The radio broadcasting industry in the DACH region, which includes Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, is a vibrant space where traditional media meets innovative technology. This sector features a mix of commercial broadcasters, public service channels, and digital platforms offering music, news, and entertainment. As listeners increasingly shift towards on-demand content, companies in the market are adapting by integrating streaming and podcasting into their offerings. Notably, the rise of personalized audio services continues to redefine how audiences consume sound, creating new opportunities for growth and investment within the industry.


In the DACH region, 13 prominent investors are shaping the radio broadcasting sector. This listing showcases a blend of venture capital firms and corporate investors, predominantly located in Germany and Switzerland. With company sizes varying from startups to giants employing over 10,000 people, these firms were active in 2024, completing numerous investments. Notably, firms like Wellington Partners and Bauer Media Group are paving the way for growth by targeting audio content innovation. Founding years of these investors range from 1875 to 2021, demonstrating a mix of established players and fresh, agile firms in the market.


Top 13 Radio Broadcasting Investors in DACH


1. 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. Bauer Media has made significant strides in the radio broadcasting sector, acquiring several key assets to enhance its audio offerings. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Absolute Radio for approximately £22 million in 2013, which aimed to bolster the station's resources while preserving its innovative culture. In 2024, Bauer Media Audio agreed to acquire the regional youth music station Beat 102-103, further expanding its reach in the radio market. Additionally, the company acquired Communicorp Media in 2021, SBS Discovery Radio in 2015, and Radio Nova from MTV, showcasing its strategic focus on enhancing multimedia opportunities and collaboration within the radio broadcasting landscape.


2. 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 strategic investments in various media-related ventures, including a significant investment in laut.ag, a company focused on audio streaming and radio broadcasting, which highlights its interest in the radio sector. Additionally, Axel Springer participated in funding rounds for Group Nine Media and NowThis, both of which are involved in digital content creation and distribution, further showcasing its commitment to innovative media solutions. The acquisition of Politico for over $1 billion also reflects Axel Springer's ambition to dominate the digital publishing landscape, which may intersect with radio broadcasting as media consumption continues to evolve.


3. Wellington Partners


Wellington Partners is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1998. The firm specializes in life sciences, focusing on early- and growth-stage companies in sectors such as therapeutics and medical devices. However, their investment portfolio also includes notable transactions in the media and broadcasting space. For instance, they invested in Goom Radio, which raised $16 million in a Series A funding round to redefine radio for the digital generation. This investment highlights their interest in innovative audio content delivery. Additionally, Wellington Partners was involved in a significant investment in Spotify, raising $50 million in Series B funding, further showcasing their engagement with the audio and music industry. These transactions illustrate Wellington Partners' capability and willingness to invest in companies that operate within or adjacent to the radio broadcasting sector.


4. Swisscom

  • Website: swisscom.ch
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Ittigen, Bern, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1998
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: swisscom

Swisscom AG is a telecommunications provider based in Switzerland, founded in 1998. The company offers a wide range of services including mobile communication, broadband internet, and television, catering to both individual consumers and businesses. Notably, Swisscom Broadcast, a subsidiary of Swisscom, acquired Antenna Hungaria in 2005, which is a key player in the broadcasting industry, providing radio and television services. In 2014, Swisscom also acquired Publigroupe S.A., a company involved in media and advertising, further emphasizing its interest in the media landscape. These transactions highlight Swisscom's strategic involvement in sectors that overlap with radio broadcasting, making it a significant player in the industry.


5. Bertelsmann Multimedia Gmbh


Bertelsmann Multimedia Gmbh, a subsidiary 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, the company is known for its diverse portfolio that includes television and streaming services, book publishing, music production, and customized business solutions. Notably, Bertelsmann has made significant investments in the audio content space, such as its investment in Audible, which raised $11 million in Post-IPO equity in 2003, highlighting its interest in audio media. Furthermore, their investment in JioSaavn, a music streaming service, demonstrates their engagement in the audio sector, which is closely related to radio broadcasting. The acquisition of Inc. magazine for approximately $200 million in 2000 also reflects their strategy to expand their media presence, potentially including radio-related content.


6. Atlantic Labs

  • Website: atlanticlabs.de
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2013
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 13
  • LinkedIn: atlantic-labs

Atlantic Labs is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2013. The firm supports exceptional, mission-driven founders throughout their entrepreneurial journey, focusing on investing in startups across various sectors, including climate tech, AI, and digital health. Notably, Atlantic Labs has been involved in significant transactions in the audio space, such as their early investment in SoundCloud, which raised funds in a seed round in 2009. This platform has become a major player in audio distribution and broadcasting. Additionally, they have invested in Jodel, a local app that, while not directly related to radio broadcasting, indicates their interest in digital communication platforms. Their diverse portfolio and strategic guidance aim to help businesses grow, making them a versatile investor in the startup ecosystem.


7. 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. The firm specializes in investing in digital companies and supporting entrepreneurs from seed stage to exit, managing over €2.8 billion in assets. HV Capital has been involved in notable transactions, including investments in Audible, a leading provider of audiobooks and spoken word entertainment, which raised funds through post-IPO equity rounds in 2004 and 2006. Additionally, they invested in Nimbuzz, a communication platform, during its Series A funding round in 2007. These transactions highlight HV Capital's engagement in the digital audio space, which is relevant to the radio broadcasting context, although their overall focus remains on a broader range of digital startups.


8. 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 a small team and has made 9 investments in 2024. One of their notable investments is in Podimo, a podcast platform that raised $77,716,957 in a Series B round on November 24, 2021, and $16,618,123 in a Series A round on May 28, 2020. Podimo's focus on audio content and podcasting positions Possible Ventures as an investor with relevance to the radio broadcasting sector, as podcasting is a growing area within this industry.


9. Bosch

  • Website: bosch.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Birenbach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
  • Founded year: 1886
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: bosch

Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and technology company founded in 1886, headquartered in Birenbach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. With over 10,000 employees, Bosch operates across diverse sectors, including mobility, consumer goods, industrial technology, and energy solutions. The company is committed to sustainability and enhancing quality of life through innovative technology solutions. Notably, Bosch has made strategic acquisitions that align with the audio and communication industry, such as the acquisition of Telex Communications, Inc. in 2006 for $420 million. Telex is known for its professional audio and communication equipment, generating significant sales in the sector. This acquisition highlights Bosch's interest in audio technology, which is relevant to radio broadcasting. Additionally, Bosch's recent acquisition of Paladin Technologies, while focused on security solutions, demonstrates their ongoing expansion in technology sectors. Overall, Bosch's activities in audio equipment through Telex position them as a relevant investor in the radio broadcasting context.


10. Rohde & Schwarz


Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co KG is a technology company founded in 1933, based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The company specializes in electronic test equipment, cybersecurity, and communication technologies, providing innovative solutions across various industries, including aerospace, defense, and telecommunications. In 2018, Rohde & Schwarz expanded its footprint in the broadcasting sector by acquiring UK-based Pixel Power Ltd., a company known for its expertise in television branding and automation. This acquisition highlights Rohde & Schwarz's commitment to enhancing their offerings in the media and broadcasting domain, making them a significant player in the industry.


11. Cherry Ventures

  • Website: cherry.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2012
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 25
  • LinkedIn: cherry-ventures

Cherry Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in startups across Europe, providing capital, mentorship, and resources to founders in various sectors, including SaaS and mobility. Notably, Cherry Ventures has invested in Curio, a subscription audio service that raised $9 million in a Series A funding round, which they participated in alongside other investors. This investment highlights their engagement in the audio and broadcasting space, showcasing their commitment to supporting innovative companies that aim to create a lasting impact in their industries.


12. Davidson & W Technology Growth Credit


Davidson & W Technology Growth Credit is a corporate investor based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in providing Growth Debt financing to mid-late stage technology companies in Europe, particularly in Germany. They offer customized loan facilities aimed at helping businesses grow, expand into new markets, and enhance shareholder value while minimizing dilution and management distraction. One of their notable transactions includes a debt funding round for SoundCloud, where they contributed to a total of $70 million raised, aimed at supporting the company's strategic growth and development in the audio streaming sector. This involvement highlights their engagement with companies that operate within the audio and broadcasting landscape, making them a relevant player in this space.


13. 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. Notably, TA Ventures participated in an angel round investment for VOX, a media company that operates in the radio broadcasting space, raising $500,000 in April 2014. This investment highlights their engagement in the media sector, although their primary focus remains on technology-driven startups. With a global presence, TA Ventures actively builds networks for its portfolio companies, which may also benefit those in the radio broadcasting industry.



Radio Broadcasting Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Bauer Media GroupHamburg, Hamburg, Germany10001+18752
Axel SpringerBerlin, Berlin, Germany10001+19461
Wellington PartnersMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019989
SwisscomIttigen, Bern, Switzerland10001+19982
Bertelsmann Multimedia GmbhNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+3
Atlantic LabsBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201313
HV CapitalFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-50200028
Possible VenturesMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020219
BoschBirenbach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany10001+18865
Rohde & SchwarzFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany10001+19330
Cherry VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201225
Davidson & W Technology Growth CreditBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020150
TA VenturesFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany11-5020105


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