The journalistic photography industry in the DACH region showcases compelling visual storytelling through news and media. Companies range from photo agencies to independent photographers, providing visuals that capture current events, sports, cultural moments, and more. As digital platforms evolve, these companies adapt to new distribution channels, emphasizing quality and immediacy. Recent trends highlight the integration of technology, where AI and remote collaboration tools enhance workflows. Additionally, user-generated content and social media platforms are reshaping traditional practices, pushing firms to innovate for engagement while maintaining journalistic integrity.


The investor landscape for journalistic photography in the DACH region includes a mix of corporate and venture capital firms. Headquartered mainly in cities like Berlin, Munich, and Zug, these investors are relatively small, often with teams of 11 to 50. Founded between 1999 and 2020, they have completed varying numbers of deals in 2024, focusing on innovative startups such as LemonOne and EyeEm. Their strategic backing supports companies aiming to transform the visual media space while enhancing audience reach.


Top 9 Journalistic Photography Investors in DACH


1. Acton Capital


Acton Capital is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 1999, specializing in Series A stage investments and beyond. The firm focuses on providing financial backing and strategic guidance to mission-driven teams across various sectors, including technology and eco-friendly consumer goods. Notably, Acton Capital led the Series A funding round for LemonOne, a platform that delivers on-demand photography services, providing 50,000 photos per month to large-scale clients across Europe. This investment highlights their engagement in the photography sector, particularly in a model that supports journalistic photography. Additionally, Acton Capital has invested in MPB, a platform for buying and selling used photography equipment, further demonstrating their involvement in the photography industry.


2. Infront Sports & Media AG


Infront Sports & Media AG is a corporate investor based in Zug, Switzerland, founded in 2003. The company specializes in sports marketing, managing media and marketing rights for international sports events. They offer a variety of services, including sponsorship, media rights distribution, and sports broadcast production, aimed at enhancing audience engagement for sports federations, brands, and media companies. Notably, Infront has made significant strides in the photography sector by acquiring MarathonFoto, which has raised concerns among race organizers regarding the future of event photography services. This acquisition highlights Infront's commitment to expanding its portfolio in areas that intersect with photography, particularly in the context of sports events. Additionally, Infront's acquisition of DSM Sportwerbung GmbH further strengthens its position in the sports marketing landscape, although this transaction is less directly related to photography.


3. 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 Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 2013, dedicated to supporting exceptional, mission-driven founders throughout their entrepreneurial journey. The firm focuses 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 has been involved in significant transactions within the photography industry, particularly with EyeEm, which raised a total of $24 million across multiple funding rounds (Angel, Series A, and Series B) to expand its photo marketplace and technology. This involvement highlights Atlantic Labs' engagement in the photography sector, particularly in supporting platforms that can facilitate journalistic photography.


4. Burda Principal Investments


Burda Principal Investments is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 2016, specializing in growth stage investments in digital technology and media companies. With a focus on providing long-term growth equity, they support entrepreneurs in overcoming financial barriers to expansion. Their portfolio features a range of successful internet-centric businesses across Europe, the U.S., and Asia. Notably, they participated in a Series A investment in SweetEscape, an Indonesia-based on-demand photography platform, which highlights their engagement in the photography sector. Additionally, they have invested in Skillshare, an online learning community that fosters creativity, which indirectly supports the development of skills relevant to photography and other creative fields.


5. Zeno Ventures

  • Website: zenoventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: zeno-ventures

Zeno Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in private equity and venture capital, focusing on backing exceptional teams and investing in high-quality businesses across various sectors. Zeno Ventures has been involved in notable transactions, including investments in Snappr, an on-demand photography startup that raised $10 million in Series A funding and $2.5 million in seed funding. Snappr has experienced significant growth, particularly in the B2B sector, providing work for photographers and serving Fortune 500 companies. This involvement in the photography industry highlights Zeno Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative companies that enhance access to professional photography services.


6. redalpine


Redalpine is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2006. The firm specializes in investing in technology and science sectors, providing funding and strategic support to startups that address significant global challenges. Notably, Redalpine has participated in funding rounds for LemonOne, a platform that delivers on-demand photography services, which is relevant to the journalistic photography industry. In 2018, Redalpine supported LemonOne in their Seed Round, and again in 2019, they participated in a Series A funding round led by Acton Capital. LemonOne's model of delivering 50,000 photos per month to large-scale clients from various European locations highlights the firm's engagement in the photography sector, particularly in a context that could serve journalistic needs.


7. Publisher

  • Website: odegardgroup.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Zug, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • LinkedIn: publisher

Publisher is a corporate investor based in Zug, Switzerland, founded in 1999. With a workforce of 501-1000 employees, the firm has made notable investments in the media industry. One of their most significant transactions was the acquisition of Tribune Publications on August 12, 2019, for $3.2 billion. This acquisition highlights Publisher's commitment to expanding its influence in the media sector, which inherently includes journalistic photography as a vital component of news reporting and storytelling.


8. Ewor

  • Website: ewor.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 25
  • LinkedIn: ewor

Ewor is a corporate investor based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2020. The organization specializes in supporting entrepreneurship through fellowships aimed at aspiring and existing founders. Ewor provides resources, mentorship, and access to a network of investors to help entrepreneurs launch and scale their ventures, particularly in the tech sector. In 2023, Ewor participated in a Pre-Seed round for Real Fake Photos, a company that operates within the photography industry. This transaction highlights Ewor's engagement with the photography sector, showcasing its potential interest in journalistic photography as part of its broader investment strategy.


9. ZEISS Group

  • Website: zeiss.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Oberkochen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
  • Founded year: 1846
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: zeiss

ZEISS Group, founded in 1846 and based in Oberkochen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, is a leading technology enterprise specializing in optics and optoelectronics. The company offers a diverse range of products, including medical technology solutions, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and high-quality optical systems for consumers and businesses. In 2023, ZEISS acquired Ncam Technologies, a pioneer in camera tracking technology, to enhance its cinema product lineup. This strategic acquisition aims to integrate Ncam's innovative tracking solutions with ZEISS' expertise in cinema lenses, showcasing their commitment to innovation in the imaging sector. With a focus on enhancing capabilities and experiences across various industries, ZEISS serves a wide array of customers, including those in the photography and cinematography fields.



Journalistic Photography Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Acton CapitalMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019993
Infront Sports & Media AGZug, Zug, Switzerland501-100020030
Atlantic LabsBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201313
Burda Principal InvestmentsMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5020165
Zeno VenturesGeneva, Geneva, Switzerland1-1020163
redalpineZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50200618
PublisherZug, Zug, Switzerland501-100019990
EworBerlin, Berlin, Germany201-500202025
ZEISS GroupOberkochen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany10001+18464


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