Deutsche Effecten- und Wechsel-Beteiligungsgesellschaft AG is private equity and venture capital firm specializing in mid venture, late venture, turnaround, mezzanine, bridge financing, buy and build and expansion stage investments in medium sized companies. The firm seeks to invest in future finance, technology, complementary business models, asset management & distribution, optics, photonics, sensor systems, optical technologies, optoelectronics, and sensor technology. It prefers to invest in German speaking countries with a focus on Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The firm typically invests between "1 million ($1.14 million) and "7 million ($8.01 million) in its portfolio companies. It primarily invests in the form of shareholder's equity for a period of three to seven years. The firm seeks to invest as a lead investor in stakes in excess of 25% and exits its investments via an IPO, trade sale, or a buy back. It makes balance sheet investments. Deutsche Effecten- und Wechsel-Beteiligungsgesellschaft AG was founded in 1821 and is based in Jena, Germany.