Berlin has emerged as a dynamic hub for private equity, attracting firms like Capiton AG, Deutsche Beteiligungs AG, and EMH Partners. These firms leverage the city’s vibrant startup ecosystem, strategic location, and access to innovative talent. With a thriving investment landscape, Berlin offers private equity professionals unique opportunities to drive growth and transformation across diverse sectors. Interested professionals can explore this exciting landscape and connect with like-minded leaders by joining our community at alexejpikovsky.com/community.
Capiton AG
Investment Style: Capiton AG specializes in mid-market buyouts and growth investments, primarily in Germany and German-speaking countries. The firm focuses on companies in industrial technologies, healthcare, and business services. They emphasize operational improvements and strategic development to drive sustainable growth.
Portfolio Companies: Capiton’s portfolio includes companies like KT-Kabeltechnick (cable systems), LAP Laser (laser positioning systems), and Prefere Resins (chemical manufacturing).
Founding Date: 1999
Number of Investment Professionals: Approximately 30 professionals
Assets Under Management: Approximately €1.1 billion
Key Investment Professionals:
- Stephan Goetz, Managing Partner: Focuses on leading Capiton’s strategic direction and investment strategies within the industrial and healthcare sectors.
- Bernd Hirsch, Partner: Specializes in operational improvements and value creation for portfolio companies.
Recent Exits: Sale of LAP Laser to Astorg Partners, demonstrating Capiton’s expertise in enhancing value through strategic growth initiatives.
Recent Investments: Investment in Prefere Resins, looking to expand its product offerings and market reach.
Office Locations:
- Berlin (Headquarters): Berlin, Germany
Website: www.capiton.com
Quote: “At Capiton, we rely on our extensive industry expertise and close partnerships with management teams to create value in our portfolio. Our focus is on sustainable growth and operational excellence.” – Stephan Goetz, Managing Partner
Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG)
Investment Style: DBAG focuses on mid-market companies in Germany and neighboring European countries, with a particular emphasis on the industrial, automotive, and technology sectors. They are known for their strategic and operational support to enhance long-term value creation.
Portfolio Companies: DBAG’s portfolio includes companies like Schuelke & Mayr (hygiene products), mageba (infrastructure components), and Morea (telecommunications).
Founding Date: 1965
Number of Investment Professionals: Over 70
Assets Under Management: Approximately €2.5 billion
Key Investment Professionals:
- Torben Lux, Partner: Focuses on originating and executing investments in the industrial and IT services sectors.
- Susanne Zeidler, CFO: Oversees financial operations and strategic planning for DBAG’s portfolio companies.
Recent Exits: Exit of mageba to Bridgepoint, showcasing DBAG’s ability to enhance industrial sector value.
Recent Investments: Investment in Dantherm, enhancing their international market presence and operational capabilities.
Office Locations:
- Frankfurt (Headquarters): Frankfurt, Germany
- Additional Offices: Berlin
Website: www.dbag.com
Quote: “Our approach is to partner with ambitious management teams and provide them with the resources they need to achieve sustainable growth. Our deep industry knowledge sets us apart in the mid-market segment.” – Torben Lux, Partner
EMH Partners
Investment Style: EMH Partners focuses on growth investments in the German Mittelstand, concentrating on technology-driven companies. Their approach involves supporting digital transformation and international expansion to unlock growth potential.
Portfolio Companies: EMH Partners’ portfolio includes companies like Native Instruments (music software and hardware), Occhio (lighting solutions), and Brainlab (software for precise image-guided surgery).
Founding Date: 2010
Number of Investment Professionals: Over 30
Assets Under Management: More than €1 billion
Key Investment Professionals:
- Maximilian Kuss, Co-Founder and Managing Partner: Specializes in strategic growth and digital transformation across portfolio companies.
- Matthias Allgaier, Partner: Focuses on investment strategies in technology and digitalization.
Recent Exits: Sale of Native Instruments to Francisco Partners, highlighting EMH’s successful growth strategies in tech investments.
Recent Investments: Investment in Brainlab to further enhance digital solutions in healthcare technology.
Office Locations:
- Munich (Headquarters): Munich, Germany
- Additional Offices: Berlin
Website: www.emh.com
Quote: “Our unique focus on digitalization in the Mittelstand allows us to drive substantial growth and innovation in our portfolio companies. We aim to be the partner of choice for businesses seeking transformation.” – Maximilian Kuss, Co-Founder and Managing Partner
VENTECH
Investment Style: VENTECH is a leading early-stage VC firm focused on investing in startups in the digital economy across Europe and China. Their investment strategy centers on technology-driven businesses in the digital economy, software, and digital media sectors.
Portfolio Companies: VENTECH’s portfolio includes companies like FinTecSystems (financial data services), Picanova (customized wall decoration), and Le Wagon (coding bootcamp).
Founding Date: 1998
Number of Investment Professionals: Over 20
Assets Under Management: Approximately €700 million
Key Investment Professionals:
- Matthieu Lattes, General Partner: Focuses on digital economy investments and strategic partnerships.
- Matthieu Baret, General Partner: Specializes in software and digital media investments.
Recent Exits: Successful exit from FinTecSystems to Tink, increasing VENTECH’s reputation in fintech investments.
Recent Investments: Participated in funding rounds for Le Wagon, supporting education technology growth.
Office Locations:
- Paris (Headquarters): Paris, France
- Additional Offices: Berlin, Munich
Website: www.ventech.vc
Quote: “VENTECH aims to empower visionary entrepreneurs in the digital economy, providing them with the resources and network needed to scale and succeed globally.” – Matthieu Lattes, General Partner
Project A Ventures
Investment Style: Project A Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies with a focus on digital technologies, marketplaces, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions. They provide operational support alongside financial backing to foster startup growth.
Portfolio Companies: Their portfolio includes companies like Trade Republic (digital broker), Catawiki (auction platform), and Kry (telemedicine platform).
Founding Date: 2012
Number of Investment Professionals: Over 100, including operational experts
Assets Under Management: Approximately €500 million
Key Investment Professionals:
- Florian Heinemann, Founding Partner: Specializes in digital marketing and analytics, supporting the strategic direction of startups.
- Ben Fischer, Partner: Focuses on investment opportunities in digital platforms and SaaS businesses.
Recent Exits: Exit from Catawiki after significant growth in its auction platform services.
Recent Investments: Investment in Trade Republic to enhance its position in the digital brokerage market.
Office Locations:
- Berlin (Headquarters): Berlin, Germany
Website: www.project-a.com
Quote: “Our operational expertise sets us apart. We actively support our startups in scaling their operations and achieving their growth targets.” – Florian Heinemann, Founding Partner
Riverside Europe Partners
Investment Style: Riverside Europe Partners focuses on investing in growing businesses in the lower middle market. They specialize in buyouts and growth capital investments, particularly in the consumer, healthcare, and technology sectors.
Portfolio Companies: Riverside’s portfolio includes companies like E&A Scheer (rum blending and distribution), Mintra (digital learning solutions), and Welltec (robotic well solutions).
Founding Date: 1988
Number of Investment Professionals: Over 200
Assets Under Management: Approximately $14 billion
Key Investment Professionals:
- Karsten Langer, Managing Partner: Focuses on strategic growth and portfolio management in the European market.
- Henrik Roel, Partner: Specializes in healthcare and technology investments.
Recent Exits: Sale of Mintra to a strategic buyer, affirming Riverside’s expertise in digital learning solutions.
Recent Investments: Investment in Welltec to drive growth in robotic solutions for the energy sector.
Office Locations:
- Brussels (Headquarters): Brussels, Belgium
- Additional Offices: Berlin, Munich
Website: www.riversideeurope.com
Quote: “We are committed to helping our portfolio companies realize their full potential through our global resources and deep industry insights.” – Karsten Langer, Managing Partner
Earlybird Venture Capital
Investment Style: Earlybird Venture Capital focuses on early-stage technology investments across Europe. The firm places a strong emphasis on companies in the enterprise, consumer internet, fintech, and healthcare sectors, leveraging their expertise to drive growth and innovation.
Portfolio Companies: Their notable portfolio includes N26 (digital banking), Smava (online loan comparison), and UiPath (robotic process automation).
Founding Date: 1997
Number of Investment Professionals: Over 40
Assets Under Management: Approximately €1.5 billion
Key Investment Professionals:
- Hendrik Brandis, Co-Founder and Partner: Specializes in fintech and enterprise software investments.
- Christian Nagel, Co-Founder and Partner: Focuses on consumer internet and healthcare sectors.
Recent Exits: Successful IPO of UiPath, showcasing Earlybird’s foresight in high-growth technology sectors.
Recent Investments: Investment in Smava to enhance their online loan marketplace capabilities.
Office Locations:
- Berlin (Headquarters): Berlin, Germany
- Additional Offices: Munich, Istanbul
Website: www.earlybird.com
Quote: “Our deep tech and sector expertise allow us to identify and invest in the most promising startups at an early stage, driving transformative change in their respective industries.” – Hendrik Brandis, Co-Founder and Partner
Paragon Partners
Investment Style: Paragon Partners focuses on investments in mid-sized companies in German-speaking countries. Their investment strategy includes buyouts and growth capital, emphasizing operational excellence and strategic market expansion.
Portfolio Companies: Paragon Partners’ portfolio includes companies like Sovendus (digital marketing), D-Zentrale (industrial components), and Unito (retail and e-commerce).
Founding Date: 2004
Number of Investment Professionals: Over 20
Assets Under Management: Approximately €1.2 billion
Key Investment Professionals:
- Edgar Bührer, Managing Partner: Specializes in strategic planning and operational improvements for portfolio companies.
- Andreas Stickler, Partner: Focuses on evaluating and executing investment opportunities in various sectors.
Recent Exits: Exit of Sovendus to an international strategic buyer, reflecting Paragon’s ability to enhance digital marketing companies.
Recent Investments: Investment in Unito to strengthen its e-commerce and retail operations.
Office Locations:
- Munich (Headquarters): Munich, Germany
- Additional Offices: Berlin
Website: www.paragon.de
Quote: “Our hands-on approach and industry expertise enable us to drive strategic growth and operational improvements in our portfolio companies.” – Edgar Bührer, Managing Partner
Holtzbrinck Ventures
Investment Style: Holtzbrinck Ventures is one of the leading independent European early-stage funds, focusing on investing in digital businesses. They target startups in the areas of e-commerce, digital media, and software, supporting them through various growth stages.
Portfolio Companies: Notable portfolio companies include Zalando (fashion e-commerce), HelloFresh (meal-kit delivery), and FlixBus (mobility services).
Founding Date: 2000
Number of Investment Professionals: Approximately 30
Assets Under Management: About €1 billion
Key Investment Professionals:
- Martin Weber, General Partner: Focuses on strategic investments in digital and tech-driven companies.
- Christian Saller, General Partner: Specializes in consumer internet and software investments.
Recent Exits: Successful IPO of HelloFresh, underscoring Holtzbrinck’s ability to scale digital businesses.
Recent Investments: Investment in FlixBus to support its international expansion and mobility services.
Office Locations:
- Munich (Headquarters): Munich, Germany
- Additional Offices: Berlin
Website: www.holtzbrinck-ventures.com
Quote: “We are committed to backing visionary entrepreneurs who are driving digital transformation and innovation across industries.” – Martin Weber, General Partner
Conclusion
Berlin’s private equity landscape continues to evolve, showcasing remarkable potential for strategic investments and transformative acquisitions. The city’s dynamic ecosystem offers unprecedented opportunities for firms seeking robust growth and value creation. As the market matures, we can expect more sophisticated approaches to capital deployment and exit strategies.
Want to dive deeper into the world of business exits and acquisitions? Subscribe to my YouTube channel at @alexejpikovsky for weekly insights that will help you optimize your exit strategy.