Key Takeaways:As a subsidiary of global travel retailer Gebr. Heinemann, Gharage will back travel and retail startups.For Gebr. Heinemann, the investment is more than capital allocation; it’s an investment in innovation.Gharage has already invested in several companies, with plans to make 30 additional investments.Gharage Ventures has launched Fund I focused on early‑stage travel and retail technology, backed by €40 million ($46.5 million).WHO: Emerging from the venture capital and innovation activities of Gebr. Heinemann, Gharage Ventures is a new independent venture capital platform focused on early‑stage travel and retail technology. Established with €40 million ($46.5 million) in capital to back high‑potential startups globally from seed to Series A, the fund, Fund I, aims to focus on automation, AI-enabled operations, digital infrastructure, travel technology services, and logistics and supply chain innovation. With teams in Hamburg, Berlin, and Singapore, Gharage positions itself as a global platform for innovation in a sector that remains structurally under-digitalized despite rapid growth.Gebr. Heinemann operates more than 500 duty-free and travel retail shops, brand boutiques, and concept stores at airports, border crossings, and on board cruise ships. While the biggest part of its business is located in Europe, it also has a presence in Asia Pacific airports in Kuala Lumpur and Sydney. WHY: The fund addresses a sector navigating between massive growth and a technology gap, and the need for scalable, profitable tech solutions.