The high street fashion industry in the DACH region is characterized by a blend of innovative design and fast-paced trends. Comprising numerous brands, retailers, and e-commerce platforms, this industry caters to the fashion-conscious consumer seeking stylish, affordable clothing and accessories. As shopping habits shift towards online platforms, many companies are integrating sustainability practices, offering eco-friendly options that resonate with modern values. With increasing competition from the resale market and personalized shopping experiences, brands are compelled to adapt quickly, making agility and innovation key drivers for success in the evolving high street fashion market.


This list features a mix of institutional venture capital firms and corporate investors located in the DACH region. Headquartered in cities like Berlin, Munich, and Vienna, these firms vary in size and focus, with several founded in the late 1990s and 2000s. In 2024, they collectively engaged in numerous investment rounds across various high street fashion sectors, backing brands that show potential for rapid growth in style and sustainability. From established names like Richemont to promising startups, their diverse engagement illustrates a robust commitment to shaping the future of fashion.


Top 14 High Street Fashion Investors in DACH


1. 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 notable investments in the fashion sector such as Namshi, an online fashion retailer, and Depop, a social shopping platform that has raised significant funding across multiple rounds (Series A, B, and C) to expand its user base and enhance its market presence. These transactions highlight HV Capital's engagement in the fashion industry, particularly in the digital and resale segments, aligning with the evolving landscape of high street fashion.


2. Acton Capital


Acton Capital is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 1999, specializing in investing in startups at the Series A stage and beyond. With a focus on mission-driven teams, Acton Capital provides financial backing and strategic guidance across various sectors, including technology and eco-friendly consumer goods. Notably, they have made significant investments in the fashion industry, including a minority investment in mytheresa.com, a prominent luxury fashion retailer, and leading a $15 million Series B funding round for Eloquii, an e-commerce platform catering to contemporary fast fashion in sizes 14 to 28. These transactions highlight Acton Capital's engagement in the fashion sector, showcasing their commitment to supporting growth in this industry.


3. Rocket Internet SE


Rocket Internet SE is a Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 2007, specializing in incubating and investing in internet and technology companies globally. The firm provides operational support and capital to entrepreneurs, helping them build market-leading companies across various sectors, including eCommerce, PropTech, and FinTech. Notably, Rocket Internet has made significant investments in the high street fashion industry, including a substantial funding round for Global Fashion Group, which raised EUR 300 million to enhance its operations in India, and $165 million in a previous venture round. Additionally, Rocket Internet has invested in Dafiti, a leading fashion eCommerce platform in Latin America, and Lamoda, a prominent online fashion retailer in Russia. These transactions highlight Rocket Internet's active role in the fashion sector, making it a relevant player in the high street fashion investment landscape.


4. Burda Principal Investments


Burda Principal Investments is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 2016, specializing in growth stage investing primarily in digital technology and media companies. The firm aims to provide long-term growth equity to entrepreneurs, helping them navigate financial challenges during expansion. Among their notable investments in the fashion sector are M.Gemi, a direct-to-consumer luxury footwear brand that raised $16 million in a Series C funding round led by Burda, and Miinto, a fashion platform from Denmark that has received significant funding to enhance its sales despite not yet being profitable. These transactions highlight Burda's engagement in the fashion industry, particularly in innovative and digital-first fashion brands.


5. 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 early-stage technology startups across various sectors, including HealthTech and FinTech, while also engaging in the fashion industry through strategic investments. Notable transactions include their investment in Luxodo, a luxury marketplace, and Mirta, an e-commerce platform for artisanal products. Additionally, they have invested in Armedangels, a sustainable fashion brand, and Rebag, a luxury handbag resale platform. These investments highlight TA Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative companies in the fashion space, alongside their broader technology focus.


6. Richemont

  • Website: richemont.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Bellevue, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1988
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: richemont

Compagnie Financière Richemont S.A., founded in 1988 and based in Bellevue, Geneva, Switzerland, is a leading luxury goods company specializing in high-end jewellery, watches, leather goods, and fashion accessories. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, Richemont serves affluent consumers seeking exclusive products that emphasize craftsmanship and heritage. The company has made notable investments in the fashion sector, including the acquisition of the lifestyle brand Peter Millar, which enhances its presence in the high street fashion market. Additionally, Richemont acquired a 70% stake in Gianvito Rossi, an Italian footwear brand, in 2023, further solidifying its commitment to developing high-quality fashion brands. Other significant acquisitions include Serapian, a renowned Italian leather brand, and Buccellati, a high jewelry house, showcasing Richemont's strategy to integrate diverse luxury fashion offerings into its portfolio.


7. SIGNA Group of Companies


SIGNA Group of Companies, founded in 1999 and based in Vienna, Austria, operates primarily in the real estate and retail sectors. The company has a strong focus on commercial real estate development and retail platforms across Europe. Notably, SIGNA has made significant strides in the high street fashion industry through various acquisitions. In 2020, they partnered with Central Group to acquire the Swiss luxury department store chain Globus, enhancing their presence in the European luxury retail market. In 2022, they finalized the acquisition of Selfridges Group, adding 18 stores to their portfolio and further establishing their footprint in the global luxury retail market. Additionally, SIGNA Retail acquired a 60% stake in Mybestbrands, a German online fashion mall, and also acquired Dress for Less, showcasing their strategy to expand their digital presence and diversify their retail offerings. These transactions highlight SIGNA's active role in the high street fashion sector, making them a notable investor in this space.


8. GMPVC German Media Pool

  • Website: germanmediapool.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: gmpvc

GMPVC German Media Pool is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in media for equity investments, focusing on scaling consumer-facing startups through tailored media services. They provide investments in exchange for equity, aiming to enhance the market presence of their clients. Notably, they have been involved in transactions with companies such as mybestbrands, a fashion-related startup, which raised an undisclosed amount in a venture round in 2013. Additionally, they have invested in other consumer-oriented companies like Baby Sweets and Momox, indicating a broader interest in consumer markets. Their strategy of leveraging media to boost brand visibility aligns well with the needs of high street fashion brands looking to establish a strong market presence.


9. 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. Notably, IBB Ventures has been involved in significant transactions within the high street fashion industry, particularly with Outfittery, a personalized online shopping service for men. They participated in multiple funding rounds for Outfittery, including a Series A round in January 2013, a Series B round in February 2014, and a Series C round in March 2015, totaling over $50 million in investments. This demonstrates their commitment to supporting innovative fashion startups. Additionally, IBB Ventures has invested in other sectors, such as digital platforms, but their track record in fashion makes them a noteworthy player in this space.


10. b2venture

  • Website: b2venture.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2000
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 15
  • LinkedIn: btovpartners

b2venture is a venture capital firm based in St. Gallen, Switzerland, founded in 2000. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in innovative startups across various sectors, providing financial backing and support to entrepreneurs. They collaborate with a community of angel investors, enhancing their investment strategy and positioning them as a key player in the European venture capital landscape. Notably, b2venture has been involved in transactions with companies like Armedangels, a sustainable fashion brand, and Luxodo, an online luxury marketplace. These investments highlight their engagement in the fashion industry, particularly in areas that resonate with high street fashion and sustainability.


11. SevenVentures

  • Website: sevenventures.de
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: 10262962

SevenVentures is a corporate investment firm based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, founded in 2009. Specializing in media investments, they partner with consumer-oriented startups to enhance brand visibility through media-for-equity and media-for-revenue strategies. Notably, they invested a significant multi-million euro amount in Stylight, a German fashion moodboard startup, which highlights their engagement in the fashion industry. Other transactions include investments in companies like myToys.de GmbH and Brille24, although these are less directly related to high street fashion. Their recent investment in Matsmart further showcases their diverse portfolio, but their involvement with Stylight is particularly relevant to the high street fashion context.


12. German Startups Group VC GmbH


German Startups Group VC GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in providing investment and financial services to startups and growth-stage companies across various industries, including technology and e-commerce. They have been involved in several transactions relevant to the high street fashion context, such as their investment in Armedangels, a brand known for its sustainable fashion practices, and Mister Spex, a leading online eyewear retailer. Their portfolio management supports companies in achieving growth objectives, indicating a commitment to nurturing brands that resonate with contemporary consumer trends, including those in the fashion sector.


13. Vorwerk Ventures


Vorwerk Ventures is a Berlin-based venture capital fund founded in 2007, specializing in early-stage investments across diverse sectors, including consumer products, food, health, and climate. The firm focuses on startups that demonstrate strong business models and market potential, providing seed and Series A funding along with follow-on investments. Among their notable transactions, Vorwerk Ventures has invested in Mädchenflohmarkt, a profitable Stuttgart-based startup that operates in the second-hand fashion market, indicating their engagement in the fashion industry. They also participated in funding rounds for stylefruits, a platform that connects users with fashion and lifestyle products, and JUNIQE, a marketplace for affordable art that may appeal to fashion-conscious consumers. These investments highlight Vorwerk Ventures' interest in the fashion sector, particularly in innovative and consumer-oriented businesses.


14. Hannover Finanz

  • Website: hannoverfinanz.de
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany
  • Founded year: 1979
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: hannoverfinanz

Hannover Finanz is a private equity firm based in Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany, founded in 1979. The firm specializes in providing equity capital to medium-sized family businesses in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, focusing on sustainable growth through strategic investments and consulting services. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Ludwig Reiter Schuhmanufaktur GmbH, a renowned shoe manufacturer, which highlights their engagement in the high street fashion industry. Additionally, they have acquired companies like MILES and Mediashop Holding GmbH, showcasing their diverse investment portfolio. Hannover Finanz aims to help businesses navigate challenges related to succession, growth, and restructuring, making them a supportive partner for companies in the fashion sector.



High Street Fashion Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
HV CapitalFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-50200028
Acton CapitalMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019993
Rocket Internet SEBerlin, Berlin, Germany201-50020070
Burda Principal InvestmentsMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5020165
TA VenturesFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany11-5020105
RichemontBellevue, Geneva, Switzerland10001+19881
SIGNA Group of CompaniesVienna, Vienna, Austria10001+19990
GMPVC German Media PoolBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020110
IBB VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50199718
b2ventureSt. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland11-50200015
SevenVenturesFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-5020093
German Startups Group VC GmbHFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany11-5020120
Vorwerk VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5020077
Hannover FinanzHanover, Lower Saxony, Germany11-5019792


Want to find more investors focusing on the high street fashion industry?

If you want to find more investors that are active in the high street fashionindustry, you can do that with Inven. We built this list and analysis throughInven's Investor Search, and there are a lot more private equity, venturecapital, and corporate investors like these globally.

With Inven, you'll also get to know:

  • Deal History: Number of deals and their sizes.
  • Portfolio: Companies they've invested in.
  • Contact data: Key dealmakers, including their emails and phonenumbers.
  • ...and much more!