The corporate event planning industry in Europe thrives on creativity and connection, delivering well-organized experiences for businesses. From annual conferences to trade shows, companies create unique environments to promote networking, collaboration, and brand enhancement. Key players range from specialized event management firms and tech-driven platforms to catering services and venue providers. As technology reshapes how events are planned and executed, virtual and hybrid formats are becoming increasingly common. Industry focus is shifting towards sustainability and personalization, with an emphasis on experiential marketing that elevates brand storytelling through memorable interactions.


The investors on this list span various categories, including corporate, venture capital, and private equity. Predominantly located in major European cities like London and Paris, these firms show remarkable diversity in size, from small teams to global organizations. Starting as early as 1981, these investors have collectively made significant strides with 2024 deal counts ranging from 1 to 198. Their varied backgrounds underpin a shared dedication to fostering growth within the corporate event planning sector.


Top 17 Corporate Event Planning Investors in Europe


1. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération


Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a venture capital investor based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2015. As a public entity and financial institution, Bpifrance supports entrepreneurs and businesses in France and internationally through various services, including direct funding, export credit insurance, and private equity investments. The institution aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, helping businesses navigate growth and international expansion. Notably, Bpifrance has been involved in several transactions relevant to the corporate event planning industry, including a $30 million investment in Comet Meetings, a French meeting and events venue provider, and a significant funding round for Bird Office, which specializes in office and meeting space solutions. These investments highlight Bpifrance's commitment to supporting businesses that contribute to the corporate event planning sector.


2. Kima Ventures

  • Website: kimaventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 50
  • LinkedIn: kima-ventures

Kima Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage startups across various sectors, backing two startups per week with financial support and mentorship. Among their notable transactions, Kima Ventures invested in Naboo, a corporate offsite booking platform that raised €7.5 million to expand its services in Europe, highlighting their engagement in the corporate event planning space. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for Bird Office, which focuses on corporate event spaces, and La Belle Assiette, which offers on-demand chef services that could cater to corporate events. These investments illustrate Kima Ventures' involvement in the corporate event planning industry, despite their broader investment strategy.


3. The Access Group

  • Website: theaccessgroup.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Loughborough, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1991
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 12
  • LinkedIn: accessgroup

The Access Group is a corporate investor based in Loughborough, England, founded in 1991. It is a business software company that provides a range of IT solutions, including care management software, recruitment CRM systems, and payroll systems, serving over 100,000 organizations across various sectors. Notably, The Access Group has made significant acquisitions that enhance its portfolio in the event planning context, such as the acquisition of DesignMyNight in November 2017, which includes event management tools that can be utilized for corporate events. Additionally, their acquisition of ResDiary in July 2023 further strengthens their position in the hospitality sector, which is closely related to corporate event planning. These strategic moves demonstrate The Access Group's commitment to expanding its influence in the event management space, making it a noteworthy player in the corporate event planning industry.


4. Ldc

  • Website: ldc.co.uk
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1981
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 15
  • LinkedIn: ldc

Lloyds Development Capital (LDC) is a private equity firm based in London, England, specializing in providing growth capital and strategic support to mid-market businesses across various sectors. Founded in 1981, LDC is part of Lloyds Banking Group and focuses on fostering long-term partnerships to drive business success. Among their notable transactions, LDC acquired The National Exhibition Centre Group in 2015 for approximately £307 million, which includes various venues and agencies associated with the NEC Group, aimed at enhancing growth and strategic initiatives in the events sector. Additionally, LDC's acquisition of Silverstone Circuit in 2013 further highlights their involvement in venues that are pivotal for corporate events and exhibitions. These investments reflect LDC's active role in the corporate event planning industry, supporting management teams in achieving their growth ambitions through investment and advisory services.


5. Informa

  • Website: informa.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1998
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: informa

Informa plc is a prominent publishing group and business intelligence provider based in London, specializing in a variety of services including publishing, business intelligence, and event management. Founded in 1998, Informa connects its customers with specialized knowledge and networking opportunities through its diverse brands and events. The company has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its presence in the corporate event planning sector, including the acquisition of Tarsus Group for approximately $945 million in March 2023, which bolstered its event management capabilities. Additionally, Informa has made a cash offer of £1.2 billion for Ascential, a UK-based events company known for high-profile conferences like Money20/20 and Cannes Lions, further solidifying its position in the industry. Other notable acquisitions include Hobby Star Marketing, the organizer of Fan Expo Canada, and Winsight, both of which contribute to Informa's extensive global events portfolio.


6. Bgf

  • Website: bgf.co.uk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 53
  • LinkedIn: bgfinvestments

BGF Investment Management Limited is a venture capital firm based in London, England, that was founded in 2011. The firm specializes in providing growth funding and value creation support to small and mid-sized businesses across the UK and Ireland. BGF addresses the funding gap in the market through minority investments and extensive support services. Among their notable transactions, BGF has invested in Eventmaster, which raised approximately $4.36 million in 2024, indicating their interest in the event management sector. Additionally, they invested £13.75 million in Blue-i Group, an event technology firm, to support its recruitment and European sales growth. These investments highlight BGF's active role in the corporate event planning industry, alongside their broader investment strategy.


7. Almi

  • Website: almi.se
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: almi-ab

Almi AB is a financial services company based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. It specializes in providing loans, risk capital, and business development support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden. Almi aims to enhance the growth and competitiveness of these businesses through tailored financial solutions and guidance. Among its notable transactions, Almi has invested in Liveside Event AB, which focuses on event planning, and Boka konferens, a company that facilitates conference bookings. Additionally, Almi has supported EasyArr, which may also relate to event management solutions. These investments highlight Almi's engagement in the corporate event planning sector, showcasing its commitment to fostering growth in this industry.


8. GL events

  • Website: gl-events.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
  • Founded year: 1978
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn: gl-events

GL events is an event management company based in Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France, founded in 1978. The company specializes in organizing events, managing venues, and providing comprehensive exhibition services tailored for businesses and organizations. Their expertise encompasses audiovisual services, stand construction, and energy solutions, ensuring successful and memorable events for their clients. Notable transactions include the acquisition of a 60% stake in the Johannesburg Expo Centre, which is the largest exhibition park in Africa, significantly boosting their presence in the South African market. Additionally, GL events acquired the Jaulin Group, enhancing their service offerings in the Île-de-France region, and Field & Lawn Ltd., a provider of temporary buildings and event marquees in the UK. These strategic acquisitions reflect GL events' commitment to strengthening its position in the corporate event planning industry.


9. Crowdcube

  • Website: crowdcube.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: crowdcube-limited

Crowdcube is a London-based crowdfunding platform founded in 2010 that enables businesses to raise capital through equity investments. It connects startups and SMEs with potential investors, facilitating the funding process. The platform promotes diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services to its clients. Notable transactions include Encore Musicians, which raised $787,782 in July 2023, a company that connects musicians with event planners, indicating a direct link to the corporate event planning industry. Other transactions, such as those involving Wizme and Foodstuff, while not directly related to corporate events, showcase Crowdcube's active role in supporting innovative businesses that could intersect with the event planning sector.


10. Portugal Ventures


Portugal Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Porto, Portugal, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in investing in startups with global ambitions, primarily located in Portugal, and provides both capital and strategic support to help these startups grow and scale their operations. Portugal Ventures focuses on innovative projects across various sectors, including technology and health. Among its notable transactions, the firm has invested in 'Great Hotels of the World', which raised $1,161,170 in a Seed Round in 2018, indicating a strong connection to the hospitality sector. Additionally, their investments in 'Mission To Escape' and 'Strayboots', which raised $264,416 and $414,845 respectively in Seed Rounds, highlight their engagement with companies that offer unique experiences, relevant to corporate event planning. These investments demonstrate Portugal Ventures' commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and economic development in sectors that can enhance corporate event experiences.


11. Sodexo

  • Website: sodexo.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Issy-Les-Moulineaux, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1966
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: sodexo

Sodexo is a leading food service and facilities management company founded in 1966, headquartered in Issy-Les-Moulineaux, Île-De-France, France. With over 10,000 employees, Sodexo provides quality food services and integrated facilities management solutions across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and corporate environments. The company focuses on enhancing the quality of life for clients and consumers through sustainable practices and innovative service delivery. Notably, Sodexo has made several acquisitions that bolster its position in the corporate event planning space. For example, the acquisition of Yachts de Paris in 2008 for €23 million allows them to offer unique catering experiences on luxury yachts, which can be appealing for corporate events. Additionally, their acquisition of The Good Eating Company in 2017 aims to enhance workplace dining, which is often a component of corporate events. These strategic moves demonstrate Sodexo's commitment to expanding its service offerings in the corporate event planning industry.


12. Wpp

  • Website: wpp.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: wpp

WPP plc is a prominent advertising and communications company based in London, England, founded in 1985. With over 10,000 employees, WPP offers a diverse range of services, including advertising, public relations, media buying, and market research. The company has made significant acquisitions that enhance its capabilities in the corporate event planning space. Notably, WPP acquired Prism Sport + Entertainment in 1999, which specializes in sports marketing and event management, and a B2B marketing agency in 2014, which likely engages in corporate events for business clients. These transactions reflect WPP's strategy to bolster its service offerings in areas that are relevant to corporate event planning, making them a key player in the industry.


13. Edition Capital


Edition Capital is a London-based venture capital firm founded in 2015, specializing in the leisure industry. The firm provides capital and advisory services to ambitious leisure businesses, focusing on building partnerships to enhance growth and shareholder wealth. Notably, Edition Capital has been involved in several transactions relevant to the corporate event planning context, including 'Add to Event', which raised over $3 million in seed funding across two rounds in 2019 and 2020. This company is likely focused on event management solutions, making it pertinent to corporate event planning. Additionally, their investment in 'Mainstage Festivals' further emphasizes their commitment to the events sector, showcasing their expertise and unique access to investment opportunities within the leisure market.


14. 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 is a prominent ticketing service and event promotion company based in Bremen, Germany. Founded in 1999, the company specializes in providing ticketing solutions for concerts, festivals, and other live events. It serves both consumers seeking live entertainment and businesses in the event industry looking for promotional services. CTS EVENTIM operates a digital platform for ticket sales and collaborates with various promoters across multiple countries. The company has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its position in the corporate event planning sector, including the acquisition of ABC Production in 2013 and ARENA Management in 2012, both of which bolster its event management capabilities. Additionally, the acquisition of a 51% stake in the Italian concert promoter Vertigo in 2017 marked a significant expansion into the live entertainment market in Italy, further solidifying its international presence and influence in the event planning industry.


15. Index Ventures

  • Website: indexventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 67
  • LinkedIn: index-ventures

Index Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 1996, based in London, England. The firm invests in innovative startups across various sectors, including technology and healthcare, and is known for providing capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs. Among their notable transactions, they invested in DoubleDutch, a company that raised $45 million in Series E funding in 2015, which focuses on event management solutions. They also invested in Let’s Do This, which raised $5 million in a seed round in 2019, a platform that facilitates event ticketing and experiences. These investments highlight Index Ventures' engagement in the corporate event planning space, showcasing their commitment to supporting businesses that enhance event experiences.


16. Seedrs

  • Website: seedrs.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: seedrs

Seedrs Limited (trading as Republic Europe) is a crowdfunding platform based in London, England, that connects investors with startups and businesses seeking capital. Founded in 2009, Seedrs offers equity crowdfunding, investment opportunities, and advisory services, catering to both individual investors and businesses. The platform facilitates access to early-stage investments and provides a marketplace for capital raising. Among their notable transactions, Seedrs invested in EventsCase, which raised $455,000 in a seed round on September 20, 2016. EventsCase is a company that specializes in event management solutions, making this investment particularly relevant to the corporate event planning industry. Additionally, Seedrs has supported other startups like virtuall, which, while not directly related to corporate events, showcases their active role in funding innovative businesses.


17. BCD Travel

  • Website: bcdtravel.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2006
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: bcd-travel

BCD Travel is a leading travel management company founded in 2006, headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands, with over 10,000 employees. The company specializes in corporate travel solutions, offering a wide range of services that include corporate travel management, meeting and event planning, and travel consulting. BCD Travel serves businesses and organizations across various industries, helping them streamline their travel processes and achieve cost savings while enhancing the travel experience for their employees. Notably, BCD Travel has made significant acquisitions to bolster its presence in the corporate event planning sector, including the acquisition of Ventura Spa's business travel and meetings & events activities in Italy, which formed BCD Travel Italy. Other acquisitions, such as Air Club Travel in Poland and Ticket Biz in Sweden and Norway, further illustrate BCD's strategy to enhance its corporate travel and event planning services globally. These strategic moves position BCD Travel as a key player in the corporate event planning industry.



Corporate Event Planning Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Bpifrance French Tech AccélérationParis, Île-De-France, France1-102015198
Kima VenturesParis, Île-De-France, France1-10201050
The Access GroupLoughborough, England, United Kingdom (UK)5001-10000199112
LdcLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200198115
InformaLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)10001+19984
BgfLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200201153
AlmiStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden201-50019947
GL eventsLyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France1001-500019780
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
Portugal VenturesPorto, Porto, Portugal11-5020126
SodexoIssy-Les-Moulineaux, Île-De-France, France10001+19664
WppLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)10001+19852
Edition CapitalLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)11-5020150
CTS EVENTIM AG & Co. KGaABremen, Bremen, Germany1001-500019991
Index VenturesLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200199667
SeedrsLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020092
BCD TravelUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands10001+20060


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