Some German investment news from outside of Berlin – Media Ventures has agreed to provide funding for merkando, a startup offering an individual print-on-demand service. Both companies are based in Cologne, and the deal will see Media Ventures, the holding company of media entrepreneur Dirk Ströer, acquire a controlling interest in merkando for an unspecified investment. Merkando, in turn, will reportedly use the funding to implement a large-scale market entry.
Merkando offers its customers the ability to quickly and simply create customised online merchandise ‘shops’ which can be easily integrated into an existing website. The production-on-demand system eliminates the usual associated risks and costs, and the integration of a leading print partner ensures a ‘unique product diversity.’
“Media Ventures GmbH with its investment portfolio provides us with many opportunities for co-operation and collaboration,” said a statement from merkando’s executive team, Dr. Robert Baues, Sylvia Kollek and Evelyn Junker, who founded the startup together in 2009.
Dirk Stader, head of Media Ventures, said: “We are pleased that with our operational and strategic expertise and our capital, we can support merkando GmbH as they grow.”