The autonomous trucking industry in the DACH region is rapidly evolving, integrating advanced technologies into logistics and transport. It includes innovative startups and established giants focusing on self-driving vehicles, smart logistics solutions, and fleet management systems. Companies like TuSimple and Fernride are enhancing operational efficiency, reducing costs, and improving safety through automation. As regulatory frameworks adapt, the industry is positioned for significant growth, with investments challenging traditional transportation models and paving the way for a more automated future in freight transport.

The DACH area boasts a range of investors, including corporate firms and venture capital groups. They come from key locations such as Stuttgart and Munich, with robust teams averaging over 10,000 employees. Established between 1847 and 2022, their investments in 2024 varied widely, showcasing an active commitment to the autonomous trucking sector. Notable investors like Siemens, known for their 11 significant deals, and fresh entrants like Rethink Ventures reflect the vibrant ecosystem driving the industry forward.

Top 18 Autonomous Trucking Investors in DACH

1. 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 based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, is a leading automobile manufacturer known for its luxury vehicles and vans. The company has a strong focus on advanced technology and innovation, which is evident in its investment activities. Notably, Mercedes-Benz has participated in significant funding rounds for companies involved in autonomous driving technology. For instance, they invested in Momenta, which raised substantial funding to conduct driverless tests and aims for profitability in the autonomous driving space. Additionally, their investment in Luminar, a company specializing in lidar technology, highlights their commitment to advancing autonomous vehicle capabilities. Furthermore, their earlier investment in Zonar Systems, which focuses on fleet management and telematics, aligns with the broader goals of enhancing transportation efficiency and safety through technology. Overall, Mercedes-Benz AG's investment strategy reflects a clear interest in the future of autonomous trucking and related technologies.

2. Volkswagen Group Investor Relations

• Website: volkswagen-group.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany
• Founded year: 1937
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: volkswagen-group-investor-relations

Volkswagen Group Investor Relations is a corporate investor based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany, and is part of one of the world's leading automotive manufacturers. Founded in 1937, Volkswagen Group has a workforce of over 10,000 employees and operates through a multi-brand strategy, providing integrated solutions that include electric vehicles and renewable energy services. In recent years, Volkswagen has made strategic investments in the autonomous trucking sector, including a notable $350 million investment in TuSimple, a leader in autonomous trucking technology, in November 2020. Additionally, their acquisition of a 60% stake in Fleet Logistics in February 2019 highlights their focus on enhancing mobility services, which is crucial for the development and integration of autonomous vehicles into logistics and transportation networks. These transactions reflect Volkswagen's commitment to innovation in the automotive industry, particularly in the realm of autonomous and electric vehicles.

3. Bosch

• Website: bosch.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Birenbach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
• Founded year: 1886
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 5
• LinkedIn: bosch

Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and technology company based in Birenbach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Founded in 1886, Bosch offers a diverse range of products and services across mobility, consumer goods, industrial technology, and energy solutions. As a corporate investor, Bosch has been actively involved in the autonomous trucking sector, making significant investments in companies that are pioneering self-driving technology. Notable transactions include a $400 million investment in WeRide, a self-driving car startup, and a $300 million investment in Momenta, which focuses on autonomous driving solutions. Bosch also acquired Five, a UK-based autonomous driving technology developer, to enhance its capabilities in self-driving software testing. Furthermore, Bosch led a $173 million funding round for Hesai Technology, a key player in the LiDAR industry, which is crucial for the development of autonomous vehicles. These strategic investments highlight Bosch's commitment to innovation in mobility and its role as a key investor in the autonomous trucking landscape.

4. Siemens

• Website: siemens.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
• Founded year: 1847
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 11
• LinkedIn: siemens

Siemens AG, founded in 1847 and headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, is a leading technology conglomerate specializing in industrial automation, energy solutions, rail transport, and health technology. With a workforce of approximately 320,000 employees, Siemens generates significant revenue globally. The company has made several strategic acquisitions that align with the transportation and automation sectors, such as the acquisition of Aimsun SL, a software company focused on traffic management, which could be pivotal for autonomous trucking solutions. Additionally, Siemens Mobility's acquisition of RailTerm enhances their presence in transportation services, further indicating their commitment to advancing mobility technologies. Their investment in companies like Padam and Magazino also reflects their interest in innovative solutions that could intersect with autonomous vehicle technologies.

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. In recent years, Bayern Kapital has expanded its portfolio to include significant investments in the autonomous trucking industry. Notably, they participated in a $50 million Series A funding round for Fernride, a startup focused on autonomous driving solutions, and led a €2.2 million seed round for Driveblocks, a technology startup dedicated to fully autonomous driving of commercial vehicles. Additionally, they have supported other innovative companies like tiramizoo and Evum Motors, further showcasing their commitment to advancing technology in transportation and logistics.

6. 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 startups scale their operations. Speedinvest's investment focus spans various technology sectors, including Deep Tech, Fintech, and SaaS. Notably, they have been involved in significant transactions within the autonomous trucking context, particularly with Fernride, a German startup that has raised multiple rounds of funding, including a Seed Round in 2021, a Pre-Seed Round in 2019, and a Series A funding round in 2023. This involvement highlights Speedinvest's commitment to the autonomous trucking industry and their strategy of leveraging a vast network of industry experts to assist their portfolio companies.

7. Momenta

• Website: momenta.one
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Engelberg, Obwalden, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2012
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn: momentapartners

Momenta is a venture capital firm based in Engelberg, Obwalden, Switzerland, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in industrial impact and digital transformation, providing strategic investments and advisory services to Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups across various sectors, including energy, manufacturing, smart spaces, and supply chain. In 2023, Momenta led a $22.5 million Series A funding round for Agtonomy, a company focused on advanced autonomous and AI solutions for agriculture, which showcases their commitment to investing in autonomous technologies. Additionally, they participated in a seed financing round for Fixposition, a Swiss technology company that is developing next-generation autonomous navigation products. These transactions highlight Momenta's focus on enhancing operational efficiency and driving sustainability through investments in critical industries, including those relevant to autonomous trucking.

8. 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 technology and growth, access to a network of investors, and pre-seed investment opportunities. In 2024, Project A has made 13 investments, showcasing their active role in the startup ecosystem. Notably, they have invested in Vay, a company that raised $95 million to launch its fleet in Hamburg, indicating a focus on autonomous vehicle deployment. Additionally, they participated in the Series D funding round for sennder, a logistics company that has surpassed a $1 billion valuation, further emphasizing their engagement in the transportation and logistics sectors, which are integral to autonomous trucking.

9. La Famiglia

• Website: lafamiglia.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2016
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 4
• LinkedIn: la-famiglia-vc

La Famiglia is a venture capital fund based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in early-stage and growth-stage investments in technology companies, providing capital, market access, and strategic partnerships to tech entrepreneurs. They focus on enabling disruptive innovations across various industries, leveraging the expertise of world-leading entrepreneurs in their network. Notably, La Famiglia has invested in Vay, a Berlin-based company that raised $95 million to launch its first fleet, indicating a direct interest in the autonomous trucking sector. They also participated in the Series B funding for Applied Intuition, which raised $40 million to develop tools for autonomous vehicle testing, further demonstrating their commitment to the industry. Other investments include Fox Robotics and Arculus, which, while not exclusively focused on trucking, contribute to the broader landscape of automation and robotics relevant to the sector.

10. 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, including notable investments in NEURA Robotics, which focuses on robotics and automation, and Sennder, a Berlin-based digital freight forwarder that has raised substantial capital in multiple funding rounds, including €131.2 million in Series D financing. Sennder's operations are closely related to the logistics and transportation sectors, making HV Capital's involvement in this company particularly relevant to the autonomous trucking industry.

11. Atlantic Labs

• Website: atlanticlabs.de
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2013
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 13
• LinkedIn: atlantic-labs

Atlantic Labs is a Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 2013, dedicated to supporting exceptional, mission-driven founders throughout their entrepreneurial journey. They focus on investing in startups across various sectors, including climate tech, AI, and digital health, providing both capital and strategic guidance to help these businesses grow. Notably, Atlantic Labs has invested in several companies relevant to the autonomous trucking industry, such as Enway, a Berlin-based autonomous vehicle software developer, which raised seed funding in 2017 and 2019. They also invested in German Autolabs, which focuses on autonomous vehicle technology, and Colonia Technologies, a logistics startup that raised funding in 2022 and 2023. These investments highlight Atlantic Labs' engagement in the autonomous vehicle and logistics sectors, making them a significant player in the autonomous trucking investment landscape.

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, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in early-stage investments across mobility, industrial technology, and sustainability sectors. It supports startups by providing capital, strategic guidance, and access to a vast network of industry connections, helping them scale and navigate complex business challenges. Notable transactions include their investment in Tactile Mobility, which raised $27 million in Series C funding, focusing on enhancing vehicle perception—an essential aspect of autonomous driving technology. Additionally, their participation in the Series C funding round for WayRay, a company working on advanced holographic technology for vehicles, further demonstrates their commitment to innovations that could benefit the autonomous trucking industry.

13. Rethink Ventures

• Website: rethinkventures.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
• Founded year: 2022
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 5
• LinkedIn: rethinkventures

Rethink Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2022. The firm specializes in investing in logistics and mobility technology startups, providing both funding and expertise to entrepreneurs aiming to develop innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and sustainability in transportation. Among their notable transactions, Rethink Ventures led a €2.2 million seed round for Driveblocks, a startup dedicated to fully autonomous driving of commercial vehicles, highlighting their active role in the autonomous trucking space. Additionally, they have invested in other startups like Enabl, S2data, and shipzero, which, while not directly related to autonomous trucking, contribute to the broader logistics and mobility technology landscape.

14. 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 Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 2010, specializing in deep tech investments across Europe. The firm provides funding and strategic support to science and technology startups, focusing on sectors such as climate tech, industrial technology, and health & bio. In recent years, Verve Ventures has made significant investments in companies related to autonomous technologies. For instance, they participated in a Series B funding round for Verity, an autonomous indoor drone company, contributing to its growth in data-driven intelligence and inventory management solutions. Additionally, they invested in Otoqi, a B2B mobility services provider, which indicates their interest in mobility solutions that could be relevant to the autonomous trucking sector. These transactions highlight Verve Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative companies in the mobility and autonomous technology space.

15. UVC Partners

• Website: uvcpartners.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Garching, Bavaria, Germany
• Founded year: 2011
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 15
• LinkedIn: unternehmertum-fonds-management-gmbh

UVC Partners is a venture capital firm based in Munich and Berlin, specializing in investing in B2B startups across Europe. Founded in 2011, the firm provides financial support and strategic guidance to early-stage companies, helping them grow in competitive markets. Their portfolio includes a diverse range of innovative startups in various sectors, including those relevant to autonomous trucking. Notably, UVC Partners has invested in Blickfeld, a German LiDAR startup, which raised significant funding to enhance its smart LiDAR products, essential for the development of autonomous vehicles. Additionally, their investment in Vimcar, a fleet management SaaS startup, highlights their engagement with technologies that facilitate the management of vehicle fleets, a critical aspect of autonomous trucking operations.

16. Aptiv

• Website: aptiv.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Schaffhausen, Schaffhausen, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2008
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: aptiv

Aptiv PLC is an automotive technology company based in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, specializing in advanced solutions for vehicle safety, connectivity, and electrification. Founded in 2008, Aptiv serves automotive manufacturers and OEMs, providing products such as advanced driver-assistance systems, electrical distribution systems, and software development services. The company is actively involved in the transition to software-defined vehicles, which is critical for the future of autonomous driving. Aptiv has made significant investments in companies like Innoviz Technologies, which raised substantial funding for its LiDAR technology, and has also engaged in funding rounds for MAXIEYE and StradVision, both of which focus on technologies relevant to autonomous vehicle perception and safety. These transactions highlight Aptiv's commitment to advancing the automotive industry's capabilities in autonomous driving, making them a key player in this sector.

17. Point Nine

• Website: pointnine.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2011
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 16
• LinkedIn: point-nine-capital

Point Nine is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, particularly in the SaaS, enterprise software, and B2B marketplace sectors. They provide seed funding and participate in subsequent funding rounds to help startups scale their operations. Notably, Point Nine has invested in OnTruck, a logistics platform that raised significant funding in multiple rounds, including a Series A and Series B. OnTruck's focus on logistics positions it within the transportation sector, which is increasingly intersecting with autonomous technologies. This involvement indicates Point Nine's potential interest in the future of transportation and logistics, making them a relevant player in the context of autonomous trucking.

18. APX Talent Pool

• Website: apx.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2018
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn: apx-talent-pool

APX Talent Pool is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, founded in 2018, that specializes in earliest-stage investments in startups with digital business models. Backed by industry giants Axel Springer and Porsche, APX provides funding and growth assistance to ambitious pre-seed startups, helping them navigate the challenges of launching and scaling their businesses. Among their notable transactions, they have invested in Artificient Mobility Intelligence, which raised $806,175 in a pre-seed round, indicating a focus on mobility solutions. They have also participated in funding rounds for Chargetrip, a startup involved in electric vehicle charging solutions, which is relevant to the broader context of autonomous vehicles and their infrastructure needs. These investments highlight APX's potential interest in the autonomous trucking space, even if not exclusively focused on it.

Autonomous Trucking Insights: Key Investors in DACH

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