German Media Pool unveils €15 million venture capital fund to invest in next generation of consumer startups

Berlin-based independent media for equity fund, German Media Pool has completed the first closing of its €15 million cash venture capital fund. The new fund, GMPVC Opportunities I, is focused on consumer-facing and B2C-enabling startups of any stage across Europe.

Investors in the first closing are family offices and media groups, including several shareholders of German Media Pool. With its new GMPVC Opportunities I Fund, the company known for its 36 media investments, including the European consumer startup success story ABOUT YOU, now has the capability to support its existing portfolio investments in cash rounds, after an initial media for equity investment.

By investing media as well as cash, it can now act as a specialised partner for consumer-facing companies and their enablers across all entrepreneurial stages.

Dennis Ahrling, Partner of German Media Pool and GMPVC Opportunities I, said: “In the last years, we are proud to have worked hand in hand with the founders of some of the most successful consumer-facing startups in Europe, including ABOUT YOU, momox, CLARK, Sanity Group and Grover. To accelerate their growth plans, we provide our startups with a tailored bouquet of premium media.”

The partners of German Media Pool provide TV, radio, out of home and print. In addition to its media partners in Germany, German Media Pool works with media groups in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and several Eastern European markets, allowing German Media Pool to provide media for equity investments not only in Germany, but across Europe.

In total, it has invested more than €400 million in gross media volume in more than 75 investment rounds into 36 startups. German Media Pool currently counts over 20 successful exits, 3 IPOs and two unicorns, with more to come. German Media Pool’s current and past investments include ABOUT YOU, momox, CLARK, Sanity Group and Grover.