The athletic shoe industry in the DACH region encapsulates a dynamic market centered around sport performance, fitness, and fashion. Major corporations and innovative startups design and manufacture footwear that caters to both athletes and lifestyle consumers, blending technology with style for optimal comfort and functionality. Sustainability is gaining traction, leading companies to adopt eco-friendly materials and ethical practices. Notably, local sportswear brands compete with global giants while exploring customization and digital shopping solutions. This evolution is bolstered by increasing health awareness and participation in sports, which are driving a robust market trajectory in years to come.


The top athletic shoe investors in DACH represent a mix of venture capital firms, corporate investors, and private equity firms. Headquartered in cities like Munich, Berlin, and Zurich, these investors vary in size from small teams to large organizations with over 10,000 employees. Established between 1979 and 2016, their deal counts for 2024 range from zero to 32 investments. This cross-section of investors showcases a commitment to funding innovative startups and established companies creating footwear and related technologies.


Top 17 Athletic Shoe Investors in DACH


1. 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. Notably, Acton Capital has participated in significant transactions such as the Series A funding rounds for Koio, a luxury sneaker brand, where they contributed to a total of $9 million raised to enhance footwear designs and expand retail locations. This involvement in the athletic shoe sector showcases their commitment to supporting innovative brands in this industry, alongside their broader investment strategy.


2. 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 funding but also expertise and resources to help these businesses thrive in competitive markets. Among their notable transactions, they invested $11 million in Scarosso, a company that focuses on footwear, which aligns with the athletic shoe industry. Other investments include companies like Inselberg, a digital booking platform, and SkillYoga, which focuses on wellness and fitness, indicating a diverse portfolio that spans various sectors beyond just athletic shoes.


3. SIGNA Group of Companies


SIGNA Group of Companies, founded in 1999 and based in Vienna, Austria, is a prominent venture capital firm that operates primarily in the real estate and retail sectors. The company has expanded its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, enhancing its presence in various markets across Europe. Notably, SIGNA Retail has made significant strides in the athletic sector by acquiring SportScheck, a specialist in sporting goods, which added multiple retail locations and an online platform to its portfolio, thereby strengthening its position in the sports market in Germany. Additionally, the acquisition of TennisPro, a leading online sports retailer in France and Southern Europe, highlights SIGNA's focus on enhancing its multichannel sports distribution, particularly in tennis and other athletic categories. These transactions reflect SIGNA's commitment to diversifying its retail offerings and tapping into the growing athletic and sportswear market.


4. Burda Principal Investments


Burda Principal Investments is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 2016, specializing in growth stage investing primarily in digital technology and media companies. They provide long-term growth equity to entrepreneurs, helping them overcome financial barriers to expansion. Their portfolio includes successful internet-centric businesses across Europe, the U.S., and Asia. Notably, Burda Principal Investments led a $16 million Series C funding round for M.Gemi, a luxury footwear brand, showcasing their engagement in the footwear market. Additionally, they have invested in Miinto, a fashion platform, and participated in funding rounds for companies like Rockets of Awesome, which, while focused on kids' apparel, indicates a broader interest in the fashion and retail sectors. These transactions highlight their capability and willingness to invest in companies that may intersect with the athletic shoe industry.


5. Richemont

  • Website: richemont.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Bellevue, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1988
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: richemont

Compagnie Financière Richemont S.A. is a luxury goods company based in Bellevue, Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 1988. The company specializes in high-end jewellery, watches, leather goods, and fashion accessories, catering to affluent consumers seeking exclusive products. In recent years, Richemont has made strategic acquisitions to expand its portfolio, including the acquisition of Gianvito Rossi, a luxury footwear brand, in July 2023, where it acquired a 70% stake for over 100 million euros. This acquisition aims to support the global development of the brand, indicating Richemont's interest in the footwear market. Additionally, Richemont acquired Peter Millar, a lifestyle brand, in 2012, which may also align with athletic lifestyle products. These transactions reflect Richemont's strategy to enhance its presence in the luxury and lifestyle sectors, potentially overlapping with the athletic shoe market.


6. Deutsche Bank

  • Website: db.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
  • Founded year: 1870
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 32
  • LinkedIn: deutsche-bank

Deutsche Bank AG, founded in 1870 and headquartered in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, is a leading investment bank and financial services provider. It offers a wide range of solutions including investment banking, corporate banking, cash management, trade finance, and securities services. The bank serves corporate and institutional clients, helping them manage their financial assets and liquidity effectively through its digital platform, Autobahn. Notably, Deutsche Bank has been involved in significant transactions within the athletic shoe industry, including a post-IPO debt financing for Adidas on April 15, 2020. This transaction highlights the bank's engagement with key players in the athletic shoe market, showcasing its capability and willingness to invest in this sector. Additionally, Deutsche Bank has participated in various other financing rounds across different industries, but its connection to Adidas is particularly relevant for the athletic shoe category.


7. adidas

  • Website: adidas-group.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 1949
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: adidas

Adidas, founded in 1949 and headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany, is a leading sportswear manufacturer and retailer known for its extensive range of athletic footwear and apparel. The company serves athletes, sports teams, and consumers, providing products designed to enhance performance and create engaging team environments. Adidas has made several strategic acquisitions to strengthen its position in the athletic shoe market, including the notable acquisition of Reebok International for $3.8 billion in 2005, which expanded its footprint in the athletic footwear sector. Additionally, Adidas acquired TaylorMade Golf and Adams Golf, further diversifying its portfolio within the sports industry. The company also invests in innovative platforms, such as its participation in funding rounds for OneFootball and PlayVS, indicating its commitment to engaging with the athletic community and supporting emerging trends in sports and technology.


8. b2venture

  • Website: b2venture.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2000
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 15
  • LinkedIn: btovpartners

b2venture is a venture capital firm based in St. Gallen, Switzerland, founded in 2000. They specialize in early-stage investments in innovative startups across various sectors, providing financial backing and support to entrepreneurs. Their investment strategy is enhanced by collaboration with a community of angel investors, making them a key player in the European venture capital landscape. Notable transactions include investments in companies like Armedangels, which focuses on sustainable fashion, and Urban Sports Club, a provider of sports memberships. While these transactions do not directly relate to athletic shoes, they indicate b2venture's interest in the broader sports and lifestyle market, suggesting potential relevance to the athletic shoe industry.


9. 3TS Capital Partners


3TS Capital Partners is a venture capital firm based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 1999. The firm specializes in technology-focused private equity and venture capital, providing expansion capital and buyout funding to small and medium-sized enterprises in growth sectors, particularly in technology, internet, media, communications, and technology-enabled services. Notably, 3TS Capital Partners has been involved in significant transactions within the athletic shoe context, particularly with SafeSize, a Greek startup that offers innovative 3D foot analysis and shoe recommendation solutions. They co-led a €14 million Series B funding round for SafeSize in March 2023, and previously invested €3 million in a Series B round in December 2016. These investments highlight their engagement in the athletic shoe industry, showcasing their capability to support businesses that enhance consumer experiences in footwear.


10. Hannover Finanz

  • Website: hannoverfinanz.de
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany
  • Founded year: 1979
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: hannoverfinanz

Hannover Finanz is a private equity firm based in Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany, founded in 1979. The firm specializes in providing equity capital to medium-sized family businesses in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, focusing on sustainable growth through strategic investments and consulting services. Hannover Finanz has been involved in several notable transactions in the footwear sector, including the acquisition of Ludwig Reiter Schuhmanufaktur GmbH in 2010, a company known for its craftsmanship in shoe manufacturing. They also participated in a private equity round for Franz Ziener GmbH & Co. KG in 2012, which is another player in the footwear market. These transactions highlight Hannover Finanz's engagement in the shoe industry, particularly in companies that may align with athletic shoe production or high-quality footwear.


11. GoBeyond


GoBeyond is a venture capital investment platform based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2008. The firm specializes in connecting investors with early-stage startups, offering services such as individual portfolio investing, access to curated deal flow, and investment training. Notably, GoBeyond has been involved in several funding rounds for ShoeSize.Me, a company focused on providing shoe size solutions, with investments made in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Additionally, they participated in the seed round for BEAT Fitness in 2016, which, while not directly an athletic shoe company, is related to the fitness industry. These transactions highlight GoBeyond's engagement with companies that have a connection to the athletic shoe market.


12. bmp Ventures

  • Website: bmp.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 1997
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: bmpventures

bmp Ventures AG is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1997. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage and growth startups across various innovative sectors, providing not only financial resources but also strategic advisory services to help startups navigate their growth journey. In 2022, bmp Ventures led a €4M Series A funding round for Wingfield, a sportstech startup that aims to improve the experience for tennis players and facilities. This investment highlights bmp Ventures' engagement in the athletic sector, particularly in technology that enhances sports performance and experience. Their portfolio also includes diverse investments across different industries, indicating a broad investment strategy.


13. Reimann Investors


Reimann Investors is a family office and investment firm based in Julbach, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2006. The firm focuses on managing assets and investments for its clients, with a strong emphasis on supporting visionary startups in technology sectors, particularly in B2B software, fintech, and ecomtech. Notably, Reimann Investors has made strategic investments in the athletic shoe context, including a €10 million capital investment in Keller Sports, a Munich-based online retailer specializing in sports gear and footwear. This investment, along with their previous funding rounds in Keller Sports, highlights their engagement in the athletic shoe market. Additionally, they participated in funding for Highsnobiety, a platform that intersects fashion and lifestyle, which may also include athletic footwear. Overall, Reimann Investors demonstrates a commitment to securing and growing wealth through diverse investments, including those in the athletic shoe industry.


14. STS Ventures


STS Ventures GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Cologne, specializing in early-stage investments in technology-driven startups. Founded in 2018, the firm provides financial backing and strategic consulting to entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the challenges of building sustainable businesses. Their portfolio includes various innovative companies across different sectors. Notably, STS Ventures invested 2.5 million euros in GetSteps, a Berlin-based shoe insole manufacturer, which highlights their engagement in the athletic shoe industry. Additionally, they participated in a venture round for GIPEDO in 2024, although the specifics of this transaction are not disclosed. These transactions reflect STS Ventures' commitment to supporting companies that intersect with the athletic shoe market.


15. IBG Beteiligungsgesellschaft


IBG Beteiligungsgesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt mbH is a venture capital firm based in Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, founded in 2000. The firm specializes in providing funding and support to small and medium-sized innovative technology companies in the region. IBG focuses on technology-oriented projects and assists startups and growth-phase businesses in accessing the necessary capital and resources for their development. Notably, IBG participated in the Series A funding round for Wingfield, a Hanover-based sportstech startup that raised €4M to enhance its business in Europe and expand into the US market, specifically targeting tennis players and facilities. This investment highlights IBG's engagement in the athletic sector, particularly in technology that can influence sports performance and experience. Other transactions, such as their involvement with Urwahn Engineering and Baby Sweets, do not directly relate to athletic shoes but showcase their broader investment strategy in innovative companies.


16. Hubert Burda Media

  • Website: burda.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
  • Founded year: 1903
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: hubert-burda-media

Hubert Burda Media is a corporate investor based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, founded in 1903. The company specializes in media and technology, focusing on publishing and creating engaging content across various platforms. They serve consumers with media products and businesses with B2B services and investment opportunities in digital technology. Notably, Hubert Burda Media has made significant investments in the footwear sector, including a $16 million investment in M.Gemi, a luxury footwear brand, through Burda Principal Investments. This investment highlights their interest in the footwear market, particularly in direct-to-consumer models. Additionally, they have engaged in various other transactions, although not all are related to athletic shoes. Their commitment to sustainability and innovation further aligns with current trends in the footwear industry.


17. 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 2021, Project A participated in a venture round for Perfect Drive Sports Group, a company that operates within the sports sector, indicating their interest in athletic-related ventures. Additionally, they have been involved in funding rounds for Horizn Studios, a smart luggage startup, which, while not directly related to athletic shoes, showcases their investment activity in the broader lifestyle and travel sectors that can intersect with athletic pursuits.



Athletic Shoe Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Acton CapitalMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019993
IBB VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50199718
SIGNA Group of CompaniesVienna, Vienna, Austria10001+19990
Burda Principal InvestmentsMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5020165
RichemontBellevue, Geneva, Switzerland10001+19881
Deutsche BankFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany10001+187032
adidasHerzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany10001+19491
b2ventureSt. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland11-50200015
3TS Capital PartnersVienna, Vienna, Austria11-5019990
Hannover FinanzHanover, Lower Saxony, Germany11-5019792
GoBeyondZurich, Zurich, Switzerland1-1020080
bmp VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5019973
Reimann InvestorsJulbach, Bavaria, Germany11-5020061
STS VenturesNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany1-1020184
IBG BeteiligungsgesellschaftMagdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany1-1020001
Hubert Burda MediaFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany10001+19030
Project ABerlin, Berlin, Germany51-200201213


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