New Investment Group Launches
The new investment group is intended to mobilize private capital and close existing funding gaps for startups.
role='presentation'Media and tech startups can look forward to a pool of new investors. On Tuesday at noon, the new “Investment Circle” kicked off at SPACE—an initiative launched by nextMedia.Hamburg, part of Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft. The goal of the initiative is to better connect private investors with promising startups in order to bridge the funding gap left by government support programs. In the future, the concept is set to be expanded to other value-added sectors within the creative industry. Startups can register for the investment circle starting now.
Hamburg, July 1, 2026: The creative economy is one of Germany’s most dynamic economic sectors. With revenue of approximately 210 billion euros in 2024* and around two million people employed, it ranks among the country’s most significant growth industries. At the same time, its access to private equity capital has remained limited so far. Many promising startups often fail due to large funding gaps. The investment network aims to change that.
To close this funding gap, a new investment network is being established in Hamburg. The goal is to connect private investors with high-growth founders and to strengthen the exchange between investors and founders. The initiative will begin with startups from the media and digital sectors. In the future, startups from other segments of the creative industries will also be included.
Dr. Nina Klaß, Director of nextMedia.Hamburg: “Wehave already supported more than 40 startups through our Media Lift funding program. We advise startups, provide them with office space, put them in the spotlight, connect them with corporations, and give them access to initial financing and funding opportunities. But for sustainable growth, startups need more—they need capital and the right investors. With the launch of the investment network, we have now taken the first step. The creative industries are among the most dynamic growth sectors in the economy. For example, new digital business models and significant value creation—and thus attractive investment opportunities— are emerging in areas such as AI and other future technologies, the creator economy, digital media, and many other creative markets.”
Many of these companies thus have innovative products, flexible concepts, and scalable business models. Nevertheless, in early growth phases, they often lack access to private investors and a strategic network. The new investment network aims to mobilize private capital precisely where significant funding gaps have existed until now.
The exchange between investors and startups is organized via the “Dealum” deal flow platform. Once startups have registered, interested investors can enter into direct negotiations with them. Investors decide based on their individual interests whether to contact a startup. Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft does not invest directly and does not make investment recommendations. Interested startups in the media and digital sectors can register now. Interested investors can contact Dr. Nina Klaß or Bruno Marks with any questions.
Link to the Dealum platform.
* Goldmedia Location Monitor (2025), based on: DESTATIS (2016–2024)
