Holtzbrinck Digital

Holtzbrinck Digital is the dedicated corporate venture capital arm of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, a globally recognized media company. Based in Munich, Germany, the firm strategically invests in digital businesses that align with its parent company's core areas of Science, Education, and Content. This strategic alignment allows Holtzbrinck Digital to leverage the extensive industry expertise, network, and resources of the Holtzbrinck Group, providing portfolio companies with more than just capital.

The firm's investment strategy is characterized by its flexibility across stages, typically engaging with companies from early-stage rounds, including Seed and Series A, through to more mature growth equity stages like Series B and C. Holtzbrinck Digital acts as a long-term partner, aiming to foster sustainable growth and innovation within its specialized sectors. Its approach emphasizes deep understanding of the digital landscape within science, education, and content, seeking out disruptive technologies and business models that can benefit from strategic corporate backing.

Holtzbrinck Digital boasts a robust portfolio of successful ventures that underscore its investment thesis. It has made over 30 investments in innovative digital companies, contributing to the growth of platforms that have achieved significant market presence. Notable past and present portfolio companies include ResearchGate, a leading professional network for scientists, which has secured over $100 million in total funding, and Babbel, a prominent language learning application that successfully exited through an IPO. Other key investments include ed-tech platform StudySmarter and fitness technology provider eGym, further demonstrating its commitment to transforming these key sectors through digital innovation.

Through its focused investment mandate and the backing of a major publishing group, Holtzbrinck Digital positions itself as a valuable partner for founders in its target industries. It seeks to identify and support companies that can benefit from its strategic insights, operational support, and access to a vast ecosystem, ultimately driving digital transformation and market leadership within science, education, and content.