CTalk: Axel Springer Has an Interest in Israel, Says Managing Director

Axel Springer has a very active relationship with Israel, according to Uli Schmitz, managing director of Axel Springer Digital Ventures GmbH, the investment arm of Frankfurt-listed digital publishing company Axel Springer SE. Schmitz spoke Thursday at Calcalist's WeTech Berlin 2020 conference, held in collaboration with Israel's Bank Leumi and German real estate company Aroundtown Property Holdings PLC.

Axel Springer has invested in several Israeli companies and startups, Schmitz said. In 2014 Axel Springer paid $228 million for Coral-Tell Ltd., the operator of Israel's biggest classifieds portal yad2.

Schmitz oversees publisher investments and has managed investments in companies including Airbnb, Uber, and Magic Leap.