The science and technology non-profit industry in DACH focuses on addressing vital scientific challenges through innovative solutions. This sector comprises organizations that support research, technology development, and implementation of sustainable practices. Companies include startups and established firms spanning biotechnology, alternative energy, and educational technology, all seeking to make a positive impact. With growing attention on climate change and health issues, this industry is poised for significant expansion and collaboration. According to recent estimates, funding in this field has surged in response to societal needs, fostering a culture of innovation and partnership among public and private sectors.


In the DACH region, a variety of investors contribute to the science and technology non-profit landscape. This list comprises venture capital firms, corporate investors, and a non-profit organization. Headquartered in cities like Berlin, Munich, Zurich, and Vienna, these investors range from large corporate giants to smaller, agile firms. Established between 1863 and 2022, they participated in numerous deals in 2024, making strategic investments that reveal their commitment to fostering scientific innovation and addressing global challenges.


Top 12 Science and Technology Non Profit Investors in DACH


1. Leaps by Bayer

  • Website: leaps.bayer.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: leapsbybayer

Leaps by Bayer is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in biotechnology and agriculture, investing in early-stage companies that are working on scientific breakthroughs to address major global challenges, particularly in health and food security. Leaps by Bayer provides not only funding but also active incubation to support the development of innovative solutions. Notable transactions include their participation in the Series A funding of Gandeeva Therapeutics, which raised $40 million to advance an AI-driven platform for precision medicine. They also invested in Dewpoint Therapeutics across multiple funding rounds, including a Series C round of $150 million, aimed at developing a platform for biomolecular condensates. Additionally, they supported Paratus Sciences in a Series A round of $100 million, further emphasizing their commitment to advancing scientific research and technology.


2. Possible Ventures

  • Website: possible.ventures
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: possible-vc

Possible Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2021. The firm has made a total of 9 investments in 2024, focusing on innovative solutions across various sectors. One of their notable investments includes Auriga Space, which raised an initial $5 million to develop electromagnetic technology for space launches, showcasing their interest in cutting-edge space technology. Additionally, Possible Ventures participated in a $43 million funding round for Chemify, a company that aims to revolutionize chemical processes, indicating their engagement in scientific advancements. Their portfolio also includes investments in other startups like Return Protocol and Yuri, further emphasizing their active role in supporting technology-driven initiatives.


3. 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 Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 2010, specializing in deep tech investments across Europe. With a team size of 11-50, they focus on providing funding and strategic support to science and technology startups, helping them grow and succeed in their respective markets. Their investment portfolio includes sectors such as climate tech, industrial technology, and health & bio. Notable transactions include their participation in Qnami's Series A financing round, which raised approximately €3.6 million to support the development of quantum microscope technology, and their investment in ORCA Computing's $15 million Series A funding round aimed at expanding photonic quantum computing systems. These investments highlight Verve Ventures' commitment to fostering innovation in the science and technology sector.


4. 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. With a focus on sectors such as life sciences and software, Bayern Kapital supports its clients not only with financial resources but also by granting access to a network of industry experts. In 2024, Bayern Kapital has been actively involved in 27 investments, showcasing their commitment to fostering innovation. Notable transactions include their participation in the Series A funding of planqc, a quantum computing startup, which raised €50 million to develop quantum software and cloud services. They also invested in mbiomics GmbH, a microbiome biotech company that raised EUR 13 million to develop microbiome-based therapeutics. These investments highlight Bayern Kapital's role in advancing scientific research and technology development, making them a significant player in the science and technology landscape.


5. Bayer

  • Website: bayer.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 1863
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: bayer

Bayer AG is a multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company based in Leverkusen, Germany, founded in 1863. The company operates in healthcare and agriculture, providing innovative pharmaceuticals and agricultural solutions. Bayer has been involved in various transactions that reflect its commitment to science and technology. For instance, it provided a grant of $1.5 million to BioSTL in 2019, supporting initiatives in biotechnology. Additionally, Bayer's acquisition of Direvo Biotech AG in 2008, a protein engineering specialist, highlights its focus on enhancing its research and development capabilities in the biotech sector. Furthermore, Bayer's recent grant to Food Banks Canada in 2023 demonstrates its engagement in community health initiatives, which often intersect with scientific research and technology applications.


6. Blue Horizon

  • Website: bluehorizon.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: bluehorizoncorp

Blue Horizon is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 2016, specializing in investments that promote sustainable food systems. The firm supports mission-aligned founders in the bioeconomy by providing funding and resources to scale innovative solutions, particularly in alternative proteins and sustainable practices. Notable transactions include a $20 million investment in Basecamp Research, which is involved in pharmaceuticals and agriculture, and a $35 million investment in Tropic Biosciences, which focuses on agricultural biotechnology. These investments highlight Blue Horizon's commitment to fostering innovation in sectors that are crucial for sustainable development and scientific advancement.


7. redalpine


Redalpine is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 2006, specializing in technology and science sectors. With a team size of 11-50, they have been actively investing in innovative startups, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, health tech, and energy. In 2024 alone, Redalpine has made 18 investments, demonstrating their active role in the venture capital landscape. Notable transactions include a significant investment in EraCal, a biotech company focused on developing anti-obesity medicines, which highlights their commitment to health-related innovations. Additionally, they participated in the funding of Mushlabs, a biotech firm that aims to increase production of sustainable food sources. These investments reflect Redalpine's strategy of empowering companies that tackle pressing global challenges, making them a relevant player in the science and technology sectors.


8. Evotec

  • Website: evotec.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
  • Founded year: 1993
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: evotec

Evotec SE, founded in 1993 and based in Hamburg, Germany, is a prominent biotechnology company specializing in drug discovery and development. The company collaborates with pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, providing a comprehensive range of services from discovery to manufacturing. Evotec's mission is to address unmet medical needs and enhance the efficiency of bringing new therapeutics to market. In recent years, Evotec has participated in several significant funding rounds, including a Series A investment in Cajal Neuroscience, which raised $96M to expand its development efforts. Additionally, Evotec was involved in the Series A funding for Centauri Therapeutics, which closed a GBP24 million round, further demonstrating its commitment to supporting innovative biotech solutions. Their participation in seed rounds for companies like Autobahn Labs and OxVax also highlights their active role in nurturing early-stage biotech ventures.


9. BlueYard Capital

  • Website: blueyard.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: blueyard-capital

BlueYard Capital is a Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 2016, specializing in early-stage investments across a variety of innovative sectors, including cryptocurrency, biotechnology, and engineering. The firm is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs by providing funding and resources to develop groundbreaking technologies that tackle significant global challenges. Notable transactions include their investment in Sensible Biotechnologies, which raised $4.2 million to develop a cost-efficient platform for high-quality mRNA manufacturing, and their participation in the funding round for Zafrens, a drug discovery company that raised $23 million. Additionally, they were involved in the funding of Clock Bio, which raised $5.3 million in 2024. These investments highlight BlueYard Capital's commitment to advancing scientific research and technology, making them a relevant player in the science and technology sector.


10. APEX Ventures

  • Website: apex.ventures
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: apex-vc

APEX Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in deep-tech and medical technology investments, providing startups with venture capital, strategic guidance, and access to a network of industry experts. APEX Ventures has been involved in several notable transactions that highlight their focus on science and technology. For instance, they participated in funding rounds for Kiutra, a startup focused on quantum cooling technology, which is crucial for advancements in quantum computing and related fields. Additionally, they invested in Celeris Therapeutics, which is developing drug programs in neurology and oncology, showcasing their commitment to healthcare innovation. These investments reflect APEX Ventures' dedication to supporting technology-driven companies that aim to make significant contributions to science and technology.


11. 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, founded in 2014. It serves as a bridge between smart money investors and innovative Swiss early-stage technology startups. Sictic provides investment opportunities, networking events, and educational resources to foster the growth of startups and the investment community. Notably, Sictic has been involved in several significant transactions in the technology sector, including GreenTEG, which raised over $10 million in a venture round, and Miraex, which secured $4 million in a seed round. These investments highlight Sictic's commitment to supporting technology-driven initiatives, making it a key player in the science and technology landscape.


12. Wellington Partners


Wellington Partners is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 1998, specializing in life sciences. The firm invests in early- and growth-stage companies, providing both capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs. Their focus is on sectors such as therapeutics and medical devices, aiming to help innovative startups develop breakthrough technologies and achieve market success. Notable transactions include a Series B investment in Confo Therapeutics, which raised over $65 million in July 2024, and a Series A investment in NEUWAY Pharma, which focuses on innovative therapeutics for orphan brain diseases. These investments highlight Wellington Partners' commitment to advancing science and technology in the health sector, making them a significant player in the life sciences investment landscape.



Science and Technology Non Profit Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Leaps by BayerBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201516
Possible VenturesMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020219
Verve VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50201025
Bayern KapitalLandshut, Bavaria, Germany11-50199527
BayerLeverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+18632
Blue HorizonZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020162
redalpineZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50200618
EvotecHamburg, Hamburg, Germany5001-1000019933
BlueYard CapitalBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020169
APEX VenturesVienna, Vienna, Austria1-1020166
SicticZurich, Zurich, Switzerland201-500201477
Wellington PartnersMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019989


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