The fragrance and perfume industry in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) is characterized by a blend of tradition and innovation. Companies range from established giants to agile startups, producing perfumes, personal care products, and essential oils. This booming sector is witnessing a shift toward sustainable and natural ingredients, driven by consumer demand for eco-conscious options. E-commerce is playing a crucial role in reaching customers, as online shopping for scents becomes increasingly popular. Trade events and collaborations are enhancing brand visibility, and technological advancements in fragrance development are paving the way for unique olfactory experiences.

The investors in the fragrance and perfume sector within DACH consist of notable corporate players and venture capital firms. They span across countries like Germany and Switzerland, covering a wide employee range from over 10,000 to small teams of fewer than 50. Most were established over a century ago, emphasizing their endurance. Notably, in 2024, these investors made significant moves, with notable names like Henkel engaging in multiple deals, showcasing a keen interest in the evolving fragrance landscape.

Top 12 Fragrance and Perfume Investors in DACH

1. Symrise AG

• Website: symrise.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Holzminden, Lower Saxony, Germany
• Founded year: 1874
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: symrise

Symrise AG is a leading chemicals company based in Holzminden, Lower Saxony, Germany, specializing in the production of flavors and fragrances. Founded in 1874, the company serves various industries, including food and beverage, cosmetics, and pet food, by providing innovative and sustainable solutions. In the fragrance sector, Symrise has made notable investments, including leading a $6 million Series A funding round for Phlur, marking its first investment in a fragrance brand. Additionally, Symrise has pursued strategic acquisitions, such as the purchase of SFA Romani and the Neroli Group, which collectively have annual sales exceeding 40 million euros. The company has also expanded its market position in Brazil through the acquisition of Citratus Fragrâncias and the Brazilian activities of Belmay, further solidifying its role in the global fragrance market.

2. Givaudan

• Website: givaudan.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
• Founded year: 1895
• Headcount: 10001+
• LinkedIn: givaudan

Givaudan is a corporate investor based in Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland, with over 10,000 employees. Founded in 1895, Givaudan specializes in manufacturing flavors, fragrances, and active cosmetic ingredients. The company provides innovative sensory solutions to various sectors, including food and beverage, personal care, and household goods. Givaudan has been actively expanding its footprint in the fragrance industry through strategic acquisitions. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Expressions Parfumees SAS in December 2017, Drom Fragrances in July 2019, and Custom Essence in November 2021, which aimed to enhance its natural fragrance capabilities. Additionally, Givaudan participated in a Series A funding round for Arcaea, a biology beauty company, indicating its interest in innovative beauty products and ingredients. These activities highlight Givaudan's significant role in the fragrance and perfume market.

3. Henkel

• Website: henkel.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
• Founded year: 1876
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 3
• LinkedIn: henkel

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA is a prominent chemical manufacturer and consumer goods company based in Düsseldorf, Germany, founded in 1876. The company specializes in adhesive technologies and a diverse range of consumer brands, including home care items and personal care products. In recent years, Henkel has made strategic acquisitions to expand its portfolio in the beauty and personal care sector, notably acquiring Shiseido on February 9, 2022, which is a significant player in the fragrance and cosmetics market. Additionally, Henkel has acquired brands like Banana Beauty and HelloBody, further diversifying its offerings in the beauty space. These transactions highlight Henkel's commitment to innovation and sustainability while also indicating its active role in the fragrance and perfume industry.

4. SevenVentures

• Website: sevenventures.de
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
• Founded year: 2009
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 3
• LinkedIn: 10262962

SevenVentures is a corporate investment firm based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in media investments and partnerships with consumer-oriented startups, providing media-for-equity and media-for-revenue investments to enhance brand visibility through tailored advertising strategies. In the context of the fragrance and perfume industry, SevenVentures has been involved in notable transactions such as Flaconi, a beauty e-commerce platform, and MyParfum, a personalized fragrance company. More recently, they invested in BeautyLove, a startup focused on beauty products, further solidifying their presence in the beauty and fragrance market. Their diverse portfolio reflects a commitment to supporting innovative companies in the consumer sector, including those in the fragrance and perfume industry.

5. Beiersdorf

• Website: beiersdorf.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
• Founded year: 1882
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: beiersdorf

Beiersdorf AG, founded in 1882 and based in Hamburg, Germany, is a prominent personal care manufacturer recognized for its skin care products and pressure-sensitive adhesives. The company is home to well-known brands such as NIVEA and Eucerin, and it operates globally with a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability. In recent years, Beiersdorf has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its brand portfolio, including the acquisition of Chantecaille on December 22, 2021, which is notable for its luxury skincare and fragrance offerings. Additionally, Beiersdorf acquired the natural cosmetics brand 'Stop The Water While Using Me!' in February 2023, further demonstrating its commitment to sustainable beauty solutions. These transactions highlight Beiersdorf's active role in the fragrance and perfume industry, making it a significant investor in this sector.

6. b2venture

• Website: b2venture.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2000
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 15
• LinkedIn: btovpartners

b2venture is a venture capital firm based in St. Gallen, Switzerland, founded in 2000. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in innovative startups across various sectors, providing financial backing and support to entrepreneurs to help them navigate challenges and scale their businesses. b2venture collaborates with a community of angel investors, enhancing their investment strategy and positioning them as a key player in the European venture capital landscape. Notably, b2venture has invested in Flaconi, an online retailer that offers a wide range of beauty products, including fragrances, and gitti, a startup focused on sustainable nail care products. These transactions highlight their engagement in the beauty and personal care market, which is closely related to the fragrance and perfume industry.

7. 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, founded in 2000. The firm specializes in investing in digital companies and supporting entrepreneurs from seed stage to exit, managing over €2.8 billion in assets. Notably, HV Capital has invested in GLOSSYBOX, a prominent player in the beauty subscription box market, which includes fragrances among its offerings. GLOSSYBOX raised significant funding rounds of $72 million in 2011 and $62.6 million in 2015, showcasing HV Capital's commitment to companies that intersect with the fragrance and beauty industry. Additionally, HV Capital has invested in other e-commerce platforms like Dafiti and Namshi, which may also feature beauty and fragrance products, further indicating their engagement in sectors related to fragrances and perfumes.

8. Richemont

• Website: richemont.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Bellevue, Geneva, Switzerland
• Founded year: 1988
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: richemont

Compagnie Financière Richemont S.A. is a luxury goods company based in Bellevue, Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 1988. The company specializes in the production and sale of high-end jewelry, watches, leather goods, and fashion accessories, catering to affluent consumers seeking exclusive products. Notably, Richemont acquired a 60% interest in Van Cleef & Arpels, a prestigious luxury brand, for approximately SFrs 460 million in 1999. Van Cleef & Arpels is not only renowned for its exquisite jewelry but also has a notable line of fragrances, which enhances Richemont's portfolio in the fragrance and perfume industry. Additionally, Richemont was involved in a significant investment in Farfetch, a luxury online marketplace, which further demonstrates its commitment to the luxury sector.

9. Mirabaud Asset Management

• Website: mirabaud-am.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2014
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: mirabaud-asset-management

Mirabaud Asset Management is an asset management firm based in Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2014. The firm specializes in investment strategies across equities, fixed income, and private assets, providing tailored investment solutions to a diverse clientele, including individuals and institutions. They focus on sustainable and high-conviction strategies to navigate complex financial markets. Notably, Mirabaud Asset Management participated in a Series A funding round for La Bouche Rouge Paris, raising over $11 million in February 2022. La Bouche Rouge is a brand that emphasizes sustainability and luxury in cosmetics, which includes fragrance offerings, showcasing Mirabaud's engagement in the beauty and fragrance sector.

10. 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, founded in 1870 and headquartered in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, is a leading investment bank and financial services provider. It offers a wide range of solutions including investment banking, corporate banking, cash management, trade finance, and securities services. The bank serves corporate and institutional clients, helping them manage their financial assets and liquidity effectively through its digital platform, Autobahn. In 2024, Deutsche Bank was involved in significant transactions, including a notable debt financing for Rémy Cointreau, which raised approximately $86 million. This transaction highlights Deutsche Bank's engagement with companies in the luxury goods sector, which includes fragrances. Additionally, Deutsche Bank participated in a funding round for windeln.de, although this company is not directly related to the fragrance industry. Overall, Deutsche Bank's involvement in the luxury sector through its financing activities suggests a potential interest in fragrance and perfume investments, albeit as part of a broader investment strategy.

11. Basf

• Website: basf.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
• Founded year: 1865
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: basf

BASF SE is a multinational chemical manufacturer based in Ludwigshafen, Germany, founded in 1865. The company provides a wide range of products and solutions across various industries, including agriculture, automotive, and construction, with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. In the context of the fragrance and perfume industry, BASF has made notable strides, particularly with their acquisition of Isobionics, a Netherlands-based fragrance and flavor developer, from Royal DSM in September 2019. This acquisition aims to enhance BASF's portfolio in natural aroma ingredients by leveraging Isobionics' biotech-based products and development pipeline, showcasing BASF's strategic interest in the fragrance sector.

12. BASF Venture Capital

• Website: basf.de
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
• Founded year: 2001
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 3
• LinkedIn: basf

BASF Venture Capital, founded in 2001 and based in Ludwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, is a corporate investor that is part of BASF, a leading chemical manufacturer. The firm focuses on innovation and sustainability across various industries, including automotive, construction, and agriculture. Notably, BASF Venture Capital has invested in P2 Science, a company that specializes in developing sustainable ingredients for the fragrance and personal care markets. They participated in a $9.55 million Series B financing round in 2017 and a $12 million Series C financing round in 2020, both aimed at expanding P2 Science's production capabilities. These transactions highlight BASF Venture Capital's engagement in the fragrance sector, showcasing their interest in supporting innovative companies that contribute to the industry.

Fragrance and Perfume Insights: Key Investors in DACH

Investor	Headquarter	Size	Founded	Deals 2024
Symrise AG	Holzminden, Lower Saxony, Germany	10001+	1874	2
Givaudan	Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland	10001+	1895	0
Henkel	Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany	10001+	1876	3
SevenVentures	Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany	11-50	2009	3
Beiersdorf	Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany	10001+	1882	1
b2venture	St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland	11-50	2000	15
HV Capital	Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany	11-50	2000	28
Richemont	Bellevue, Geneva, Switzerland	10001+	1988	1
Mirabaud Asset Management	Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland	51-200	2014	1
Deutsche Bank	Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany	10001+	1870	32
Basf	Ludwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany	10001+	1865	1
BASF Venture Capital	Ludwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany	10001+	2001	3

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