We connect the startup world with the corporate world. Since our founding in 2013 as a central corporate venture capital company, we not only support startups with our many years of expertise, but also bring them into contact with Axel Springer’s international network. Together with renowned VCs and business angels, we invest as a co-investor in fast-growing companies that have a connection to Axel Springer’s business areas. Our portfolio is supplemented by active investments in accelerators and funds.
The portfolio includes:
- Venture capital investments, whereby media performance can be used in addition to capital. We invest selectively in disruptive business models with a focus on classified ad portals, marketplaces and media. Examples include AirBnB (IPO 2020), Anzu, Dott, Nextdoor, Qwant, UBER (IPO 2019), Wunderflats and Zenhomes (exit 2021).
- The very-early stageVCAPX, founded together with Porsche Digital in 2018, with a rapidly growing portfolio of over 100 investments, and the Axel Springer Plug & Playaccelerator, founded together with Plug & Play Inc. in 2013, with 100 initial investments, including Studysmarter, N26, Careship, Nyris and zizoo. Exceptional founders who build startups with digital business models find here an experienced initial investor and long-term partner for the further steps up to the exit.
- Investments in renowned venture capital funds, including Project A, FJ Labs, Lakestar and Remagine Ventures.
Axel Springer Digital Ventures GmbH
Axel-Springer-Strasse 65
10888 Berlin
venture@axelspringer.de