Updated:
Headline
Headline is an SEC-registered investment adviser with headquarters in Berlin, established in 2022. The firm provides investment advice to clients.
Headline
Headline is an SEC-registered investment adviser with headquarters in Berlin, established in 2022. The firm provides investment advice to clients. Headline is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
General information
Firm type
Asset Manager
Year founded
2011
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Berlin
Corporate office
San Francisco, CA, United States
Additional offices
New York, NY · Cambridge, MA · Nottingham, UK · Redwood City, CA
Principals
Andreas Haug
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Christian Leybold
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Jett Fein
Partner
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
How did Headline originate, and what was its relationship to Hubert Burda Media?
Headline began as Burda Digital Ventures, the corporate venture arm of German media group Hubert Burda Media. Co-founders Christian Leybold and Andreas Haug operated the unit from 2006 before spinning it out as an independent firm under the Headline brand in 2011. The firm no longer maintains any structural ties to Burda and invests autonomously.
Does Headline invest from separate US and European funds?
Yes. Headline operates distinct US and European fund families, each with dedicated investment teams and decision-making authority on their respective continents. The US funds focus primarily on North American early-stage companies, while the European vehicles deploy across the EU and UK. The firm's data-science platform supports both teams.
Who is on the investment committee at Headline?
Co-founders Christian Leybold and Andreas Haug sit on the global investment committee alongside senior partners from both the US and European practices. US-based Partner Jett Fein, promoted in June 2023, is among the key decision-makers for North American deployments.
Does Headline lead rounds or primarily co-invest?
Headline leads early-stage rounds, typically Seed and Series A, with initial checks from $1 million to $15 million. The firm maintains significant reserves for follow-on across later stages and regularly exercises pro-rata rights. It does not operate as a passive co-investor.
What is the proprietary sourcing tool Headline uses, and how does it work?
Headline built an internal data-science platform that scrapes and analyzes signals from over 10 million companies globally. The tool identifies early traction indicators — hiring velocity, product launch frequency, organic traffic growth — before companies formally enter fundraising. This algorithmic sourcing feeds directly into the investment committee's pipeline.
Which of Headline's portfolio companies have reached liquidity?
Notable liquidations include Sonos, which went public on Nasdaq in 2018; Bumble, which listed in 2021; and Pismo, acquired by Visa for $1 billion in 2023. Headline was an early institutional backer in each case.
Does Headline invest across all of Europe or focus on specific markets?
Headline deploys across the EU and UK with particular concentration in Germany, the UK, and the Nordics. The Nottingham office anchors its UK Midlands activity, while the Berlin team covers German-speaking Europe and broader EU deal flow.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on registered investment advisers?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: