startups scale their operations. Speedinvest's focus spans various technology sectors, including Deep Tech, Fintech, and SaaS. Notably, they have made significant investments in the educational technology sector, including GoStudent, which raised a total of $2.9 million across multiple funding rounds, and Maqsad, a Pakistan-based edtech startup that raised $2.8 million in a seed round led by Speedinvest. These investments highlight Speedinvest's commitment to supporting innovative educational solutions and their potential impact on the educational research services landscape.


5. Seedstars

  • Website: seedstars.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Carouge, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2012
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: seedstars

Seedstars is an investment and education company based in Carouge, Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2012. The firm focuses on supporting startups and entrepreneurs in emerging markets through various programs, including acceleration and growth initiatives, investment readiness, and the operation of entrepreneurship hubs. Seedstars collaborates with governments, investors, and development agencies to foster entrepreneurial ecosystems and drive social and economic development. Notably, Seedstars has made significant investments in the educational sector, including transactions such as Edupass, which raised funds in a seed round in 2017, and Orcas, an Egyptian live learning edtech startup that raised $2.1 million in a pre-series A funding round in 2022. Other relevant investments include SHROO7 and Mntrni, both of which also received seed funding, showcasing Seedstars' active role in the educational research services landscape.


6. Ananda Impact Ventures

  • Website: ananda.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: anandaventures

Ananda Impact Ventures is an impact investment firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2010. The firm focuses on supporting early-stage companies that aim to create significant social and environmental impact. They provide both investment and strategic support to entrepreneurs across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and sustainability. Notably, Ananda has invested in Arbor Education, which raised over $5 million in two separate funding rounds in 2017 and 2018, indicating a commitment to enhancing educational services and technologies. Additionally, their involvement in other ventures, such as Kinderzentren Kunterbunt and the Essex Social Impact Bond, further illustrates their engagement in initiatives that can positively impact education and social outcomes.


7. 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, helping startups access the capital needed for growth. Among their notable investments in the educational research services sector are Brainly, a social learning network that raised $14 million in Series B funding, and StuDocu, an edtech startup that raised €1.35 million to expand its services. Additionally, Point Nine invested in Grasp, an online learning platform, further demonstrating their engagement in the educational technology space. Their portfolio reflects a commitment to supporting innovative educational solutions.


8. Bertelsmann Multimedia Gmbh


Bertelsmann Multimedia Gmbh, part of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, is a global media, services, and education company based in Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With over 10,000 employees, the company operates across various sectors, including television, streaming, book publishing, and music production. In the educational research services context, Bertelsmann has made notable investments, such as leading a $4 million Series B funding round for WizIQ, an Indian online education platform, in 2013. They also participated in two Series A funding rounds for Synergis Education, raising $33 million in 2013 and $7.7 million in 2015. More recently, they were involved in a significant funding round for Emeritus, a Boston-based education upskilling company, which raised $650 million in Series E funding in 2021. These investments demonstrate Bertelsmann's strategic focus on enhancing educational services and technologies, positioning them as a key player in the educational research services sector.


9. Calm/Storm

  • Website: calmstorm.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 13
  • LinkedIn: calm-storm

Calm/Storm Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 2020. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, primarily in health tech startups, and is dedicated to supporting purpose-driven founders. Their portfolio includes diverse teams addressing sensitive health issues. Notably, Calm/Storm has been involved in several transactions, including the Doshi app, which secured funding to enhance gamified learning experiences and develop AI features for personalized learning. This investment highlights their potential interest in educational technology, despite their primary focus on health tech. Other transactions include investments in companies like OPEN Health and Little Journey, which further emphasize their commitment to health-related ventures.


10. 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 been involved in several significant transactions within the educational research services sector. They participated in multiple funding rounds for Sofatutor, a German online tutoring platform, which has raised funds to enhance its product development and expand its market reach. Additionally, IBB Ventures invested in Jurafuchs, a startup focused on legal education, which aims to grow its content and user base. These investments highlight IBB Ventures' active role in supporting innovative educational solutions.


11. 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, and provides capital and strategic support to help these startups grow in competitive markets. Notably, TA Ventures has invested in several companies relevant to the educational research services sector, such as zyBooks, which focuses on interactive learning materials, and Platzi, an online education platform that offers courses in technology and business. These investments highlight TA Ventures' commitment to fostering innovation in education and technology, further enhancing their profile as an investor in the educational research services space.


12. 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 solutions tailored for institutional investors, private banks, and individual clients. Among their notable transactions, Partners Group acquired Straive in May 2017 for $330 million, a company that provides educational content and services, highlighting their engagement in the educational research services sector. Additionally, they participated in a funding round for BeNative Business English, a language learning service, showcasing their interest in educational technology. These transactions reflect Partners Group's commitment to investing in sectors that enhance educational outcomes and access.



Educational Research Services Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Holtzbrinck DigitalFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany1-1020100
Verve VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50201025
SicticZurich, Zurich, Switzerland201-500201477
SpeedinvestVienna, Vienna, Austria51-200201145
SeedstarsCarouge, Geneva, Switzerland201-50020126
Ananda Impact VenturesMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5020106
Point NineBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201116
Bertelsmann Multimedia GmbhNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+3
Calm/StormVienna, Vienna, Austria1-10202013
IBB VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50199718
TA VenturesFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany11-5020105
Partners GroupBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-5000199619


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