The self-driving car industry in the DACH region is a rapidly evolving sector characterized by innovative technologies aimed at revolutionizing transportation. Major automotive companies, startups, and technology firms are involved, offering solutions ranging from autonomous driving systems to advanced driver-assistance technology. With investments pouring into research and development, the industry is moving towards safer and more efficient transport methods, integrating artificial intelligence and sensor systems. Notably, strategic partnerships are emerging as key players seek collaboration to accelerate technology development, positioning DACH as a hub for self-driving automotive advancement. These dynamics highlight both the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of mobility in this region.

The investors listed here reflect a mix of corporate giants and venture capital firms, each playing a distinct role in the self-driving car industry in DACH. Companies like Volkswagen Group and Mercedes-Benz AG emphasize corporate investment, while venture capital firms such as Bayern Kapital and Speedinvest focus on supporting innovative startups. Headquartered across the DACH region, these investors vary widely in size, age, and number of deals in 2024, illustrating a broad engagement with this sector. Their strategic investments are pivotal for advancing autonomous vehicle technologies, demonstrating a united front to shape the future of mobility.

Top 14 Self Driving Car Investors in DACH

1. Volkswagen Group Investor Relations

• Website: volkswagen-group.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany
• Founded year: 1937
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: volkswagen-group-investor-relations

Volkswagen Group Investor Relations is a corporate investor based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany, and is part of the Volkswagen Group, a leading automotive manufacturer and energy solutions provider. Founded in 1937, the company has a workforce of over 10,000 employees and operates through a multi-brand strategy, focusing on electric vehicles and renewable energy solutions. In recent years, Volkswagen has made significant investments in the self-driving car sector, including a $350 million investment in TuSimple, a leader in autonomous trucking technology, and an undisclosed investment in Aeva, a company specializing in sensor technology for autonomous vehicles. Furthermore, Volkswagen's recent investment of approximately $705.6 million in XPeng Inc. highlights their commitment to developing electric vehicles with advanced driver-assistance systems. Additionally, their acquisition of BlackBerry's European R&D center aims to bolster their vehicle connectivity capabilities, which are essential for the advancement of self-driving technologies.

2. Mercedes-Benz AG

• Website: mercedes-benz.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
• Founded year: 1883
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: mercedes-benz_ag

Mercedes-Benz AG, founded in 1883 and based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, is a leading automobile manufacturer known for producing luxury vehicles and vans. The company has a strong focus on quality and performance, offering a range of cars equipped with advanced technology. In recent years, Mercedes-Benz has actively invested in the self-driving car industry, participating in significant funding rounds for companies that are at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technology. Notably, they invested in Momenta, which raised $500 million in a Series C round aimed at developing driverless technology, and they also participated in earlier funding rounds for Momenta, including a $46 million Series B round. Furthermore, their investment in Luminar, which raised $20.25 million in post-IPO equity, highlights their commitment to integrating lidar technology, crucial for self-driving systems. These transactions reflect Mercedes-Benz's strategic direction towards enhancing their vehicle offerings with autonomous capabilities.

3. 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 based in Birenbach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Founded in 1886, Bosch offers a diverse range of products and services across mobility, consumer goods, industrial technology, and energy solutions. The company is particularly focused on sustainability and enhancing quality of life through innovative technology solutions. In the self-driving car sector, Bosch has made significant investments, including a $400 million funding round in WeRide, a self-driving car startup, and a $300 million investment in Momenta, which is also focused on autonomous driving technology. Furthermore, Bosch acquired UK-based autonomous driving technology developer Five to bolster its offerings in end-to-end autonomous driving technology. They also led a $173 million Series C funding round in Hesai Technology, a key player in the LiDAR industry, which is crucial for self-driving vehicles. These transactions highlight Bosch's active role and commitment to advancing self-driving car technology.

4. Bayern Kapital

• Website: bayernkapital.de
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Landshut, Bavaria, Germany
• Founded year: 1995
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 27
• LinkedIn: bayern-kapital-gmbh

Bayern Kapital is a venture capital firm based in Landshut, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1995. The firm specializes in providing investment and growth capital to innovative high-tech startups and scale-ups in Bavaria. They support their clients with financial resources and access to a network of industry experts, helping them navigate the challenges of growth and development in various sectors, including life sciences and software. Recently, Bayern Kapital has made significant investments in the self driving car industry, including a €2.2 million seed round for Driveblocks, a technology startup focused on fully autonomous driving of commercial vehicles, and a $50 million Series A funding round for Fernride, a company involved in autonomous vehicle technology. Additionally, they have supported EVUM Motors, which designs electric utility vehicles, indicating a broader interest in innovative transportation solutions. These transactions highlight Bayern Kapital's active role in the self driving car sector and their commitment to fostering technological advancements in this field.

5. Momenta

• Website: momenta.one
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Engelberg, Obwalden, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2012
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn: momentapartners

Momenta is a venture capital firm based in Engelberg, Obwalden, Switzerland, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in industrial impact and digital transformation, providing strategic investments and advisory services to Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups across various sectors, including energy, manufacturing, smart spaces, and supply chain. In 2024, Momenta has been involved in several notable transactions, particularly in the self-driving car context. They participated in the funding of Fixposition AG, a Swiss technology company focused on autonomous navigation, which raised $5.95 million to enhance its production and market strategy. Additionally, Momenta led a $22.5 million Series A funding round for Agtonomy, a company specializing in advanced autonomous and AI solutions for agriculture, indicating their interest in autonomous technologies. These transactions highlight Momenta's active role in the self-driving car industry, showcasing their commitment to driving innovation and operational efficiency in this space.

6. Siemens

• Website: siemens.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
• Founded year: 1847
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 11
• LinkedIn: siemens

Siemens AG, founded in 1847 and headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, is a leading technology conglomerate specializing in industrial automation, energy solutions, rail transport, and health technology. With a workforce of approximately 320,000 employees, Siemens generates significant revenue by providing innovative products and services across various sectors. In recent years, Siemens has made strategic investments that align with the self-driving car industry. Notably, they led a $63 million funding round for WiTricity, a startup focused on wireless charging solutions for electric vehicles, demonstrating their commitment to advancing electric vehicle technology. Additionally, Siemens has acquired companies like Agilion GmbH, which specializes in Real-Time Locating Systems, enhancing their capabilities in automation and efficiency—key components in the development of self-driving technologies. These transactions reflect Siemens' broader strategy to integrate advanced technologies that support the future of transportation.

7. Aptiv

• Website: aptiv.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Schaffhausen, Schaffhausen, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2008
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: aptiv

Aptiv PLC is an automotive technology company based in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, specializing in advanced solutions for vehicle safety, connectivity, and electrification. Founded in 2008, Aptiv serves automotive manufacturers and OEMs, providing products such as advanced driver-assistance systems, electrical distribution systems, and software development services. The company is actively involved in the transition to software-defined vehicles, which is critical for the future of autonomous driving. Aptiv has made notable investments in the self-driving car sector, including a significant investment in Innoviz Technologies, which focuses on LiDAR technology essential for autonomous vehicles. Additionally, Aptiv co-led a Series C funding round for StradVision, a company specializing in AI-based perception processing for autonomous vehicles and ADAS. These transactions highlight Aptiv's strategic focus on enhancing the capabilities of self-driving technologies and its role as a key player in the automotive industry's evolution.

8. Sictic

• Website: sictic.ch
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2014
• Headcount: 201-500
• Number of deals in 2024: 77
• LinkedIn: sictic

Sictic is a not-for-profit venture capital organization based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2014. It connects smart money investors with innovative Swiss early-stage technology startups, providing investment opportunities, networking events, and educational resources to facilitate the growth of startups and the investment community. Among its notable transactions, Sictic has invested in Daedalean, which raised CHF 53 million in a Series B funding round in January 2022, and an earlier undisclosed amount in December 2017. Daedalean is focused on developing autonomous systems, which aligns with the self-driving car industry. This involvement highlights Sictic's engagement in sectors that include self-driving technology, making it a relevant player in this investment category.

9. 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 venture capital firm based in Stuttgart, Germany, specializing in early-stage investments in the mobility, industrial technology, and sustainability sectors. Founded in 2018, the firm aims to support startups by providing capital, strategic guidance, and access to a vast network of industry connections. Notably, Porsche Ventures has invested in WayRay, a company developing augmented reality technology for vehicles, which is relevant to the self-driving car industry. They also participated in Tactile Mobility's Series C funding, a company focused on enhancing vehicle perception, which is crucial for autonomous driving. Furthermore, their investment in Rimac Group, a manufacturer of electric hypercars, highlights their commitment to innovative automotive technologies that could play a role in the future of self-driving vehicles. Overall, Porsche Ventures is positioned to influence the evolution of mobility technologies, including self-driving cars.

10. Project A

• Website: project-a.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2012
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 13
• LinkedIn: project-a-ventures

Project A is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2012. They specialize in early-stage tech investments and provide operational support for startups. Their services include consulting in technology and growth, access to a network of investors, and pre-seed investment opportunities. In 2024, Project A has made 13 investments, showcasing their active role in the startup ecosystem. Notably, they have invested in Vay, a company focused on launching a fleet of autonomous vehicles, and Artisense Corporation, which raised funds for technology relevant to self driving cars. Their involvement in these transactions highlights their interest in the self driving car industry, making them a significant player in this space.

11. 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 significant funding rounds for Verity, a company that develops autonomous indoor drones, contributing to both a CHF 7.5 million convertible loan in 2020 and an additional $11 million in Series B funding in 2023. This involvement highlights their engagement in the autonomous technology space, which is relevant to the self-driving car industry.

12. La Famiglia

• Website: lafamiglia.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2016
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 4
• LinkedIn: la-famiglia-vc

La Famiglia is a venture capital fund based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in early-stage and growth-stage investments in technology companies, aiming to support tech entrepreneurs by providing capital, market access, and strategic partnerships. La Famiglia focuses on enabling disruptive innovations across various industries, leveraging the expertise of world-leading entrepreneurs in its network. Notably, they have invested in Vay, a company that raised $95 million to launch its self driving car fleet, and Applied Intuition, which raised $40 million to develop software for autonomous vehicles. These transactions highlight La Famiglia's commitment to the self driving car industry alongside their broader technology investment strategy.

13. 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 companies scale and navigate growth challenges. Their investment focus includes various technology sectors such as Deep Tech, Fintech, and SaaS. Notably, Speedinvest has been actively involved in the self driving car industry through their investments in Fernride, a German startup that specializes in autonomous driving solutions for logistics. Speedinvest participated in multiple funding rounds for Fernride, including a Seed Round in July 2021, a Pre-Seed Round in December 2019, and a Series A round in June 2023, demonstrating their ongoing support and interest in the self driving car sector.

14. Serpentine Ventures

• Website: serpentine.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2019
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: swiss-startup-capital

Serpentine Ventures AG is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 2019, specializing in early-stage technology ventures. They provide venture capital and investment management services to high net worth individuals, professional investors, and institutional clients. With a focus on identifying promising investment opportunities, Serpentine Ventures has participated in several funding rounds, including notable investments in Aegis Rider, a company involved in self-driving technology, and Fixposition, which focuses on positioning solutions that are essential for autonomous vehicles. Their investment in Klepsydra Technologies, while primarily in edge computing, also supports the technological infrastructure that can benefit self-driving applications. Overall, Serpentine Ventures demonstrates a commitment to investing in technologies that are integral to the advancement of autonomous vehicles.

Self Driving Car Insights: Key Investors in DACH

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