The music merchandising industry in DACH encompasses businesses that design, produce, and sell music-related products and services, capitalizing on the popularity of artists and bands. This sector includes concert merchandise, streaming services, and music publishing, supported by both established firms and startups. Technology is reshaping how companies engage with fans, enhancing experiences through digital platforms and innovative merchandise. As music consumption evolves, so does the merchandising landscape, prompting players to adopt creative strategies. Notably, the rise of independent artists is driving fresh opportunities in this booming market.


The list features a mix of corporate and venture capital investors headquartered across major DACH cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Zurich. Most operate with medium to large teams, and their founding dates range from 1875 to 2020. Over the course of 2024, these investors demonstrated a keen interest in music merchandising, with numbers of deals reflecting their commitment. For instance, notable players like Bauer Media Group and CTS EVENTIM AG & Co. KGaA made impactful investments, showcasing a robust engagement in this sector.


Top 12 Music Merchandising Investors in DACH


1. Bmg


Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) is a corporate investor based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2005. BMG operates as a music publishing and record label company, providing services in music publishing and rights management. The company is dedicated to supporting artists and songwriters by promoting and distributing their music, ensuring they receive fair compensation. BMG has been actively involved in significant transactions within the music industry, including the acquisition of the Mute Records catalogue from Universal Music Group, which features iconic artists like Depeche Mode and Nick Cave. Additionally, BMG acquired the recorded catalog of Mötley Crüe, encompassing their entire discography, and the key music interests of Simple Minds, which includes publishing rights to over 240 songs. These strategic acquisitions highlight BMG's commitment to enhancing their music portfolio and supporting the artists they represent, making them a relevant player in the music merchandising landscape.


2. Bauer Media Group

  • Website: bauermedia.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
  • Founded year: 1875
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: bauer-media-group

Bauer Media Group is a prominent media company based in Hamburg, Germany, specializing in publishing and audio broadcasting. Founded in 1875, the company has grown to serve millions of consumers and businesses across Europe with a diverse range of products, including magazines, digital content, and radio stations. In recent years, Bauer Media has made significant acquisitions in the music broadcasting sector, including the purchase of Beat 102-103, a regional youth music station in Ireland, and Planet Rock, a national digital radio station known for classic rock music. These acquisitions reflect Bauer's strategy to enhance its digital radio portfolio and engage with music audiences, thereby enriching everyday life through engaging content and marketing services.


3. CTS EVENTIM AG & Co. KGaA

  • Website: eventim.de
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Bremen, Bremen, Germany
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: cts-eventim-ag

CTS EVENTIM AG & Co. KGaA is a corporate investor based in Bremen, Germany, founded in 1999. The company specializes in ticketing services and event promotion, providing solutions for concerts and festivals. They operate a digital platform for ticket sales and collaborate with various promoters across multiple countries. Notably, CTS EVENTIM has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its presence in the live music sector. These include acquiring a controlling stake in Vivo Concerti, an Italian concert and musical promoter, and a majority stake in DreamHaus GmbH, which organizes major festivals like 'Rock am Ring' and 'Rock im Park'. Additionally, their acquisition of a controlling interest in Talent Concert International, a leading Russian tour promoter, further demonstrates their commitment to expanding their influence in the music industry. Through these transactions, CTS EVENTIM is positioned as a key player in the music merchandising landscape, actively promoting and facilitating live music events.


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 investment focus spans various technology sectors, including Deep Tech, Fintech, and SaaS. Notably, they have invested in ForTunes, a platform that aids artists and music professionals in managing their careers, indicating their engagement in the music industry. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for other companies, showcasing their diverse investment strategy, but their involvement with ForTunes highlights a specific interest in music-related ventures.


5. 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 Matchspace Music, which raised funds in a Pre Seed Round in 2021, indicating their engagement in the music sector. Additionally, they have been involved with Staxe, another music-related startup that raised funds in 2018. These investments highlight Sictic's interest in the music industry, particularly in early-stage companies that may contribute to music merchandising.


6. Best Nights VC

  • Website: bestnights.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: m-venture-gmbh

Best Nights VC is a Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 2018, specializing in investments in consumer tech startups that are connected to the nightlife and entertainment industries. They aim to support innovative entrepreneurs by providing funding and expertise to enhance social experiences and live entertainment. Notably, they participated in a significant investment round for un:hurd Music, an artist marketing platform, which highlights their engagement in the music sector. Additionally, their portfolio includes investments in companies like FlickPlay, which may intersect with music and entertainment, further demonstrating their commitment to bridging culture and technology in the entertainment space.


7. 468Cap

  • Website: 468cap.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 27
  • LinkedIn: 468cap

468 Capital is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2020. The firm specializes in technology investments and focuses on backing founder-led startups across various sectors, including AI, energy transition, and enterprise software. Notably, 468Cap has also invested in the music technology space, with significant transactions such as Encore Music Technologies, which raised $9 million in a seed round in February 2022, and Turntable Labs, which secured $8.2 million in a seed round in August 2024. These investments highlight 468Cap's engagement in the music merchandising industry, showcasing their commitment to supporting innovative companies within this sector.


8. 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 funding but also expertise and resources to help these businesses thrive in competitive markets. Among their notable transactions, IBB Ventures has invested in Skoove, a Berlin-based music tech startup that raised €3M in a recent funding round. This investment highlights IBB Ventures' engagement with the music industry, particularly in areas that intersect with technology and education. Additionally, their diverse portfolio includes various sectors, but their involvement with Skoove positions them as a relevant player in the music merchandising landscape.


9. Wellington Partners


Wellington Partners is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1998. The firm specializes in life sciences, investing in early- and growth-stage companies to provide capital and strategic support. While their primary focus is on therapeutics and medical devices, they have also made significant investments in the music industry. Notably, they participated in a $16 million funding round for Goom Radio, a company aiming to innovate radio for the digital generation, and a $50 million investment in Spotify during its Series B round. These transactions highlight Wellington Partners' engagement with companies that are reshaping the music landscape, indicating a broader interest that extends beyond their core focus on life sciences.


10. 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 has a diverse portfolio that includes television and streaming services, book publishing, and music production. Notably, Bertelsmann has made significant investments in the music sector, including the acquisition of Napster in 2002 for $8 million, which was a pioneering move in the digital music space. They also participated in the funding of Musicbank, which raised $20 million in 2000, and invested $100 million in JioSaavn, a prominent music streaming service in India, in 2015. These transactions highlight Bertelsmann's commitment to the music industry and its potential for growth in music merchandising.


11. 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. Notably, Verve Ventures has made significant investments in the music industry, including multiple rounds of funding for iMusician, a platform that aids independent artists in distributing their music. They also participated in funding rounds for Groover, a music promotion platform that connects independent artists with industry professionals. These transactions highlight Verve Ventures' engagement in the music sector, particularly in areas that intersect with music merchandising, such as distribution and promotion.


12. Serpentine Ventures

  • Website: serpentine.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: swiss-startup-capital

Serpentine Ventures AG is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2019. The firm specializes in managing investments in early-stage technology ventures, providing venture capital and investment management services to high net worth individuals, professional investors, and institutional clients. Notably, Serpentine Ventures has participated in the seed funding round for Mictic, a music wearables startup, which raised $2.5 million in November 2021. This investment highlights their engagement in the music technology sector. Additionally, they have been involved in other technology-focused ventures such as PatchXR and AVA, although these do not directly pertain to music merchandising. Their experience in identifying promising investment opportunities positions them as a potential contributor to the music merchandising landscape.



Music Merchandising Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
BmgBerlin, Berlin, Germany1001-500020050
Bauer Media GroupHamburg, Hamburg, Germany10001+18752
CTS EVENTIM AG & Co. KGaABremen, Bremen, Germany1001-500019991
SpeedinvestVienna, Vienna, Austria51-200201145
SicticZurich, Zurich, Switzerland201-500201477
Best Nights VCBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020180
468CapBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50202027
IBB VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50199718
Wellington PartnersMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019989
Bertelsmann Multimedia GmbhNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+3
Verve VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50201025
Serpentine VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020192


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