The biomedical engineering industry in DACH focuses on integrating engineering principles with medical sciences to improve healthcare solutions. Companies range from biotech firms developing innovative therapeutics to MedTech startups creating advanced medical devices. With a sharp rise in personalized medicine and digital health technologies, the sector is transforming how treatments are conceptualized and implemented. Growth in areas like artificial intelligence for diagnostics and minimally invasive surgical tools highlights the sector's evolution. Notably, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria are becoming hubs for research and collaboration, attracting talent and investment while addressing pressing healthcare needs.


The list features 16 notable investors in the DACH biomedical engineering sector. These include venture capital firms, corporate investors, and investment management firms, with headquarters spread across Switzerland and Germany. Founded between 1979 and 2014, these investors vary greatly in size, managing from small portfolios to large capital. In 2024, they collectively engaged in numerous transactions, with many making multiple investments to fuel innovations from cancer therapies to advanced medical technologies, illustrating their commitment and optimism for the industry’s future.


Top 16 Biomedical Engineering Investors in DACH


1. Novartis Venture Fund

  • Website: nvfund.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10

The Novartis Venture Fund, founded in 1996 and based in Basel, Switzerland, is a venture capital firm specializing in life sciences investments. The fund focuses on providing funding and support to innovative biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies, helping them develop novel therapeutics and address unmet patient needs. Notably, the fund has been involved in several significant transactions relevant to biomedical engineering, such as leading a $21.8 million Series C financing round for Ablation Frontiers, which is focused on investigational medical devices. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for Myopowers Medical Technologies, which is preparing for clinical trials to obtain CE mark in Europe. These investments demonstrate the fund's commitment to advancing technologies that can significantly impact patient care and medical practices.


2. HBM Healthcare Investments AG


HBM Healthcare Investments AG is a venture capital firm based in Zug, Switzerland, founded in 2001. The firm specializes in the healthcare sector, managing a diversified portfolio that includes investments in human medicine, biotechnology, medical technology, and diagnostics. In 2022, HBM Healthcare Investments participated in multiple funding rounds for Vascular Dynamics, a medical device company focused on innovative solutions in the vascular space. Notably, they were involved in a $20 million equity financing round and several convertible note transactions, showcasing their active role in supporting advancements in medical technology. This strategic focus on healthcare investments positions HBM Healthcare Investments as a significant player in the biomedical engineering landscape.


3. Novartis

  • Website: novartis.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: novartis

Novartis AG is a leading pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 1996. The company is dedicated to developing and manufacturing innovative medicines that address serious diseases across various therapeutic areas. Novartis emphasizes research and development to improve patient outcomes globally. Notably, Novartis has been involved in significant investments in companies that align with biomedical engineering, such as Kuros Biosciences, which raised $32 million in Series B funding and focuses on regenerative medicine, and Freenome, which raised $300 million in Series D funding for its advanced cancer detection technology. These transactions highlight Novartis's commitment to supporting innovations that enhance healthcare and patient care, making them a relevant investor in the biomedical engineering sector.


4. 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 venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in deep tech investments across Europe, providing funding and strategic support to science and technology startups. Their investment focus includes sectors such as climate tech, industrial technology, and health & bio. Notably, Verve Ventures has been involved in significant transactions within the biomedical engineering space, including investments in Hylomorph, which has raised multiple rounds of funding to support its clinical development program, and ARTIRIA Medical, which secured funding to complete stroke studies in Europe and the USA. These transactions highlight Verve Ventures' active role in advancing biomedical innovations and supporting startups in this critical industry.


5. 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, particularly in sectors such as life sciences and software. Bayern Kapital supports its clients not only with financial resources but also by granting access to a network of industry experts, aiding them in navigating the challenges of growth and development. Notably, Bayern Kapital has participated in several significant transactions in the biomedical engineering context, including a Series C investment in iThera Medical, which raised $8,256,966 to advance medical imaging technologies. They also invested in Curefab and Photonics Healthcare, both of which are involved in healthcare innovations. Additionally, Bayern Kapital was part of the funding rounds for Virtonomy, a startup focused on improving healthcare outcomes through a digital patient twin platform, showcasing their active role in fostering advancements in medical device development.


6. Nextech Invest


Nextech Invest is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 1998, specializing in biotechnology with a strong emphasis on cancer therapeutics. The firm invests in promising drug discovery companies and provides strategic support to help these firms navigate the complexities of drug development. Notable transactions include a $55 million Series C financing round for Arvinas, which focuses on advancing clinical programs in oncology, and participation in funding rounds for ImaginAb, a company dedicated to immuno-oncology imaging. These investments demonstrate Nextech Invest's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the biomedical engineering sector, particularly in cancer treatment and diagnostics.


7. Wellington Partners


Wellington Partners is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 1998, specializing in life sciences. The firm invests in early- and growth-stage companies, providing both capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs. Their focus spans various sectors, including therapeutics and medical devices, which are critical components of biomedical engineering. Notably, Wellington Partners has been involved in significant funding rounds for companies like Implanet, which raised multiple rounds of funding (Series A, B, C, and D) to develop its medical technology solutions. Additionally, they have participated in funding for Quanta, a MedTech company that raised £175 million in a Series D round, aimed at scaling up operations in dialysis care. These transactions highlight Wellington Partners' commitment to supporting innovative technologies in the biomedical engineering field.


8. Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund

  • Website: boehringer-ingelheim-venture.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Ingelheim Am Rhein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5

Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund is a venture capital firm based in Ingelheim Am Rhein, Germany, founded in 2010. The fund specializes in investing in pioneering science and biotechnology innovations, particularly within the healthcare sector. They provide both capital and expertise to support startups in various areas, including immuno-oncology and digital health. Notable transactions include a £10 million investment in Rinri Therapeutics, which is developing a novel stem cell therapy to restore hearing loss, and a USD 14 million seed financing round for Delonix Bioworks, aimed at advancing synthetic biology vaccine platforms. These investments highlight the fund's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in biomedical engineering and healthcare.


9. Leaps by Bayer

  • Website: leaps.bayer.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: leapsbybayer

Leaps by Bayer is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2015. The firm focuses on biotechnology and agriculture, investing in early-stage companies that pursue scientific breakthroughs to tackle major global challenges in health and food security. Leaps by Bayer provides funding and active incubation to support the development of innovative solutions in these sectors. Notably, they have led significant funding rounds in companies such as Cellino Biotech, which is pioneering autonomous cell therapy manufacturing, and EGenesis, which is advancing xenotransplantation technologies. Their investment in Gandeeva Therapeutics, a precision biotechnology company utilizing AI for drug discovery, further highlights their commitment to advancing biomedical engineering solutions. With 16 investments in 2024 alone, Leaps by Bayer is actively contributing to the growth of the biomedical engineering landscape.


10. BiomedVC

  • Website: biomedvc.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2003
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: biomedvc

BioMedVC is a venture capital firm based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 2003. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in the life sciences sector, focusing on supporting biotech startups by providing capital and strategic guidance to help them develop innovative medical solutions. BiomedVC has been involved in several notable transactions, particularly in the biomedical engineering field. For instance, they have participated in multiple funding rounds for Aleva Neurotherapeutics, which develops implants for deep brain stimulation. This includes a Series A round of €9.5M in 2011, a Series B round of approximately $4.4M in 2012, a Series C round of $18M in 2016, and a Series E round of $8.1M in 2019. Additionally, they were involved in the Series D funding round for Miracor Medical Systems, which focuses on the development of the PiCSO impulse system. These transactions highlight BiomedVC's commitment to advancing technologies in the biomedical engineering space.


11. SHS Capital


SHS Gesellschaft für Beteiligungsmanagement mbH, commonly known as SHS Capital, is a private equity firm based in Germany, founded in 1993. The firm specializes in healthcare investments, providing capital and strategic support to fast-growing healthcare companies. SHS Capital has been involved in several notable transactions in the biomedical engineering field, including the acquisition of Spiegelberg, a company focused on medical technology, and investments in Tyromotion, which develops innovative rehabilitation solutions. Additionally, they have participated in funding rounds for Miracor Medical, a company known for its PiCSO impulse system, which is relevant to the biomedical engineering sector. Through these investments, SHS Capital demonstrates a commitment to enhancing operations and supporting the growth of companies within the healthcare and biomedical engineering industries.


12. HBM Partners AG


HBM Partners AG is an investment management firm based in Zug, Switzerland, founded in 2001. The firm specializes in healthcare investments, focusing on venture, growth, and buy-out financing for private companies, as well as public company investments in the biopharma, medtech, diagnostics, and healthcare sectors. HBM Partners serves institutional and professional clients, providing capital and strategic support to enhance value creation. Notable transactions include investments in Vascular Dynamics, which raised funds in a Series D round, and Shape Memory Medical, which secured $600,000 through a convertible note. Additionally, HBM Partners has invested in Sphingotec GmbH, which raised over $1.6 million in a Series B round, and has a significant minority stake in Reha Technology AG, further emphasizing their commitment to advancing biomedical engineering and healthcare technologies.


13. Roche

  • Website: roche.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1896
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: roche

F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, commonly known as Roche, is a leading healthcare company based in Switzerland, founded in 1896. The company specializes in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, focusing on developing innovative solutions for various health conditions, particularly in oncology and in-vitro diagnostics. Roche aims to improve health outcomes through its comprehensive offerings. In recent years, Roche has made significant investments in the biomedical engineering space, including the acquisition of Telavant for $7.1 billion, which enhances their capabilities in cancer treatment. They also invested $350 million in Freenome, a company focused on multiomics technology for cancer diagnostics, which is crucial for advancing personalized medicine. Additionally, Roche's acquisition of Signature Diagnostics and Tusk Therapeutics highlights their strategy to enhance molecular diagnostics and explore new therapeutic avenues in oncology. These transactions underscore Roche's active role in the biomedical engineering industry, making them a relevant investor in this field.


14. Earlybird Venture Capital


Earlybird Venture Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 1997, based in Germany, that specializes in investing in European technology innovators. They provide financial resources and strategic support to startups, particularly in the digital health and deep tech sectors. In recent years, Earlybird has made notable investments in the biomedical engineering space, including a €54 million Series B funding round for Argá Medtech, which is developing advanced medical devices for treating cardiac arrhythmias. Additionally, they led a $38 million Series C financing round for Shape Memory Medical, a company focused on innovative polymer technology for vascular applications. These investments highlight Earlybird's commitment to nurturing early-stage companies in the biomedical sector, helping them navigate growth challenges while advancing healthcare technology.


15. Debiopharm


Debiopharm is a biopharmaceutical company based in Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland, founded in 1979. The company specializes in the development and manufacturing of innovative therapies for cancer and infectious diseases. Debiopharm partners with academic and pharmaceutical institutions to bridge the gap between drug discovery and patient access, focusing on high unmet medical needs. Notably, Debiopharm has been involved in significant transactions in the biomedical engineering context, such as leading a $6 million financing round for Immunexpress to advance the development of the SeptiCyte® technology, a late-stage sepsis diagnostic product. Additionally, they participated in multiple funding rounds for Immunexpress, including a $40 million debt financing and earlier venture rounds, demonstrating their commitment to supporting advancements in biomedical diagnostics and therapies.


16. Evotec

  • Website: evotec.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
  • Founded year: 1993
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: evotec

Evotec SE is a biotechnology company based in Hamburg, Germany, founded in 1993. The company specializes in drug discovery and development, collaborating with pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms to provide a comprehensive range of services from discovery to manufacturing. Evotec aims to enhance the efficiency of bringing new therapeutics to market and address unmet medical needs through innovative solutions and strategic partnerships. Notably, Evotec acquired Rigenerand Srl for €23 million, securing 100% ownership of a cell therapy manufacturing facility, which is a significant move in the biomedical engineering space. They also participated in a GBP24 million Series A investment round for Centauri Therapeutics, indicating their commitment to supporting emerging companies in the biomedical field. Furthermore, their involvement in seed funding for companies like OxVax and Blacksmith Medicines highlights their active engagement in the development of new biomedical technologies and therapies.



Biomedical Engineering Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Novartis Venture FundBasel, Basel, Switzerland11-50199610
HBM Healthcare Investments AGZug, Zug, Switzerland1001-500020018
NovartisBasel, Basel, Switzerland10001+19967
Verve VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50201025
Bayern KapitalLandshut, Bavaria, Germany11-50199527
Nextech InvestZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50199813
Wellington PartnersMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019989
Boehringer Ingelheim Venture FundIngelheim Am Rhein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany11-5020105
Leaps by BayerBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201516
BiomedVCBasel, Basel, Switzerland1-1020032
SHS CapitalGermany11-5019932
HBM Partners AGZug, Zug, Switzerland11-5020010
RocheSwitzerland10001+18965
Earlybird Venture CapitalGermany51-200199729
DebiopharmLausanne, Vaud, Switzerland201-50019794
EvotecHamburg, Hamburg, Germany5001-1000019933


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