The water sports gear industry in DACH includes companies that design and manufacture equipment for activities like sailing, surfing, and diving. With a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability, many firms offer products that enhance safety and performance. Recent trends indicate a growing consumer demand for eco-friendly materials and digital solutions, such as smart wearables. Companies are increasingly adopting technology in their offerings, including app-connected gear and personalized experiences for users. As water sports gain popularity, the industry is expected to expand, driven by both recreational and serious athletes seeking high-quality equipment.


The investors in this list range from venture capital to private equity firms, located across Zurich to Ostfildern. Many were founded in the early 2010s, reflecting a modern approach to investment. While sizes vary, most firms manage a compact number of personnel, emphasizing focused strategies over sheer numbers. In 2024, significant investments occurred in companies like Hydromea and Zizoo, illustrating the investors' interest in the expanding water sports arena. Overall, these investors highlight a keen appetite for opportunities in this evolving industry.


Top 8 Water Sports Gear Investors in DACH


1. Capvis AG

  • Website: capvis.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1990
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: capvis

Capvis AG is a private equity firm based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, founded in 1990. The firm specializes in managing investments across various sectors, including healthcare and industrial technology, while also focusing on enhancing the market position of its portfolio companies through effective management and consulting. Notably, Capvis has made significant investments in the water sports gear sector, particularly through its acquisitions of Arena and Arena Italia, both swimwear companies, in 2013 and 2014. These transactions highlight Capvis's commitment to the water sports gear industry, showcasing their ability to identify and invest in companies that align with this market.


2. 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, that connects smart money investors with innovative Swiss early-stage technology startups. Founded in 2014, SICTIC provides 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 Hydromea, a company that specializes in underwater communication technology, which could have applications in water sports. Additionally, SICTIC has supported HYLL, a startup focused on water-related solutions, and Wearonize, which may have relevance in the context of wearable technology for water sports enthusiasts. These investments indicate SICTIC's engagement with companies that could intersect with the water sports gear market.


3. Alpina Partners


Alpina Partners is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 2018, specializing in technology investments. The firm aims to provide capital and strategic support to small and medium-sized technology businesses, helping them achieve sustainable growth and operational excellence. Notably, Alpina Partners has been involved in significant transactions such as the Series C funding for Torqeedo, which raised over $7.4 million in 2012, and earlier funding rounds for the same company. Torqeedo is recognized for its innovative electric propulsion systems for boats, making it a key player in the water sports gear industry. This involvement highlights Alpina Partners' potential interest in the water sports sector, despite their broader focus on technology investments.


4. Emeram


EMERAM Capital Partners is a private equity firm based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in business development partnerships with medium-sized growth companies, providing investment management and consulting services. EMERAM focuses on sectors such as Technology/Software and Value-Added Services, but they have also made significant investments in the water sports gear industry. Notably, they acquired Boards & More on December 28, 2013, for approximately $53.6 million. Boards & More is known for its innovative products in the water sports sector, which further emphasizes EMERAM's engagement in this market.


5. yabeo

  • Website: yabeo.de
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Pullach, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2013
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: yabeo

yabeo is a venture capital firm based in Pullach, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2013. The firm specializes in investing in tech startups across various sectors, including HealthTech and FinTech, and provides funding and strategic support to visionary founders. Notably, yabeo has invested in Restube, a company that raised funds in 2014 for its innovative safety buoy designed for water sports enthusiasts, enhancing safety in aquatic environments. Additionally, yabeo invested in TAPP Water, a manufacturer of water filter solutions, which, while not directly related to water sports gear, demonstrates their interest in water-related technologies. This diverse investment strategy allows yabeo to engage with emerging technologies and support companies that contribute to the water sports ecosystem.


6. CHECK24 Ventures

  • Website: check24.vc
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: check24ventures

CHECK24 Ventures is a corporate investor based in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, founded in 2016. The firm is part of CHECK24, a well-known comparison portal that helps consumers find the best deals across a wide range of services, including insurance, loans, energy, telecommunications, and travel. In the context of water sports, CHECK24 Ventures participated in a significant investment in Zizoo, a company described as a 'booking.com for boats,' which raised $7.4 million in a Series A round in November 2018. This investment highlights CHECK24 Ventures' interest in the water sports sector, as Zizoo facilitates boat rentals and related services, aligning with the interests of water sports enthusiasts. Additionally, they were involved in a seed round for campstar, although this transaction is less directly related to water sports gear.


7. Mairdumont Ventures


MAIRDUMONT VENTURES is a venture capital firm founded in 2015, based in Ostfildern, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The firm specializes in investments in digital travel companies, providing 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. Notably, they participated in a €1.7 million investment round for Zizoo, a prominent boat rental platform, which highlights their engagement in the water sports sector. Additionally, they invested in Beach-Inspector.com, a platform that may also relate to beach and water activities, further indicating their interest in the water sports context.


8. Push

  • Website: push.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: push-ventures-pv-

Push is a venture capital firm based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, particularly in green technology and healthcare startups. They not only provide financial backing but also offer strategic support and networking opportunities to help startups navigate their growth challenges. In 2018, Push participated in a $7.4M Series A funding round for Zizoo, a company that operates as a booking platform for boats, which is directly relevant to the water sports industry. This investment highlights Push's engagement in sectors that intersect with water sports, despite their primary focus on green technology and healthcare. Other transactions, such as those involving myClubs, do not pertain to water sports, but the Zizoo investment positions Push as a relevant investor in this niche.



Water Sports Gear Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Capvis AGBaar, Zug, Switzerland11-5019900
SicticZurich, Zurich, Switzerland201-500201477
Alpina PartnersMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020180
EmeramFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-5020122
yabeoPullach, Bavaria, Germany11-5020133
CHECK24 VenturesFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany1-1020160
Mairdumont VenturesOstfildern, Baden-Württemberg, Germany1-1020150
PushVienna, Vienna, Austria1-1020174


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