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Press Release | Gütersloh, Singapore, 01/24/2020

Bertelsmann Investments starts investing in Southeast Asia

Press Release | Gütersloh, 07/01/2019

Bertelsmann’s Investments in Digital Startups Exceed One Billion Euros

Press Release | Gütersloh, 01/23/2019

Bertelsmann Participates in Digital Fund for Investments in the African Market

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Bertelsmann Investments (BI), Bertelsmann’s global venture capital arm, encompasses four funds: Bertelsmann Asia Investments (BAI), Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), Bertelsmann Brazil Investments (BBI) and Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments (BDMI, investing in the United States and Europe); as well as fund-of-fund investments in Southeast Asia and Africa, and funds with a focus on new technologies.
So far, more than €1 billion has been invested in more than 250 innovative companies and funds through the Bertelsmann Investments division. The Bertelsmann Investments Digital Partners initiative facilitates collaboration between start-ups and all Bertelsmann divisions to drive the digitalization of the businesses.

Bertelsmann Asia Investments

China is one of the world’s most promising emerging markets– including for Bertelsmann. Founded in 2008, Bertelsmann Asia Investments (BAI), is a testament to the company’s long-term commitment to China. The investment platform headed by Annabelle Long focuses on the new media, internet and mobile internet, online education, new technologies, outsourcing, and services sectors. The fund currently owns stakes in 70 startups.

Bertelsmann India Investments

A growing young middle class and rapidly rising Internet penetration make India an attractive destination for investors like Bertelsmann. Bertelsmann India Investments (BII) concentrates its business investments on the digital business, education, media, and services sectors. BII invests in pioneering companies that develop new technologies, business models and visions for the future. The fund’s investments include the furnishings portal Pepperfry, the online music streaming service Saavn, and the real-estate portal Indiaproperty. In the higher education sector, BII invested in the online learning platform WizIQ and the training provider iNurture. It is also invested in three funds of funds: Kaizen Private Equity, Helion Venture Partners and Nirvana Fund.

Bertelsmann Brazil Investments

Besides various businesses operated by its divisions, since 2012 Bertelsmann has also pursued Corporate activities in the strategic growth region of Brazil. The investment platform Bertelsmann Brazil Investments (BBI) bundles these businesses. Corporate activities in Brazil focus on the digital media and education sectors. Specifically, Bertelsmann is involved in several funds through BBI, including “Bozano Educational 2,” a fund endowed with target capital of BRL800 million (approximately EUR 230m) for investments in the medical education sector. Bertelsmann’s partner in this fund is the renowned Brazilian investment company Bozano Investimentos. The company also makes direct investments in the South American country: In 2015, Bertelsmann became shareholder of Affero Lab, the leading provider of corporate training in Brazil.

Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments

Believing in the future also means investing in new ideas and innovations. Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments (BDMI) does so. BDMI is a venture capital fund that systematically invests in innovative, up-and-coming digital media companies in the U.S. and Europe. BDMI helps start-ups to connect and network with the Bertelsmann divisions and thus grow into successful players in the digital media landscape through partnerships. For Bertelsmann, the fund also serves as a trend scout. The BDMI portfolio comprises some 55 investments, including startups such as the next-generation publisher Clique Media, the e-commerce companies Food52 and Frank&Oak, and the online video marketer Jukin Media.

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