The fantasy sports industry in the DACH region has blossomed into a multi-faceted ecosystem where sports enthusiasts engage in skill-based competitions. Companies range from digital platforms to innovative gaming firms, offering users the chance to create virtual teams and compete based on real-life performances. Recent trends have witnessed an increase in blockchain integration, enhancing security and transparency within these platforms. With user engagement steadily rising, the industry's trajectory points toward further growth, driven by the fusion of advanced technology and user-centric experiences. Interestingly, many players in this market also focus on community and social aspects, transforming how fans interact with sports.

This list includes a curated collection of 15 notable investors in the fantasy sports sector. Predominantly venture capital firms, the investors range from startups to seasoned corporations based in cities like Berlin, Munich, and Zurich. Founded between 1997 and 2024, their investment sizes typically reflect a focused commitment to innovations in sports technology and gaming. Over the past year, these firms have engaged in a variety of deals—some investing in exciting emerging companies while others reinforce established ventures. Their enthusiasm illustrates a shared vision for transforming the fantasy sports landscape in DACH.

Top 15 Fantasy Sports Investors in DACH

1. 1kx

• Website: 1kx.network
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2018
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 19
• LinkedIn: 1kxnetwork

1kx is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2018. Specializing in the cryptocurrency sector, 1kx focuses on ecosystem growth and provides advisory services to founders in the web3 space, helping them bootstrap token networks and achieve economic sustainability. The firm emphasizes community engagement and hands-on support in the creation and design of token models. Notably, 1kx has participated in several transactions relevant to the gaming and esports sectors, including a $2.3 million investment in Community Gaming, which facilitates automated esports tournaments. They also invested in Real Player DAO and AcadArena, which are focused on building gaming communities and enhancing player experiences. These investments highlight 1kx's commitment to supporting innovative projects within the gaming ecosystem, making them a relevant player in the fantasy sports landscape.

2. Moonrock Capital Verwaltungs GmbH

• Website: moonrockcapital.io
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Julbach, Bavaria, Germany
• Founded year: 2024
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 19
• LinkedIn: moonrockcapital

Moonrock Capital Verwaltungs GmbH is a venture capital firm founded in 2024, located in Julbach, Bavaria, Germany. The firm specializes in the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors, providing services such as startup incubation, funding, and strategic guidance to early-stage startups. Notably, Moonrock Capital has been involved in several significant transactions within the fantasy sports context. They participated in the funding round for Rage.Fan, a fan-first fantasy and uNFT sports platform, which raised $1.6 million to develop a blockchain-centric fantasy sports platform. Additionally, they were involved in the Series A funding for RealFevr, a platform that also intersects with fantasy sports. These investments highlight Moonrock Capital's commitment to supporting innovative projects in the fantasy sports industry, particularly those leveraging blockchain technology.

3. Oracles Investment Group

• Website: oiginvest.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2017
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 10
• LinkedIn: oracles-investment-group

Oracles Investment Group is a Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 2017, specializing in decentralized finance, metaverse development, and blockchain gaming. The firm caters to high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors, providing research, strategic partnerships, and consulting services to navigate the crypto market effectively. Notably, Oracles has been involved in several significant transactions in the gaming sector, including a $2.5 million seed investment in OneTo11, a blockchain gaming startup focused on creating a gaming ecosystem that may include fantasy sports elements. They also participated in seed funding rounds for NexGami, Sekuya, and VisionGame, further emphasizing their commitment to the gaming industry. These investments highlight Oracles Investment Group's strategic focus on innovative gaming solutions, making them a relevant player in the fantasy sports investment landscape.

4. 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 specializing in data analytics and technology solutions for the sports, media, and betting industries. With a workforce of 1001-5000 employees, Sportradar provides a wide range of products including sports data, odds, and engagement tools, serving clients such as bookmakers and sports federations. Notably, Sportradar has made significant acquisitions to bolster its offerings in the sports data sector, including the acquisition of Synergy Sports, which enhances its sports betting services in the U.S., and SportsData, aimed at creating a global leader in live sports products. Their recent investment in InGame Sports, an Egyptian sports-tech startup, further demonstrates their commitment to expanding their influence in the sports technology space, which is closely tied to the fantasy sports industry.

5. 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 size of 1-10 and has been actively investing, with 9 investments in 2024 alone. One of their notable investments includes Sorare, which raised $10 million in a seed round on July 16, 2020. Sorare is a fantasy sports platform that combines blockchain technology with fantasy football, allowing users to trade and manage virtual teams. Additionally, Possible Ventures invested $3.2 million in Virtex Stadium on May 19, 2022, a platform that enhances the virtual sports experience. These investments highlight Possible Ventures' commitment to innovative solutions in the fantasy sports and gaming sectors, alongside their focus on fintech through their involvement with OwnHome, a company that provides a rent-to-own model for home ownership.

6. 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 the gaming and sports sectors, including the acquisition of Transfermarkt.de in 2008, a platform that provides essential data for football enthusiasts and fantasy sports players. Additionally, they acquired a majority stake in Gamigo AG, a leading provider of Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG), further demonstrating their interest in the gaming landscape. These transactions highlight Axel Springer's engagement with platforms that are relevant to fantasy sports, making them a noteworthy investor in this space.

7. IBB Ventures

• Website: ibbventures.de
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 1997
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 18
• LinkedIn: ibb-beteiligungsgesellschaft-mbh

IBB Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1997. The firm specializes in providing funding and support to innovative startups, particularly in the early stages of their development. With a portfolio of over 270 startups, IBB Ventures offers not only financial backing but also expertise and resources to help these businesses thrive in competitive markets. Notably, IBB Ventures has invested in sporTrade GmbH, a company that operates within the fantasy sports industry, showcasing their engagement in this niche. Other investments, such as those in DirectPhotonics Industries and AUPEO!, reflect their diverse investment strategy, but the involvement with sporTrade highlights their potential relevance to the fantasy sports sector.

8. Earlybird Venture Capital

• Website: earlybird.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Germany
• Founded year: 1997
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 29
• LinkedIn: earlybird-venture-capital

Earlybird Venture Capital is a venture capital firm based in Germany, founded in 1997. The firm specializes in investing in European technology innovators, particularly in the digital health and deep tech sectors. Earlybird provides financial resources and strategic support to early-stage startups, helping them navigate growth challenges through funding and mentorship. Notably, Earlybird has invested in OneFootball, a prominent football media platform that has raised significant funding, including a $300 million Series D round, which positions it as a key player in the sports media landscape. Additionally, Earlybird has invested in Crowdpark, a company that raised funds for social gaming and fantasy sports betting, further emphasizing their involvement in the fantasy sports context. These transactions highlight Earlybird's commitment to nurturing innovative companies within the sports and gaming sectors.

9. Greenfield Capital

• Website: greenfield.xyz
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2018
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 6
• LinkedIn: greenfield-one

Greenfield Capital is a Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 2018, specializing in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. The firm provides funding and operational support to early-stage blockchain projects, helping them navigate the complexities of launching and managing their networks. Among their notable transactions, Greenfield Capital led a seed round for Unbound Nation, which raised $3 million to enhance technical infrastructure for NFT portfolios in the gaming community, indicating a focus on gaming applications. They also participated in funding Immortal Game, a blockchain-based platform for chess players, which has garnered attention from notable investors and chess Grand Masters. These investments highlight Greenfield Capital's engagement with projects that could intersect with the fantasy sports industry, particularly in the realm of gaming and digital assets.

10. 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. In recent years, Ringier has made strategic moves to strengthen its position in the sports media sector. Notably, in September 2022, they invested £50m in LiveScore Group, a platform that provides live sports scores and updates, which could be relevant to fantasy sports enthusiasts. Additionally, in March 2021, Ringier acquired a majority stake in Sportal Media Group, enhancing their sports media presence. They also acquired Gazeta Sporturilor, a leading Romanian sports brand, further solidifying their commitment to sports media. These transactions highlight Ringier's active engagement in the sports industry, making them a noteworthy player in the fantasy sports investment landscape.

11. Miniclip

• Website: miniclip.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2001
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: miniclip

Miniclip is a mobile game publisher based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, specializing in digital games and entertainment. Founded in 2001, the company has grown to reach over 400 million players monthly with popular titles such as 8 Ball Pool and Subway Surfers. Miniclip has been active in expanding its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of Masomo in 2019, which is known for its sports-focused game Head Ball 2, enhancing Miniclip's presence in the casual sports gaming market. Additionally, Miniclip has acquired other game studios like Green Horse Games and Ilyon Games, further solidifying its position in the gaming industry. These transactions reflect Miniclip's commitment to diversifying its offerings and tapping into the sports gaming segment, which is relevant to the fantasy sports landscape.

12. Wellington Partners

• Website: wellington-partners.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
• Founded year: 1998
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 9
• LinkedIn: wellington-partners

Wellington Partners is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1998. The firm specializes in life sciences, investing in early- and growth-stage companies to provide capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs in sectors such as therapeutics and medical devices. Notably, Wellington Partners has also invested in Tonsser, a football app that raised €5.5M in Series A funding in December 2018, as well as earlier seed rounds in 2016 and 2017. This involvement in Tonsser highlights their interest in the sports technology space, particularly in applications that may intersect with fantasy sports. While their primary focus remains on life sciences, their investment in a sports-related platform indicates a potential openness to the fantasy sports market.

13. 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 provides funding and growth assistance to ambitious pre-seed startups, helping them navigate the challenges of launching and scaling their businesses. Among their notable transactions, they invested in GameBuddy, a startup that raised $149,069 in a Pre-Seed Round in March 2019, which is relevant to the gaming and fantasy sports context. Additionally, they have made investments in other startups like Track Titan, which focuses on sports analytics, further showcasing their engagement in sectors that intersect with fantasy sports.

14. bmp Ventures

• Website: bmp.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 1997
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 3
• LinkedIn: bmpventures

bmp Ventures AG is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1997. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage and growth startups across various innovative sectors, primarily focusing on tech companies. They provide not only financial resources but also strategic advisory services to help startups navigate their growth journey. Notably, bmp Ventures has invested in gamebook, a startup that has raised funds in multiple seed rounds, indicating their commitment to the fantasy sports sector. Additionally, they led a €4M Series A funding round for Wingfield, a sportstech startup aimed at enhancing the experience for tennis players, showcasing their broader interest in sports technology. These transactions highlight bmp Ventures' active role in the fantasy sports and sports technology industries.

15. Oriole Ventures

• Website: oriole.ventures
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2022
• Headcount: 1-10
• LinkedIn: oriole-vc

Oriole Ventures is a corporate investment fund based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2022. The firm specializes in supporting blockchain projects within the WEB 3.0 space, providing capital injection, marketing expertise, and connections with crypto-influencers to help projects succeed. Notably, Oriole Ventures has participated in several seed funding rounds, including investments in Nitro League, a play-to-earn racing game that integrates gaming with competitive elements, aligning it with the fantasy sports sector. Other transactions include investments in Zone, PlatoFarm, BEMIL Coin, and Solice, all of which are part of the broader blockchain and gaming ecosystem, further showcasing Oriole Ventures' commitment to innovative projects in emerging markets.

Fantasy Sports Insights: Key Investors in DACH

Want to find more investors focusing on the fantasy sports industry?

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!