Applike Group receives 100 million euros

The money comes from shareholder Bertelsmann. The media group wants to promote the development of new businesses, technologies and platforms within the Group.

The Applike Group, a company builder in the app economy, has received 100 million euros from Bertelsmann. The media group is a shareholder in the company, which was founded in 2015. The start-up is receiving the money as part of Bertelsmann's "Boost 2025" strategy. The Applike Group will use it to develop new businesses, technologies and platforms. As part of the financing, Bertelsmann Investments is now valuing the company at 500 million euros.

The Applike Group was founded seven years ago by Jonas Thiemann and Carlo Szelinsky together with Gruner + Jahr (G+J). Since the merger of G+J and RTL Germany, the stake has been held by Bertelsmann Investments (BI). Applike is assigned to Bertelsmann Next, a new division with which BI is opening up promising future business areas for the international media, services and education group Bertelsmann.

"The strategic expansion financing from Bertelsmann is an important step towards realizing our vision of reaching the world's six billion app users and further expanding our position as a leading company builder in the app economy," says Jonas Thiemann, Co-CEO and founder of Applike Group.

The Applike Group currently consists of four companies: Adjoe, Just Dice, Sunday and Justtrack. They cover the business areas of app marketing, reach building, mobile games development and automation. Last year, the Applike Group and its subsidiaries reported sales in the low three-digit million range. It claims to have been profitable for several years and to be active in more than 100 markets. The largest market is the USA, which accounts for over a third of sales.