The book publishing industry in Europe is a dynamic sector characterized by a mixture of traditional and contemporary publishing methods. Major players include large corporations, small independent publishers, and digital platforms, each contributing to a vibrant literary ecosystem. The industry offers an array of content, from academic texts to mainstream fiction and niche genres. In recent years, technological advancements, such as e-books and audiobooks, have transformed how readers engage with literature. Interestingly, the growth of self-publishing also signals a shift, promoting diverse voices and expanding readers' choices. Overall, the industry is adapting to meet changing consumer demands and digital trends.


The investors listed here represent a blend of venture capital, corporate entities, and private equity firms. Concentrated primarily in London, Paris, and Stockholm, the firms vary significantly in size and investment activity. Established between 1798 and 2015, these investors have engaged in numerous transactions within the book publishing sector—indicating a healthy drive for innovation and growth. For instance, Kima Ventures and Bpifrance French Tech Accélération are amongst those active investors that stood out with higher deal counts in 2024, signaling their commitment to the publishing arena.


Top 19 Book Publishing Investors in Europe


1. Storytel

  • Website: storytel.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • LinkedIn: storytel

Storytel AB is a subscription service company based in Stockholm, Sweden, that offers a wide range of audiobooks, e-books, and podcasts. Founded in 2005, Storytel operates in over 25 countries, providing users with convenient access to digital reading and listening materials. As part of its growth strategy, Storytel has made several key acquisitions in the book publishing sector, including:1. **Norstedts Förlagsgrupp** - Acquired for £12.5 million in June 2016, this acquisition included Norstedts' subsidiaries and was aimed at accelerating Storytel's growth in the publishing market.2. **Gummerus Kustannus Oy** - Acquired in September 2019, this Finnish publishing house is the third-largest in Finland, and the acquisition was intended to strengthen Storytel's position in the Finnish book and streaming market.3. **Lind & Co** - In March 2021, Storytel acquired a 70% stake in this Swedish publishing house, allowing it to maintain a significant presence in the Swedish market while enabling the current leadership to continue operations.4. **People'sPress** - Acquired in March 2017 for approximately $10.6 million, this acquisition further solidified Storytel's presence in the Danish publishing landscape.5. **Aula & Co.** - Acquired in August 2021, this Finnish publishing house added to Storytel's portfolio, enhancing its offerings in the Finnish market.Through these acquisitions, Storytel not only expands its content library but also integrates traditional publishing with its digital platform, making it a key player in the book publishing industry.


2. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc


Bloomsbury Publishing Plc is a corporate investor based in London, England, founded in 1986. The company is a prominent publishing house that offers a diverse range of fiction and non-fiction books, academic resources, and digital content. Bloomsbury serves a wide array of customers, including readers, educators, and institutions seeking quality literature. The company has made several strategic acquisitions to bolster its position in the book publishing market. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Fairchild Books in 2012, which enhanced their presence in the US academic publishing market, and the acquisition of Zed Books in 2020, aimed at generating significant revenue in the first year. Other acquisitions, such as Absolute Press, Walker Publishing Company, and I.B.Tauris, further illustrate Bloomsbury's commitment to expanding its publishing capabilities and scholarly content, particularly in specialized areas like Middle Eastern and political publishing.


3. Hachette Livre

  • Website: hachette.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1826
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn: hachette-livre

Hachette Livre is a leading publishing company based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, specializing in book publishing, educational materials, and games. Founded in 1826, the company operates globally and serves a diverse customer base, including educational institutions and consumers seeking quality literature. Hachette Livre has an extensive network of over 200 editorial brands, allowing it to provide a wide range of content. The company has been actively involved in the book publishing sector through various acquisitions, including the purchase of Headline in 2004, Hodder Headline for approximately $400 million, and Octopus Publishing Group Ltd. in 2001. More recently, in 2022, Hachette Livre acquired the remaining share capital of Bragelonne, further solidifying its position in the market. These transactions highlight Hachette Livre's commitment to expanding its influence and offerings within the book publishing industry.


4. 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 to help them navigate initial challenges. Among their notable transactions, Kima Ventures has invested in Reedsy, a platform that connects authors with publishing professionals, and Instaread, which offers book summaries. They also participated in the funding of Glose, a collaborative reading platform aimed at enhancing the reading experience for students and teachers. These investments highlight Kima Ventures' active role in the book publishing industry, alongside their broader investment strategy.


5. Taylor & Francis Group


Taylor & Francis Group is a prominent academic publisher based in Abingdon, England, specializing in scholarly publishing across a wide range of disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, science, and technology. Founded in 1798, the company has a rich history of supporting researchers and academics by providing a platform for publishing their work and accessing a vast array of journals and books. Taylor & Francis has been actively expanding its influence in the book publishing industry through strategic acquisitions. Notable transactions include the acquisition of CRC Press in 2003 for $95 million, which aimed to enhance their presence in the U.S. professional publishing market. In 2014, they acquired M.E. Sharpe, further solidifying their position in the academic publishing landscape. Additionally, they acquired Transaction Publishers in 2017 and Acumen Publishing Ltd in 2014, both of which contribute to their diverse publishing portfolio. Their acquisition of Manson Publishing in 2013, a specialist medical publisher, also highlights their commitment to expanding into niche markets within the book publishing sector. Overall, Taylor & Francis Group plays a significant role in the academic publishing industry, making them a relevant investor in the book publishing space.


6. 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. Crowdcube promotes diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services to its clients. Notably, Crowdcube has been involved in several transactions relevant to the book publishing industry, including Unbound, which raised $202,519 in October 2023, and Hungry Tomato, which raised an undisclosed amount in September 2019. Other relevant transactions include Micuento, which raised $54,141 in March 2015, and Electronic Sound Magazine, which raised $113,229 in February 2017. These investments highlight Crowdcube's engagement with companies that contribute to the book publishing landscape.


7. 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 of over 10,000 employees, Bertelsmann operates across various sectors, including television, streaming, music production, and notably, book publishing. The company has made significant strides in the book publishing industry, highlighted by its acquisition of Penguin Random House in July 2017, which solidified its position as a leading global publisher. In November 2020, Bertelsmann announced its agreement to acquire Simon & Schuster from ViacomCBS for $2.175 billion, further enhancing its presence in the U.S. market. Additionally, Bertelsmann has invested in Kadokawa Shoten Publishing Co., acquiring a stake to tap into Japan's large book market. These strategic investments underscore Bertelsmann's commitment to the book publishing sector, making it a key player in the industry.


8. Sanoma

  • Website: sanoma.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
  • Founded year: 1889
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • LinkedIn: sanoma

Sanoma is a media and educational publishing company based in Helsinki, Finland, founded in 1889. The company provides a wide range of learning solutions and media content, including printed and digital learning materials and teaching platforms. Sanoma's customers include educational institutions and media consumers across multiple European countries. Notably, Sanoma has made several strategic acquisitions in the educational publishing sector, enhancing its position in this market. For instance, in 2020, Sanoma acquired Santillana Spain, a leading provider of K-12 learning materials, for EUR 465 million, which significantly bolstered its presence in the Spanish educational market. In 2007, they acquired Nowa Era, a Polish educational publishing company, further strengthening their foothold in the European educational publishing landscape. Additionally, their acquisition of Pearson Italia in 2022 for over $205 million demonstrates their ongoing commitment to expanding their educational publishing portfolio. These transactions illustrate Sanoma's active role in the book publishing industry, particularly in the educational segment.


9. The Quarto Group

  • Website: quarto.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1976
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn: thequartogroup

The Quarto Group is a corporate investor based in London, England, founded in 1976. As a prominent book publisher, Quarto specializes in illustrated books for both adults and children, operating globally with a diverse range of titles across various genres. Their customer base includes individual consumers and educational institutions seeking engaging and educational materials. Quarto emphasizes quality and creativity in its publications. Notably, they have made several strategic acquisitions to bolster their position in the book publishing market, including the acquisition of becker&mayer! for $9.8 million in 2016, which aimed to enhance their sales in the U.S. children's publishing market. They also acquired Harvard Common Press, adding hundreds of titles and over 25,000 recipes to their portfolio, and Frances Lincoln, focusing on children's and horticultural publishing. These transactions reflect Quarto's commitment to expanding its influence and offerings within the book publishing industry.


10. Seedcamp

  • Website: seedcamp.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2007
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 40
  • LinkedIn: seedcamp_2

Seedcamp is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2007. They specialize in investing in early-stage startups across Europe, providing financial backing and support to founders in areas such as product-market fit and sales. Seedcamp has a strong focus on technology-driven companies looking to innovate and grow. Notably, they have invested in several companies relevant to the book publishing industry, including Reedsy, which raised funds in 2014 to connect authors with publishing professionals, and 24Symbols, a digital reading subscription service that raised funds in 2012. These transactions highlight Seedcamp's engagement with the book publishing sector, alongside their broader investment strategy.


11. Future

  • Website: futureplc.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn: future-publishing

Future plc is a corporate media company based in London, England, founded in 1985. It specializes in connecting consumers with their passions through high-quality content and innovative technology. Future operates various specialist media brands and engages with both consumers and businesses, providing trusted information and resources across multiple industries. Notably, Future has made several strategic acquisitions in the publishing sector, including the acquisition of Dennis Publishing in August 2021 for approximately $415 million, which expanded their portfolio in the publishing industry. Additionally, they acquired Marie Claire US in May 2021, further solidifying their presence in lifestyle and women's publishing. These transactions highlight Future's commitment to enhancing its publishing capabilities and its relevance in the book publishing context.


12. 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 firm aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, helping businesses navigate growth and international expansion. Notably, Bpifrance has been involved in several transactions relevant to the book publishing industry, such as investing in Short Edition, which focuses on short stories and literature, and Glose, a collaborative reading platform that enhances the reading experience. Additionally, their investment in Majelan, which offers audio content and storytelling, further emphasizes their interest in innovative publishing solutions. These transactions highlight Bpifrance's commitment to supporting the evolution of the book publishing landscape.


13. Axel Springer

  • Website: axelspringer.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 1946
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: axel-springer-se

Axel Springer SE is a leading media company based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1946. It specializes in publishing news and digital media, operating a diverse portfolio of brands, including BILD and Business Insider. The company is dedicated to independent journalism and leveraging technology to enhance its media offerings. Notably, Axel Springer has made strategic investments in various media platforms, such as Group Nine Media, where they participated in funding rounds aimed at expanding digital content and IP investments. They also acquired a minority interest in Mic Network, a news platform targeting millennials, further diversifying their media presence. These transactions highlight Axel Springer's commitment to enhancing its multimedia capabilities and expanding its reach in the digital landscape, which is relevant to the book publishing industry as it increasingly intersects with digital media.


14. EQT Group

  • Website: eqtgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 30
  • LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a private equity investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. The firm specializes in various investment strategies, including private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. EQT serves institutional investors by providing expertise in managing diverse investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. Notably, EQT has made significant investments in the book publishing industry, including acquiring a substantial stake in Storytel, a leading audiobook and ebook streaming service, where they became the second largest shareholder. Additionally, EQT's acquisition of Springer Science+Business Media, valued at approximately 2 billion euros, highlights their commitment to the publishing sector, particularly in academic and scientific publishing. These strategic investments demonstrate EQT's active role in the book publishing landscape.


15. Embracer Group

  • Website: embracer.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Karlstad, Varmland, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn: embracergroup

Embracer Group is a corporate investor based in Karlstad, Varmland, Sweden, founded in 1999. The company specializes in game development and entertainment publishing, focusing on creating and distributing a wide range of video games across various platforms. In addition to its core gaming business, Embracer Group has made significant strides in the publishing sector, notably acquiring Dark Horse Comics on December 21, 2021. This acquisition allows Embracer to expand its portfolio into comic book publishing, which aligns with its strategy of providing engaging content and experiences to entertainment consumers. Other notable acquisitions include Gearbox Software and Asmodee, which further diversify their entertainment offerings, but it is the acquisition of Dark Horse Comics that directly ties them to the book publishing industry.


16. 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 by offering tailored financial solutions and guidance. Among their notable transactions, Almi has invested in Once Upon Publishing, which raised $560,000 in a Seed Round on April 8, 2018. This investment highlights Almi's engagement in the book publishing sector. Additionally, they have participated in various other sectors, such as technology and media, with investments in companies like Paperton and The Local, showcasing their diverse investment portfolio while still maintaining a foothold in the publishing industry.


17. 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 corporate investor based in London, England, founded in 1998. It operates as a publishing group and business intelligence provider, offering a variety of services that cater to businesses and academic institutions. Informa has made several notable acquisitions in the book publishing sector, including:1. **Pickering & Chatto Publishers** (Acquired on December 4, 2015) - This acquisition expanded Informa's portfolio in the academic publishing space, focusing on humanities and social sciences.2. **Dove Medical Press** (Acquired on September 26, 2017) - This acquisition enhanced Informa's position in the open access publishing market, which is increasingly relevant in the academic and medical publishing fields.These transactions highlight Informa's commitment to the book publishing industry, alongside its broader business intelligence and event management services.


18. Arts Council England


Arts Council England is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting creativity and culture in England. Founded in 1940, it plays a crucial role in distributing lottery funding and developing initiatives that enhance the arts sector. In recent years, Arts Council England has been involved in several transactions relevant to the book publishing industry. For instance, they provided £28k in funding to The Emma Press to support the Birmingham Editorial Readers Group, which is responsible for shortlisting submissions and selecting books for publication in 2024. Additionally, they granted funding to the Poetry Birmingham Literary Journal to support the production of its issues, ensuring the continuation of literary publishing. Furthermore, they have supported The Reading Agency with a significant grant, which also aligns with their mission to promote reading and literature. These activities illustrate Arts Council England's commitment to supporting the book publishing sector alongside their broader cultural initiatives.


19. 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. Among their notable transactions, bmp Ventures invested in brand eins Verlag in June 2011, which is a significant player in the book publishing industry. This investment highlights their engagement in the publishing sector, alongside their more typical focus on tech companies and entrepreneurs. Other transactions include investments in LOST iN and United Games Entertainment GmbH, showcasing their diverse portfolio that spans different industries.



Book Publishing Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
StorytelStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden501-100020050
Bloomsbury Publishing PlcLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)501-100019862
Hachette LivreParis, Île-De-France, France1001-500018260
Kima VenturesParis, Île-De-France, France1-10201050
Taylor & Francis GroupAbingdon, England, United Kingdom (UK)1001-500017980
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
Bertelsmann Multimedia GmbhNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+3
SanomaHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland5001-1000018890
The Quarto GroupLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-50019760
SeedcampLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)11-50200740
FutureLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)1001-500019850
Bpifrance French Tech AccélérationParis, Île-De-France, France1-102015198
Axel SpringerBerlin, Berlin, Germany10001+19461
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
Embracer GroupKarlstad, Varmland, Sweden51-20019990
AlmiStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden201-50019947
InformaLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)10001+19984
Arts Council EnglandManchester, England, United Kingdom (UK)501-100019403
bmp VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5019973


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