The sports event planning industry in DACH is a vibrant space focused on organizing and managing various sports activities, from local tournaments to large-scale international competitions. Companies in this sector include event management firms, ticketing services, and technology providers who specialize in logistics, promotions, and audience engagement. As the industry evolves, there is growing emphasis on digital innovations, enhancing fan experiences, and integrating advanced technologies into event planning processes. Insights reveal that sustainability is becoming increasingly important, with companies striving to deliver environmentally friendly events while maximizing operational efficiency.


The listing features a mix of corporate and venture capital investors, predominantly based in Switzerland and Germany. Companies such as Ringier and Sportradar, ranging from small teams to larger firms with thousands of employees, have shown significant activity in 2024. With foundations dating back as far as 1833, these investors have collectively made numerous investments, providing vital support to startups and established businesses in the sports event planning sector.


Top 13 Sports Event Planning Investors in DACH


1. CTS EVENTIM AG & Co. KGaA

  • Website: eventim.de
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Bremen, Bremen, Germany
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: cts-eventim-ag

CTS EVENTIM AG & Co. KGaA, founded in 1999 and based in Bremen, Germany, is a leading ticketing service and event promotion company. The firm specializes in providing ticketing solutions for a wide range of live entertainment, including concerts, festivals, and sports events. With a robust digital platform for ticket sales, CTS EVENTIM collaborates with various promoters across multiple countries to enhance the consumer experience. Notable transactions include the acquisition of ARENA Management in 2012, which likely bolstered their event management capabilities, and the acquisition of TicketOne in 2010, which expanded their reach in the Italian market. Additionally, their acquisition of simply-X in 2021 aimed to enhance their access control segment, EVENTIM.Access, integrating advanced technology into their event management services. These strategic moves position CTS EVENTIM as a key player in the event planning industry, including sports events.


2. Infront Sports & Media AG


Infront Sports & Media AG is a corporate investor based in Zug, Switzerland, founded in 2003. The company specializes in sports marketing, managing media and marketing rights for international sports events. They provide a comprehensive range of services, including sponsorship, media rights distribution, and sports broadcast production, aimed at enhancing audience engagement for sports federations, brands, and media companies. Infront has made several strategic acquisitions to bolster its presence in the sports event planning sector, including:1. **Threshold Sports** (April 2019) - Acquired a UK-based sports events agency known for innovative outdoor challenges, enhancing Infront's Personal and Corporate Fitness portfolio.2. **XLETIX** (June 2018) - Acquired a leading European obstacle course event organizer, gaining ownership of popular events like XLETIX Challenge and Muddy Angel Run.3. **Hyrox** (October 2022) - Acquired majority ownership of a company involved in mass participation and professional racing, further expanding their event planning capabilities.4. **MarathonFoto** (April 2023) - Acquired a company providing event photography services, which raised concerns among race organizers but indicates Infront's commitment to supporting event logistics.


3. 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 that specializes in providing data analytics and technology solutions for the sports, media, and betting industries. With a workforce of 1001-5000 employees, Sportradar offers a wide range of products including sports data, odds, and engagement tools, serving clients such as bookmakers and sports federations. Their strategic acquisitions, such as InteractSport, a pro-cricket sports data supplier, and IMG ARENA, a significant player in sports data and betting services, highlight their commitment to enhancing their presence in the sports data market. Additionally, the acquisition of Synergy Sports, which focuses on sports data and video analytics, further strengthens Sportradar's capabilities in providing comprehensive solutions that can support sports event planning and management. These transactions illustrate Sportradar's role in the sports ecosystem, making them a relevant player in the sports event planning industry.


4. 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 capital but also expertise and resources to help these businesses thrive in competitive markets. Among their notable transactions, they invested in sporTrade GmbH, which is likely involved in the sports sector, indicating their interest in sports-related ventures. Other investments include MATE, Future Demand, Kindaling, and Travelcircus, showcasing their broad investment strategy across various innovative sectors.


5. Ringier

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

Ringier AG is a prominent media company based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 1833. It operates across various sectors, including media publishing, digital marketplaces, and technology solutions. Ringier has a diverse portfolio of brands and plays a significant role in the media landscape across Europe and Africa. Notably, Ringier has made strategic investments in the sports sector, including the acquisition of Gazeta Sporturilor, a leading Romanian sports brand, and Sportal365, which further solidifies its presence in sports media. Additionally, Ringier made a strategic investment in LiveScore Group, indicating its commitment to the sports industry. These transactions highlight Ringier's active engagement in the sports media space, making it a relevant player in the sports event planning context.


6. Best Nights VC

  • Website: bestnights.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: m-venture-gmbh

Best Nights VC is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in investing in consumer tech startups that are connected to the nightlife and entertainment industries. They aim to support innovative entrepreneurs by providing funding and expertise to enhance social experiences and live entertainment. Notable transactions include their participation in funding rounds for Togather, a platform that facilitates event planning, and Thursday, which focuses on social experiences. These investments indicate a commitment to enhancing live events, which can overlap with sports event planning, particularly in the context of social gatherings and entertainment.


7. 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 of 1-10 members and has been active in various investment rounds, with 9 investments made in 2024 alone. One of their notable investments includes Virtex Stadium, which raised $3.2 million in a seed round on May 19, 2022, indicating their interest in innovative platforms within the sports sector. They also invested $10 million in Sorare, a fantasy sports platform, on July 16, 2020, showcasing their commitment to the sports industry. Additionally, they have invested in fitness technology companies like BEAT81, which raised €6.4 million in Series A funding, further aligning with the sports and fitness domain. Overall, Possible Ventures is focused on innovative solutions that enhance accessibility and engagement in sports and fitness.


8. APX Talent Pool

  • Website: apx.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: apx-talent-pool

APX Talent Pool is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, founded in 2018, that specializes in earliest-stage investments in startups with digital business models. Backed by prominent entities such as Axel Springer and Porsche, APX supports ambitious pre-seed startups by providing funding and growth assistance. Among their notable transactions, they have invested in Track Titan, which raised significant funding in both pre-seed and seed rounds. Track Titan's focus on sports analytics positions APX as an investor with potential relevance in the sports event planning sector, showcasing their commitment to supporting innovative solutions in this space.


9. WestTech Ventures GmbH


WestTech Ventures GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, founded in 2013. The firm specializes in investing in emerging VC funds and B2B software startups, leveraging extensive knowledge of the investment ecosystem to provide strategic partnerships and funding opportunities. Notably, WestTech Ventures has been involved in transactions relevant to the sports event planning context, such as the acquisition of Mobile Event Guide in 2015, which provides solutions for event management. Additionally, their investment in tab ticketbroker in 2013 highlights their engagement with ticketing services, an essential component of sports event planning. These transactions reflect their commitment to supporting companies that can positively impact the event planning industry through technology.


10. Swiss Founders Fund

  • Website: sff.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2013
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: swiss-founders-fund-ag

Swiss Founders Fund is a venture capital fund based in St. Gallen, Switzerland, specializing in seed and early-stage investments. Founded in 2013, the fund focuses on building and supporting innovative startups globally, providing them with the necessary capital and resources to grow and succeed. Among its notable transactions, the fund has invested in GotCourts, a Swiss sports startup that raised $1 million in seed funding to strengthen its position in Switzerland and expand into European markets. Additionally, the fund participated in funding rounds for Coachbetter, a SportTech startup that aims to revolutionize sports training. These investments highlight the fund's commitment to supporting innovative solutions within the sports industry, making it a relevant player in the sports event planning sector.


11. 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 various funding rounds, including significant investments in Urban Sports Club, a company that promotes fitness and sports activities. HV Capital participated in multiple funding rounds for Urban Sports Club, including a €95 million round in December 2023 and an over €80 million round in June 2021, showcasing their commitment to the sports and fitness sector. These transactions highlight HV Capital's strategic interest in companies that contribute to the sports event planning landscape, making them a notable player in this space.


12. Porsche Ventures

  • Website: porsche.ventures
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: porsche-ventures

Porsche Ventures is a corporate venture capital firm based in Stuttgart, Germany, founded in 2018. It specializes in early-stage investments across mobility, industrial technology, and sustainability sectors. The firm supports startups by providing capital, strategic guidance, and access to a vast network of industry connections. Notably, Porsche Ventures has made significant investments in the sports sector, including a pending acquisition of a 50 percent stake in Red Bull Racing Company and Red Bull Technology LTD, which are key players in Formula One racing. These acquisitions highlight Porsche's commitment to the motorsport industry. Additionally, their investment in Fanzone Media, a company focused on enhancing fan engagement in sports, further emphasizes their interest in the sports event planning landscape. Through these transactions, Porsche Ventures demonstrates its capability and willingness to engage with the sports sector, making it a relevant player in sports event planning.


13. 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. The firm provides funding and strategic support to science and technology startups, helping them grow in various markets. Their investment focus includes sectors such as climate tech, industrial technology, and health & bio. Notably, Verve Ventures has participated in transactions like GotCourts, a Swiss sports startup that raised $1 million to strengthen its position in Switzerland and expand into European markets. This involvement highlights their interest in the sports sector, despite their broader focus on technology-driven companies.



Sports Event Planning Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
CTS EVENTIM AG & Co. KGaABremen, Bremen, Germany1001-500019991
Infront Sports & Media AGZug, Zug, Switzerland501-100020030
SportradarSt. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland1001-500020011
IBB VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50199718
RingierZurich, Zurich, Switzerland5001-1000018330
Best Nights VCBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020180
Possible VenturesMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020219
APX Talent PoolBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5020187
WestTech Ventures GmbHBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020130
Swiss Founders FundSt. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland1-1020134
HV CapitalFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-50200028
Porsche VenturesStuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany11-5020189
Verve VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50201025


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