Mercedes-Benz Group AG logo

Mercedes-Benz Group AG

Europe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, Stuttgart

Description

Mercedes-Benz Group AG, formerly Daimler AG, has established itself as a significant strategic investor in the evolving landscape of mobility and technology. Leveraging its deep automotive expertise and substantial financial resources, the company primarily invests in startups and technologies that align with its long-term vision for sustainable, connected, and autonomous transportation. Their investment strategy is executed through various channels, including Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG and dedicated corporate venture initiatives like Mercedes-Benz EQ Ventures, focusing on areas critical to the future of the automotive industry.

The company's investment thesis centers on fostering innovation in electrification, battery technology, autonomous driving, digital services, and sustainable materials. Unlike traditional venture capital firms, Mercedes-Benz Group AG acts as a strategic partner, often seeking to integrate the technologies and solutions of its portfolio companies into its core product lines and services. This approach allows them to secure access to cutting-edge innovations and accelerate their own transformation into a leading provider of electric and software-defined vehicles. Their portfolio reflects a commitment to building a robust ecosystem for future mobility, from charging infrastructure to advanced battery materials.

Mercedes-Benz Group AG typically participates in later-stage funding rounds, providing substantial capital to support the scaling and commercialization of promising technologies. For instance, in 2022, Mercedes-Benz led a $170 million Series F round in Sila Nanotechnologies, a developer of advanced battery materials. Another notable investment includes a $60 million stake in StoreDot, a pioneer in extreme fast charging battery technology, in 2018. While specific minimum cheque sizes can vary, their strategic focus often translates into investments ranging from tens of millions to over a hundred million US dollars, reflecting the capital-intensive nature of the technologies they target. They are less focused on early-stage seed investments and more on mature startups with proven concepts that can significantly impact their future product roadmap.

Their role as a corporate venture investor is to identify and nurture companies that can provide a competitive edge in the rapidly changing automotive sector. By strategically deploying capital, Mercedes-Benz Group AG aims to accelerate the development and adoption of technologies crucial for its transition to an all-electric and software-driven future, ensuring its continued leadership in premium mobility.

Investor Profile

Mercedes-Benz Group AG has backed more than 58 startups, with 1 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 27 rounds, about 47% of its total and boasts 15 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Corporate Round, Series C, Series Unknown rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, Germany, United Kingdom.
  • Strong thematic focus on Transportation, Automotive, Manufacturing.
  • Typical check size: $10M – $150M.

Stage Focus

  • Corporate Round (19%)
  • Series C (16%)
  • Series Unknown (10%)
  • Series B (10%)
  • Seed (9%)
  • Series E (9%)
  • Series D (7%)
  • Series A (7%)
  • Series G (3%)
  • Post Ipo Equity (3%)

Country Focus

  • United States (43%)
  • Germany (26%)
  • United Kingdom (10%)
  • Israel (5%)
  • China (5%)
  • United Arab Emirates (2%)
  • Sweden (2%)
  • Estonia (2%)
  • Taiwan (2%)
  • Russian Federation (2%)

Industry Focus

  • Transportation
  • Automotive
  • Manufacturing
  • Logistics
  • Electric Vehicle
  • Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
  • Software
  • Travel
  • Battery
  • Mapping Services
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Mercedes-Benz Group AG frequently co-invest with?

M
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 2
BMW i Ventures
North America, California, United States, Mountain View
Co-Investments: 2
b2venture
Europe, Berlin, Germany, Berlin
Co-Investments: 4
Temasek Holdings
Asia, Central Region, Singapore, Singapore
Co-Investments: 3
Ethos Family Office
North America, Pennsylvania, United States, King Of Prussia
Co-Investments: 3
Bayerische Motoren Werke
Europe, Bayern, Germany, Munich
Co-Investments: 2
Geely
Asia, Zhejiang, China, Hangzhou
Co-Investments: 3
Shasta Ventures
North America, California, United States, Portola Valley
Co-Investments: 2
Bosch
Europe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, Stuttgart
Co-Investments: 3
Alumni Ventures
North America, New Hampshire, United States, Manchester
Co-Investments: 2

Which angels does Mercedes-Benz Group AG often collaborate with?

WG
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
JW
North America, Georgia, United States, Atlanta
Shared Deals: 1
EK
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
AP
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
TB
Europe, Ealing, United Kingdom, Greenford
Shared Deals: 1
SB
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
AM
Europe, Stockholms Lan, Sweden, Stockholm
Shared Deals: 1
KM
North America, Colorado, United States, Denver
Shared Deals: 1
Fadi Ghandour
Asia, United Arab Emirates
Shared Deals: 1
RA
Europe, Rostov, Russian Federation, Novaya
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Mercedes-Benz Group AG?

Apptronik

Austin, Texas, United States

Apptronik designs and builds human-centered robotics systems.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Industrial AutomationMachinery ManufacturingRobotics
Series AFeb 13, 2025
Amount Raised: $403,000,000
Blaize

El Dorado Hills, California, United States

Blaize is an AI computing platforms company that develops products for the automotive, smart vision, and enterprise computing markets.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Computer VisionInformation TechnologyService Industry
Series DApr 29, 2024
Amount Raised: $106,000,000
Aston Martin

Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom

Aston Martin is a luxury car manufacturer that offers luxury sports cars and grand tourers.

AutomotiveLeisureManufacturingProduct DesignRecreational Vehicles
Post Ipo EquityAug 1, 2023
Amount Raised: $276,505,361
VfB Stuttgart

Stuttgart, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

VfB Stuttgart provides various types of management consulting services to their clients.

Management Consulting
Corporate RoundJun 1, 2023
ProLogium Technology

Taoyüan, T'ai-wan, Taiwan

ProLogium is a Lithium battery cell maker the worldwide first ultra-thin, bendable/flexible, high capacity solid-state Lithium battery

BatteryConsumer ElectronicsManufacturing
Private EquityJan 27, 2022
Amount Raised: $111,456,378
H2 Green Steel

Stockholm, Stockholms Lan, Sweden

H2 Green Steel operates a steel production plant to accelerate the decarbonization of the steel industry using green energy.

Series AMay 24, 2021
Amount Raised: $105,000,000
Blacklane

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Blacklane is a provider of chauffeur services that offer carbon-neutral vehicles for traveling.

HospitalityProfessional ServicesTourismTransportationTravel
Series UnknownMar 24, 2021
Amount Raised: $25,988,386
Momenta

Beijing, Beijing, China

Momenta is a developer of autonomous driving technology designed to improve efficiency.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Autonomous VehiclesComputer VisionMapping ServicesSoftware
Series CMar 19, 2021
Amount Raised: $500,000,000
Farasis Energy

Hayward, California, United States

Farasis Energy is a renewable energy company that develops and manufactures lithium ion battery energy storage systems.

BatteryEnergy StorageManufacturing
Corporate RoundMay 26, 2020
Amount Raised: $480,000,000
Volocopter

Bruchsal, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Volocopter pioneers safe, quiet, and sustainable all-electric aircraft solutions.

AerospaceAir TransportationElectric VehicleTransportation
Series CFeb 9, 2020
Amount Raised: $94,963,736