Business News
G+J Digital Ventures and Ringier Digital Ventures invest in DIY platform Makerist
Wednesday 19. October 2016 - G+J Digital Ventures and Ringier Digital Ventures are investing in the DIY startup Makerist. In addition to the two new investors, existing investors Hightech-Gründerfonds (High-Tech Founder Fund, HTGF) and OZ Verlag are also participating in the Series B financing round of 5 million euros. The partnership with the media company is hoped to further accelerate the national and international growth of the online crafts school Makerist and to help it to systematically target new customers. Gruner + Jahr, Ringier and OZ Verlag achieve extensive international reach with their more than 800 print, digital, radio and television offerings.
Beate Koch, Managing Director G+J Digital Ventures, says: “We see great potential for paid-content business models in the DIY environment. More and more people want to make things themselves again, and often don’t know where to find professional guidance and tutorials. Its clear focus and great team convinced us to invest in Makerist. We look forward to supporting Makerist’s next stage of development together with other strong investors.”
Makerist founder Amber Riedl comments: “18 million Germans actively sew or knit. Gruner + Jahr’s strong brands will increase our visibility among a significantly larger share of this demographic, beyond the core target group we already reach through our existing channels and collaborations. In addition, crafts and DIY are a perfect match with the readers of Gruner + Jahr titles such as FLOW or BRIGITTE kreativ.”
David Hug, Managing Director of Ringier Digital Ventures, adds: “The DIY sector is becoming more and more popular in many countries, including Switzerland. The transfer of knowledge through video greatly contributes to this, and Makerist is very innovative and competent in precisely this exciting growth field. We look forward to further expanding Makerist’s offer and reach in Switzerland.” Makerist founder Axel Heinz says: “Ringier will be a driving force for our internationalization. We will benefit not only from this strong partner’s investment, but also from their experience, profile and many media products.”
In addition to internationalization, the investment will go to finance the production of additional courses, marketing measures, and the company’s first TV commercial. The Makerist team under Heinz and Riedl will continue to make all of the business decisions at the startup.
Makerist provides detailed video tutorials for sewing, knitting, crochet, decorating cakes and other creative activities in HD quality. Materials for all of the creative projects can be ordered directly through Makerist. The site also features an extensive marketplace for PDF guides and a photo community for the results. Founded in 2013, the Berlin startup is currently headed by its founders Axel Heinz and Amber Riedl and has 38 employees. Its investors include the HTGF and OZ Verlag.