The online car rental industry in the DACH region has evolved rapidly, shaped by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences. A variety of companies, from traditional car rental giants to innovative startups, offer a range of services, including short-term rentals, subscription models, and peer-to-peer options. With a growing focus on sustainable and flexible mobility solutions, the sector is witnessing increased demand for electric vehicles and seamless digital experiences. As urbanization continues to drive transportation change, the online car rental market is set to expand further, making way for more agile and customer-centric business models that align with modern consumers' needs.


The DACH region boasts a vibrant ecosystem of investors focused on the online car rental sector. Featured investors range from corporates like Mercedes-Benz AG to venture capital firms such as Speedinvest and Cherry Ventures. Established between 1833 and 2013, these investors vary in size from small teams to large organizations, contributing numerous investments in 2024. Their strategic involvement highlights a robust commitment to fostering innovative solutions within the mobility space, marking a significant presence in the future of transportation.


Top 12 Online Car Rental Investors in DACH


1. 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. With over €2.8 billion under management, HV Capital specializes in investing in digital companies and supporting entrepreneurs from seed stage to exit. They have a diverse portfolio, including notable investments in companies like Roadsurfer, which raised €24 million in a Series B funding round led by HV Capital in March 2021. This investment highlights their commitment to the online car rental sector, particularly in the growing market of camper van rentals. Additionally, HV Capital has invested in FlixBus, a major player in the transportation industry, which, while not directly related to car rentals, demonstrates their active role in the mobility sector. Overall, HV Capital provides capital and strategic guidance to startups across Europe, helping them navigate growth challenges and achieve market success.


2. Mercedes-Benz AG

  • Website: mercedes-benz.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
  • Founded year: 1883
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: mercedes-benz_ag

Mercedes-Benz AG, founded in 1883 and headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, is a leading automobile manufacturer known for its luxury vehicles and vans. The company has a strong focus on quality and performance, catering to both individual consumers and businesses. In recent years, Mercedes-Benz has actively invested in the online car rental and mobility services sector. Notably, they participated in Turo's Series D funding round, contributing to a total of $92 million raised, which aimed at expanding Turo's operations abroad and enhancing customer experience. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz has invested in Blacklane, a Berlin-based startup that provides professional chauffeur services, participating in multiple funding rounds to support its growth and expansion into sustainable travel initiatives. These strategic investments highlight Mercedes-Benz's commitment to evolving its business model to include innovative mobility solutions, making them a relevant player in the online car rental industry.


3. 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, while also showing a notable interest in the online car rental industry. Among their relevant transactions, TA Ventures invested in Bipi, a Spanish car-as-a-service marketplace, participating in both a €10.5M Series B round in 2020 and a $7.36M Series A round in 2019. This involvement highlights their strategic support for companies in the online car rental space. Additionally, they invested in Campanda, which raised over $3 million in a seed round in 2014, further emphasizing their engagement in the car rental market. With a focus on building networks for their portfolio companies, TA Ventures provides capital and strategic support to help startups grow in competitive markets.


4. Volkswagen Group Investor Relations


Volkswagen Group Investor Relations is a corporate investor based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany, and is part of one of the world's leading automotive manufacturers. Founded in 1937, Volkswagen Group has a workforce of over 10,000 employees and operates through a multi-brand strategy, offering a range of vehicles and energy solutions, including electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Notably, Volkswagen Group has made significant investments in the online car rental sector, highlighted by their acquisition of Europcar, a prominent French car rental group, in June 2021. This acquisition was further solidified in June 2022 when a Volkswagen-led consortium acquired 87.38% of Europcar, demonstrating their commitment to expanding their footprint in the car rental market. Additionally, Volkswagen has invested in Gett, an Israeli ride-hailing startup, participating in multiple funding rounds that underscore their interest in mobility solutions that complement car rental services. These transactions reflect Volkswagen's strategic focus on integrating mobility and rental services into their broader business model.


5. 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 been involved in significant transactions such as Moove, a Nigerian automobile financing startup, which raised substantial funding in multiple rounds, indicating their interest in the automotive sector. This involvement suggests that Speedinvest is not only focused on traditional tech sectors but also has a stake in the automotive financing space, which is relevant to the online car rental industry.


6. 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, including consulting in tech and growth, access to a network of investors, and pre-seed investment opportunities. In 2021, Project A participated in a Series B funding round for Vay, a startup aiming to launch its first fleet in Hamburg, which highlights their interest in the online car rental space. Additionally, they have been involved in multiple funding rounds for VOI Technology, a company focused on electric scooters, showcasing their commitment to the mobility sector. Their diverse portfolio indicates a willingness to invest in innovative transportation solutions, making them a relevant player in the online car rental industry.


7. 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. They have a diverse portfolio that includes companies in various sectors, including SaaS and mobility. Notably, Cherry Ventures has invested in Drover, a subscription car service that raised a Series A round in 2018 and a Series B round in 2020, demonstrating their commitment to the online car rental space. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for Wunder Mobility and Caroobi, both of which are related to mobility and car services, further showcasing their relevance in the automotive and rental sectors.


8. 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. They collaborate 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 been involved in multiple funding rounds for Blacklane, a Berlin-based startup that offers premium transportation services. Blacklane has raised significant amounts over the years, including a Series D funding round of $40-45 million in 2018 and a Series B round of approximately $13.7 million in 2013. These transactions highlight b2venture's engagement in the transportation sector, which is closely related to the online car rental industry.


9. Monkfish Equity


Monkfish Equity GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in providing equity funding and strategic support to early-stage and growth-stage startups, particularly in the internet and technology sectors. They focus on helping entrepreneurial teams navigate business development challenges by offering financial resources and leveraging their extensive industry experience. Notably, Monkfish Equity was involved in the seed round investment of Campanda, which raised over $3 million in 2014, indicating their interest in the online rental market. Other investments include SpareFoot, a storage marketplace, and Uniplaces, a platform for student accommodation, showcasing their diverse portfolio beyond just car rentals.


10. Atlantic Labs

  • Website: atlanticlabs.de
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2013
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 13
  • LinkedIn: atlantic-labs

Atlantic Labs is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2013. The firm focuses on supporting exceptional, mission-driven founders across various sectors, including climate tech, AI, and digital health. Notably, Atlantic Labs has made significant investments in the online car rental space, including participation in funding rounds for Campanda, which raised a total of €17 million across multiple rounds for its motorhome and campervan rental platform, and Cluno, a car subscription provider that raised €12.4 million in a Series B extension. These transactions highlight Atlantic Labs' commitment to the mobility sector and their strategic interest in innovative car rental solutions.


11. Porsche Ventures

  • Website: porsche.ventures
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: porsche-ventures

Porsche Ventures is a corporate venture capital firm based in Stuttgart, Germany, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in early-stage investments across mobility, industrial technology, and sustainability sectors. With a focus on supporting startups, Porsche Ventures provides not only capital but also strategic guidance and access to a vast network of industry connections. Notable transactions include investments in Ridepanda, a micro-mobility platform, which received funding to expand its workforce and enhance its services, indicating a commitment to innovative transportation solutions. Additionally, their investment in KeySavvy, which aims to improve vehicle transaction processes, aligns with the interests of the online car rental industry. These transactions highlight Porsche Ventures' active role in the mobility sector, making them a significant player in the evolving landscape of transportation.


12. Acton Capital


Acton Capital is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 1999, specializing in investing in startups at the Series A stage and beyond. They focus on providing financial backing and strategic guidance to mission-driven teams across various sectors, including technology and eco-friendly consumer goods. Notably, Acton Capital has invested in Cluno, a car subscription provider, participating in both a €12.4 million Series B extension in 2019 and an $8 million Series A round in 2018. This involvement highlights their interest in the online car rental industry, showcasing their capability to support companies that offer innovative mobility solutions. Acton Capital aims to help companies develop tailored growth strategies to achieve long-term success, making them a valuable partner for startups in the online car rental space.



Online Car Rental Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
HV CapitalFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-50200028
Mercedes-Benz AGStuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany10001+18831
TA VenturesFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany11-5020105
Volkswagen Group Investor RelationsWolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany10001+19371
SpeedinvestVienna, Vienna, Austria51-200201145
Project ABerlin, Berlin, Germany51-200201213
Cherry VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201225
b2ventureSt. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland11-50200015
Monkfish EquityLeipzig, Saxony, Germany1-1020110
Atlantic LabsBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201313
Porsche VenturesStuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany11-5020189
Acton CapitalMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019993


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