German Media Pool is one of Europe’s leading media for equity funds. We provide consumer-facing start-ups with TV, radio, out of home and print using our unique investment model.
German Media Pool invests in Europe’s leading consumer-facing start-ups. We provide each company with a tailored set of premium media services to accelerate their growth and to help their brands become household names. In addition to media for equity, we make selected cash investments with our associated venture capital fund, GMPVC Opportunities.
Founded in 2011, German Media Pool is a pioneer of the independent media for equity fund model. Media services from a range of different media partners are provided to venture-backed start-ups in return for an equity share.
Quality media from our media partners is made available at highly attractive pricing, in exchange for equity (or equity and cash). As an independent fund, we are not owned by a media group, but work with a set of partners across different media types and markets.
€0.5 – 5 million net media investment per deal is our sweet spot, but significantly more is possible. Media allocations are tailored to the start-up’s unique requirements. We are the start-up’s single point of contact for all media types.
We invest jointly at the same terms with our venture capital co-investment partners, and are able to invest flexibly and quickly. All shares are held by German Media Pool centrally. We don’t lead rounds or normally take board seats. We can invest directly in a round or via a convertible.
We primarily invest in consumer-facing companies at the scaling stage from Seed onwards but with a focus on Series A or later. We consider all consumer categories. We only invest in venture-backed companies. A strong fit between our partner's media capabilities and the company’s customer acquisition strategy is essential and we will not invest without it.
Quality media from our media partners is made available at highly attractive pricing, in exchange for equity (or equity and cash). As an independent fund, we are not owned by a media group, but work with a set of partners across different media types.
€0.5 – 5 million net media investment per deal is our sweet spot, but significantly more is possible. Media allocations are tailored to the start-up’s unique requirements. We are the start-up’s single point of contact for all media types.
We invest jointly at the same terms with our venture capital co-investment partners, and are able to invest flexibly and quickly. We hold all shares on behalf of our media partners. We don’t lead rounds or normally take board seats. We can invest directly in a round or offer convertible loans.
We primarily invest in consumer-facing companies at the scaling stage, i.e. Series A or later. We consider all consumer categories. We only invest in companies which are venture capital funded. A strong fit between our partner's media capabilities and the company’s customer acquisition strategy is essential and we will not invest without it.
German Media Pool’s media partners cover all major above-the-line media types and are among the leaders in their respective categories. Through our European partners, we have expanded our offering beyond Germany.
Founders of consumer-facing businesses recognize the unique benefits German Media Pool brings to the table. Our media has accelerated the growth of highly regarded companies such as ABOUT YOU, CLARK, momox, Grover and Sanity Group.
Our independence means we can provide objective advice and the best possible media solutions, customized to each of our companies.
Our fund provides access to dozens of media groups across all above-the-line media types. We have worked side by side with our media partners for years.
We are a small team and are always at the founder’s disposal. We have been doing this for more than a decade, so it is hard to find deeper experience elsewhere.
Next to our media for equity fund, a venture capital cash fund forms part of our fund group (currently fully invested). GMPVC Opportunities is dedicated to portfolio follow-on investments. We also invest in selected seed-stage companies in our space.
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Aljoscha
Partner & Co-Founder
Aljoscha Kaplan worked in senior roles at Ernst & Young and several other consulting and analytics groups. He also worked for a Berlin-based angel investor and led an innovation incubator prior to GMPVC Group.
Amelie
Investment Analyst
Prior to joining GMPVC, Amelie Bahr spent two years at Sifted, the FT-backed news site, where she helped develop a new subscription product providing investment research on Europe’s early stage startup world.
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Carolin
Media Operations Manager
Carolin Strelow is an experienced media manager, having worked in the radio industry for 17 years, including in areas such as investment strategy and business development.
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Dennis
Partner
Dennis Ahrling came to German Media Pool from an Amsterdam-based early stage VC. He was one of the co-founders of Angel Island, an annual event bringing together the European start-up ecosystem.
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Niko
Partner & Co-Founder
Niko Waesche is a seasoned media industry veteran and investor. He has held executive positions within television groups in Germany and the UK, at the US venture capital fund Upfront as well as IBM and GfK.
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Tita
Head of Finance
Previous to German Media Pool, Christina (Tita) Meyer-Grunwald worked in different entrepreneurial and accounting roles for marketing, communications and events agencies.
Aljoscha
Partner & Co-Founder
Aljoscha Kaplan worked in senior roles at Ernst & Young and several other consulting and analytics groups. He also worked for a Berlin-based angel investor and led an innovation incubator prior to GMPVC Group.
Amelie
Investment Analyst
Prior to joining GMPVC, Amelie Bahr spent two years at Sifted, the FT-backed news site, where she helped develop a new subscription product providing investment research on Europe’s early stage startup world.
Carolin
Media Operations Manager
Carolin Strelow is an experienced media manager, having worked in the radio industry for 17 years, including in areas such as investment strategy and business development.
Dennis
Partner
Dennis Ahrling came to German Media Pool from an Amsterdam-based early stage VC. He was one of the co-founders of Angel Island, an annual event bringing together the European start-up ecosystem.
Niko
Partner & Co-Founder
Niko Waesche is a seasoned media industry veteran and investor. He has held executive positions within television groups in Germany and the UK, at the US venture capital fund Upfront as well as IBM and GfK.
Tita
Head of Finance
Previous to German Media Pool, Christina (Tita) Meyer-Grunwald worked in different entrepreneurial and accounting roles for marketing, communications and events agencies.
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