The magazine publishing industry in DACH is a vibrant sector that involves a mix of print and digital publications. This industry is characterized by established media companies, emerging startups, and independent publishers, all dedicated to providing informative and entertaining content. Companies typically offer magazines across genres, including lifestyle, business, and specialized interests. As digitalization evolves, publishers are now focusing on multimedia content, interactive features, and subscription models to attract audiences. This transformation is not just survival—it's a pivot toward innovation, with tech-savvy startups such as brand eins Verlag carving out niches in a competitive environment.


The investors in the DACH magazine publishing sector reflect a mix of corporate entities and venture capitalists. Many are headquartered in major cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Zurich, showcasing the region's strong media foundations. Ranging from large corporates, such as Bertelsmann and Axel Springer with extensive workforces, to smaller venture firms like YoungBrains, the list highlights varied approaches to investment. Despite diverse sizes, all have made strategic investments in 2024 aimed at expanding their media footprints, especially in digital realms.


Top 13 Magazine Publishing 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 dedicated to independent journalism and leveraging technology to enhance its media offerings. Notably, Axel Springer has made significant investments and acquisitions in the magazine publishing context, including the acquisition of Politico for over $1 billion, which underscores its strategy to dominate digital publishing. Additionally, their acquisition of N24 Media GmbH and minority interest in Mic.com further illustrate their commitment to expanding their influence in the media landscape. In 2019, they participated in a funding round for Group Nine Media, indicating their interest in innovative media companies. Overall, Axel Springer is a key investor in the magazine publishing industry, actively seeking to enhance its portfolio and adapt to the evolving media environment.


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 recent years, Bauer Media has made strategic acquisitions to strengthen its position in the magazine publishing sector, including the acquisition of Pacific Magazines for $40 million, which received regulatory approval in 2020. This acquisition is expected to enhance Bauer's presence in the Australian market. Additionally, Bauer entered exclusive negotiations to acquire Télécâble Sat Hebdo, a leading TV magazine in France, further solidifying its commitment to magazine publishing. These transactions highlight Bauer Media's focus on enriching everyday life through engaging content and marketing services, particularly in the magazine sector.


3. Bertelsmann Multimedia Gmbh


Bertelsmann Multimedia Gmbh, part of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, is a global media, services, and education company based in Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, Bertelsmann operates across various sectors, including television, streaming, book publishing, and music production. Notably, Bertelsmann has made significant investments in the magazine publishing industry, including the acquisition of Inc. magazine for approximately $200 million in 2000, which marked a strategic expansion into the U.S. magazine market. Furthermore, their acquisition of Simon & Schuster for $2.175 billion in 2020 and Penguin Random House in 2017 highlights their commitment to enhancing their publishing portfolio. These transactions underscore Bertelsmann's active role in the magazine and broader publishing sectors, making them a key player in the industry.


4. 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, providing not only financial resources but also strategic advisory services to help startups navigate their growth journey. Notably, bmp Ventures has invested in brand eins Verlag, a publishing house, which highlights their involvement in the magazine publishing industry. Additionally, they have invested in Vertical TechMedia, which operates in the media sector, further demonstrating their engagement with companies that may intersect with magazine publishing. Their clientele primarily consists of tech companies and entrepreneurs, but their investment history shows a willingness to support ventures in the publishing space as well.


5. Hubert Burda Media

  • Website: burda.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
  • Founded year: 1903
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: hubert-burda-media

Hubert Burda Media is a prominent media and technology company based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, founded in 1903. The company specializes in publishing and creating engaging content across various platforms, serving both consumers with media products and businesses with B2B services and investment opportunities in digital technology. Notably, Hubert Burda Media has made strategic acquisitions in the magazine publishing space, including the acquisition of Immediate Media Co. in January 2017, which is recognized as the UK's leading special interest content and platform company. Additionally, in April 2020, Burda Create! acquired the license for the monthly sewing magazine 'Fashion Style', further solidifying their presence in the magazine publishing industry. The company operates with a focus on sustainability and innovation, making it a dynamic player in the media landscape.


6. Ringier

  • Website: ringier.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1833
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • LinkedIn: ringier

Ringier AG is a media company based in Zurich, Switzerland, with a rich history since its founding in 1833. The company operates across various sectors, including media publishing, digital marketplaces, and technology solutions. Ringier serves both consumers seeking news and entertainment and businesses looking for advertising and marketplace services. Recently, Ringier has made strategic acquisitions to strengthen its position in the magazine publishing industry. Notably, on November 28, 2023, Ringier acquired BILANZ, a prominent Swiss business magazine, which underscores their commitment to the magazine sector. Additionally, their acquisition of Sportal Media Group in 2021 reflects their strategy to enhance their sports media presence, further diversifying their media portfolio. With a diverse range of brands and a significant role in the media landscape across Europe and Africa, Ringier is well-positioned as an investor in the magazine publishing industry.


7. redalpine


Redalpine is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2006. The firm specializes in investing in technology and science sectors, providing funding and strategic support to startups. Redalpine has been involved in several notable transactions, including investments in Morressier, a Berlin-based startup focused on scholarly publishing, where they participated in multiple funding rounds, including seed and Series A and B rounds. Morressier aims to innovate in the publishing space, which aligns with Redalpine's interest in empowering innovative companies. Additionally, Redalpine invested in Car Throttle, which is planning to expand its publications across various topics, further demonstrating their engagement in the publishing industry.


8. Partners Group

  • Website: partnersgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: partners-group

Partners Group Holding AG is an investment management firm based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, specializing in private equity, private infrastructure, private real estate, and private debt. Founded in 1996, the firm manages over USD 149 billion in assets and is recognized for its innovative approach and commitment to sustainability. Among their notable transactions, Partners Group acquired Community Media Group, which publishes 14 suburban lifestyle magazines, showcasing their involvement in the magazine publishing sector. This acquisition reflects their strategy of diversifying their investment portfolio, as they also hold stakes in various other industries, such as retail display solutions through their acquisition of BCR in China. This diverse investment strategy positions Partners Group as a significant player in the private equity landscape, with a footprint in the media industry as well.


9. pd ventures

  • Website: pdventures.de
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: pd-ventures

pd ventures is a corporate investor based in Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2009. They are part of the Pressedruck media group and focus on digital transformation and innovation within the media landscape. Their investment strategy includes developing digital media offerings and collaborating with various partners to enhance services for media companies and consumers. Notably, pd ventures participated in the Series A funding round for PressMatrix, a Berlin-based provider of digital publishing solutions, which raised €2.5M in 2013. This investment highlights their commitment to supporting companies that innovate in the publishing sector. Additionally, they were involved in the Series A funding for classmarkets in 2009, further demonstrating their engagement in the media and publishing industries.


10. Tamedia

  • Website: tamedia.ch
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Boswil, Aargau, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1893
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn: tamedia

Tamedia is a corporate investor based in Boswil, Aargau, Switzerland, founded in 1893. The company specializes in journalism and publishing, offering a diverse range of products that include newspapers and digital news platforms. Tamedia is committed to quality journalism and effective advertising services, ensuring that consumers and businesses have access to reliable news. Notably, Tamedia has made significant acquisitions in the media sector, including the acquisition of Heute.at on July 6, 2016, and Goldbach Group AG on December 22, 2017. These transactions reflect Tamedia's strategy to enhance its media portfolio and strengthen its position in the publishing industry, which encompasses magazines as part of its broader publishing activities.


11. Publisher

  • Website: odegardgroup.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Zug, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • LinkedIn: publisher

Publisher is a corporate investor based in Zug, Switzerland, founded in 1999. They have a workforce of 501-1000 employees and have been involved in significant transactions in the media sector. Notably, on August 12, 2019, Publisher acquired Tribune Publications for $3.2 billion, marking a substantial investment in the magazine publishing industry. This acquisition highlights their commitment to the sector, even though they have not made any investments in 2024. The lack of recent transactions does not diminish their relevance, as their past actions demonstrate a strong interest in magazine publishing.


12. YoungBrains

  • Website: youngbrains.net
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50

YoungBrains GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Hamburg, Germany, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in providing seed capital to startups, with a mission to foster entrepreneurship and support new business ventures in securing necessary funding for growth. One notable transaction in their portfolio is the investment in EDITION F GmbH, which raised an undisclosed amount in a seed round on January 1, 2015. EDITION F is a platform that focuses on women's empowerment and entrepreneurship, and it operates in the magazine publishing space, indicating YoungBrains' engagement with the industry.


13. Econa Ag

  • Website: econa.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: econa-ag

Econa Ag is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1999. The firm specializes in providing investment and consulting services to startups across a variety of industries, including pet care, healthcare, and food technology. Notably, Econa Ag acquired Stroer Media Brands in January 2010, a significant transaction that highlights their involvement in the magazine publishing industry. This acquisition demonstrates their capability and interest in media-related investments, positioning them as a relevant player in the magazine publishing sector.



Magazine Publishing Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Axel SpringerBerlin, Berlin, Germany10001+19461
Bauer Media GroupHamburg, Hamburg, Germany10001+18752
Bertelsmann Multimedia GmbhNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+3
bmp VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5019973
Hubert Burda MediaFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany10001+19030
RingierZurich, Zurich, Switzerland5001-1000018330
redalpineZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50200618
Partners GroupBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-5000199619
pd venturesAugsburg, Bavaria, Germany1-1020090
TamediaBoswil, Aargau, Switzerland1001-500018930
PublisherZug, Zug, Switzerland501-100019990
YoungBrainsHamburg, Hamburg, Germany11-5020090
Econa AgBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1019990


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