The sports tourism industry in the DACH region focuses on attracting travelers to sporting events and activities. Companies operating here include travel agencies, ticket providers, and accommodation services that cater specifically to sports enthusiasts. Popular events range from major sports competitions to niche activities like hiking, skiing, and cycling tours. The growth of experience-oriented travel has led to a surge in demand for bespoke sports tourism packages. Additionally, advancements in technology facilitate easier access to event information and bookings, making this market increasingly accessible and appealing to both international and local tourists.


A mix of venture capital, corporate, and private equity investors actively shape the DACH sports tourism landscape. Notable firms such as HV Capital from Flensburg and TUI Group from Hanover spearheaded significant investments. The group ranges in size from small teams of under 10 to large organizations with employees exceeding 10,000. Founded between 1833 and 2018, these investors collectively supported numerous startups in 2024, demonstrating a robust interest in fostering growth within the sports tourism sector.


Top 15 Sports Tourism 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. The firm specializes in investing in digital companies and supporting entrepreneurs from seed stage to exit, managing over €2.8 billion in assets. HV Capital has been actively involved in various funding rounds, notably in FlixBus, a major player in the transportation sector. FlixBus raised significant amounts in multiple funding rounds, including $650 million in Series G in June 2021 and $563 million in Series F in July 2019. These investments highlight HV Capital's commitment to supporting companies that enhance travel options, which is integral to the sports tourism industry, as they facilitate access to sporting events and destinations.


2. Tui

  • Website: tuigroup.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany
  • Founded year: 1923
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: tuigroup

TUI Group, founded in 1923 and based in Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany, is a leading integrated tourism company that offers a comprehensive range of travel services, including hotels, cruises, and activities. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, TUI serves millions of customers worldwide, ensuring a seamless travel experience through its diverse offerings and strong brand presence in the tourism industry. Notably, TUI has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its capabilities in the tourism sector. In 2018, TUI acquired Musement, an Italian digital company specializing in tours and attractions, which allows TUI to tap into the growing market for experiential travel, including sports tourism. Additionally, TUI's acquisition of Intercruises, which focuses on ground handling and port agency services for cruises, further strengthens their position in the travel industry, potentially allowing them to cater to sports tourism events that occur in port cities. These transactions highlight TUI's commitment to expanding its reach and enhancing its service offerings in the tourism sector, including areas that intersect with sports tourism.


3. 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. With a global presence, TA Ventures provides capital and strategic support to help startups grow and succeed in competitive markets. Notably, TA Ventures has made significant investments in the travel sector, including itravel, which raised over $7 million in Series B funding in 2018 and over $2 million in Series A funding in 2016. Additionally, they invested in Dreamlines, a travel company that raised $25 million in Series C funding in 2014 and nearly $10 million in Series B funding in 2013. These transactions highlight TA Ventures' engagement in the travel industry, which is relevant to sports tourism.


4. 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. Their investment focus spans various technology sectors, including Deep Tech, Fintech, and SaaS. Notably, Speedinvest has made significant investments in the travel sector, particularly in TourRadar, a Vienna-based tour travel marketplace. They participated in multiple funding rounds for TourRadar, including a $6 million Series A round in 2016 and a $50 million Series C round in 2018, which highlights their commitment to supporting growth in the travel industry. Additionally, their investment in Secret City Trails, a platform that enhances travel experiences, further demonstrates their engagement in the tourism sector, making them a relevant player in the sports tourism space.


5. 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 them with the necessary funding and support to thrive in competitive markets. Among their notable transactions, IBB Ventures invested in Travelcircus, which raised approximately $2.16 million in a seed round in January 2016, indicating their interest in travel-related ventures. They also invested in sporTrade GmbH, which, while not explicitly a sports tourism company, operates in the sports sector. Furthermore, their recent investment in eco.mio, a sustainability-focused company that collaborates with travel-related services, showcases their commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the travel and tourism space. Overall, IBB Ventures demonstrates a diverse investment strategy that includes companies relevant to the sports tourism industry.


6. 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 tech and growth, access to a network of investors, and pre-seed investment opportunities. In 2022, Project A led a funding round for Origin, a travel membership company, which aims to scale its operations globally. This investment highlights Project A's engagement in the travel sector, which is relevant to sports tourism. Additionally, they have invested in Trendtours Touristik, a company that operates in the tourism industry, further indicating their interest in this space. While their primary focus remains on tech, their involvement in travel-related companies positions them as a potential player in the sports tourism market.


7. CTS EVENTIM AG & Co. KGaA

  • Website: eventim.de
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Bremen, Bremen, Germany
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: cts-eventim-ag

CTS EVENTIM AG & Co. KGaA, founded in 1999 and based in Bremen, Germany, is a leading ticketing service and event promotion company. With a workforce of 1001-5000 employees, the company specializes in providing ticketing solutions for concerts, festivals, and sports events, catering to both consumers and businesses in the event industry. CTS EVENTIM has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its market position, including the acquisition of Ticketcorner, the market leader in Switzerland's ticketing sector, and TicketOne, a major player in the Italian market. These acquisitions not only expanded their ticketing reach but also integrated advanced technologies to improve access control and event management. Their acquisition of simply-X further strengthens their capabilities in managing events, which is crucial for sports tourism. Overall, CTS EVENTIM's focus on ticketing for live events, including sports, makes them a significant player in the sports tourism sector.


8. 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, serving both consumers and businesses. In recent years, Ringier has made significant strides in the sports media landscape, highlighted by its acquisition of a majority stake in the Bulgarian Sportal Media Group in 2021, which aims to bolster its sports media presence. Additionally, in 2018, Ringier Sportal S.R.L. acquired Gazeta Sporturilor, a leading Romanian sports brand, further solidifying its commitment to sports media. Furthermore, Ringier's involvement in CheckYeti.com, which raised $4 million in Series A funding, showcases its interest in platforms that promote outdoor sports and activities, which are integral to sports tourism. Overall, Ringier's diverse portfolio and strategic investments position it as a notable player in the intersection of media and sports tourism.


9. Mairdumont Ventures


Mairdumont Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Ostfildern, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in investments in digital travel companies, providing capital and consulting services to early-stage startups in the travel tech sector. Mairdumont Ventures leverages its extensive network and expertise in the travel industry to support its portfolio companies. Notable transactions include investments in Travelcircus, a travel booking platform, and Zizoo, a leading boat rental platform, which secured €1.7 million in funding to scale its operations. Additionally, they invested in PaulCamper, a camper-sharing platform that raised €7 million to expand into new markets. These investments highlight Mairdumont's commitment to supporting innovative travel solutions, which may include aspects of sports tourism, particularly in outdoor and adventure travel contexts.


10. 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. Among their notable transactions, Partners Group acquired a majority stake in Blue Sea Hotels, a hospitality platform with a portfolio of 25 hotels, which is directly relevant to the sports tourism industry as it provides accommodation for sports tourists. Additionally, their investment in Varsity Brands, which focuses on the sports and education sectors, showcases their engagement in areas that intersect with sports tourism. These investments highlight Partners Group's strategic interest in sectors that support the sports tourism ecosystem.


11. Infront Sports & Media AG


Infront Sports & Media AG is a corporate investor based in Zug, Switzerland, specializing in sports marketing and the management of media and marketing rights for international sports events. Founded in 2003, the company has grown to employ between 501 and 1000 people. Infront provides a comprehensive range of services, including sponsorship, media rights distribution, and sports broadcast production, aimed at enhancing audience engagement for sports federations, brands, and media companies. Notably, Infront has made several strategic acquisitions to bolster its portfolio in the sports tourism context. For instance, their acquisition of XLETIX GmbH in 2018, a leading organizer of obstacle course events, and Threshold Sports in 2019, known for innovative outdoor challenges, demonstrates their focus on events that attract participants and spectators, thereby contributing to sports tourism. Furthermore, their majority ownership of Hyrox, a company involved in mass participation racing, aligns with their strategy to enhance experiences that draw tourism. Overall, Infront's activities position them as a significant player in the sports tourism industry.


12. 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 corporate venture capital firm based in Stuttgart, Germany, founded in 2018. It specializes in early-stage investments across mobility, industrial technology, and sustainability sectors. The firm supports startups by providing capital, strategic guidance, and access to a vast network of industry connections, helping them scale and navigate complex business challenges. Notably, Porsche Ventures is set to acquire a 50 percent stake in both Red Bull Racing Company and Red Bull Technology LTD, which are key players in the Formula One motorsport industry. These acquisitions highlight Porsche's commitment to the sports sector, particularly in motorsport, which is closely tied to tourism as it attracts fans and visitors to various racing events worldwide. Additionally, Porsche Ventures has participated in funding rounds for companies like Griiip, which is involved in motorsport technology, further emphasizing its interest in the sports domain.


13. 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 headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, is a leading automobile manufacturer known for producing luxury vehicles and vans. The company focuses on quality and performance, catering to both individual consumers and businesses. In recent years, Mercedes-Benz has made strategic investments in companies that intersect with the travel and tourism sectors. For instance, their investment in Blacklane, a startup that has raised significant funding to expand sustainable travel initiatives, highlights their interest in enhancing travel experiences. Additionally, their involvement in the FlixBus investment indicates a commitment to transportation solutions that could support sports tourism by facilitating travel to events. These transactions suggest that while Mercedes-Benz is primarily an automobile manufacturer, it is also engaging in sectors that are relevant to sports tourism.


14. 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. The firm focuses on providing financial backing and strategic guidance to mission-driven teams across various sectors, including technology and eco-friendly consumer goods. Notably, Acton Capital has invested in companies like Holidaycheck, a travel review platform, and HomeToGo, a vacation rental search engine, both of which cater to travelers, including those interested in sports tourism. Additionally, their investments in TeamPages, a platform designed for sports teams to manage their activities and communications, further highlight their engagement in the sports sector. Acton Capital aims to help companies develop tailored growth strategies to achieve long-term success, making them a versatile investor in the tourism and sports industries.


15. 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 aims to assist entrepreneurial teams in navigating business development challenges by offering financial resources and leveraging their extensive industry experience. Notably, Monkfish Equity has made significant investments in companies relevant to the sports tourism context, such as Tourlane, which raised $1,500,000 in a Seed Round in 2017, focusing on travel solutions that can cater to sports tourism. Additionally, their investment in Campanda, which raised over $3 million in a Seed Round in 2014, highlights their engagement in the travel sector, providing camper rentals that can be utilized by sports tourists. These transactions indicate Monkfish Equity's potential relevance in the sports tourism industry.



Sports Tourism Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
HV CapitalFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-50200028
TuiHanover, Lower Saxony, Germany10001+19230
TA VenturesFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany11-5020105
SpeedinvestVienna, Vienna, Austria51-200201145
IBB VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50199718
Project ABerlin, Berlin, Germany51-200201213
CTS EVENTIM AG & Co. KGaABremen, Bremen, Germany1001-500019991
RingierZurich, Zurich, Switzerland5001-1000018330
Mairdumont VenturesOstfildern, Baden-Württemberg, Germany1-1020150
Partners GroupBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-5000199619
Infront Sports & Media AGZug, Zug, Switzerland501-100020030
Porsche VenturesStuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany11-5020189
Mercedes-Benz AGStuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany10001+18831
Acton CapitalMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019993
Monkfish EquityLeipzig, Saxony, Germany1-1020110


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