The music licensing industry in the DACH region focuses on securing and managing rights for using music across various platforms, including radio, streaming, and advertising. Companies such as record labels, music publishers, and licensing agencies facilitate the connection between creators and businesses that require music for their projects. As the digital music consumption landscape evolves, there's rising demand for accessible music licensing solutions, especially in sectors like advertising and content creation. Moreover, advancements in technology are pushing for innovative compliance tools to streamline licensing agreements, aiming to enhance transparency for artists and ensure fair compensation.


This list features 19 notable investors involved in music licensing within DACH, illustrating a mix of corporate giants and venture capital firms. Located in cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Zurich, these investors have formed a strategic network across the region. Ranging in size, from small teams to large corporations, they have pursued a range of deals, with some posting impressive 2024 investment counts amid diverse focus areas. The years of establishment vary, with the oldest reaching back to 1833, contributing valuable experience to the music licensing arena.


Top 19 Music Licensing Investors in DACH


1. Bmg


Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) is a corporate investor based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2005. BMG operates as a music publishing and record label company, providing services in music publishing and rights management. The company is dedicated to supporting artists and songwriters by promoting and distributing their music while ensuring they receive fair compensation. BMG has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its position in the music licensing industry, including the acquisition of X-Ray Dog Music, an independent production music library, in 2014, and AXS Music, a French production music company, in 2017. These acquisitions are part of BMG's strategy to expand its BMG Production Music division, highlighting its active role in the music licensing market. Additionally, BMG has acquired various record labels, such as RBC Records and S-Curve Records, further solidifying its influence in the music industry.


2. Bauer Media Group

  • Website: bauermedia.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
  • Founded year: 1875
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: bauer-media-group

Bauer Media Group is a corporate media company based in Hamburg, Germany, founded in 1875. It specializes in publishing and audio broadcasting, offering a diverse range of products including magazines, digital content, and radio stations. The company serves millions of consumers and businesses across Europe, focusing on enriching everyday life through engaging content and marketing services. In recent years, Bauer Media has made several strategic acquisitions in the audio broadcasting sector, enhancing its digital radio portfolio. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Planet Rock, a national digital radio station known for classic rock music, and Absolute Radio, which was acquired for approximately £22 million. Additionally, they have acquired regional stations like Beat 102-103 and JACK fm Oxfordshire, further solidifying their presence in the music broadcasting industry. These acquisitions reflect Bauer Media's commitment to music content and its potential involvement in music licensing activities.


3. Bertelsmann Multimedia Gmbh


Bertelsmann Multimedia Gmbh, a subsidiary of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, is a corporate investor based in Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Founded as part of a global media, services, and education conglomerate, Bertelsmann offers a diverse range of products, including television and streaming services, book publishing, and music production. Notably, Bertelsmann has made significant investments in the music sector, including the acquisition of Napster in 2002 for $8 million, which was a landmark move in the digital music landscape. They also participated in a $100 million Series C funding round for JioSaavn in 2015, a prominent music streaming service in India, and invested in Musicbank, which raised $20 million in 2000. These transactions underscore Bertelsmann's active engagement in the music licensing industry, making them a relevant investor in this space.


4. 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 focus spans various technology sectors, including Deep Tech, Fintech, and SaaS. Notably, they have invested in companies like ForTunes, which raised funds in a Seed Round in 2018 and operates within the music industry, offering analytics tools for artists. Additionally, they have invested in Smashcast, which raised $4 million in a Series A round, and Open Publishing, which also received funding in a Seed Round. These transactions highlight Speedinvest's diverse investment portfolio, including a clear interest in the music sector through their support of ForTunes.


5. 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 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 its notable transactions, Sictic has invested in Staxe, a platform that raised $100,000 in a Pre-Seed round in November 2018, which focuses on music licensing and distribution. Additionally, they invested in Matchspace Music, which raised an undisclosed amount in a Pre-Seed round in October 2021, further emphasizing their engagement in the music licensing industry. These investments highlight Sictic's commitment to supporting innovative solutions within the music sector, alongside their broader focus on technology startups.


6. 468Cap

  • Website: 468cap.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 27
  • LinkedIn: 468cap

468 Capital is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, specializing in technology investments. Founded in 2020, the firm focuses on backing founder-led startups across various sectors, including AI, energy transition, and enterprise software. Notably, 468Cap has made significant investments in the music technology space, such as a $9 million seed round for Encore Music Technologies, which is involved in music-related innovations. They also invested $8.2 million in Turntable Labs, further emphasizing their interest in the music sector. By providing capital and strategic support, 468 Capital helps entrepreneurs navigate challenges and achieve growth in their markets, reflecting a global investment approach with dual headquarters in Berlin and San Francisco.


7. 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. Notably, Verve Ventures has made significant investments in the music industry, particularly in iMusician, which raised funds in multiple rounds (including Series A) from 2013 to 2015. iMusician is known for its role in music distribution and licensing, which aligns with Verve's interest in supporting innovative companies in the music sector. Additionally, while they have not directly invested in Groover, a music promotion platform, their involvement in the music space through iMusician highlights their potential relevance to music licensing.


8. Wellington Partners


Wellington Partners is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1998. The firm specializes in life sciences, investing in early- and growth-stage companies, and providing capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs in sectors such as therapeutics and medical devices. Notably, Wellington Partners has also made significant investments in the music industry, including a $50 million investment in Spotify during its Series B round in 2009, which has become a leading platform in music streaming. Additionally, they invested in Goom Radio, which raised $16 million in a Series A round, focusing on music and digital radio. These transactions highlight Wellington Partners' engagement with innovative companies in the music space, despite their primary focus on life sciences.


9. 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 venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2013. The firm is 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 was involved in the seed round investment in SoundCloud, a prominent music streaming platform that plays a crucial role in music licensing. This investment highlights their engagement in the music industry, showcasing their willingness to support innovative companies that operate within this space. Additionally, they have invested in EyeEm, a photography marketplace, which, while not directly related to music licensing, indicates their interest in creative digital platforms. Overall, Atlantic Labs demonstrates a diverse investment portfolio with a notable connection to the music sector through SoundCloud.


10. 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. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in innovative startups across various sectors, providing financial backing and support to entrepreneurs to help them navigate challenges and scale their businesses. They collaborate with a community of angel investors, enhancing their investment strategy and positioning them as a key player in the European venture capital landscape. Notably, b2venture participated in the Series A funding round for IDAGIO, which raised $9.5 million in December 2017. IDAGIO is a music streaming service that focuses on classical music, highlighting b2venture's engagement in the music industry and its potential interest in music licensing opportunities. Additionally, they were involved in the seed round for Restorm, a company that may have connections to the music industry, although specific details on its relevance to music licensing are less clear.


11. Serpentine Ventures

  • Website: serpentine.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: swiss-startup-capital

Serpentine Ventures AG is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2019. The firm specializes in managing investments in early-stage technology ventures, providing venture capital and investment management services to high net worth individuals, professional investors, and institutional clients. They leverage their extensive experience to help clients navigate the venture capital landscape and identify promising investment opportunities. Notably, Serpentine Ventures has participated in transactions such as Mictic, a music wearables startup that raised $2.5 million in a seed funding round, indicating their engagement with the music industry. Additionally, they were involved with PatchXR, although this company is less directly related to music licensing. Overall, their investment in Mictic highlights their potential interest in the music sector.


12. APEX Ventures

  • Website: apex.ventures
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: apex-vc

APEX Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in deep-tech and medical technology investments, providing startups with venture capital, strategic guidance, and access to a network of industry experts. Notably, APEX Ventures participated in a seed funding round for HAAWK, a rights management and content monetization company in the music industry, which raised $2.5 million in financing. This investment highlights APEX Ventures' engagement in the music licensing sector, despite their broader focus on technology-driven companies. Their commitment to supporting innovative startups positions them as a potential player in the music licensing landscape.


13. Davidson & W Technology Growth Credit


Davidson & W Technology Growth Credit is a corporate investor based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in providing Growth Debt financing to mid-late stage technology companies across Europe, with a particular focus on Germany. They offer customized loan facilities aimed at helping businesses grow, expand into new markets, and enhance shareholder value while minimizing dilution and management distraction. Notably, they participated in a significant debt funding round for SoundCloud, where the company raised $70 million to support its growth strategy. This investment highlights Davidson & W's engagement with the music licensing industry, as SoundCloud plays a crucial role in the digital music landscape, facilitating the licensing and distribution of music content.


14. Best Nights VC

  • Website: bestnights.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: m-venture-gmbh

Best Nights VC is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in investing in consumer tech startups that are connected to the nightlife and entertainment industries. They aim to support innovative entrepreneurs by providing funding and expertise to enhance social experiences and live entertainment. Notably, Best Nights VC participated in a seed investment round for un:hurd Music, an artist marketing platform, alongside Kobalt founder Willard Ahdritz and other investors. This investment highlights their engagement in the music sector, particularly in platforms that facilitate artist promotion and marketing. Additionally, they have been involved in transactions like SoundBoks, a company that produces portable Bluetooth speakers, which, while not directly related to music licensing, indicates their broader interest in the entertainment and audio space.


15. Ringier

  • Website: ringier.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1833
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • LinkedIn: ringier

Ringier AG is a media company based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 1833. It operates across various sectors, including media publishing, digital marketplaces, and technology solutions, serving both consumers and businesses. Notably, Ringier has invested in Skoove, a Berlin-based music tech start-up that raised €3M in funding, indicating their interest in the music technology space. This investment reflects a commitment to innovative music solutions, although it does not explicitly focus on music licensing. Additionally, Ringier has expanded its portfolio by acquiring Ghafla, a prominent Kenyan blog, which showcases their strategy of diversifying into new media areas. Overall, while Ringier has made strides in the music tech sector, their primary focus remains on broader media and digital solutions rather than exclusively on music licensing.


16. Dieter von Holtzbrinck Ventures


Dieter von Holtzbrinck Ventures GmbH is a venture capital firm founded in 2014, based in Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The firm specializes in early-stage technology investments across diverse sectors, including Digital Health, Education, DeepTech, and Climate Tech/ESG. They provide not only financial backing but also management expertise and access to a broad network of investors to help startups grow. A notable transaction in their portfolio is the investment in Enote, a Berlin-based music technology startup that raised €10 million in pre-Series A funding, led by Dieter von Holtzbrinck Ventures along with other investors. This investment highlights their engagement in the music technology space, which is closely related to music licensing.


17. DuMont Venture

  • Website: dumontventure.de
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 2007
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: dumont-venture

DuMont Venture is a venture capital firm based in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 2007. The firm operates under the umbrella of DuMont Mediengruppe GmbH, a media and technology company that specializes in regional media, business information, and marketing technology, alongside a successful book publishing division. DuMont Venture has made notable investments in the music industry, particularly in simfy, a music streaming service. They participated in two significant funding rounds for simfy, raising approximately $14.2 million in 2011 and $8.8 million in 2010. These transactions highlight DuMont Venture's engagement in the music licensing space, as simfy requires licensing agreements to operate its streaming service.


18. Asset Management Partners


Asset Management Partners, based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, is a corporate investor specializing in asset management and investment advisory services. Founded in 1996, the firm focuses on creating personalized financial strategies for both private individuals and institutional clients. They offer tailored wealth management, investment consulting, and real estate services. Notably, they participated in a significant funding round for Spotify, which raised at least $350 million in 2015, marking a pivotal moment in the company's growth and valuation within the music streaming and licensing space. This involvement suggests a connection to the music industry, particularly in the context of digital music licensing, although their overall investment strategy may not be exclusively focused on this sector.


19. capiton

  • Website: capiton.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: capiton

capiton AG is a private equity firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1999. The firm specializes in providing capital and strategic expertise to medium-sized companies in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, focusing on growth financing, management buy-outs, and restructuring services. While capiton primarily targets sectors such as High-Tech Industrials and Healthcare & Lifescience, they have also made notable investments in the music sector. One significant transaction was the acquisition of Magix Software, a company known for its video and music editing software, which they acquired from Bellevue Investments in May 2018. This involvement in a music-related company highlights capiton's potential interest in the music licensing industry, despite their broader focus on other sectors.



Music Licensing Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
BmgBerlin, Berlin, Germany1001-500020050
Bauer Media GroupHamburg, Hamburg, Germany10001+18752
Bertelsmann Multimedia GmbhNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+3
SpeedinvestVienna, Vienna, Austria51-200201145
SicticZurich, Zurich, Switzerland201-500201477
468CapBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50202027
Verve VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50201025
Wellington PartnersMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019989
Atlantic LabsBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201313
b2ventureSt. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland11-50200015
Serpentine VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020192
APEX VenturesVienna, Vienna, Austria1-1020166
Davidson & W Technology Growth CreditBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020150
Best Nights VCBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020180
RingierZurich, Zurich, Switzerland5001-1000018330
Dieter von Holtzbrinck VenturesNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany1-1020142
DuMont VentureCologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany1-1020070
Asset Management PartnersBaar, Zug, Switzerland11-5019960
capitonBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5019990


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