Top 12 Outdoor Advertising Investors in DACH
Top 12 Outdoor Advertising Investors in DACH
The outdoor advertising industry in the DACH region consists of various platforms like billboards, posters, and digital displays arranged in accessible public spaces. Companies range from large corporations to innovative startups, focusing on effective brand visibility and consumer engagement. The sector is currently embracing digital transformation, integrating advanced technology such as programmatic advertising and smart displays. As consumer behaviors shift towards mobile connectivity, advertisers are increasingly aiming to blend traditional and digital media. Sustainability is becoming a priority, reflecting the industry's adaptation to changing societal values and environmental expectations, driving growth and modernization.
This list showcases a mix of prominent corporate players and venture capitalists from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria in outdoor advertising. They vary in size from over 10,000 employees to smaller firms of 11-50. Spanning years of experience, from founding in 1875 to as recent as 2010, these investors have demonstrated their commitment in 2024, with notable deals ranging from 0 to 27. This blend of investors indicates a robust interest in outdoor advertising expansion throughout the DACH region.
Top 12 Outdoor Advertising Investors in DACH
1. Axel Springer
- Website: axelspringer.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Founded year: 1946
- Headcount: 10001+
- Number of deals in 2024: 1
- LinkedIn: axel-springer-se
Axel Springer SE is a prominent media company based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1946. It specializes in publishing news and digital media, operating a diverse portfolio of brands such as BILD and Business Insider. The company is committed to independent journalism and leveraging technology to enhance its media offerings. Notably, Axel Springer has made significant investments in the advertising sector, including a majority stake acquisition in FRAMEN, a startup that has evolved into a micro-targeting advertising platform for digital signage. This acquisition highlights Axel Springer's strategic focus on integrating technology with advertising, particularly in outdoor and digital formats. Additionally, their involvement in various funding rounds, such as the investment in AdMobilize and participation in Group Nine Media's funding, further demonstrates their commitment to expanding their advertising capabilities.
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, founded in 1875. It specializes in publishing and audio broadcasting, offering a wide range of products including magazines, digital content, and radio stations. In 2024, Bauer Media Group made a significant move in the outdoor advertising industry by acquiring Clear Channel Europe for £512 million ($625 million). This acquisition is expected to close in 2025 and will enhance Bauer's out-of-home advertising capabilities across 13 national markets, adding over 100,000 advertising spaces and 1,600 employees to its portfolio. This strategic acquisition positions Bauer Media Group as a key player in the outdoor advertising market, allowing them to reach a combined audience of 350 million consumers. The company focuses on enriching everyday life through engaging content and marketing services, making it a versatile investor in both traditional and outdoor advertising sectors.
3. Ströer Media Deutschland GmbH
- Website: stroeer.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Germany
- Founded year: 1990
- Headcount: 10001+
- LinkedIn: str%c3%b6er-media-deutschland-gmbh
Ströer Media Deutschland GmbH is a leading advertising agency based in Germany, founded in 1990. The company specializes in outdoor and digital advertising, as well as dialog marketing, providing businesses with effective communication strategies to reach their target audiences. Ströer has been active in expanding its portfolio through various acquisitions, including UAM Media Group in 2017, which is expected to boost revenues significantly, and Business Advertising GmbH in 2012. These transactions highlight Ströer's commitment to enhancing its capabilities in the advertising space, particularly in outdoor advertising. The company operates primarily in Germany and emphasizes sustainability in its advertising practices, making it a relevant and responsible player in the outdoor advertising market.
4. Infront Sports & Media AG
- Website: infront.sport
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Zug, Zug, Switzerland
- Founded year: 2003
- Headcount: 501-1000
- LinkedIn: infront-sports-%26-media-ag
Infront Sports & Media AG is a corporate investor based in Zug, Switzerland, founded in 2003. The company specializes in sports marketing, managing media and marketing rights for international sports events. They offer a variety of services, including sponsorship, media rights distribution, and sports broadcast production, aimed at enhancing audience engagement for sports federations, brands, and media companies. Notably, Infront has made strategic acquisitions to bolster its presence in the outdoor advertising sector, such as the acquisition of DSM Sportwerbung GmbH in 2007, which focuses on football ground advertising in Germany. This move highlights their commitment to expanding their footprint in outdoor advertising, particularly within the sports industry. Additionally, their acquisition of Media Partners in 2006 aimed to enhance their operations in winter sports, further indicating their strategic growth in sports marketing.
5. 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 investing in early-stage technology startups across various sectors, including HealthTech and FinTech. They provide capital and strategic support to help startups grow in competitive markets. TA Ventures has a global presence and actively builds networks for its portfolio companies. Among their notable transactions, they invested in Adwisely, which raised $1.2 million in a seed round in 2019, focusing on advertising solutions. This investment, along with their involvement in other advertising technology companies like SilverPush and Eyeota, showcases their interest in the advertising sector, which includes outdoor advertising.
6. Bayern Kapital
- Website: bayernkapital.de
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Landshut, Bavaria, Germany
- Founded year: 1995
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 27
- LinkedIn: bayern-kapital-gmbh
Bayern Kapital is a venture capital firm based in Landshut, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1995. The firm specializes in providing investment and growth capital to innovative high-tech startups and scale-ups in Bavaria. It supports its clients with financial resources and access to a network of industry experts, helping them navigate the challenges of growth and development in sectors such as life sciences and software. Notably, Bayern Kapital has been involved in multiple funding rounds for Crealytics, a German adtech startup that raised significant capital to enhance its advertising technology. This includes a Series C financing round of $9.3 million in 2017, as well as earlier rounds in 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014. Crealytics focuses on addressing the complexities of inventory, pricing, and bidding across various advertising channels, which aligns with the outdoor advertising industry’s need for effective ad placement and management.
7. Tamedia
- Website: tamedia.ch
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Boswil, Aargau, Switzerland
- Founded year: 1893
- Headcount: 1001-5000
- LinkedIn: tamedia
Tamedia is a media company based in Boswil, Aargau, Switzerland, specializing in journalism and publishing. Founded in 1893, the company has grown to employ between 1001 and 5000 people and offers a range of products including newspapers and digital news platforms. Tamedia focuses on quality journalism and effective advertising solutions for both consumers and businesses. Notably, in 2017, Tamedia acquired Neo Advertising, a company that specializes in outdoor advertising, which enhances its portfolio in this sector. Additionally, the acquisition of Goldbach Group AG, which operates in the advertising space, further solidifies Tamedia's involvement in advertising, including outdoor advertising. These strategic acquisitions demonstrate Tamedia's commitment to expanding its influence in the advertising market, particularly in outdoor advertising.
8. H.I.G. European Capital Partners Gmbh
- Website: higeurope.com
- Type: Private Equity
- Headquarters: Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Founded year: 2006
- Headcount: 51-200
- LinkedIn: h.i.g.-european-capital-partners-gmbh
H.I.G. European Capital Partners Gmbh is a private equity investment firm based in Hamburg, Germany, founded in 2006. The firm specializes in private equity and asset management, focusing on helping mid-sized businesses grow through management buyouts, special situations, and growth capital investments. Notably, H.I.G. Europe acquired Exterior Plus in December 2015, a company that operates in the outdoor advertising industry, which highlights their engagement in this sector. Additionally, they have made significant investments in other companies such as The Engine Group and Brand Addition, which, while not directly related to outdoor advertising, demonstrate their capability and strategy in supporting business growth across various industries.
9. Swisscom Ventures
- Website: ventures.swisscom.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Founded year: 2007
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 4
- LinkedIn: swisscom-ventures
Swisscom Ventures is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 2007, specializing in high-potential technology startups. With a focus on providing financial support and strategic advisory services, Swisscom Ventures helps startups access technical infrastructure and market channels across various technology sectors, including AI and Fintech. Notably, they have invested in Adello Inc., a mobile advertising startup, which raised funds to expand its operations, indicating their interest in the advertising space. Furthermore, their acquisition of JLS Digital Ltd., a leading digital signage and web agency, highlights their commitment to enhancing digital marketing solutions, which are integral to outdoor advertising. These transactions reflect Swisscom Ventures' strategic positioning within the advertising landscape, particularly in digital and mobile advertising contexts.
10. Capnamic
- Website: capnamic.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Founded year: 2012
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 6
- LinkedIn: capnamic-ventures
Capnamic is a venture capital firm based in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, providing funding and strategic support to startups to help them grow in competitive markets. Capnamic aims to deliver high returns to its investors through careful portfolio management and investment strategies. Among their notable transactions, they invested in ADEX, a Berlin-based provider of data management solutions for advertising, which raised €2.8 million in Series A financing. This investment highlights Capnamic's engagement in the advertising sector, particularly in data management, which is crucial for optimizing advertising strategies, including outdoor advertising. Additionally, their involvement with companies like Adjust, which specializes in mobile analytics, further emphasizes their interest in the advertising ecosystem.
11. Goldbach Group AG
- Website: goldbach.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Rue, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Founded year: 2000
- Headcount: 201-500
- LinkedIn: goldbach-group-ag
Goldbach Group AG is an advertising agency based in Rue, Fribourg, Switzerland, founded in 2000. With a workforce of 201-500 employees, the company specializes in providing comprehensive advertising solutions across various media platforms, including TV, print, audio, online, and out-of-home (outdoor) advertising. In 2015, Goldbach Group AG acquired Splicky, a move that likely enhanced their capabilities in digital advertising, which can complement outdoor advertising strategies. Additionally, in 2022, they acquired Adunit from Swisscom, aimed at bolstering their Digital Unit and developing a cross-media booking platform. This acquisition is particularly relevant as it indicates their intent to integrate various advertising channels, including outdoor advertising, into a cohesive strategy for their clients. Overall, Goldbach Group AG is positioned as a significant player in the advertising industry, with a clear focus on outdoor advertising as part of their broader service offerings.
12. Rheingau Founders
- Website: rheingau-founders.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Founded year: 2011
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 1
- LinkedIn: rheingau-founders
Rheingau Founders is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, specializing in early-stage investments in B2B tech companies. Founded in 2011, the firm provides financial backing and strategic support to entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the challenges of growing their startups. Their investment strategy includes pre-seed, seed, and Series A funding primarily in the technology sector. Notably, Rheingau Founders has been involved in transactions with companies like Remerge, a mobile app marketing platform, and Madvertise, a mobile advertising leader. The investment in Madvertise, which raised significant funding in both Series A and Series B rounds, highlights their engagement in the advertising space, particularly mobile advertising, which can intersect with outdoor advertising strategies. This involvement suggests that while their primary focus may not be outdoor advertising, they have relevant experience in the advertising industry.
Outdoor Advertising Insights: Key Investors in DACH
Investor | Headquarter | Size | Founded | Deals 2024 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Axel Springer | Berlin, Berlin, Germany | 10001+ | 1946 | 1 |
Bauer Media Group | Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany | 10001+ | 1875 | 2 |
Ströer Media Deutschland GmbH | Germany | 10001+ | 1990 | 0 |
Infront Sports & Media AG | Zug, Zug, Switzerland | 501-1000 | 2003 | 0 |
TA Ventures | Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany | 11-50 | 2010 | 5 |
Bayern Kapital | Landshut, Bavaria, Germany | 11-50 | 1995 | 27 |
Tamedia | Boswil, Aargau, Switzerland | 1001-5000 | 1893 | 0 |
H.I.G. European Capital Partners Gmbh | Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany | 51-200 | 2006 | 0 |
Swisscom Ventures | Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland | 11-50 | 2007 | 4 |
Capnamic | Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany | 11-50 | 2012 | 6 |
Goldbach Group AG | Rue, Fribourg, Switzerland | 201-500 | 2000 | 0 |
Rheingau Founders | Berlin, Berlin, Germany | 11-50 | 2011 | 1 |
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