The ice cream production industry in the DACH region performs delicious alchemy, transforming simple ingredients into a myriad of sweet indulgences. Companies range from traditional artisans to large corporations offering various styles and flavors, including dairy-based, vegan, and artisan creations. The demand for quality, health-conscious, and sustainable options has grown, paving the way for innovative products that cater to evolving consumer preferences. As trends towards plant-based alternatives rise, the industry is not just morphing in terms of offerings, but also embracing environmental values, suggesting a future that blends indulgence with responsibility in every scoop.


The investor landscape for ice cream production in DACH is a mix of corporate giants and agile venture capital firms. Based in locations like Zurich and Berlin, these investors range in size from small teams to thousands of employees and have been active in recent years. Founded between the mid-19th to early 21st century, they reshaped the market with a total of 42 investments recorded in 2024, targeting both startup food technologies and established giants in the sector. This reflects the vibrant synergy between innovation and tradition within the ice cream sector.


Top 15 Ice Cream Production Investors in DACH


1. Blue Horizon

  • Website: bluehorizon.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: bluehorizoncorp

Blue Horizon is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 2016, specializing in sustainable food systems. The firm supports mission-aligned founders in the bioeconomy by providing funding and resources to scale innovative solutions. Their investment portfolio includes companies like Change Foods, which focuses on plant-based cheese production, and Heartbest Foods, a supplier of plant-based cheese and milk. These investments indicate a commitment to alternative dairy products, which are increasingly relevant in the ice cream production context as consumer demand for plant-based options rises. Blue Horizon's approach emphasizes impactful change in the food sector, making them a potential ally for entrepreneurs in the ice cream industry looking to innovate with sustainable practices.


2. Nestlé

  • Website: nestle.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1866
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: nestle-s-a-

Nestlé S.A. is a multinational food and beverage company based in Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland, founded in 1866. It offers a diverse range of products, including coffee, dairy, and pet care items, and operates globally with a commitment to sustainability. Notably, Nestlé has made significant investments in the ice cream sector, including the acquisition of Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. in 2003 for $2.8 billion, which expanded its share of the U.S. ice cream market from 10% to 18%. Additionally, Nestlé acquired Dreyer's again in 2006 for $2.4 billion, further solidifying its position in the ice cream industry. The company also acquired Garoto in 2002 and Hsu Fu Chi in 2011, showcasing its strategy of expanding its portfolio within the food and beverage sector, including ice cream production.


3. Beyond Impact VC


Beyond Impact VC is a venture capital firm based in Montreux, Vaud, Switzerland, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in investing in sustainable and animal-free products and services, focusing on early-stage companies that promote vegan lifestyles and technologies that replace animal-derived products. Their investment strategy aligns with the increasing demand for plant-based alternatives in the food industry. Notable transactions include investments in Wicked Foods, which offers plant-based food products, and Plant Veda Foods, known for its plant-based dairy alternatives. These investments indicate Beyond Impact VC's commitment to supporting innovative and compassionate business models in the food sector, which could extend to ice cream production as the market for vegan ice cream continues to grow.


4. Brenntag

  • Website: brenntag.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 1874
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: brenntag

Brenntag SE, founded in 1874 and headquartered in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is a leading chemical distributor that connects chemical manufacturers and users. The company serves approximately 195,000 customers across various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and oil & gas, by simplifying access to complex supply chains. In recent years, Brenntag has made significant acquisitions to strengthen its position in the food ingredients sector. Notably, in June 2021, Brenntag acquired JM Swank, a US-based food ingredients distributor, for USD 304 million, which is expected to enhance their capabilities in the Nutrition business in North America. This acquisition is particularly relevant as it positions Brenntag as a key player in supplying ingredients that could be used in ice cream production. Additionally, their acquisition of Kluman & Balter and A1 Cake Mixes further demonstrates their commitment to expanding their portfolio in food-related sectors, which may include ice cream production.


5. Emmi Group

  • Website: group.emmi.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1907
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: emmi-schweiz-ag

Emmi Group is a prominent Swiss dairy manufacturer founded in 1907, headquartered in Lucerne, Switzerland. The company specializes in high-quality dairy products, including cheese, yogurt, and lactose-free options, serving both consumers and businesses. Emmi operates numerous production sites across multiple countries to meet the diverse demands of its customer base. In recent years, Emmi has made significant acquisitions to enhance its portfolio and market presence. Notably, in July 2024, Emmi acquired Mademoiselle Desserts, a French frozen-bakery business, which is expected to strengthen its strategic premium desserts category, potentially including ice cream products. Additionally, Emmi has expanded its reach in the dairy sector through acquisitions such as Cowgirl Creamery and Trentinalatte SpA, both of which contribute to its expertise in dairy production. These transactions highlight Emmi's commitment to diversifying its offerings within the dairy industry, including frozen desserts, which aligns with the ice cream production sector.


6. Green Generation Fund


Green Generation Fund is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2021. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in Food Tech and Green Tech start-ups, aiming to drive significant positive impacts in sustainability by supporting innovative solutions that address climate change and resource challenges. In 2022, they participated in a notable seed funding round for Change Foods, which raised over $15.3 million to develop plant-based cheese alternatives, showcasing their commitment to innovative food technologies. Additionally, they led a €5 million seed funding round for Neggst, a company focused on vegan egg alternatives, and supported Lypid, which raised $4 million for its PhytoFat™ product. These transactions highlight Green Generation Fund's active role in the food technology sector, which could potentially include ice cream production in the future.


7. Givaudan

  • Website: givaudan.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1895
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: givaudan

Givaudan is a leading manufacturer based in Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland, specializing in flavors, fragrances, and active cosmetic ingredients. Founded in 1895, the company provides innovative sensory solutions to food and beverage companies, personal care brands, and household goods producers, helping them create appealing products that enhance consumer experiences. Givaudan has been actively expanding its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, such as Ungerer & Company, a US-based flavor and ingredient company, and DDW The Color House, a natural color company. These acquisitions align with Givaudan's strategy to enhance its Taste & Wellbeing business, which is crucial for food products like ice cream. Their participation in funding rounds, such as the Series C funding for Upside Foods, further demonstrates their engagement in the food sector, although this particular investment is more focused on cultivated meat. Overall, Givaudan's expertise in flavors and ingredients positions them as a valuable player in the ice cream production industry.


8. BackBone Ventures

  • Website: backbone.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10
  • LinkedIn: backbone-ventures

BackBone Ventures is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 2018, specializing in early-stage investments with a focus on underrepresented founders in Germany and Switzerland. They provide funding and support across various industries, including HealthTech and B2B SaaS. Notably, they have invested in The nu company, a German foodtech startup that raised €14 million in its Series A round, indicating their interest in the food sector. This aligns with their broader investment strategy of supporting innovative startups, which could encompass ice cream production as part of the food industry. Additionally, their involvement in other food-related ventures suggests a potential interest in the food production space.


9. Amcor

  • Website: amcor.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1864
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: amcor

Amcor is a corporate investor based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 1864. The company specializes in manufacturing packaging solutions for various sectors, including food, beverage, healthcare, and personal care. Amcor is committed to sustainability, aiming to make all its products recyclable or reusable by 2025. Notably, Amcor has been involved in several acquisitions and funding rounds that enhance its capabilities in flexible packaging, which is essential for food products, including ice cream. For instance, their acquisition of Detmold Flexibles in 2013 and Nampak Flexible in 2015, as well as their investment in ePac Flexible Packaging in 2022, demonstrate their focus on expanding their flexible packaging solutions. These transactions indicate Amcor's strategic positioning to serve the food and beverage industry, including ice cream producers, by providing high-quality and sustainable packaging solutions.


10. Freigeist

  • Website: freigeist.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: freigeistcap

Freigeist Capital is a venture capital firm based in Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology startups across Europe, providing not only financial support but also strategic guidance in areas such as product development, business operations, and marketing. Freigeist focuses on fostering innovation in various sectors, including AI, robotics, and biotech. Notably, they have invested in Luicella's Ice Cream, a company that raised funds in a seed round in November 2017, indicating their engagement in the ice cream production industry. This investment highlights their willingness to support diverse sectors, including food production, alongside their primary focus on technology.


11. Krones

  • Website: krones.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Neutraubling, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 1951
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: krones-ag

Krones AG, founded in 1951 and based in Neutraubling, Bavaria, Germany, is a leading manufacturing company specializing in technology solutions for the beverage and food industries. With over 10,000 employees and reported revenues of €4.7 billion, Krones focuses on enhancing production efficiency and sustainability for its clients. The company has made significant acquisitions to bolster its capabilities in food production, including the acquisition of Javlyn, a specialist in food, dairy, and beverage process systems, which directly relates to ice cream production. Additionally, Krones acquired Unicorn Industries, a provider of turnkey solutions for food and beverage production, and increased its stake in Perfinox to enhance research and development in food production technologies. These strategic moves position Krones as a key player in the food production sector, including ice cream manufacturing.


12. R&R Ice Cream


R&R Ice Cream, operating under Froneri Ice Cream Deutschland GmbH, is a corporate investor based in Haßbergen, Lower Saxony, Germany. The company specializes in the production of ice cream and frozen baked goods, offering a diverse range of products under popular brands such as Milka, Oreo, and Daim. R&R Ice Cream has been actively expanding its footprint in the ice cream industry through strategic acquisitions. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Peters Ice Cream for approximately $450 million in 2014, which marked a significant expansion in their portfolio. In 2015, they acquired Nestlé South Africa's ice cream business, further enhancing their global presence in the sector. Additionally, they are set to acquire Aussie Food Co., indicating their ongoing commitment to growth in the ice cream market. Their customer base includes both consumers seeking quality desserts and businesses in the food service industry, highlighting their dual focus on retail and commercial markets.


13. Symrise AG

  • Website: symrise.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Holzminden, Lower Saxony, Germany
  • Founded year: 1874
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: symrise

Symrise AG is a leading chemicals company based in Holzminden, Lower Saxony, Germany, founded in 1874. The company specializes in the production of flavors and fragrances, serving various industries including food and beverage, cosmetics, and pet food. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, Symrise operates globally, focusing on innovative and sustainable solutions to enhance product appeal. In recent transactions, Symrise has shown interest in the food sector, particularly through its strategic investment in EvodiaBio, a startup that aims to develop bio-based solutions for food applications. This investment aligns with their goal of enhancing food products, which could include ice cream, although their direct involvement in ice cream production is not explicitly stated. Additionally, their acquisition of Citratus Fragrâncias indicates a strategy to expand their market position in flavor production, which is crucial for ice cream manufacturers looking to innovate and meet consumer demands.


14. Be8 Ventures

  • Website: be8.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: be8-ventures

Be8 Ventures is a Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 2020, specializing in investments in innovative food companies. With a small team of 1-10 members, they focus on startups that are shaping the future of the food ecosystem, providing both financial support and industry expertise to help these businesses grow. Notable transactions include investments in companies like Melt&Marble, which is involved in the production of cultured products, and New Culture, which produces animal-free dairy alternatives. Their portfolio reflects a commitment to supporting food innovation, making them a potential player in the ice cream production sector as they continue to explore opportunities within the food industry.


15. Coveris Group

  • Website: coveris.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Founded year: 2013
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: coverisgroup

Coveris Group is a corporate investor based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 2013. The company is a leading packaging manufacturer that specializes in flexible and sustainable packaging solutions for various industries, including food, medical, and agricultural sectors. Coveris aims to enhance product safety and extend shelf life through innovative packaging technologies. Notably, Coveris has made several strategic acquisitions to bolster its operations and market presence. For instance, the acquisition of PACCOR International in 2013 and Elldex Packaging Solutions in 2015 allowed Coveris to expand its packaging capabilities, which are crucial for food products like ice cream. These transactions reflect Coveris's commitment to providing high-quality packaging solutions that can support the ice cream production industry by ensuring product integrity and sustainability.



Ice Cream Production Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Blue HorizonZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020162
NestléVevey, Vaud, Switzerland10001+18662
Beyond Impact VCMontreux, Vaud, Switzerland1-1020172
BrenntagEssen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+18748
Emmi GroupLucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland5001-1000019074
Green Generation FundBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020218
GivaudanVernier, Geneva, Switzerland10001+18950
BackBone VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland1-10201810
AmcorZurich, Zurich, Switzerland10001+18640
FreigeistBonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany11-5020172
KronesNeutraubling, Bavaria, Germany10001+19512
R&R Ice CreamHaßbergen, Lower Saxony, Germany11-500
Symrise AGHolzminden, Lower Saxony, Germany10001+18742
Be8 VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020200
Coveris GroupVienna, Vienna, Austria1001-500020132


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