The early childhood education industry in the DACH region focuses on providing crucial learning experiences for children from birth to age six. This sector includes various players, such as nurseries, preschools, and educational technology firms, offering interactive learning tools, cognitive development programs, and specialized care. Recent trends indicate a growing emphasis on digital platforms for remote and personalized learning solutions. Innovative ideas, like gamified education apps and hybrid curricula that blend traditional and modern approaches, continue to emerge. As more families prioritize quality early education, this industry is rapidly evolving to meet new demands and expectations.

This list features a mix of venture capital and private equity players headquartered primarily in Germany and Switzerland. Founded between 1997 and 2022, these firms vary in size from small teams to larger corporations. In 2024, they collectively made significant investments in the early childhood education sector, with transaction counts ranging from a couple to nearly 80 deals. Notable participants, such as HV Capital and W Ventures, showcase a blend of innovative start-ups and corporate backing that reflect the region's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for young learners.

Top 18 Early Childhood Education Investors in DACH

1. 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 provides capital and strategic guidance to startups from seed stage to exit. With over €2.8 billion under management, HV Capital has a diverse portfolio that includes significant investments in the early childhood education sector, particularly through their multiple funding rounds for Lingokids, which raised a total of $60 million across Series A, B, and C rounds. Additionally, they have invested in Sdui, a platform that enhances communication in educational settings. This demonstrates HV Capital's active role in supporting innovative educational solutions for children.

2. IBB Ventures

• Website: ibbventures.de
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 1997
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 18
• LinkedIn: ibb-beteiligungsgesellschaft-mbh

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 capital but also expertise and resources to help these businesses thrive in competitive markets. Among their notable transactions, IBB Ventures has invested in Sofatutor, a German online tutoring platform that focuses on providing educational content and resources for students, including those in early childhood education. Their involvement in multiple funding rounds for Sofatutor, including Series A, B, and C, highlights their commitment to supporting educational technology that benefits young learners. Additionally, IBB Ventures has invested in Kindaling, a platform that connects parents with childcare services, further emphasizing their interest in the early childhood education sector.

3. W ventures

• Website: wventures.jp
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2019
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 11
• LinkedIn:

W Ventures GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2019. The firm specializes in providing investment and consulting services to startups and established businesses across various sectors, with a focus on accelerating digital business ideas from seed to growth. They offer expertise in strategy consulting, financial management, and project development. Notably, W Ventures has been involved in several seed round investments, including Edukita, which raised an undisclosed amount on May 2, 2024. This investment suggests their engagement in the early childhood education sector, alongside other investments such as Yago, Papamo, and Yondemy, which, while not directly related to early childhood education, demonstrate their active role in supporting innovative startups.

4. Bertelsmann Multimedia Gmbh

• Website: bertelsmann.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 3
• LinkedIn: bertelsmann-multimedia-gmbh

Bertelsmann Multimedia Gmbh, part of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, is a global media, services, and education company based in Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With a workforce exceeding 10,000, Bertelsmann operates across various sectors, including television, streaming, book publishing, and music production. The company has made significant investments in the education sector, including notable transactions such as the Series A funding rounds for Synergis Education, which raised $33 million in 2013 and $7.7 million in 2015, focusing on educational services. Additionally, Bertelsmann led a $4 million Series B funding round for WizIQ, an online education platform, and acquired Relias Learning for $540 million, a company providing online education courses primarily for healthcare and disabled-care sectors. These transactions highlight Bertelsmann's active role in the education industry, showcasing their interest in innovative educational solutions.

5. Seedstars

• Website: seedstars.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Carouge, Geneva, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2012
• Headcount: 201-500
• Number of deals in 2024: 6
• LinkedIn: seedstars

Seedstars is a venture capital firm based in Carouge, Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2012. The firm focuses on supporting startups and entrepreneurs in emerging markets through various programs, including acceleration and growth initiatives, investment readiness, and the operation of entrepreneurship hubs. Seedstars collaborates with governments, investors, and development agencies to foster entrepreneurial ecosystems and drive social and economic development. Notably, Seedstars has been involved in several transactions relevant to the education sector, such as Edves, which raised $50,000 in a grant aimed at educational initiatives, and Orcas, an Egyptian edtech startup that raised $2.1 million to enhance its technology product and expand its reach. Additionally, they invested $850,000 in Mindtera, further emphasizing their commitment to educational development.

6. Ananda Impact Ventures

• Website: ananda.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
• Founded year: 2010
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 6
• LinkedIn: anandaventures

Ananda Impact Ventures is an impact investment firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in supporting early-stage companies that aim to create significant social and environmental impact. They provide both investment and strategic support to entrepreneurs across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and sustainability. Notably, Ananda has invested in Kinderzentren Kunterbunt, which focuses on early childhood education, demonstrating their engagement in this sector. Additionally, they have participated in other ventures like DEUTSCHLAND RUNDET AUF, which, while not directly related to early childhood education, showcases their broader investment strategy in impactful initiatives. Their commitment to scaling operations for social good positions them as a valuable player in the education landscape.

7. LGT Venture Philanthropy

• Website: lgtvp.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2007
• Headcount: 11-50
• LinkedIn: lgtvp

LGT Venture Philanthropy is a not-for-profit organization based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2007. It is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for disadvantaged communities in Sub-Saharan Africa and India. The organization provides funding, business expertise, and access to networks to support local organizations across various sectors, including health, education, and environmental initiatives. Notably, LGT Venture Philanthropy has been involved in several transactions relevant to early childhood education, such as providing grants to SmartStart, which focuses on early childhood development, and mothers2mothers, which supports maternal and child health. Additionally, their investment in Varthana, a company that provides financing for educational institutions, further demonstrates their commitment to improving educational access and quality, which is essential for early childhood education.

8. 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 has a diverse investment portfolio that spans various technology sectors, including Deep Tech, Fintech, and SaaS. Notably, they have invested in GoStudent, an online tutoring platform that raised significant funds through multiple rounds, indicating their commitment to the education sector. Additionally, they participated in the seed round for Sunlight, a learning and development platform for businesses, which further demonstrates their engagement in educational initiatives. These transactions highlight Speedinvest's potential relevance to the early childhood education space, as they are actively supporting companies that contribute to educational technology and services.

9. Angel Invest

• Website: angelinvest.ventures
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2018
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 23
• LinkedIn: angel-invest-ventures

Angel Invest is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2018. They specialize in angel investments in early-stage technology startups, providing both funding and coaching to help founders achieve product-market fit and prepare for Series A funding. Among their notable transactions, Angel Invest participated in the funding round for bina, an edtech startup focused on the education of children aged 4 to 12, which raised $1.4 million in 2021. This involvement highlights their interest in the early childhood education sector, alongside their broader focus on technology startups across Europe.

10. Partners Group

• Website: partnersgroup.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
• Founded year: 1996
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 19
• LinkedIn: partners-group

Partners Group Holding AG is a prominent investment management firm based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, specializing in private equity, private infrastructure, private real estate, and private debt. Founded in 1996, the firm manages over USD 149 billion in assets and is recognized for its innovative investment strategies and commitment to sustainability. Among their notable transactions, Partners Group has invested in EuroKids International, a company focused on early childhood education, indicating their interest in this sector. Additionally, they participated in the funding of BeNative Business English, which, while not exclusively early childhood education, contributes to educational services. These investments reflect Partners Group's diverse portfolio and their engagement in the education sector, particularly in early childhood education contexts.

11. Aenu

• Website: aenu.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2022
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 9
• LinkedIn: pirate-impact

Aenu is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2022. The firm focuses on empowering climate tech founders by providing investment brokerage and advisory services, primarily targeting tech entrepreneurs addressing climate change and sustainability challenges in Europe. Notably, Aenu has made significant investments in the education sector, including Edurino, which raised nearly $3.8 million in a Seed Round in February 2022 and an undisclosed amount in a Pre-Seed Round in March 2021. These investments highlight Aenu's commitment to supporting innovative educational technologies that can enhance early childhood learning experiences. Additionally, Aenu has participated in other educational technology investments, such as Labster, which raised over $47 million in a Series C round, further demonstrating their engagement in the education space.

12. Sictic

• Website: sictic.ch
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2014
• Headcount: 201-500
• Number of deals in 2024: 77
• LinkedIn: sictic

Sictic is a not-for-profit venture capital organization based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2014. It connects smart money investors with innovative Swiss early-stage technology startups, providing investment opportunities, networking events, and educational resources to facilitate the growth of startups and the investment community. Among their notable transactions, they have invested in Taskbase, an edtech startup that raised CHF 1.3 million, which is directly relevant to the education sector. Additionally, they have engaged with other startups like Beekee and Menon Skills, which may also have educational components, further indicating their interest in the education landscape.

13. Nestlé

• Website: nestle.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland
• Founded year: 1866
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: nestle-s-a-

Nestlé S.A. is a multinational food and beverage company based in Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland, founded in 1866. With over 10,000 employees, Nestlé offers a diverse range of products, including coffee, dairy, and pet care items, while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability. Notably, Nestlé has made significant investments in the early childhood nutrition sector, acquiring Gerber Products Company in 2007 for $5.5 billion, which bolstered its position in the US baby food market. In 2012, Nestlé further expanded its reach by acquiring Wyeth Nutritionals for $11.85 billion, enhancing its portfolio in infant nutrition. More recently, in 2023, Nestlé Malaysia acquired Wyeth Nutrition's Malaysian unit, reinforcing its presence in the nutrition category. These transactions highlight Nestlé's strategic focus on providing nutritious food options for infants and young children, aligning with the objectives of early childhood education.

14. Museum Ravensburger

• Website: ravensburger.de
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Bernau Am Chiemsee, Bavaria, Germany
• Founded year: 1883
• Headcount: 1-10
• LinkedIn: museum-ravensburger

Museum Ravensburger, founded in 1883 and located in Bernau Am Chiemsee, Bavaria, Germany, is a corporate investor and a well-known toy manufacturer and retailer. The company specializes in board games, puzzles, and educational toys, catering to families and educational institutions with products designed to foster learning and interaction. In recent years, Ravensburger has made significant investments in the early childhood education sector, notably participating in funding rounds for Lingokids, a platform that raised $40 million in Series C funding and $10 million in Series B funding. These investments are aimed at developing new educational content for children, highlighting Ravensburger's commitment to enhancing early childhood education through innovative and engaging learning tools.

15. Calm/Storm

• Website: calmstorm.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Vienna, Vienna, Austria
• Founded year: 2020
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 13
• LinkedIn: calm-storm

Calm/Storm Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 2020. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, primarily in health tech startups, and is dedicated to supporting purpose-driven founders. Their portfolio includes diverse teams addressing sensitive health issues. Notably, Calm/Storm has invested in the Doshi app, which secured £1 million in a Pre-Seed round to extend its gamified learning experiences into financial services and develop AI-based features for personalized learning. This investment highlights their interest in innovative educational technologies, particularly those that can enhance learning experiences for children, thus connecting their focus on health tech with early childhood education.

16. 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. They specialize in investing in early-stage companies, particularly in the SaaS, enterprise software, and B2B marketplace sectors. Point Nine provides funding at the seed stage and is committed to participating in subsequent funding rounds to help startups scale their operations. Notably, Point Nine has invested in Brainly, a social learning network that raised funds in multiple rounds, including a seed round in 2012 and Series A and B rounds in 2014 and 2017, respectively. This platform enhances educational engagement among students, making it relevant to early childhood education. Additionally, they have invested in Preply, an online language learning platform, which raised significant funding in Series A and B rounds in 2020 and 2021. These investments highlight Point Nine's involvement in the education sector, particularly in technology-driven solutions that can support early learning initiatives.

17. Pirate Impact

• Website: pirate.io
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Headcount: 1-10
• LinkedIn: pirate-impact

Pirate Impact is an impact investment firm based in Berlin, Germany, that aims to transform the economy towards impact capitalism. They provide consulting services to entrepreneurs and businesses in the sustainability sector, helping them navigate impact investments and implement climate action strategies. Notably, they participated in the seed round for Edurino, which raised approximately $3.8 million in February 2022. Edurino is an educational technology platform designed to support early childhood learning through interactive and engaging content. Additionally, they were involved in a Series C funding round for Labster, which focuses on providing virtual lab simulations for education, although this is less directly related to early childhood education. Overall, their investment in Edurino highlights their interest in educational initiatives, particularly those that cater to young learners.

18. 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, specializing in early-stage investments across various sectors. Founded in 2000, the firm has established itself as a key player in the European venture capital landscape, providing financial backing and support to innovative startups. Notably, b2venture has participated in funding rounds for Edurino, a digital education platform that raised €10.5 million in Series A funding in March 2023 and $3.8 million in a Seed round in February 2022. Additionally, they were involved in the Pre-Seed round for Coleap, which raised over $3.3 million in April 2021. These transactions highlight b2venture's active role in the education sector, particularly in supporting early-stage companies that contribute to early childhood education.

Early Childhood Education Insights: Key Investors in DACH

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