€100 Million Venture Capital Fund Will Strengthen Innovation at Beiersdorf

Beiersdorf is doubling down on venture capital as a strategic lever to drive future growth through science-based innovation, launching the second generation of its corporate venture capital fund with a €100 million commitment.

The new Skin Care Innovation Fund doubles the volume of the fund launched in 2020 and reinforces Beiersdorf’s ambition to lead innovation in skin care.

“With our second, €100 million venture capital fund, we build on the conviction that pioneering ideas need both capital and the right partners,” said Ascan Voswinckel, head of Beiersdorf Venture Capital. “In addition to funding, we provide access to Beiersdorf’s leading R&D expertise and global brand platforms, a combination that creates sustainable value for both sides. This comes together with a considerable innovation momentum in our key fields, leading to attractive investment opportunities, for example in longevity science or AI enabled actives discovery.”

Beiersdorf Venture Capital focuses on companies operating across skin care and its core thesis fields: life sciences and biotechnology, sustainability, AI-enabled technologies, and digital health solutions. The fund invests globally from early- to growth-stage companies, with initial investments typically ranging from €0.5 million to €5 million.

Proven Venture Capital Model

Since 2020, Beiersdorf Venture Capital has built a portfolio of more than 15 leading companies across life science, sustainability, and digital health. Several portfolio companies have reached significant milestones, both in technology collaborations as well as financial value creation.

A portfolio highlight is S Biomedic, a Belgian leader in skin microbiome science. After a VC investment and a multi-year strategic partnership, the technology was integrated into Beiersdorf’s microbiome design platform, where it is now a fundamental part of the global innovation pipeline in microbiome-based skin care. The company eventually became part of Beiersdorf through acquisition.

In longevity science, the fund backs leading startups such as Vincere Biosciences, a specialist in mitophagy research, and Turbine, frontrunner of AI-based cell simulation, to explore scientifically validated approaches to skin aging.

Investments in DePoly’s PET recycling technology and Melt&Marble’s precision fermented lipids are an integral part of Beiersdorf’s efforts to reduce emissions and support the development of more sustainable solutions along its value chain.

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