Bank DWP takes control of Lemon Markets in new acquisition deal
In a move aimed at accelerating its growth in the competitive travel market, the tourism startup vivido travel GmbH has secured a significant investment from SevenAccelerator, the investment arm of ProSiebenSat.1.
Founded in 2022 by experienced tourism entrepreneurs Tobias Boese (former CEO and founder of Weekend.com) and Karl B. Bock (former CEO of RUNA REISEN), vivido offers a platform for customizable travel packages focused on unique experiences. Users can easily create individualized trips including flights, accommodation, transportation, and special activities through a user-friendly online booking platform.
The technology powering vivido leverages millions of daily data points to optimize for budget and quality, offering options such as island hopping, safaris, and round trips.
As part of a seed financing round, SevenAccelerator has invested a low single-digit million euro amount in vivido. In addition to the investment, there is a long-term media partnership in place through which ProSiebenSat.1 provides valuable advertising time on its TV channels and digital platforms. This partnership aims to boost vivido’s brand awareness and growth, particularly in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).
The first TV commercial stemming from this deal is scheduled to launch in October 2025, marking the start of a wide marketing campaign combining TV and digital exposure. The campaign will emphasize vivido’s mission to offer simple, experience-oriented, all-in-one travel booking at competitive prices.
Executives from both vivido and SevenAccelerator highlight the alignment of the startup’s experiential travel focus with current consumer trends desiring more than just relaxation on trips, using TV as an effective medium to emotionally connect with potential customers.
Meanwhile, in the financial sector, Deutsche WertpapierService Bank (dwpbank) has acquired Lemon Markets, a Berlin FinTech founded in 2020 by Marcel Katenhusen and Maximilian Linden in Münster. Lemon Markets operates under a cloud-based solution that allows for efficient settlement of securities trading and offers customers a best-in-class experience.
Investors in Lemon Markets include CommerzVentures, Heliad, Creandum, Lakestar, Lightspeed, and System.one. Creandum previously held around 18% of Lemon Markets, and Lakestar held around 15%.
The team behind Lemon Markets has raised around 30 million euros in recent years. More information about Lemon Markets can be found online.
On a separate note, the second STARTUPLAND event is scheduled for November 5th. The event will feature talks by successful founders, educational interviews, and inspiring pitches. More information about STARTUPLAND can be found online.
- The investment from SevenAccelerator in the tourism startup vivido travel GmbH won't only boost their growth in the competitive travel market but also solidify their business finances.
- In a different sector, the acquisition of Lemon Markets by Deutsche WertpapierService Bank (dwpbank) will enhance the financial sector's efficiency with its cloud-based securities trading solution, offering customers a superior financial experience.
