Bertelsmann Establishes Dedicated Healthcare Investment Platform to Accelerate Technology-Driven Growth

Bertelsmann Establishes Dedicated Healthcare Investment Platform to Accelerate Technology-Driven Growth

(IN BRIEF) Bertelsmann Investments has launched Bertelsmann Healthcare Investments (BHI), a new independent, transatlantic healthcare-focused investment fund with operations in Europe and the United States. Building on years of successful healthcare investments and a first major exit with AI company Phare Health, BHI is designed to support and scale technology-driven healthcare companies from early stages through growth. Backed by Bertelsmann’s extensive operational healthcare experience, the fund combines capital, sector expertise and international networks to empower entrepreneurs and strengthen Bertelsmann’s long-term presence in the global healthcare growth market.

(PRESS RELEASE) GÜTERSLOH / NEW YORK, 29-Jan-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Bertelsmann Investments has consolidated its healthcare venture capital activities into a new, independent investment vehicle with the launch of Bertelsmann Healthcare Investments (BHI), reinforcing its long-term commitment to one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. The new fund is designed to promote and scale entrepreneurial innovation in healthcare, with a clear transatlantic focus spanning Europe and the United States.

The establishment of BHI builds on several years of successful healthcare investments by Bertelsmann Investments and follows a first notable exit in 2025, when AI company Phare Health was sold to U.S. revenue cycle management leader R1. With BHI, Bertelsmann Investments introduces a dedicated fund structure to systematically expand its healthcare activities and strengthen its position as a long-term partner for founders.

Bertelsmann Investments brings decades of operational expertise from across the Bertelsmann Group’s healthcare and education platforms, including Relias, Afya, Arvato Healthcare, BFS and cormeo. Together, these businesses already generate more than €1.5 billion in annual revenues across global healthcare markets. This industrial foundation is complemented by a financial return-driven venture capital portfolio, creating a powerful ecosystem that combines capital, operational know-how and entrepreneurial support.

BHI focuses on high-growth healthcare companies developing technology-driven business models with the ambition to scale internationally and build market-leading positions. In addition to flexible capital, portfolio companies gain access to deep sector expertise, entrepreneurial experience and an extensive international network across Europe and the U.S.

The fund is led by Managing Director Thorsten Wirkes and Partner Tim Schneider, both of whom bring long-standing experience in global healthcare markets and venture capital. The leadership team positions BHI to support founders from the earliest stages through international expansion, with the flexibility to continue backing companies in later growth phases.

The launch of BHI reflects Bertelsmann Investments’ view that healthcare is entering a period of profound transformation, driven by advances in artificial intelligence, evolving regulatory frameworks and new models for delivering, personalising and financing care. By consolidating its healthcare investments under BHI, Bertelsmann Investments aims to actively shape this transformation while empowering entrepreneurs to build sustainable, impactful healthcare companies.

About Bertelsmann Investments
Bertelsmann Investments (BI) bundles Bertelsmann’s global venture capital activities as well as the growth unit Bertelsmann Next. The venture capital arm comprises the funds Bertelsmann Asia Investments (BAI), Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), and Bertelsmann Healthcare Investments, along with selected fund and direct investments, including in Europe, the U.S., Brazil, Southeast Asia, and Africa. The Bertelsmann Next division drives the entrepreneurial development of new growth industries and business fields, particularly in Mobile Ad Tech (AppLike), HR Tech (EMBRACE), and Pharma Tech (cormeo). Through Bertelsmann Investments’ fund network and Next activities, more than €2.0 billion has been invested to date in approximately 500 innovative companies and funds. Via its start-up and fund network, Bertelsmann Investments currently holds more than 350 active investments worldwide.
For more information, please visit: www.bertelsmann-investments.com 

About Bertelsmann Healthcare Investments
Bertelsmann Healthcare Investments (BHI) is an independent, financial-first transatlantic healthcare-focused investment firm. BHI is backed by Bertelsmann Investments, Bertelsmann’s global investment arm with several billion in assets under management Headquartered in New York and with an European Office in Berlin, BHI partners with entrepreneurs from day one to early growth, supports its companies throughout their lifecycle and has the flexibility and long-term conviction to double or even triple down in the later stages. For European and Israeli founders, BHI is often the first point of contact in the U.S.

For more information, please visit: www.bhi.vc 

Media Contact:

Jan Hölkemann
Communications Bertelsmann Investments, Spokesperson / Communications Content Team
Phone: +49 (0) 52 41 80 89923

SOURCE: Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA