The scientific publishing industry in Benelux plays a crucial role in disseminating research findings and advancements. It comprises various entities, from traditional publishers to innovative tech firms offering platforms for researchers. These companies produce a range of publications including academic journals, textbooks, and digital content, catering primarily to scholars and institutions. The shift towards open access publishing is reshaping the market, allowing broader access to research. Additionally, collaborations between academia and industry are increasing, fostering innovation and enhancing the availability of scientifically published work. As digital transformation progresses, expect more technology-driven solutions that streamline publishing processes.


The list features a mix of investors from different sectors, including corporate entities, venture capital firms, and private equity partners, all active within Benelux. Headquartered in locations such as Leuven and Luxembourg, these firms range in size from small teams to large organizations overseeing thousands of employees. Many date back several decades, showcasing experience in investment strategies. In 2024 alone, these investors made a total of 228 deals that reflect a keen interest in scientific publishing ventures, highlighting the growing financial commitment towards this critical area of research dissemination.


Top 16 Scientific Publishing Investors in Benelux


1. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Founded in 1958, the EIC offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC also provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation across different sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in significant transactions within the scientific publishing context, such as its investment in Iris.ai, which raised over $12 million in a venture round and $2.5 million in grants in January 2023. Iris.ai specializes in AI solutions that enhance scientific research and publishing processes. Additionally, the EIC has supported Scipio Bioscience, which raised $2.35 million in a convertible note and $2.7 million in grants, indicating a focus on companies that may contribute to scientific advancements. These transactions highlight the EIC's role in promoting innovation that intersects with scientific publishing.


2. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a public entity based in Luxembourg, founded in 1958, that provides a range of financial services including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services. EIB focuses on supporting sustainable projects across various sectors, with a particular emphasis on growth and job creation. Notably, EIB has been involved in significant debt financing transactions with several prominent educational institutions, such as Ulster University, which raised approximately $250 million in 2014, University College Dublin, which secured around $405 million in 2021, and Trinity College Dublin, which received over $78 million in 2019 and $115 million in 2018. These transactions highlight EIB's role in financing higher education, which is closely tied to scientific research and publishing activities.


3. Wolters Kluwer

  • Website: wolterskluwer.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Alphen Aan Den Rijn, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1836
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: wolters-kluwer

Wolters Kluwer N.V. is an information services company based in Alphen Aan Den Rijn, South Holland, Netherlands, founded in 1836. The company provides software solutions and services across various professional sectors, including healthcare, legal, tax, accounting, finance, and compliance. Wolters Kluwer Health has made significant strides in the scientific publishing arena, particularly through its acquisitions of Medknow Publications and IJS Publishing Group, both of which are involved in STM journal publishing. These acquisitions aim to enhance their journal portfolio and strengthen their position in the open access publishing market. Additionally, their acquisition of Medknow PVT Ltd. further solidifies their presence in the medical research sector, particularly in developing markets. These strategic moves highlight Wolters Kluwer's dedication to supporting professionals in navigating complex challenges in scientific research and publishing.


4. Exor N.V.

  • Website: exor.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 26
  • LinkedIn: exor_2

Exor N.V. is a holding company based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2009. It operates across various sectors, including automotive, healthcare, and media, and manages a diverse portfolio of companies such as Ferrari, Stellantis, and Philips. Exor focuses on enhancing value through strategic investments and operational support. Notably, Exor acquired a 43.78% stake in GEDI Gruppo Editoriale S.p.A., a significant player in the media and publishing industry, for €102.4 million in 2020. This acquisition highlights Exor's interest in the publishing sector. Additionally, Exor has participated in funding rounds for companies like Matter Neuroscience, which conducts scientific research, indicating a broader engagement with scientific initiatives. However, the majority of Exor's investments are outside the scientific publishing realm, primarily focusing on sectors like automotive and healthcare.


5. Qiagen

  • Website: qiagen.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Venlo, Limburg, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1986
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • LinkedIn: qiagen

QIAGEN N.V. is a biotechnology company founded in 1986, headquartered in Venlo, Limburg, Netherlands. The company specializes in sample and assay technologies for molecular diagnostics, applied testing, and research, catering to businesses and organizations in the healthcare and academic sectors. Qiagen has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its capabilities in the scientific research domain. Notably, they acquired CLC Bio, a company specializing in bioinformatics solutions, to bolster their genomics portfolio. Additionally, the acquisition of Ingenuity Systems for $105 million aimed to improve the interpretation of genomic data, which is crucial for scientific research and publishing. Other acquisitions, such as Operon Technologies Inc. and N-of-One, further demonstrate Qiagen's commitment to expanding its market presence and capabilities in synthetic nucleic acids and genomic data analysis. These transactions highlight Qiagen's role in providing essential tools and technologies that support scientific research and publishing.


6. Gilde Healthcare


Gilde Healthcare is a venture capital firm based in Utrecht, Netherlands, specializing in healthcare investments. Founded in 1982, the firm manages over €2.6 billion across two fund strategies: Venture & Growth and Private Equity. Gilde Healthcare invests in innovative healthtech and therapeutics companies, as well as profitable lower mid-market healthcare providers in Europe. Notably, Gilde has been involved in significant transactions such as the $93M Series D funding for LUMICKS, a company that develops next-generation life science tools, and multiple Series A funding rounds for Calypso Biotech, which focuses on therapeutic developments. These investments highlight Gilde's commitment to supporting advancements in scientific research and healthcare innovation, making them a noteworthy player in the scientific publishing context.


7. Gimv

  • Website: gimv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1980
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: gimv

Gimv is a venture capital investment firm based in Antwerp, Belgium, founded in 1980. The firm partners with innovative companies across various sectors, including Consumer, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Smart Industries, and Sustainable Cities. Gimv provides investment management and strategic support to help businesses grow sustainably. Their clientele primarily consists of entrepreneurial companies seeking capital and expertise to navigate market challenges. Notably, Gimv has made significant investments in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, such as a €5.5 million capital injection into Multiplicom, which focuses on developing diagnostic tests, and a leading role in a €72 million financing round for Complement Therapeutics, aimed at advancing gene therapy for geographic atrophy. These transactions highlight Gimv's commitment to supporting companies that contribute to scientific advancements, making them a relevant investor in the scientific publishing context.


8. Vib

  • Website: vib.be
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Ghent, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: vib

VIB (Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie) is a public entity based in Ghent, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1995. It focuses on strategic research in life sciences and biotechnology, offering research and development services, technology transfer, and support for biotech startups. VIB collaborates with academic institutions and industry partners to translate scientific discoveries into practical applications, addressing the needs of researchers and organizations in the life sciences sector. Notably, VIB has participated in significant funding rounds for companies such as Multiplicom, which raised funds to develop diagnostic tests, and Confo Therapeutics, which is advancing drug candidates. These transactions highlight VIB's role in fostering innovation and research in the life sciences, reinforcing its relevance to the scientific publishing industry.


9. Qbic Fund | Venture Capital

  • Website: qbic.be
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Ghent, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2012
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: qbic

Qbic Fund | Venture Capital is a venture capital fund based in Ghent, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 2012. The fund specializes in seed and early-stage investments in innovative companies across various sectors, with a strong emphasis on creating impact through technological breakthroughs. Qbic supports its portfolio companies throughout their growth, particularly in sectors such as biotechnology and technology. Notable transactions include a capital injection into Multiplicom, which focuses on developing diagnostic tests, and a seed investment in MOLECUBES, known for its innovative 3D imaging technology for small animals. Additionally, Qbic has participated in funding rounds for Confo Therapeutics, a company engaged in drug discovery, and MRM Health, which develops microbiome-based therapies. These investments highlight Qbic's role in fostering advancements that are likely to contribute to scientific research and publishing.


10. Rockstart

  • Website: rockstart.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: rockstart

Rockstart is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2011. The firm empowers early-stage founders across various sectors, including AgriFood, Energy, and Emerging Technology, by providing investment, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Rockstart's business model emphasizes supporting purpose-driven entrepreneurs to drive positive change. Among their notable transactions, Rockstart invested in Publishizer, which raised $75,000 in a Pre-Seed round in 2018, focusing on crowdfunding for book publishing. They also participated in funding Molecular Quantum Solutions, which secured €600K to develop SaaS solutions for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, highlighting their engagement in scientific and technological advancements. Other investments include SCITODATE and RiboPro, which further illustrate their commitment to supporting innovative startups that may intersect with scientific publishing.


11. Sofina

  • Website: sofinagroup.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1898
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: sofina

Sofina is a Brussels-based venture capital investment company founded in 1898, specializing in providing patient capital to growing businesses across various sectors, including telecommunications, consumer goods, and energy. The firm partners with entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses, offering strategic advice and long-term investment solutions to foster sustainable growth. Notably, Sofina has been involved in significant transactions in the educational technology space, such as its investments in Knewton, which raised over $52 million in a Series E-K round to enhance personalized learning solutions for students, and additional funding rounds totaling over $42 million. Furthermore, Sofina's investment in Vizgen, which raised $85.2 million in Series C funding, highlights its engagement in scientific advancements, particularly in genomic technologies. These transactions reflect Sofina's commitment to supporting innovations that can impact scientific publishing and education.


12. Ergon Capital


Ergon Capital is a private equity firm based in Brussels, Belgium, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in investment management and sustainability consulting, partnering with families, entrepreneurs, and management teams to enhance business value while promoting ESG initiatives. Notably, Ergon Capital has made significant investments in the publishing sector, including the acquisition of De Boeck Supérieur and De Boeck Education on April 1, 2011. These companies are key players in educational publishing, providing resources that support learning and academic achievement. Additionally, Ergon Capital acquired Keesing Media Group, a publisher of puzzle magazines, for €150 million on July 19, 2017. While Keesing's focus is more on entertainment publishing, the firm's involvement in educational publishing through De Boeck positions it as a relevant player in the broader publishing landscape.


13. Cvc

  • Website: cvc.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a prominent private equity firm founded in 2005, based in Luxembourg, managing approximately €193 billion in assets for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors. The firm specializes in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure investments. Among their notable transactions, CVC acquired Straive in 2013, a company that provides content and publishing solutions, which includes services relevant to scientific publishing. This acquisition highlights CVC's engagement in the publishing sector. Additionally, their diverse investment strategy allows them to leverage opportunities across various industries, further enhancing their potential impact in the scientific publishing landscape.


14. Lrm

  • Website: lrm.be
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Hasselt, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: lrmnv

LRM (lrm.be) is a venture capital investment company based in Hasselt, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1994. The firm focuses on sustainable economic growth in the Limburg region, providing financing and expertise to startups, scale-ups, and mature companies to facilitate their development and innovation. LRM is also involved in real estate development and the reconversion of old mining sites, contributing to the local economic ecosystem. Notably, LRM acquired Clavis Publishing on May 1, 2005, which specializes in children's literature and educational content, marking a significant investment in the scientific publishing sector. Additionally, LRM has invested in ONTOFORCE, a data science company, and UgenTec, a medtech firm, indicating a diverse investment strategy that includes technology and healthcare alongside publishing.


15. Mediahuis Technology & Product Studio


Mediahuis Technology & Product Studio is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2020. It is part of the Mediahuis media group, which operates across Europe, focusing on independent journalism and diverse media services. The firm has made several investments, including a notable one in Perlego, a startup that offers a subscription service for academic textbooks, raising $50 million in a Series B funding round. This platform currently serves 400,000 paying subscribers and collaborates with 5,000 education publishers, highlighting Mediahuis's engagement in the educational and scientific publishing landscape. Additionally, Mediahuis has expanded its portfolio by acquiring EurActiv, a pan-European news brand, which further demonstrates its commitment to enhancing media services across Europe.


16. KU Leuven

  • Website: kuleuven.be
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1425
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: ku_leuven

KU Leuven, founded in 1425, is one of the oldest universities in Europe and a leading public entity in Belgium. It offers a comprehensive range of academic programs and is deeply committed to innovative research across various disciplines. As an investor, KU Leuven has participated in several funding rounds that align with scientific and medical advancements. Notably, it has invested in reMYND, a company focused on developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, raising significant funds in Series B rounds in 2018 and 2021. Additionally, KU Leuven was involved in the funding of ViroVet, a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on veterinary products, which also reflects its engagement in scientific research and development. These transactions highlight KU Leuven's active role in fostering innovation and supporting the scientific community, making it a relevant player in the scientific publishing landscape.



Scientific Publishing Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
Wolters KluwerAlphen Aan Den Rijn, South Holland, Netherlands10001+18364
Exor N.V.Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50200926
QiagenVenlo, Limburg, Netherlands5001-1000019860
Gilde HealthcareUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands51-200198212
GimvAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium51-20019808
VibGhent, Flanders, Belgium1001-500019953
Qbic Fund | Venture CapitalGhent, Flanders, Belgium1-1020125
RockstartAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50201116
SofinaBrussels, Brussels, Belgium51-20018984
Ergon CapitalBrussels, Brussels, Belgium11-5020050
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
LrmHasselt, Flanders, Belgium51-20019941
Mediahuis Technology & Product StudioAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands201-50020205
KU LeuvenLeuven, Flanders, Belgium10001+14251


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