The test preparation industry in the DACH region is dynamic and essential for students aiming for academic success. It consists of companies that provide tailored services, including tutoring, online courses, and study materials. Services range from specialized test prep for high-stakes exams to innovative digital platforms enhancing learner engagement. As education continues to transition to online and hybrid formats, we anticipate an increasing emphasis on adaptable and personalized learning solutions, particularly in fields like STEM and medical education. The rise of tech-driven tools crystallizes the industry's future towards more accessible and efficient preparation methods.


This list highlights prominent investors in the test preparation industry across DACH. Covering 13 firms—from venture capitalists to private equity—their headquarters span cities like Vienna and Berlin. With founding years ranging from 1965 to 2021, these firms vary in size, serving anywhere from a handful of to over ten thousand employees. In 2024, they collectively made numerous investments highlighting their commitment to education-focused ventures. Among them, firms like Speedinvest and Deutsche Bank show significant deal counts and engagement in the educational technology sector, demonstrating their strategic priorities towards sustainable growth in this field.


Top 13 Test Preparation Investors in DACH


1. Holtzbrinck Digital


Holtzbrinck Digital is a venture capital firm founded in 2010, based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The firm specializes in investing in innovative startups within the digital education, science, and content sectors. Holtzbrinck Digital provides capital investment and strategic guidance to help these businesses grow and succeed in their respective markets. Notably, they have invested in Lecturio, a platform that offers online courses and resources for medical education, raising significant funds in multiple rounds (over $6 million in total). They also participated in funding rounds for AMBOSS, a medical education platform that raised €30 million in Series B funding, further emphasizing their focus on educational technology. These transactions highlight Holtzbrinck Digital's commitment to enhancing educational resources, particularly in the context of test preparation for medical professionals and students.


2. 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. Speedinvest's investment focus spans various technology sectors, including Deep Tech, Fintech, and SaaS. Notably, they have made significant investments in the edtech sector, including Maqsad, a Pakistan-based edtech startup that raised $2.8 million in a seed round led by Speedinvest, making it one of the best-funded edtech companies in Pakistan. Additionally, Speedinvest has invested in GoStudent, an online tutoring platform that has raised multiple rounds of funding, including a seed round and convertible notes. These transactions highlight Speedinvest's commitment to supporting innovative educational solutions, making them a relevant player in the test preparation industry.


3. Seedstars

  • Website: seedstars.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Carouge, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2012
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: seedstars

Seedstars is a venture capital firm based in Carouge, Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2012. The firm focuses on supporting startups and entrepreneurs in emerging markets through various programs, including acceleration and growth initiatives, investment readiness, and the operation of entrepreneurship hubs. Seedstars collaborates with governments, investors, and development agencies to foster entrepreneurial ecosystems and drive social and economic development. Notably, Seedstars has invested in several education-related startups, including Edupass, which raised funds in 2017, and Orcas, an Egyptian live learning edtech startup that raised $2.1 million in 2022. These investments highlight Seedstars' commitment to the education sector, particularly in innovative solutions that could encompass test preparation.


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. The firm specializes in investing in digital companies and provides capital and strategic guidance to startups from seed stage to exit. With over €2.8 billion under management, HV Capital has a strong focus on helping entrepreneurs navigate growth challenges and achieve market success. Notably, HV Capital has been involved in several funding rounds for Lecturio, a video learning platform for professional education. They participated in Lecturio's Series A and Series B funding rounds, contributing to a total of over $6 million in investments. This involvement highlights HV Capital's interest in the education technology sector, particularly in platforms that facilitate learning and professional development, which is closely related to test preparation.


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. Point Nine has been involved in several notable transactions in the education technology sector, including investments in Studocu, an edtech startup that focuses on study materials, and Brainly, a social learning network that connects students for collaborative learning. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for Preply, an online language learning platform, which also has implications for test preparation through language proficiency. These transactions highlight Point Nine's engagement in the education space, making them a relevant investor in the test preparation industry.


6. 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. Among their notable transactions, IBB Ventures has invested in Jurafuchs, a Berlin-based startup that focuses on legal education and has gained a significant user base. They have also been involved in multiple funding rounds for Sofatutor, a prominent online tutoring platform that offers video courses and educational content, making it a key player in the test preparation market. These investments highlight IBB Ventures' active role in supporting innovative educational solutions.


7. EnjoyVenture


EnjoyVenture GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, specializing in seed and growth financing for technology start-ups. Founded in 2000, the firm has invested in over 150 businesses, providing not only financial support but also strategic consulting to help start-ups navigate challenges and achieve market success. Among their notable transactions is the investment in StudyHelp, which raised an undisclosed amount in a seed round in January 2018. This investment highlights EnjoyVenture's engagement in the educational sector, particularly in areas related to study assistance and preparation, making them a relevant player in the test preparation industry.


8. Deutsche Beteiligungs AG

  • Website: dbag.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
  • Founded year: 1965
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: deutsche-beteiligungs-ag

Deutsche Beteiligungs AG is a private equity firm based in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, founded in 1965. The firm specializes in investments in mid-sized companies, focusing on providing capital and advisory services to enhance the growth potential of its portfolio companies. Their investment strategy primarily targets sectors such as telecommunications, IT services, software, and healthcare. Notably, Deutsche Beteiligungs AG acquired Schuelerhilfe on October 8, 2013, a company that provides tutoring and test preparation services, thereby establishing a foothold in the educational sector. This acquisition reflects their interest in enhancing educational services and indicates their capability to invest in companies that contribute to the test preparation industry.


9. Paragon Partners

  • Website: paragon.de
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2004
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: paragon-partners_2

Paragon Partners GmbH is a private equity investment firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2004. The firm specializes in private equity investments in established medium-sized enterprises, providing capital and strategic support to enhance business operations and foster growth. Among their notable transactions, Paragon Partners acquired Schuelerhilfe on August 31, 2009. Schuelerhilfe is a prominent player in the test preparation industry, offering tutoring and educational support services. This acquisition highlights Paragon Partners' commitment to investing in the education sector, particularly in companies that contribute to test preparation and academic success. Their clients include institutional investors seeking sustainable investment opportunities, further emphasizing their strategic approach to investment.


10. Monkfish Equity


Monkfish Equity GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in providing equity funding and strategic support to early-stage and growth-stage startups, particularly in the internet and technology sectors. Monkfish Equity aims to assist entrepreneurial teams in navigating business development challenges by offering financial resources and leveraging their extensive industry experience. One of their notable transactions includes an investment in Lecturio GmbH, a video learning platform for professional education, which raised €3m in funding in 2014. This investment highlights Monkfish Equity's interest in the education technology space, particularly in platforms that enhance learning and professional development, aligning with the test preparation industry.


11. 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 been active in various investment rounds, including notable transactions in the education sector. One of their significant investments is in Knowunity, a Berlin-based digital learning platform that raised €10 million in a Series A funding round in May 2022, and previously raised $2.4 million in a Seed round in April 2021. Knowunity aims to provide resources and support for Gen Z students, making it a relevant player in the test preparation industry. Additionally, Possible Ventures has invested in Koala, which, while not directly related to test preparation, showcases their active engagement in the education and learning space.


12. Capnamic

  • Website: capnamic.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 2012
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: capnamic-ventures

Capnamic is a venture capital firm based in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, providing funding and strategic support to startups to help them grow in competitive markets. Capnamic aims to deliver high returns to its investors through careful portfolio management and investment strategies. Notably, they have invested in Cleverly, a Berlin-based EdTech startup that offers 1-to-1 online coaching for kids, which is directly relevant to the test preparation industry. This investment, along with their other activities in the EdTech space, showcases their commitment to supporting educational innovations.


13. Team Global


TEAM GLOBAL MANAGEMENT GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2008. The firm focuses on creating innovative solutions across various sectors, including air mobility, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence. They aim to address societal challenges through their diverse offerings, targeting businesses, organizations, and consumers seeking sustainable and efficient technologies. Notably, Team Global was involved in a Series B investment in tutoria GmbH on February 5, 2010. Tutoria is a platform that connects students with tutors, which places it within the education and test preparation context. This investment indicates Team Global's interest in the education sector, particularly in services that may enhance learning and preparation for tests.



Test Preparation Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Holtzbrinck DigitalFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany1-1020100
SpeedinvestVienna, Vienna, Austria51-200201145
SeedstarsCarouge, Geneva, Switzerland201-50020126
HV CapitalFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-50200028
Point NineBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201116
IBB VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50199718
EnjoyVentureNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany11-5020002
Deutsche Beteiligungs AGFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany51-20019652
Paragon PartnersMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5020042
Monkfish EquityLeipzig, Saxony, Germany1-1020110
Possible VenturesMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020219
CapnamicCologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany11-5020126
Team GlobalBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5020080


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