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Bertelsmann Startup Programs & Corporate Open Innovation Analysis Social & Leisure · Entertainment

Bertelsmann is a transnational media corporation founded in 1835, based in Gütersloh, Germany. Bertelsmann is a media, services and education company that operates in about 50 countries around the world. It includes the broadcaster RTL Group, the trade book publisher Penguin Random House, the magazine publisher Gruner + Jahr, the music company BMG, the service provider Arvato, the Bertelsmann Printing Group, the Bertelsmann Education Group and Bertelsmann Investments, an international network of funds. The company has 116,000 employees and generated revenues of €17.0 billion in the 2016 financial year. Bertelsmann stands for creativity and entrepreneurship. This combination promotes first-class media content and innovative service solutions that inspire customers around the world.
bertelsmann.com Gütersloh, Germany Founded Available with StartupBlink Pro

In StartupBlink's Corporate Startup Activity Index, Bertelsmann ranks #23 globally and #3 in Germany. It ranks #2 in the Social & Leisure industry and #2 in the Entertainment subindustry.

Global
Corporate Startup Activity Index
#23
Industry
Social & Leisure
#2
Subindustry
Entertainment
#2
National · Germany
Corporate Startup Activity Index
#3
More Ranked Corporates
Key metrics

Bertelsmann Startup Activity Metrics

Bertelsmann has supported 247 startups through programs and investments, with those companies raising a combined $13.6 billion over the last ten years. The company currently operates 4 active startup programs.

Overview

Explore Bertelsmann's investments, startup programs, and corporate open innovation activity

Bertelsmann has deployed more than $1.3 billion in startup investments through BDMI – Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments (until 2025-06-10) and partnership programs, strengthening its position as one of the leading innovation-driven corporations globally.

The company currently runs 4 active startup programs supporting 247 startups worldwide across industries such as Ecommerce & Retail, Edtech, Fintech, and Foodtech. Its venture arm BDMI – Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments (until 2025-06-10) has invested in over 194 startups since it was founded in 2006.

The corporate-innovation activity is concentrated in Software & Data, Social & Leisure, and Fintech, categories where Bertelsmann's scale provides outsized leverage to early-stage startups.

Activity breakdown

Where Bertelsmann-associated startups operate

Sector, HQ-city and program-location breakdowns for the startups associated with Bertelsmann. Unlock the full breakdown with StartupBlink Pro.

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Sector, HQ-city, and program-location breakdowns for all 247 startups associated with Bertelsmann are part of StartupBlink Pro.

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Programs & CVC

Bertelsmann Startup Programs and Corporate Venture Capital initiatives

Bertelsmann engages startups through 4 active programs, supporting 247 startups in total based on our database.

1V
1745 Ventures
Corporate Venture / Investment
Investment Program
BDMI – Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments (until 2025-06-10)
BDMI – Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments (until 2025-06-10)
Corporate Venture / Investment · est. 2006
Investment Program
BDMI is a venture capital firm headquartered in New York focused on innovative digital media technologies, products, and distribution channels in North America, Europe and Israel. BDMI co
B—
Bertelsmann — Corporate Self
Corporate Venture / Investment
Investment Program
13 startups
BA
Bertelsmann Asia Investments (BAI Capital)
Corporate Venture / Investment
Investment Program
BD
Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments
Corporate Venture / Investment
Investment Program
BI
Bertelsmann India Investments
Corporate Venture / Investment
Investment Program
30 startups
BI
Bertelsmann Investments
Corporate Venture / Investment
Investment Program
"Bertelsmann Investments supports global startups in media, services, and education industries."
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List of Startups

Top startups associated with Bertelsmann

Bertelsmann's top 5 associated startups have raised 55% of the $13.6 billion raised in the last ten years across all 247 associated startups, led by Mistral AI at $4.6 billion. Bertelsmann is associated with 243 active startups and 4 exits. BDMI – Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments (until 2025-06-10) supports the largest number of startups, with 194 associated startups.

Disclaimer: This is based on general open web search and prone to mistakes.

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Startups associated with Bertelsmann
StartupSB ScoreIndustryHQ cityLink Type to CorporationLinked via
Mistral AIMistral AISB 747Software & DataParisProgram InvestmentBertelsmann Investments
ShiprocketShiprocketSB 699Software & DataNew DelhiProgram InvestmentBertelsmann India Investments
AcornsAcornsSB 687FintechIrvineProgram InvestmentBDMI – Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments (until 2025-06-10)
Showing 3 of 247 startupsExport to CSV →Pro

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Corporate Startup Activity Index · 2025

Global Corporate Open Innovation Rankings

Explore the top 372 corporations in StartupBlink's Corporate Startup Activity Index. Bertelsmann ranks #23 globally and #3 in Germany. It accounts for 10.5% of the measured corporate startup activity in the Social & Leisure industry and 13% of the activity generated by corporations in Germany. Unlock more granular data on each corporation with StartupBlink Pro.

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