The pet supplies industry in DACH comprises a wide array of businesses focused on products and services for pet owners. Companies include manufacturers of pet food, accessories, toys, and health-related products, as well as e-commerce platforms and retailers. A notable trend in the industry is the increasing demand for high-quality, sustainable items that cater to pet health and wellness. As pet ownership rates rise, especially among younger demographics, the industry is projected to experience steady growth. Innovations such as subscription boxes and personalized products are reshaping how businesses engage with the pet-loving community.


This list feature investors with unique focuses: private equity firms like Partners Group, venture capitalists such as Acton Capital, and major corporations like Nestlé. The majority are headquartered in Berlin and Munich, reflecting Germany's central position in the DACH region. Ranging in size, some employ just a handful, while others flourish with thousands. Established mainly between the late 1990s and early 2010s, these entities collectively engaged in nearly 100 investments in the past year, showcasing their keen interest in the ever-evolving pet supplies market.


Top 15 Pet Supplies Investors in DACH


1. 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. With over 10,000 employees, Nestlé offers a diverse range of products, including coffee, dairy, and notably, pet care items. The company has made significant investments in the pet supplies industry, highlighted by its acquisition of Ralston Purina Company in 2001, a leading pet food brand. In 2010, Nestlé further expanded its pet care portfolio by acquiring Waggin’ Train, a brand known for its dog treats. Additionally, in 2018, Nestlé acquired a majority stake in Wamiz, a French digital media platform catering to pet owners, showcasing its commitment to engaging with the pet care community. These strategic acquisitions underline Nestlé's active role in the pet supplies market while maintaining its broader focus on food and beverage products.


2. 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 diverse portfolio that includes investments across various sectors. Notably, they have invested in Felmo, a Berlin-based pet health startup, participating in multiple funding rounds including Seed, Series A, and Series B, which raised €15M in 2021. This involvement in the pet supplies sector highlights their capability and interest in supporting innovative companies within this industry, alongside their broader investment strategy.


3. Rocket Internet SE


Rocket Internet SE is a venture builder based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in incubating and investing in internet and technology companies globally, providing operational support and capital to entrepreneurs. While their primary focus spans various sectors including eCommerce, PropTech, and FinTech, they have also made notable investments in the pet supplies industry. One significant transaction was their investment in Pets Deli, a Berlin-based startup that focuses on pet food, which raised a double-digit million amount in a Series A funding round in February 2016. This investment highlights Rocket Internet's interest in the pet supplies market, showcasing their capability to support companies in this sector alongside their broader investment strategy.


4. Partners Group

  • Website: partnersgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: partners-group

Partners Group Holding AG is a prominent investment management firm based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, specializing in private equity, private infrastructure, private real estate, and private debt. Founded in 1996, the firm manages over USD 149 billion in assets and is recognized for its innovative investment strategies and commitment to sustainability. Notably, Partners Group has made significant investments in the pet supplies sector, including the acquisition of Blue River PetCare in July 2019 for over $440 million, and the acquisition of Wedgewood Pharmacy in December 2020, which highlights their focus on the intersection of pet care and healthcare. These transactions reflect their strategic interest in enhancing their portfolio within the pet care industry, making them a noteworthy investor in this space.


5. 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. They provide financial backing and strategic guidance to mission-driven teams across various sectors, including technology and eco-friendly consumer goods. Acton Capital aims to help companies develop tailored growth strategies for long-term success. Among their notable transactions, they invested in zooplus, a leading online pet supplies retailer, which highlights their involvement in the pet supplies industry. Additionally, they have participated in funding rounds for companies like Mahalo and Windeln.de, showcasing their diverse investment portfolio.


6. Mountain Partners


Mountain Partners is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in investment management and focuses on providing funding and operational support to startups and technology companies across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Mountain Partners manages a diversified portfolio of VC funds aimed at empowering innovative businesses and facilitating their growth. Notably, they have been involved in significant transactions within the pet supplies industry, including multiple funding rounds for Alphapet Ventures, a pet food company based in Munich, Germany, where they participated in seed, Series A, and later funding rounds totaling €13 million. Additionally, they invested in Hundeland.de, further demonstrating their engagement in the pet supplies sector.


7. 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, including consulting in tech and growth, access to a network of investors, and pre-seed investment opportunities. In the pet supplies context, Project A has participated in significant funding rounds for companies like Pets Deli, which focuses on pet food and has raised funds for international expansion and organizational development. Additionally, they were involved in a Series A funding round for Dalma, a French pet insurance startup, which raised €15 million. These transactions highlight Project A's engagement in the pet supplies industry, alongside their broader investment strategy in tech startups.


8. 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 has a diverse portfolio, including notable investments in the pet supplies industry. They participated in the seed round for Hundeland.de, an online platform for pet supplies, and invested in Dogo GmbH, the world's leading dog training app, which highlights their commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the pet market. Additionally, they were involved in the venture round for Tractive, a company focused on pet tracking technology. These transactions reflect Monkfish Equity's active engagement in the pet supplies sector, alongside their broader investment strategy.


9. Heliad AG


Heliad AG is a venture capital firm based in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, founded in 2000. The firm specializes in providing investment and strategic support to high-growth companies, particularly during critical phases of company expansion. Heliad AG has a unique position as a publicly listed entity, allowing them to democratize access to venture capital for a broader range of investors. Notably, Heliad AG has been involved in several transactions within the pet supplies industry, including investments in Hundeland.de, a pet supplies e-commerce platform, and Alphapet Ventures, a pet food company. These investments demonstrate Heliad's commitment to supporting companies in the pet supplies sector, further solidifying their relevance in this market.


10. 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. They specialize in investing in early-stage companies, particularly in the SaaS, enterprise software, and B2B marketplace sectors. Point Nine provides funding at the seed stage and is committed to participating in subsequent funding rounds to help startups scale their operations. Notably, they have invested in several companies within the pet supplies industry, including Hundeland.de and Alphapet Ventures, both of which raised funds in Series A rounds. Additionally, they led a $4.4 million seed round for PetsApp, a UK-based client engagement platform focused on the pet sector, which highlights their engagement in the pet supplies market. These transactions illustrate Point Nine's interest and involvement in the pet supplies industry, alongside their broader investment strategy.


11. Picus Capital

  • Website: picuscap.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 28
  • LinkedIn: picus-capital

Picus Capital is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in early-stage technology investments and partners with innovative startups across various sectors, including fintech and healthcare. Their mission is to empower entrepreneurs to challenge the status quo and build sustainable category leaders globally. In the pet supplies context, Picus Capital has been involved in notable transactions such as Rex, a Berlin-based startup that raised funds for product optimization and marketing, and Napo, a UK-based pet insurance startup that secured Series A funding. These investments highlight Picus Capital's engagement in the pet industry, particularly in areas related to pet services and insurance, showcasing their interest in supporting businesses that cater to pet owners.


12. Vorwerk Ventures


Vorwerk Ventures is a venture capital fund based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage startups across various sectors, including consumer products, food, health, and climate. They provide seed and Series A funding, along with follow-on investments, to support innovative companies that aim to create a positive impact. Notably, Vorwerk Ventures has invested in pet-related companies such as Dinner for Dogs, which raised funds in 2008, and Rex, a Berlin-based startup that raised €5 million in 2022 for product optimization and marketing. These transactions highlight Vorwerk Ventures' engagement in the pet supplies industry, alongside their broader investment strategy.


13. Venture Stars GmbH


Venture Stars GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in innovative digital B2C and B2B business models, providing capital and strategic guidance to startup founders. Notably, Venture Stars has been involved in significant transactions within the pet supplies industry, including multiple funding rounds for Hundeland.de, a pet supply platform, and Alphapet Ventures, a pet food company. These investments highlight their commitment to supporting growth in the pet supplies sector while leveraging their entrepreneurial experience to help companies succeed in competitive markets.


14. 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 in competitive markets. Among their notable transactions, IBB Ventures has invested in vetevo, a company that raised over $4.4 million in a seed round in December 2019, focusing on pet health and care solutions. Additionally, they have invested in Pflegebox, which, while primarily a healthcare service, indicates their interest in sectors that may overlap with pet care. This diverse investment portfolio showcases IBB Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative startups, including those in the pet supplies industry.


15. Bitburger Ventures


Bitburger Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2018, based in Bitburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The firm invests in mission-driven founders and supports them in reshaping their industries by providing not only financial capital but also access to networks and expertise for sustainable growth. Their investment portfolio includes a variety of sectors, with notable transactions such as their participation in the Series A funding round for Wild Earth, a plant-based dog food company, which raised over $23 million. This investment highlights their engagement in the pet supplies industry. Additionally, they have been involved in other funding rounds for companies like Magaloop and Waterdrop, showcasing their diverse investment strategy while still maintaining a foothold in the pet food sector.



Pet Supplies Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
NestléVevey, Vaud, Switzerland10001+18662
HV CapitalFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-50200028
Rocket Internet SEBerlin, Berlin, Germany201-50020070
Partners GroupBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-5000199619
Acton CapitalMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019993
Mountain PartnersZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020051
Project ABerlin, Berlin, Germany51-200201213
Monkfish EquityLeipzig, Saxony, Germany1-1020110
Heliad AGFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany1-1020003
Point NineBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201116
Picus CapitalMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-50201528
Vorwerk VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5020077
Venture Stars GmbHMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020115
IBB VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50199718
Bitburger VenturesBitburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany1-1020180


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