The sports game development industry in the DACH region is vibrant, driven by innovation and technological advancement. Companies range from major publishers to niche developers, focusing on creating engaging gaming experiences that resonate with sports enthusiasts. This sector is rapidly embracing trends like mobile gaming, virtual reality, and interactive media, ensuring sports games remain relevant in an evolving market. With the rise in competitive gaming and esports, developers are finding new avenues to connect with players. Moreover, the integration of blockchain technology is also emerging, reshaping how developers monetize their games and engage with their communities.


This list features an array of investors shaping the future of sports game development in DACH. These investors include venture capital firms, corporate entities, and investment management companies, primarily located in Berlin, Munich, Zurich, and Vienna. Ranging from early-stage to established players, they vary in size and ambitions. Founded between 1997 and 2024, each investor has made noteworthy contributions, with collective investments flowing into the sector. Notably, several firms have been active in recent years, with significant investment counts in 2024, pointing to a thriving interest in recreational gaming ventures.


Top 12 Sports Game Development Investors in DACH


1. THQ Nordic


THQ Nordic is a video game publisher and developer based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 2011. The company has established a diverse portfolio of video games across various platforms, catering to gamers and enthusiasts with engaging gaming experiences. Notably, THQ Nordic has made several strategic acquisitions to bolster its development capabilities, including the acquisition of Milestone in August 2019 for approximately $50 million. Milestone is recognized for its racing games, which are a key segment of the sports gaming genre. Other acquisitions include Appeal Studios, Black Forest Games, and Bugbear Entertainment, further enhancing THQ Nordic's development resources. With a focus on quality and innovation, THQ Nordic continues to expand its offerings in the gaming industry, including sports games.


2. Miniclip

  • Website: miniclip.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: miniclip

Miniclip is a mobile game publisher based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, specializing in digital games and entertainment. Founded in 2001, the company has grown to reach over 400 million players monthly with its engaging gaming experiences. Notably, Miniclip has made significant acquisitions to bolster its portfolio in the sports game development sector. In 2019, they acquired Masomo, the developer of Head Ball 2, which has over 60 million downloads, showcasing their commitment to sports-focused casual multiplayer games. Furthermore, their acquisition of Gamebasics Studio and Green Horse Games, along with their recent acquisition of FuturLab, indicates a broader strategy to expand their gaming offerings, including sports titles. This strategic focus on sports games, alongside their established presence in the mobile gaming market, positions Miniclip as a relevant investor in the sports game development industry.


3. 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 startups across various sectors. Notably, Possible Ventures participated in the funding of Omeda Studios, which raised €19.1M in a Series A round to support the launch of their game Predecessor, indicating their engagement in the gaming industry. Additionally, they were involved in a seed round for Sorare, a fantasy sports platform that raised $10 million, showcasing their interest in sports-related gaming ventures. Their diverse portfolio reflects a commitment to supporting companies that are pushing the boundaries of technology and gaming.


4. 1kx

  • Website: 1kx.network
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: 1kxnetwork

1kx is a venture capital investment firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in the cryptocurrency sector and focuses on ecosystem growth, providing advisory services to founders in the web3 space. They help bootstrap token networks and achieve economic sustainability, emphasizing community engagement and hands-on support in the creation and design of token models. In the gaming context, 1kx has participated in notable transactions such as investing in Gunzilla Games, a game development company, and Playmint, which raised $4 million for its MMO solution, indicating their active role in the gaming industry. Additionally, their involvement with AcadArena, which creates student gaming communities, showcases their commitment to fostering gaming ecosystems that could include sports games.


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 early-stage technology startups across various sectors, including HealthTech and FinTech, and provides capital and strategic support to help startups grow in competitive markets. With a global presence, TA Ventures actively builds networks for its portfolio companies. Notably, they have invested in gaming companies such as Pixonic, a social network games publisher, and Mystic Games, which is developing a mobile title called Call of the VoYd. These transactions highlight their involvement in the gaming industry, indicating a potential interest in sports game development as part of their broader investment strategy.


6. Oracles Investment Group


Oracles Investment Group is a Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 2017, specializing in decentralized finance, metaverse development, and blockchain gaming. The firm caters to high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors, providing them with research, strategic partnerships, and consulting services to navigate the crypto market effectively. Notably, Oracles Investment Group has been involved in several significant transactions in the gaming sector, including a $3.8 million investment in VisionGame and a $2.1 million investment in MagicCraft, both of which are relevant to the gaming industry. Their recent investments in Sekuya and NexGami, which raised $1.6 million and $2.5 million respectively, further demonstrate their commitment to supporting innovative gaming projects, potentially including those in the sports game development arena.


7. Moonrock Capital Verwaltungs GmbH

  • Website: moonrockcapital.io
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Julbach, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2024
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: moonrockcapital

Moonrock Capital Verwaltungs GmbH is a venture capital firm founded in 2024, based in Julbach, Bavaria, Germany. The firm specializes in the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors, providing services such as startup incubation, funding, and strategic guidance to early-stage startups. Notably, Moonrock Capital has participated in several transactions relevant to the sports game development context. For instance, they led a funding round for Rage.Fan, a fantasy sports platform that integrates blockchain technology, showcasing their commitment to innovative sports gaming solutions. Additionally, they have been involved in other projects like GoFungibles and RealFevr, which, while not exclusively focused on sports, indicate their broader interest in gaming and digital assets. Their active role in these investments highlights their potential as a relevant player in the sports game development industry.


8. bmp Ventures

  • Website: bmp.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 1997
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: bmpventures

bmp Ventures AG is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1997. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage and growth startups across various innovative sectors, primarily focusing on technology companies. bmp Ventures not only provides financial resources but also offers strategic advisory services to help startups navigate their growth journey. Notably, bmp Ventures has been involved in several transactions within the gaming sector, particularly with gamebook, which raised funds through multiple seed rounds from 2014 to 2017. These transactions demonstrate bmp Ventures' engagement in the gaming industry, highlighting their potential interest in sports game development.


9. Sportradar

  • Website: sportradar.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: sportradar

Sportradar AG, founded in 2001 and based in St. Gallen, Switzerland, is a leading sports technology company specializing in data analytics and technology solutions for the sports, media, and betting industries. With a workforce of 1001-5000 employees, Sportradar provides a wide range of products, including sports data, odds, and engagement tools, catering to clients such as bookmakers and sports federations. Notably, Sportradar has made significant strides in the sports game development context through various transactions. For instance, they led a pre-seed funding round for InGame Sports, an Egyptian sports-tech startup, aimed at launching new products and expanding internationally. Additionally, Sportradar has acquired several companies, including SportsData, which enhances their portfolio with U.S. sports data, and Vaix Limited, an AI solutions provider for the iGaming industry, which aims to deliver personalized experiences for betting and gaming operators. These strategic moves highlight Sportradar's commitment to advancing technology and data solutions that are crucial for the sports game development landscape.


10. L1d Ag

  • Website: l1d.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: l1digital

L1D AG is an investment management firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, specializing in institutional investing in cryptocurrency. Founded in 2018, the firm provides portfolio management, investment advisory, and asset management services to institutional clients, helping them navigate the complexities of the crypto market. L1D operates with a focus on aligning incentives with investors and leveraging a global network to access exceptional investment opportunities. In recent years, L1D has made significant investments in the gaming sector, including a $2 million seed round for Opti Games and a $12.4 million venture round for Pixion Games, both of which are involved in game development. Additionally, they participated in a $2 million venture round for Oxalis Games, further demonstrating their commitment to the gaming industry. These transactions highlight L1D's strategic interest in the gaming space, particularly in companies that may contribute to sports game development.


11. 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 invested in Softgames GmbH, which operates a mobile HTML5 gaming platform, indicating their involvement in the gaming industry. They also invested in sporTrade GmbH, which, while not explicitly stated, suggests a connection to sports through its name. These investments highlight IBB Ventures' interest in the gaming sector, making them a potential player in the sports game development space.


12. Plaion

  • Website: plaion.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Planegg, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn: plaion

Plaion is an entertainment company based in Planegg, Bavaria, Germany, specializing in the development, publishing, and distribution of video games, films, and merchandise. Founded in 1994, Plaion has a global reach and a diverse portfolio, serving consumers and businesses in the gaming and entertainment sectors. Notably, Plaion has made significant acquisitions in the gaming industry, including Vertigo Games, Flying Wild Hog, and Warhorse Studios, which enhance its capabilities in game development. These acquisitions reflect Plaion's strategy to strengthen its position in the gaming market, potentially including sports game development as part of its broader entertainment offerings.



Sports Game Development Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
THQ NordicVienna, Vienna, Austria501-100020110
MiniclipNeuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland1001-500020012
Possible VenturesMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020219
1kxBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201819
TA VenturesFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany11-5020105
Oracles Investment GroupBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201710
Moonrock Capital Verwaltungs GmbHJulbach, Bavaria, Germany1-10202419
bmp VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5019973
SportradarSt. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland1001-500020011
L1d AgZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020185
IBB VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50199718
PlaionPlanegg, Bavaria, Germany1001-500019940


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