Bertelsmann Investments reported strong growth in the first half of 2026, with revenue from its Bertelsmann Next businesses rising to €451 million from €280 million a year earlier.
Organic revenue growth reached 45.1%, driven particularly by mobile advertising technology platform AppLike.
Adjusted operating EBITDA increased to €57 million from €43 million.
The investment platform also remained active across venture capital.
Bertelsmann Investments completed 22 new investments and 19 follow-on investments during the first half, deploying more than €100 million.
Its active portfolio included 328 investments as of June 30.
Since beginning its venture capital activities in 2006, Bertelsmann Investments has deployed approximately €2.3 billion into companies and funds worldwide.
The venture portfolio’s EBIT improved dramatically to €122 million from a loss of €98 million in the year-earlier period.
Bertelsmann attributed much of the improvement to positive valuation effects across its investment portfolio.
Within Bertelsmann Next, AppLike delivered 54% organic growth.
Pharma technology company cormeo grew 16.5%, while Indian logistics company LetsTransport, which Bertelsmann Investments took majority ownership of in late 2025, grew 55%.
The firm’s venture investing also included follow-on investments in fintech company MStar and 3D AI company Meshy.AI through Bertelsmann Asia Investments.
Bertelsmann India Investments backed companies including Fairdeal, Handpickd, Nat Habit and Snabbit.
Shiprocket, another Bertelsmann India Investments portfolio company, completed an approximately $170 million IPO in August and finished its first trading day with a $1.1 billion valuation.
Bertelsmann remained Shiprocket’s largest institutional investor with an approximately 19% stake.
Bertelsmann Investments also launched two dedicated funds in 2026.
Futurepresent focuses on areas including physical AI, AI infrastructure and industry-specific AI agents, while Bertelsmann Healthcare Investments targets the transatlantic healthcare market.
“Bertelsmann Investments had a very strong first half of 2026. Bertelsmann Next is delivering profitable growth in attractive growth markets, while we continue to invest systematically in the next generation of growth companies.”
Carsten Coesfeld, CEO Of Bertelsmann Investments
“We maintained a high level of investment activity, making more than €100 million in new and follow-on investments. Since 2006, we have invested around €2.3 billion in innovative companies and funds worldwide.”
Deniz Pielsticker, CFO Of Bertelsmann Investments
