RSBG Ventures

What RSBG Ventures does

RSBG Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of RSBG SE, a privately held European stock corporation (Societas Europaea) headquartered in Essen, Germany, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of RAG-Stiftung — a foundation established to finance the perpetual environmental obligations left by the end of German hard coal mining. RSBG Ventures GmbH was incorporated in 2019 as a dedicated vehicle for acquiring initial stakes in international startup companies whose technologies align with RSBG SE's stated investment areas: digitalisation and cloud computing, high-tech manufacturing, industrial automation and robotics, infrastructure and engineering services, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, and service robotics. Its core 'product' is capital itself, deployed through minority venture shareholdings and complemented by access to the broader RSBG SE platform.

The broader RSBG SE group, of which RSBG Ventures is a sub-vehicle, operates a buy-and-build strategy targeting innovative medium-sized 'Mittelstand' companies. It has invested approximately one billion euros across its portfolio since 2014 and currently holds majority or significant stakes in Dorsch Global (infrastructure engineering, ~7,500 employees, ~60 subsidiaries), HAHN Automation Group (industrial automation, 1,600+ employees), Qvest Group (digital and ICT, 1,200+ specialists), LAB14 Group (micro- and nanofabrication), United Robotics Group (service robotics), and a Value Investments cluster (RÖDER, Roschmann, Schnaitt, insglück). In 2022, RSBG Ventures was consolidated into RSBG Value Investments GmbH alongside these value-investment holdings. The group collectively employs 13,000+ people across 60+ countries.

Revenue is generated at the group level primarily through dividends paid by portfolio companies and capital gains from strategic exits, including the 2021 exit of Masco Group (life sciences) and the 2021 exit of Cybellum, which was RSBG Ventures' first successful startup exit. The group does not sell products or services to end customers and has no conventional pricing model; its 'customers' are the medium-sized enterprises in which it invests and the founders seeking long-term succession and internationalisation partners. RSBG Ventures itself is a 1-10 employee team, functioning essentially as the parent's venture scouting and minority-stake arm, with day-to-day investment decisions supported by RSBG SE's broader finance, legal, and portfolio management infrastructure.

Name

RSBG Ventures

Legal name

RSBG SE

Website

https://rsbg.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

RSBG Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of RSBG SE, a German industrial investment company owned by RAG-Stiftung. Established in 2019, it acquires minority stakes in international startups aligned with technology megatrends such as digitalization, automation, robotics, and life sciences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Venture Capital

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Strategic Partnership & Ecosystem Investment Arms (FSANAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Business Services (B2B) Growth Equity (FSANACAD), Corporate Innovation & Technology Scouting Units (with investment mandate) (FSANAHAI)

Keywords

• Venture capital
• Corporate venture capital
• Growth equity
• Investment portfolio
• Buy-and-build strategy

Headquarters

HQ city

Cologne

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Dividend income from portfolio companies: RSBG SE generates income through dividends paid by its portfolio companies. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of RAG-Stiftung, the primary financial objective is to generate dividends and achieve medium-to-long-term capital appreciation that contributes to the financing of RAG-Stiftung's perpetual obligations from German hard coal mining.
2. Capital gains from portfolio exits and value growth: RSBG SE realizes capital gains through the appreciation of its portfolio holdings and strategic exits of portfolio companies (e.g., strategic exit of Masco Group). The firm pursues a buy-and-build strategy to increase portfolio company valuations over the medium-to-long term.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

RSBG Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of RSBG SE, established in 2019 to acquire minority equity stakes in international start-up companies aligned with global technology megatrends including digitalization, industrial automation, life sciences, and high-tech manufacturing. The vehicle provides patient growth capital and strategic support to early-stage and growth-stage technology businesses, and its first realized exit was the sale of Israeli cybersecurity start-up Cybellum in 2021. As of 2022, RSBG Ventures' shares were consolidated into RSBG Value Investments GmbH as part of RSBG SE's broader holding structure.

Product overview

RSBG SE is a holding/investment company that serves as the future-oriented investment partner for innovative medium-sized companies. The company operates as a diversified investment portfolio with strategic shareholdings in high-growth future markets shaped by global technology trends and megatrends. The investment portfolio encompasses six main investment areas: Infrastructure Technologies (Dorsch Global), Automation & Robotics Technologies (HAHN Automation Group, United Robotics Group), Advanced Manufacturing Solutions (LAB14 Group), Information & Communication Technologies (Qvest Group), Value Investments (RÖDER Group, Roschmann Group, insglück, Schnaitt, RSBG Ventures), and Life Sciences (Masco Group). RSBG SE does not develop or sell its own software products; rather, it acquires, expands, internationalizes, and supports medium-sized companies through its buy-and-build strategy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RSBG Value Investments: Growth partner for future markets, focusing on innovative business models, established core brands, and implementation expertise in temporary buildings and permanent constructions
• RSBG Ventures

Products and services

• Venture Capital Investments Minority equity investments in international start-up companies aligned with global technology megatrends, providing patient growth capital to early-stage technology businesses in cybersecurity, digitalization, automation, and life sciences.
• Portfolio Company Strategic Support Operational and strategic support to portfolio companies, including succession planning, internationalization guidance, buy-and-build execution, and access to RSBG SE's cross-sector network spanning 60+ countries.

Quantifiable outcome

• Around one billion euros invested since 2014, contributing to successful development of multiple business cases across portfolio companies
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• United Robotics GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSBG SE acquired a stake in the United Robotics Group (URG), a Bochum-based service robotics ecosystem that bundles hardware and software expertise for solutions in medicine, care, hospitality, and education. RSBG SE invested in URG as part of its portfolio development around robotics and automation megatrends. URG also has US and Japanese roots through Rethink Robotics and SoftBank Robotics Group minority shareholding.
• RSBG Ventures GmbHcoreOthersRSBG Ventures GmbH was established in 2019 as a venture/growth investment vehicle within the RSBG SE group, focused on acquiring initial shares in international start-up companies aligned with megatrends. In 2021, RSBG Ventures conducted its first successful exit (Cybellum, Israel, cybersecurity). In 2022, RSBG Ventures' shares were incorporated into RSBG Value Investments GmbH along with RÖDER, Roschmann, Schnaitt, and insglück.
• RSBG Value Investments GmbHcoreOthersRSBG Value Investments GmbH was created in 2021 as an investment area within RSBG SE, consolidating the Value Investments portfolio including RÖDER Group (lightweight aluminium construction), Roschmann Group (complex steel-glass facades), Schnaitt (turnkey solutions for trade fairs, events, interiors), insglück (live marketing agency), and RSBG Ventures. In 2022, all shares of these companies were incorporated into RSBG Value Investments GmbH.
• Qvest Group GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerQvest Group GmbH (a portfolio company of RSBG SE since 2016) designed, developed the content, and realized the RSBG SE corporate website. Qvest is a globally leading system architect, developer of software products, and integrator for media, information, and communication technology, headquartered in Cologne, Germany.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Haniel: German family/foundation-owned industrial holding company with a long-term buy-and-build strategy focused on medium-sized companies across diverse sectors. Highly comparable ownership structure, investment horizon, and Mittelstand focus to RSBG SE.
• Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG): Frankfurt-listed private equity firm specializing in mid-market German Mittelstand companies via buy-and-build strategies. Highly comparable target segment, deal size, and value-creation approach, though with public-market exit discipline versus RSBG's foundation model.
• Equistone Partners Europe: European mid-market private equity firm with strong DACH Mittelstand focus and buy-and-build strategy. Comparable target segment, deal structure, and value-creation orientation, though structured as a traditional PE fund with finite life.
• Aurelius Equity Opportunities: Munich-based mid-market investment firm focused on European industrial and services companies, executing operational turnaround and buy-and-build strategies. Comparable European mid-market focus and operational value-add orientation.

Broad incumbents

• Hitachi Ventures: CVC arm of Hitachi investing in industrial automation, digital transformation, and infrastructure technology. Comparable corporate venture model targeting industrial megatrends, but operating as the venture unit of a global Japanese industrial conglomerate.
• BASF Venture Capital: CVC of BASF investing in growth-stage industrial and chemical technology startups. Comparable corporate venture capital model with industrial technology focus, though operating as a sub-unit within a global chemicals major.
• Robert Bosch Venture Capital: CVC arm of Bosch, investing in growth-stage technology companies across industrial automation, semiconductors, and digital sectors. Comparable corporate venture capital structure and industrial technology focus, though backed by a much larger operating parent.
• Siemens Next47: CVC unit of Siemens AG investing in industrial automation, digital industries, and infrastructure technology startups. Comparable CVC mandate and industrial technology investment focus, but operating as a unit of a global industrial conglomerate.

Others

• Evonik Industries: Other major RAG-Stiftung strategic shareholding alongside RSBG SE. While a direct peer in ownership structure (same foundation parent), it operates as a specialty chemicals operating company rather than an investment vehicle, making it more an ecosystem participant than a true peer.

Emerging players

• Maxburg Capital Partners: Munich-based mid-market investment firm with foundation/family-office capital backing and long-term investment horizon. Comparable patient-capital model and Mittelstand focus, though smaller and earlier-stage than RSBG SE.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rsbgse/about

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments8 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RSBG Ventures