Bayern Kapital (founded at the end of 1995) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the LfA Foerderbank Bayern (Bavaria‘s development bank). Bayern Kapital’s objective is to finance research and development as well as the market launch of new products, product diversifications, and expansion of the market share. The requesting company has to be located in Bavaria. Industries are e. g. IT/software, life sciences, new materials, micro-systems and environmental technologies.   Bayern Kapital and its funds have invested in more than 250 companies and currently manages funds to the value of EUR 340 m. The five investing funds currently managed by Bayern Kapital are Seedfonds Bayern, Clusterfonds Start-Up!, Innovationsfonds, Innovationsfonds EFRE and Wachstumsfonds Bayern.

Bayern Kapital

ASTUTIA Ventures invests since 2006 in innovative start-ups with outstanding growth potential. Their investment focus is in the areas of smart cities, future of commerce and digital lifestyle. To entrepreneurs and companies in their early growth stages, they offer venture capital, a truly international business network and specialized know-how in order to support successful development and sustainable growth.

Astutia Ventures

The seed investor High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) finances tech start-ups with growth potential and has supported more than 700 start-ups since 2005. With the launch of its fourth fund, HTGF now has about 1.4 billion euros under management. Its team of experienced investment managers and start-up experts support young companies with expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and passion. HTGF’s focus is on high-tech start-ups in the fields of digital tech, industrial tech, life sciences, chemistry and related business areas. To date, external investors have injected about 5 billion euros of capital into the HTGF portfolio via more than 2,000 follow-on financing rounds. In addition, HTGF has already successfully sold shares in more than 170 companies. Fund investors in this public-private partnership include the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, KfW Capital and 45 companies from a wide range of industries. Fund investors in this public-private partnership include the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, KfW Capital and 45 companies from a wide range of industries.

HTGF | High-Tech Gruenderfonds

Innovative post-revenue startups with first customers trust us as highly reliable investors. We have been an active player in the venture capital market for over 25 years. Due to our evergreen approach, we offer institutional venture capital without the limitations of the usual fund structure.  Predominantly we invest straight equity. Additionally, we can offer venture debt to mature startups close to break-even in order to avoid further dilution for founders. Being a private investment company we act as both lead investor or co-investor. We can also fulfill the private lead investor role for public investors like Bayern Kapital. Together we are increasing YOUR company's value.

BayBG Venture Capital

Wecken & Cie. is an early-stage venture capital investor, focused on European fast-growing, disruptive technology companies, with expertise in FinTech and PropTech.  Having invested in more than 40 companies since 2007 and thereof successfully exited e.g. Delivery Hero and EcoIntense, Wecken & Cie. typically participates together with other institutional investors in Seed and Series A investment rounds with €500k to €3m initially, with the ability to provide additionally capital over the life of the investment.  Wecken & Cie. is backed by Klaus Wecken, co-founder of multiple startups in the technology and real-estate sector, most prominently KHK Software which he sold to SAGE Group in 1997.

Wecken & Cie.

Accel is an early and growth-stage venture capital firm that powers a global community of entrepreneurs. Accel backs entrepreneurs who have what it takes to build a business.  Accel’s vision for entrepreneurship and business enables it to identify and invest in the companies that will be responsible for the growth of next-generation industries. Accel-backed companies include Atlassian, Braintree, Cloudera, DJI, Dropbox, Dropcam, Etsy, Facebook, Flipkart, Lookout Security, MoPub, Qualtrics, Slack, Spotify, Supercell, Vox Media, and others.

Accel

Insight Partners is a global software investor that partners with growth-stage technology and software companies. Insight has a deep focus in Fintech, Cybersecurity, AI/ML, DevOps, and Healthcare sectors. Across their people and their portfolio, they encourage a culture around a core belief growth equals opportunity. As of December 31, 2022, the firm has over $75B in regulatory assets under management. Insight Partners has invested in more than 750 companies worldwide and has seen over 55 portfolio companies achieve an IPO.

Insight Partners

Rewe Group was founded in 1927 as a purchasing cooperative by independent merchants. Even today, the members of their cooperative, the independent merchants, are an important part of their trading and tourism company.

Rewe Group

Reimann Investors is the family office and corporate holding of members of the Reimann entrepreneurial family, who sold their shares in the family business in the late 1990s. We focus our investments on young and rapidly growing companies in the fields of FinTech, financial services, SaaS and Digital Commerce. We see ourselves as a strategic, active partner working in close cooperation with company management to supervise and promote the development of the business. Investment focus: Series A, Growth - SaaS, Fintech

Reimann Investors

commercetools

Over the last decade, businesses have struggled to adjust digital commerce experiences at the same pace as consumer behavior, preferences and the rapidly diversifying touchpoints that have emerged (e.g. web, smartphone, tablet, POS). This constant state of change required the technical agility to quickly test and co-opt new trends and technologies to meet true omnichannel demands. Simultaneously, online revenues were growing at a pace over 4x projections, which put pressure on the IT infrastructure and operations teams to scale.  commercetools identified this paradigm market shift early, and reinvented the approach to digital commerce with its cloud-native, component-based, tech-agnostic, composable platform. It is easy to learn, enterprise market-ready and scalable to support even the largest B2B and B2C enterprises. With commercetools, brands across the globe have unlimited flexibility to deliver outstanding, scalable commerce experiences, and take advantage of new markets and revenue-generating opportunities at their own pace –– with limited technical or operational risks. Today, commercetools is recognized as a market leader in enterprise commerce technology, and the fastest growing company globally in this domain, serving major brands including Audi, Danone, Eurorail, NBCUniversal, Sephora and Volkswagen Group.

commercetools is a global commerce company and the market leader in composable commerce. It offers a cloud-native, headless commerce platform that enables companies to flexibly customize, tailor, and scale shopping experiences across markets. The platform utilizes microservices and APIs to provide businesses with tools to remain agile, future-proof digital offerings, reduce technical risks and costs, and build outstanding experiences that drive revenue growth.

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Marketplaces and related solutions for selling goods and services online

Ecommerce Platforms

commercetools Appoints Matt Tuel as Chief Operating Officer

commercetools is a global commerce company and the market leader in composable commerce. It offers a cloud-native, headless commerce platform that enables companies to flexibly customize, tailor, and scale shopping experiences across markets. The platform utilizes microservices and APIs to provide businesses with tools to remain agile, future-proof digital offerings, reduce technical risks and costs, and build outstanding experiences that drive revenue growth.
commercetools' composable commerce approach follows the MACH (Microservices-based, API-first, Cloud-native, and Headless) architecture principles. Its functionalities are developed modularly, allowing each component to be used and developed separately. With over 300 APIs, the platform unlocks various desired functionalities and seamlessly integrates with any front-end solution.
The company's platform offers capabilities such as PIM, cart and order management, marketing and promotions, payments, and internationalization. Its cloud-native infrastructure guarantees high performance, scalability, and security. In 2023, commercetools' Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) increased by 45% year-over-year to over USD 30 billion, with fashion and retail clients seeing a 65% yearly growth.
In July 2024, commercetools announced the availability of its Platform on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, reinforcing its commitment to providing businesses with the tools necessary to thrive in the ever-changing market. By the end of 2024, commercetools Frontend, commercetools Connect, and Foundry will also be available on Azure in the Americas and EMEA regions.
Some of commercetools' notable clients include Audi, Danone, Eurorail, NBCUniversal, Sephora, and Volkswagen Group. In March 2024, the company reported that 25% of Europe's largest 20 brands in the Fortune 500, including five of the world's top 10 car manufacturers, were powered by commercetools.

Vestiaire Collective is a leading global online marketplace for pre-owned luxury fashion items. Founded in 2009 in Paris, France, the company aims to transform the fashion industry into a more sustainable model by promoting circular fashion and reducing overconsumption and waste.
Vestiaire Collective operates a platform where buyers and sellers can buy, sell, and trade authenticated pre-owned luxury fashion items, including clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories from renowned brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, and Prada. As of 2023, the platform had over 3 million items listed and a community of around 23 million members across 78 countries.
The company's core value proposition lies in its rigorous authentication process. All items listed on the platform undergo meticulous quality and authenticity checks by a team of trained experts, ensuring the legitimacy of the products sold. This process involves thorough examination of materials, craftsmanship, branding elements, and serial numbers, as well as the use of advanced technologies like image recognition software.
Vestiaire Collective's business model is commission-based, with the company charging a percentage fee on successful transactions. The fee structure varies based on the sale price, ranging from 15% for items sold between USD 80 and USD 13,000 to a fixed fee for higher-priced items.
In recent years, Vestiaire Collective has undertaken various sustainability initiatives, such as launching the "Brand Approved" program, which allows luxury brands to integrate circularity into their business models by facilitating the buyback and resale of their pre-owned items. The company aims to become carbon neutral by 2026 and has implemented measures to reduce its environmental footprint, including offering green shipping options and eco-friendly packaging.

Vestiaire Collective

Trendyol is a leading ecommerce platform based in Turkey that was founded in 2010 by Demet Mutlu. It operates as a marketplace connecting buyers with a wide range of sellers offering products across various categories including fashion, electronics, beauty, and groceries. Trendyol has evolved from a single shopping site to a comprehensive ecommerce ecosystem, offering complementary services such as logistics (Trendyol Express), instant delivery (Trendyol Go), digital payments (Trendyol Pay), and a secondhand marketplace (Dolap).
Initially bootstrapped with USD 300,000 by Mutlu, Trendyol witnessed rapid growth, reaching over a million customers within its first year. As of 2023, the platform boasts over 30 million customers, 250,000 sellers, and delivers more than 1 million packages daily. Trendyol's success can be attributed to its focus on affordable pricing, a diverse product range, and a sustainable business model that supports digitization of local manufacturers and small businesses.
In 2018, Alibaba Group acquired a majority stake in Trendyol, valuing the company at USD 728 million. This strategic partnership provided Trendyol with technological expertise and helped position it as Turkey's first "decacorn" (a startup valued over USD 10 billion) after raising USD 1.5 billion in 2021, reaching a valuation of USD 16.5 billion.
Trendyol's commitment to creating a positive impact is evident through its support for local talent, sustainable sourcing, and initiatives promoting women's participation in the digital economy. The company has generated significant economic impact, contributing to the growth of over 90% of its sellers and enabling over 50,000 female entrepreneurs to establish ecommerce businesses.
Key customers and partnerships
Trendyol has established notable partnerships to enhance its technological capabilities and expand its reach. In 2018, Alibaba Group secured a significant stake in Trendyol, providing expertise and resources to support the platform's growth. This strategic partnership aims to boost Turkey's e-exports by enabling Turkish SMEs to leverage Alibaba's global network for exporting their products.
Additionally, Trendyol has partnered with EVS, aligning with their shared values of positively impacting people's lives and maintaining a startup spirit. This collaboration has allowed Trendyol to contribute further to Turkey's economy and leverage EVS's expertise in areas such as mobile payments, logistics, and exports.
Trendyol has also formed a partnership with AGH, a company rich in ecommerce experience. This alliance has enabled Trendyol to absorb knowledge and best practices in areas like logistics, mobile payments, and facilitating the growth of SMEs through the platform economy.

Trendyol

SidelineSwap is the world's largest online marketplace for buying and selling new and used sporting goods. It was founded in 2015 with the mission of making sports more affordable and accessible to everyone. The platform allows athletes, fans, and sports families to safely buy and sell a wide range of sports gear across various categories, including baseball, basketball, football, hockey, golf, lacrosse, skiing, snowboarding, and tennis. SidelineSwap has enabled athletes to earn over USD 250 million to date by reselling the extra gear they have at home.
The marketplace operates on a peer-to-peer model, where sellers can create free listings, and buyers can browse through the inventory to find great deals, often at up to 70% off retail prices. Sellers receive payment through SidelineSwap's secure platform once the buyer receives and approves the item. As of April 2024, SidelineSwap had helped over 2 million athletes resell over USD 250 million worth of used sports gear, keeping 180,000 pounds of gear out of landfills annually.
In addition to its core marketplace, SidelineSwap has developed a Trade-in Platform, which provides pop-up events, in-store, and online trade-in options for brands and retailers. This platform leverages SidelineSwap's proprietary marketplace technology and resale data, enabling sellers to choose between direct resale or instant trade-in value. The Trade-in Platform has been adopted by major retailers like DICK'S Sporting Goods and MonkeySports, allowing their customers to trade in used gear for store credits.

SidelineSwap

OnBuy is an online marketplace that was founded in 2016 with the aim of providing a fair and transparent platform for retailers and consumers alike. Unlike other major marketplaces, OnBuy does not hold its own inventory or compete with sellers by offering its own product lines. Instead, it acts as a pure online marketplace connecting independent retailers and brands with customers.
The platform offers a wide range of products across various categories, including electronics, entertainment, home and garden, office supplies, and more. As of March 2024, OnBuy hosts over 35 million products from 11,000 brands and retailers. The company has witnessed rapid growth, recording a 600% year-on-year increase in sales between 2018 and 2021.
OnBuy's unique selling proposition lies in its commitment to treating all sellers equally, regardless of their size or relationship with the platform. It operates on a transparent fee structure, charging a flat commission rate of 5% on consumer electronics and 9% for all other categories, with no listing fees. This approach has resonated well with retailers, attracting hundreds of new sign-ups each month.
In July 2023, OnBuy introduced a pioneering cashback rewards program, becoming the world's first cashback marketplace. Customers can earn uncapped cashback on every purchase, which can be spent instantly on the platform or withdrawn after 30 days. This innovative loyalty program aims to disrupt the online retail landscape and provide customers with tangible rewards for their loyalty.
OnBuy's growth has been fueled by its commitment to ethical practices, fair treatment of sellers, and a focus on customer needs. The platform's success has been recognized by various accolades, including being listed in the Financial Times' 1000 fastest-growing companies in Europe and Deloitte's Fast 50.
In December 2021, OnBuy announced its plans for an anticipated IPO within the next two years, as well as international expansion into over 140 countries. The company also acquired a new headquarters in central Bournemouth in March 2022 to support its growth ambitions.

OnBuy

OpenStore is a platform that provides instant liquidity for ecommerce entrepreneurs, primarily those selling on Shopify. Founded in 2021, the company allows merchants to sell their businesses quickly by providing a cash offer within 24 hours after connecting to their Shopify store and providing relevant data. OpenStore uses proprietary algorithms and data science to analyze a merchant's historical financials, order history, and marketing data to determine a valuation for the business.
The company acquires Shopify brands with USD 1 million to USD 10 million in gross merchandise volume, with a focus on US-based, direct-to-consumer brands. After the acquisition, OpenStore takes over operations of the businesses with the intention of growing them long-term. The company has acquired dozens of brands since late 2021 and aims to streamline the mergers and acquisitions process for ecommerce businesses through automation.
OpenStore differentiates itself from other ecommerce aggregators by its rapid turnaround time and focus on direct-to-consumer Shopify brands rather than Amazon marketplace sellers. The company closed a USD 32 million funding round in September 2022, valuing it at USD 970 million. As of July 2024, OpenStore had over 100 employees and had raised over USD 150 million in equity funding from investors including Lux Capital, Atomic, Founders Fund, General Catalyst, and Khosla Ventures.

OpenStore

C2C and B2C ecommerce platforms that enable users to sell a range of goods and services via their online marketplace (e.g., eBay, Amazon).

B2B ecommerce platforms that enable businesses to sell a range of goods and services aimed mainly at other businesses. These companies mostly provide wholesale/bulk purchases (e.g., DHgate, Lightinthebox).

B2C ecommerce platforms that enable businesses to sell specialized product categories (including electronics, fast fashion, or books) via their online marketplace (e.g., Trendyol, Asos, Bookshop).

Ecommerce solutions providers that offer software for customizable ecommerce and other websites or specific modules embedded in websites such as digital experience intelligence and ecommerce management support (e.g., Shopify, CommerceIQ).

Companies that buy and grow ecommerce brands on ecommerce marketplaces (e.g., Thrasio, OpenStore, Moonshot Brands).

Companies that use GenAI as a core part of their product offering for ecommerce platforms

Some companies in the "ecommerce website solutions" segment provide B2B SaaS solutions

GenAI-based Ecommerce Platform operators offer Generative AI as a part of their core offering

Ecommerce website solutions provide services to build customized platforms/experiences for ecommerce

commercetools

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