Organization · Corporate Venture Capital
Bertelsmann Investments
Bertelsmann Investments is the venture capital and growth investment arm of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, based in Gütersloh, Germany. It focuses on startups and funds across global growth markets, managing several billion in assets.
Overview
What Bertelsmann Investments does
What Bertelsmann Investments is
Bertelsmann Investments is the venture capital and growth investment arm of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, based in Gütersloh, Germany. It focuses on startups and funds across global growth markets, managing several billion in assets.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Corporate Venture Capital
- Founded
- Founded in 1835
- Approximate age
- About 191 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host
- Last reviewed
- April 26, 2026
Official channels
Find Bertelsmann Investments elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Bertelsmann Investments as a funder
Investment thesis
Bertelsmann Investments leverages its global capital, operating network, and sector expertise to back entrepreneurs and build new growth businesses across various stages and sectors.
Focus narrative
Bertelsmann Investments invests in a range of sectors and stages, with a particular emphasis on technology and digital services. The organization operates dedicated funds and has a growth program called Bertelsmann Next, which includes incubation efforts and buy-and-build strategies.
Value beyond capital
Bertelsmann Investments provides strategic access to Bertelsmann's operating businesses, enabling portfolio companies to leverage resources and expertise for growth. The organization supports entrepreneurs through direct investments and partnerships, fostering innovation and development in various sectors.
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Friends and Family · Angel · Accelerator · Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+ · Series A · Series A+ · Series B · Series B+ · Series C · Series C+ · Series D · Series E · Series F · Growth Equity · Pre-IPO · Ipo
- Sectors
- Artificial IntelligenceSaaS & Cloud SoftwareFintechHealthcareBiotech & Life SciencesConsumerCommerce & RetailEducationLogistics & Supply ChainEnergy
- Regions
- Global · North America · Europe · Asia · Latam
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 500
- Recorded notable exits
- Phare Health
Portfolio context
Notable portfolio companies include: Applike: A leading mobile advertising platform based in Hamburg, focused on mobile user acquisition, gaming, and ad monetization. It is on track to reach $1 billion in revenues. Rozana: A rural commerce platform in India aimed at meeting the needs of the rural population. It has raised $22.5 million in funding and is working to incubate tech micro-entrepreneurs across the country. Stori: A digital bank in Mexico that promotes financial inclusion for Latin American consumers. It achieved unicorn status with Bertelsmann as an early investor. Studyflix: The largest e-learning and career platform for young students and graduates in German-speaking territories, offering over 5,000 free learning and career-related videos.
Capability profile
Bertelsmann Investments as a program host
Availability
- Application state
- Not published
Common questions
What to know about Bertelsmann Investments
Upseed classifies Bertelsmann Investments under the Corporate Venture Capital organization type. Its current public profile includes funder and program host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 26, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.