The DACH region, comprising Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, thrives in the travel and tourism industry, characterized by immersive experiences and rich cultural heritage. This sector includes travel agencies, online platforms, hotels, and unique adventure experiences catering to millions annually. As online travel services gain traction, sustainability trends shape the industry’s future; eco-friendly options are on the rise. Additionally, technology advances redefine how travelers plan and book journeys, putting customer experience at the forefront. The shift towards personalized travel options is crucial, especially as the demand for authentic local experiences continues to grow, creating exciting opportunities in this marketplace.


Across the DACH region, notable investors have contributed significantly to the travel and tourism industry. Among the 19 investors, venture capital firms and corporate entities span various cities, from Berlin to Zurich. Established between 1997 and 2023, these investors vary in size, with some managing large portfolios and others focusing on niche markets. In 2024, investments in travel-related companies showed a promising uptick, reaffirming the industry's robust potential. With a commitment to innovation, each plays a vital role in evolving travel patterns and responding to consumer demands in an ever-changing landscape.


Top 19 Travel and Tourism 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 supporting entrepreneurs from seed stage to exit, managing over €2.8 billion in assets. HV Capital has been involved in several significant transactions in the travel and tourism sector, notably investing in Dreamlines, Europe's largest online travel agency for cruise holidays, through multiple funding rounds including Series C, D, and E, raising substantial amounts to support the company's growth and international expansion. Additionally, they participated in a funding round for OnlineTours, a Russia-based online travel agency, further showcasing their engagement in the travel industry.


2. TA Ventures

  • Website: taventures.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: ta-ventures

TA Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in early-stage technology startups across various sectors, including HealthTech and FinTech, while also having a notable presence in the travel and tourism industry. Among their significant transactions, TA Ventures invested in itravel, which raised a total of approximately $9 million across two funding rounds (Series A and Series B) in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for Dreamlines, a travel agency that raised $25 million in Series C and nearly $10 million in Series B in 2013 and 2014. These investments highlight TA Ventures' commitment to supporting growth in the travel and tourism sector, alongside their broader investment strategy.


3. Tui

  • Website: tuigroup.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany
  • Founded year: 1923
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: tuigroup

TUI Group, founded in 1923 and based in Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany, is a leading integrated tourism company that offers a comprehensive range of travel services, including hotels, cruises, and activities. With a strong brand presence and a focus on providing seamless vacation solutions, TUI serves millions of customers worldwide. The company has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its position in the travel and tourism sector. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Musement, an Italian digital company specializing in tours and attractions, which allows TUI to leverage its extensive customer base of 20 million. Additionally, TUI acquired Destination Services for $135 million, further expanding its operational capabilities. The acquisition of local travel company Le Passage and a 15.4% stake in Peakwork AG, aimed at establishing a global market standard for tourism service distribution, highlight TUI's commitment to innovation and growth in the travel industry. These transactions underscore TUI's active role as an investor in the travel and tourism sector.


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 companies 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 travel and tourism sector, particularly with TourRadar, a Vienna-based tour travel marketplace. Speedinvest participated in multiple funding rounds for TourRadar, including a $6 million Series A round in 2016, a $50 million Series C round in 2018, and earlier angel investments in 2013 and 2014. These investments highlight Speedinvest's active role in supporting the growth of travel-related startups, showcasing their relevance in the travel and tourism industry.


5. Rocket Internet SE


Rocket Internet SE is a venture builder based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in incubating and investing in internet and technology companies globally, providing operational support and capital to entrepreneurs. Notably, Rocket Internet has made significant investments in the travel and tourism sector, including a $5.6 million Series A investment in TravelBird in 2014, a $90 million investment in Wimdu, an Airbnb clone, in 2011, and a $11 million Series A investment in Tripda in 2015. These transactions highlight their commitment to supporting innovative travel and tourism startups, alongside their broader investment strategy in various sectors such as eCommerce, PropTech, and FinTech.


6. HomeToGo

  • Website: hometogo.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2014
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • LinkedIn: hometogo

HomeToGo is a corporate investor based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2014. It operates as a vacation rental platform that aggregates listings from various providers, offering travelers a comprehensive search tool to find and book accommodations. HomeToGo has made several significant acquisitions in the travel and tourism sector, including Casamundo from the @Leisure Group in 2018, EscapadaRural in 2019, and Tripping.com in the same year. In 2023, HomeToGo announced its largest acquisition to date, acquiring a 51% majority stake in KMW Reisen GmbH and Super Urlaub GmbH for approximately €31 million, which is expected to enhance its revenue generation capabilities. These transactions highlight HomeToGo's active engagement in the vacation rental market and its strategic efforts to expand its offerings to consumers seeking unique stays across multiple countries.


7. Mairdumont Ventures


Mairdumont Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Ostfildern, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in investments in digital travel companies, providing both capital and consulting services to early-stage startups in the travel tech sector. Mairdumont Ventures leverages its extensive network and expertise in the travel industry to support its portfolio companies. Notable transactions include investments in Beach-Inspector.com, a platform for beach reviews; Travelcircus, which raised over $2 million to enhance its travel offerings; Holidu, a vacation rental search engine that secured nearly $44 million in Series C funding; Zizoo, a leading boat rental platform that raised €1.7 million; and tourias GmbH, which received funding to support its travel services. These investments highlight Mairdumont Ventures' commitment to fostering innovation and growth within the travel and tourism industry.


8. 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 its notable transactions, Sictic has invested in Viatu, a company that raised an undisclosed amount in a venture round in July 2024, and Nezasa, which secured funding in both a Series A round in December 2018 and a Seed round in June 2014. Nezasa focuses on travel technology solutions, further emphasizing Sictic's engagement in the travel and tourism sector. Additionally, Sictic has supported HYLL, which, while not directly related to travel, showcases their broader investment strategy in innovative startups.


9. 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 prominent media company based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1946. It specializes in publishing news and digital media, operating a diverse portfolio of brands such as BILD and Business Insider. The company is dedicated to independent journalism and leveraging technology to enhance its media offerings. In addition to its core media business, Axel Springer has made strategic investments in the travel and tourism sector. Notably, they have invested in Zizoo, a leading boat rental platform, participating in multiple funding rounds to support its growth and expansion into new markets. This includes a significant investment in a €1.7 million seed round and a $7.4 million Series A round, demonstrating their interest in travel-related services. Furthermore, their investment in Thrillist Media Group, which focuses on lifestyle and travel content, further emphasizes their engagement in the travel and tourism industry.


10. 10x Group

  • Website: 10x.group
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2006
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: 10x-group

10x Group is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2006. The firm specializes in investing in founders and startups across Europe and Silicon Valley, focusing on providing financial backing and strategic support to entrepreneurs in various industries, particularly technology and software. Among their notable transactions, 10x Group has invested in several companies within the travel and tourism sector, including Tripping.com, a vacation rental search engine, and Roomstorm, which raised significant seed funding for hotel booking solutions. Additionally, they invested in Suiteness, a platform for booking hotel suites, and Vacatia, a marketplace for timeshares and fractional-ownership properties. These investments highlight 10x Group's engagement in the travel industry, showcasing their commitment to supporting innovative solutions in this space.


11. Lufthansa

  • Website: lufthansa.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
  • Founded year: 1953
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: lufthansa

Deutsche Lufthansa AG, founded in 1953 and based in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, is a leading airline company that provides comprehensive passenger and cargo transportation services worldwide. The company operates under its own brand and through various subsidiaries, offering flight training and consulting services. Lufthansa serves both individual travelers and businesses, addressing their travel and logistics needs. Notably, Lufthansa has been involved in significant transactions within the travel sector, including the acquisition of Austrian Airlines for approximately 315 million dollars in 2009, which allowed it to control over 90% of AUA's shares. In 2016, Lufthansa also acquired Brussels Airlines, further expanding its footprint in the European airline market. Additionally, Lufthansa participated in the funding round for ITA Airways in 2023, showcasing its ongoing investment interest in the travel industry. These activities highlight Lufthansa's commitment to enhancing its operations and influence within the travel and tourism sector.


12. 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 by providing both capital and strategic guidance. While Atlantic Labs invests across various sectors, including climate tech, AI, and digital health, they have also made notable investments in the travel and tourism industry. For instance, they participated in multiple funding rounds for Omio, a prominent travel booking platform, raising a total of $31 million across different rounds. Additionally, they were involved in the Series B funding for Campanda, an international platform for motorhome and campervan rentals, which raised €10 million in a round led by Michelin Travel Partner. These transactions highlight Atlantic Labs' engagement in the travel sector, making them a relevant player in this industry.


13. 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 headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, is a leading automobile manufacturer known for producing luxury vehicles and vans. The company focuses on quality and performance, offering a range of cars and vans equipped with advanced technology. In addition to its core automotive business, Mercedes-Benz has made strategic investments in the travel and tourism sector. Notably, they participated in funding rounds for Blacklane, a Berlin-based startup that has raised significant capital to expand its sustainable travel initiatives and concierge services. Their involvement in Blacklane includes multiple funding rounds, with investments totaling over $66 million. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz was part of the investment group for FlixBus, a prominent intercity bus service, indicating their interest in enhancing transportation options within the travel industry. These investments reflect Mercedes-Benz's broader strategy to engage with and support the travel and tourism sector, making them a relevant player in this space.


14. TruVenturo GmbH

  • Website: truventuro.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: truventuro-gmbh

TruVenturo GmbH is a venture capital firm and company builder based in Hamburg, Germany, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in creating and supporting startups, particularly in the technology and health sectors, with a focus on early-stage investments. Notably, TruVenturo has participated in several funding rounds for travel-related companies, including Dreamlines, which raised significant capital in Series A, D, and E funding rounds, totaling over €45 million. Additionally, they invested in DreamCheaper, a startup aimed at helping consumers find better travel deals. These transactions highlight TruVenturo's engagement in the travel and tourism industry, despite their broader focus on technology and health.


15. 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 investing in early-stage companies, particularly in the SaaS, enterprise software, and B2B marketplace sectors. They provide funding at the seed stage and are committed to participating in subsequent funding rounds to help startups scale their operations. Among their notable transactions, Point Nine invested in Couchsurfing, which raised $7.6 million in Series A funding in 2011, a platform that connects travelers with hosts for unique accommodation experiences. They also invested in GoOpti, a ride-sharing platform for European shuttle bus services, which raised €4.4 million in funding in 2016, indicating their interest in mobility solutions within the travel sector. Additionally, Point Nine's investment in TIER Mobility, a company focused on sustainable urban mobility, further showcases their involvement in the broader travel and tourism ecosystem.


16. Acton Capital


Acton Capital is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 1999, specializing in investing in startups at the Series A stage and beyond. They focus on providing financial backing and strategic guidance to mission-driven teams across various sectors, including technology and eco-friendly consumer goods. Notably, Acton Capital has made significant investments in the travel and tourism sector, particularly through their involvement with HomeToGo. They participated in multiple funding rounds for HomeToGo, including Series A, B, C, and D, contributing to a total of $150 million raised in the Series D round in December 2018. Their support has been crucial for HomeToGo's international expansion and product innovation, showcasing Acton Capital's commitment to fostering growth in the travel and tourism industry.


17. 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 tech and growth, access to a network of investors, and pre-seed investment opportunities. In the travel and tourism context, Project A has made notable investments such as in Trendtours Touristik, which raised funds in 2018, and Origin, a travel membership company that secured $5 million in funding led by Project A in 2022. They also invested in Horizn Studios, a smart luggage startup, participating in multiple funding rounds totaling €10 million in Series B and earlier rounds. These transactions highlight Project A's involvement in the travel and tourism industry, despite their broader focus on technology.


18. IBB Ventures


IBB Ventures is a Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 1997, specializing in early-stage financing for innovative startups. With a portfolio of over 270 startups, IBB Ventures provides not only funding but also expertise and resources to help businesses thrive in competitive markets. Among their notable transactions, IBB Ventures invested in Travelcircus, which raised $2,155,846 in a seed round in January 2016, focusing on travel experiences. They also participated in the funding of Yachtico.com, a platform for yacht charters and vacations, indicating their interest in the travel sector. More recently, they invested in eco.mio, a sustainability-focused company that collaborates with travel-related entities like Deutsche Bahn to promote sustainable travel solutions. These investments highlight IBB Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative companies within the travel and tourism industry.


19. Monkfish Equity


Monkfish Equity GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in providing equity funding and strategic support to early-stage and growth-stage startups, particularly in the internet and technology sectors. Monkfish Equity has a track record of investing in companies that cater to the travel and tourism industry, including notable transactions such as Tourlane, which raised $1,500,000 in a Seed Round in February 2017, and Campanda, which secured $3,044,005 in a Seed Round in March 2014. Additionally, they invested in GlampingHub, a platform for luxury camping experiences, raising $40,000 in a Pre-Seed Round in February 2013. These investments highlight Monkfish Equity's commitment to supporting innovative solutions within the travel and tourism space, alongside their broader investment strategy.



Travel and Tourism Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
HV CapitalFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-50200028
TA VenturesFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany11-5020105
TuiHanover, Lower Saxony, Germany10001+19230
SpeedinvestVienna, Vienna, Austria51-200201145
Rocket Internet SEBerlin, Berlin, Germany201-50020070
HomeToGoBerlin, Berlin, Germany501-100020140
Mairdumont VenturesOstfildern, Baden-Württemberg, Germany1-1020150
SicticZurich, Zurich, Switzerland201-500201477
Axel SpringerBerlin, Berlin, Germany10001+19461
10x GroupMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020062
LufthansaFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany10001+19530
Atlantic LabsBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201313
Mercedes-Benz AGStuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany10001+18831
TruVenturo GmbHHamburg, Hamburg, Germany11-5020091
Point NineBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201116
Acton CapitalMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019993
Project ABerlin, Berlin, Germany51-200201213
IBB VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50199718
Monkfish EquityLeipzig, Saxony, Germany1-1020110


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