LEA Partners

About LEA Partners

LEA Partners is a German B2B software and technology specialist private equity firm with approximately €2 billion of capital commitments across all vehicles as of December 2024, headquartered in Karlsruhe. The firm was founded in 2002 by the Burda family and entrepreneurs around the Karlsruhe deep-tech ecosystem, before rebranding around 2018 with the launch of the first institutional €200 million fund. LEA Partners remains partner-owned and founder-led with Burda family roots.

Investment thesis

LEA Partners deploys capital through approximately four to five active vehicles spanning Growth Fund I (2018), Growth Fund II (2022 and 2023), seed and venture funds and co-investment vehicles, operating a dual platform that combines venture-stage (early and growth) with mid-market buyout investments. Sector focus spans B2B software and SaaS, enterprise tech, industrial software, AI and deep tech, cybersecurity and fintech and accounting software, with maximum equity tickets of €45 million per deal. Geographic deployment focuses on DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) with broader European reach and selective US co-investment.

Recent activity

Recent realised exits include technology and SaaS accounting (2025). Recent acquisitions include The Assistant Company (software and spa and activity management, November 2025), Black Forest Labs (AI and deep tech, December 2025) and easybill plus PAQATO (B2B software and e-invoicing and logistics, December 2024). LEA Partners continues active deployment across its Growth Fund II vintage with selective venture-stage co-investment.

Frequently asked questions

What investment strategy does LEA Partners focus on?

LEA Partners focuses on VC, Growth, Buyout strategies in the private equity space.

How many portfolio companies does LEA Partners have?

LEA Partners has 42 active portfolio companies and 10 completed exits and 2 funds tracked on GP Intel.

Where is LEA Partners headquartered?

LEA Partners is headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany.

When was LEA Partners founded?

LEA Partners was founded in 2002.

What sectors does LEA Partners invest in?

LEA Partners invests across Software, TMT, Business Services.

What are LEA Partners's recent exits?

Recent realized exits by LEA Partners include: refyne (2026) to VisualLogix (Insight Partners); Quality Match (2025) to Wayve; Sevdesk (2025) to Cegid; AOE (2023) to Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG); Midoco (2023) to VR Equitypartner; Sema (2022) to Bregal Unternehmerkapital; PROCAD (2021) to Revalize; Bellin (2020) to Coupa Software.