The advertising industry in DACH is vibrant and dynamic, featuring various companies that foster brand visibility and consumer engagement. From traditional print and radio to cutting-edge digital marketing solutions, firms in the region provide a variety of services designed to captivate audiences. With increasing reliance on data-driven strategies and tech innovations, the shift towards programmatic advertising and influencer partnerships is evident. Companies are incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning for optimal campaign performance, gearing up for higher competition, enhanced personalizations, and greater transparency in marketing practices.


The list of advertising investors in the DACH region showcases a mix of corporate giants and agile venture capital firms. Predominantly headquartered in Germany and Austria, these investors vary in size, from extensive corporations like Bauer Media Group, founded in 1875, to nimble ventures such as Impulse VC, established in 2013. The reported 2024 investments demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation, totaling over 100 completed deals among focused investors striving to foster growth within the advertising sector.


Top 13 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, including BILD and Business Insider. The company is committed to independent journalism and leveraging technology to enhance its media offerings. Notably, Axel Springer has made strategic investments in the advertising space, such as acquiring a majority stake in FRAMEN, which has evolved into a micro-targeting advertising platform for digital signage. This acquisition highlights their focus on integrating advanced advertising technologies into their operations. Additionally, their investment in Group Nine Media, alongside Discovery, Inc., further demonstrates their commitment to expanding their advertising reach and capabilities within the digital media landscape. These transactions underscore Axel Springer's active role in the advertising industry, making them a relevant investor in this sector.


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 2024, Bauer Media Group has made notable strides in the advertising industry, particularly with its acquisition of Clear Channel Europe for £512 million, which is set to enhance its out-of-home advertising capabilities across 13 national markets. This acquisition will add over 100,000 advertising spaces and 1,600 employees to Bauer's portfolio, allowing them to reach a combined audience of 350 million consumers. Additionally, Bauer has been active in acquiring other media entities, such as SBS Discovery Radio and Pacific Magazines, further solidifying its position in the advertising market. These strategic moves highlight Bauer Media Group's commitment to enriching everyday life through engaging content and marketing services, making it a significant player in the advertising sector.


3. Impulse VC

  • Website: impulsevc.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2013
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: impulse-vc

Impulse VC is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2013. The firm specializes in investing in technological internet companies, providing essential funding to startups in the technology sector to help them grow and refine their business models. Notably, Impulse VC has been involved in several key transactions within the advertising space, including a $6 million investment in Adludio, a mobile advertising technology company, aimed at enhancing its growth strategy. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for LoopMe, a British ad startup, contributing to its total raised amount of $32 million. These investments highlight Impulse VC's active role in supporting innovative advertising solutions and technologies.


4. 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. The firm has been actively involved in the advertising sector, notably through its investments in AdScale, which raised funds in both Series A and Series B rounds, and LoopMe, a British advertising startup that has raised significant capital in multiple funding rounds, including a $17 million round in 2018. These transactions highlight HV Capital's engagement with companies that are pivotal in the advertising technology landscape, showcasing their strategic focus on digital innovation and growth in this industry.


5. Point Nine

  • Website: pointnine.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: point-nine-capital

Point Nine is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage companies, particularly in the SaaS, enterprise software, and B2B marketplace sectors. They provide funding at the seed stage and are committed to participating in subsequent funding rounds to help startups scale their operations. Notably, Point Nine has invested in several companies relevant to the advertising industry, including Remerge, a Berlin-based mobile app marketing platform that raised $3M in Series A funding to expand into the U.S. market, and Creatopy, a Romanian AdTech startup that secured $10 million in Series A funding to enhance its customer base and integrate AI functionalities in advertising workflows. These investments highlight Point Nine's engagement in the advertising sector, alongside their broader focus on technology startups.


6. Mountain Partners


Mountain Partners is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in investment management and focuses on providing funding and operational support to startups and technology companies across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Mountain Partners manages a diversified portfolio of VC funds aimed at empowering innovative businesses and facilitating their growth. Notably, they have invested in RegioHelden, a company that raised funds in both Seed and Series A rounds, which specializes in local online marketing, a key area in advertising. Additionally, they have invested in Crealytics, a performance marketing technology company, which received growth capital from Mountain Partners among others. These transactions highlight Mountain Partners' active engagement in the advertising sector, making them a relevant player in this industry.


7. Ströer Media Deutschland GmbH


Ströer Media Deutschland GmbH is a corporate investor 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 through various advertising channels. Ströer has been actively involved in the advertising sector, evidenced by several key acquisitions, including UAM Media Group in 2017, which was expected to boost revenues by approximately €40 million, and Business Advertising GmbH in 2012. Other notable acquisitions include RegioHelden in 2015 and AdScale in 2013, all of which enhance Ströer's advertising capabilities and market reach. The company also emphasizes sustainability in its advertising practices, further solidifying its commitment to responsible advertising.


8. 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. Their investment focus spans various technology sectors, including Deep Tech, Fintech, and SaaS. Notably, Speedinvest has participated in several transactions relevant to the advertising industry, such as their investment in Scalarr, a machine learning-based ad fraud prevention company, which raised $7.5M in Series A funding in 2021. This involvement highlights Speedinvest's engagement with the advertising technology space, showcasing their capability to support companies that address advertising challenges. Additionally, they have made investments in other startups, indicating a broad interest in technology-driven solutions.


9. 3TS Capital Partners


3TS Capital Partners is a venture capital firm based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 1999. The firm specializes in technology-focused private equity and venture capital, providing expansion capital and buyout funding to small and medium-sized enterprises in growth sectors, particularly in technology, internet, media, communications, and technology-enabled services. Notably, 3TS has been involved in several transactions relevant to the advertising industry, including their investment in NEXD, a leading creative advertising technology company, which they supported in multiple funding rounds. This involvement highlights their commitment to the advertising sector, alongside their broader focus on technology-driven businesses.


10. 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 blogfoster, a Berlin-based startup that focuses on blog and influencer marketing, which raised a multi-million amount in its latest funding round. This investment underscores IBB Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative marketing solutions. Additionally, they backed Fyrfeed, an AI-powered service that enhances social media marketing through high-quality posts, further showcasing their involvement in the advertising sector. Their diverse portfolio reflects a strategic interest in companies that contribute to the evolving landscape of advertising and marketing.


11. Media Ventures

  • Website: mediaventures.de
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 2000
  • Headcount: 1-10

Media Ventures GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Cologne, Germany, founded in 2000. The firm specializes in providing funding and strategic support to startups and growth-stage companies across various industries, with a notable focus on the advertising sector. Media Ventures has been involved in several significant transactions, including the acquisition of LocalPerformance GmbH in October 2014, which specializes in performance marketing, and Blue Face Media in September 2016, known for its media services. Additionally, they have invested in E2Ma GmbH, acquiring the company in December 2015, which operates in the marketing domain. Their recent investment in Media Baby in August 2023, which raised $350,000 in a seed round, further emphasizes their ongoing commitment to supporting innovative companies in the advertising landscape.


12. 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. They support their clients with financial resources and access to a network of industry experts, helping them navigate the challenges of growth and development in various sectors, including life sciences and software. Notably, Bayern Kapital has been involved in multiple funding rounds for Crealytics, a German adtech startup, which raised significant capital to enhance its advertising technology solutions. Their investments in Crealytics span several years, including Series B and Series C rounds, demonstrating their ongoing interest and commitment to the advertising technology sector.


13. 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. With a focus on consulting in tech and growth, they offer access to a network of investors and pre-seed investment opportunities. Notably, Project A has invested in several companies within the advertising sector, including Adglow, which raised funds in Series A rounds in 2012 and 2014, and Eyeota, an adtech startup that has received funding in multiple rounds, including Series A and Series B. These investments highlight Project A's active role in the advertising industry, supporting companies that enhance advertising capabilities and audience data management.



Advertising Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Axel SpringerBerlin, Berlin, Germany10001+19461
Bauer Media GroupHamburg, Hamburg, Germany10001+18752
Impulse VCBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020131
HV CapitalFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-50200028
Point NineBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201116
Mountain PartnersZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020051
Ströer Media Deutschland GmbHGermany10001+19900
SpeedinvestVienna, Vienna, Austria51-200201145
3TS Capital PartnersVienna, Vienna, Austria11-5019990
IBB VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50199718
Media VenturesCologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany1-1020000
Bayern KapitalLandshut, Bavaria, Germany11-50199527
Project ABerlin, Berlin, Germany51-200201213


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