Kerberos Compliance

What Kerberos Compliance does

Kerberos Compliance-Managementsysteme GmbH is a Cologne-based RegTech firm founded in 2017 that provides outsourced anti-money laundering (AML) compliance services to German entities obligated under the Geldwäschegesetz (GwG). The company addresses the full lifecycle of AML obligations — risk analysis, policy and procedure documentation, KYC/KYB business partner screening, suspicious transaction reporting via goAML, staff training, and authority examination support — through a subscription-based model that combines a proprietary digital platform with human expert oversight. It serves 850+ clients across financial services (banks, payment and e-money institutions, insurers, capital managers, crypto asset service providers), real estate agents and property managers, legal and tax professions, commodity traders, gambling operators, and art dealers, with the financial sector as the primary segment.

The platform architecture comprises four interlocking digital components: the Kerberos AML Desk (central compliance document and status management), the KYC App (web-based business partner checks with PEP, sanctions, and high-risk country screening), the KYC/AML API (programmatic screening for high-volume batch processing), and the Kerberos Academy (LMS for staff training and certification). Identity verification is delivered through an integration with IDnow for VideoIdent and eID procedures compliant with §12 GwG. The platform supports manual Enhanced Due Diligence investigations, including ownership network analysis, UBO mapping, and adverse media screening, with human analysts handling false-positive evaluation. The company is certified to ISO 37301 (compliance management), ISO 27001 (information security), and ISO 27701 (privacy information management).

Revenue is generated through four streams: monthly subscriptions for AML-as-a-Service and MLRO-as-a-Service, per-check or API-volume pricing for KYC/KYB verification, time-based expert consulting for complex EDD and authority support, and training/certification revenue via the Kerberos Academy in partnership with DEKRA. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales, a content- and webinar-driven demand generation engine, and a partner referral network spanning vertical associations and certification bodies. Operations remain confined to Germany, with no disclosed international expansion, and the company is founder-controlled with no external institutional funding disclosed.

Name

Kerberos Compliance

Legal name

Kerberos Compliance-Managementsysteme GmbH

Website

https://kerberos-compliance.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

AML Compliance Software

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

KYC/KYB & Customer Onboarding (CIP, beneficial ownership, screening) (FSAGAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Financial Crime Compliance (AML/KYC/Sanctions) (BPAEAPAK), Customer Identity (KYC/CDD/EDD) & Onboarding (FSAMAMAA), Financial Crime Compliance (AML/KYC/Sanctions) (EDABADAD)

Keywords

• Anti-money laundering
• Know your customer
• Regulatory technology
• Compliance management software
• KYC business verification

Headquarters

HQ city

Cologne

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. AML-as-a-Service (Subscription): Monthly subscription model for complete outsourcing of AML compliance obligations. Includes risk analysis, policies, procedures, controls, employee training, KYC checks, goAML support, and authority examination assistance. Operates on a fixed monthly price with no hidden costs.
2. MLRO-as-a-Service (Subscription): Subscription-based model for appointment of qualified external Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and deputy, including full MLRO responsibilities: risk analysis, policy maintenance, employee training, suspicious transaction reporting via goAML, authority communication, and regular compliance status reporting.
3. KYC/KYB Business Partner Checks: Per-check or subscription pricing for KYC (natural persons) and KYB (legal entities) checks including PEP screening, sanctions list matching, high-risk country checks, risk assessment, and actionable recommendations. Also available via API integration for automated mass data queries.
4. Professional Services (Expert Consulting): Expert consulting for complex EDD cases, authority examination support, gap audits, and ad-hoc compliance advisory. Expert time-based pricing complements the subscription offerings for complex client situations.
5. Training and Certifications: Revenue from training programs (E-Learning, webinars, in-person sessions) and DEKRA certification examinations for AML compliance officers. Kerberos Academy delivers training with certificates that may count toward continuing education obligations (e.g., §15b MaBV).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kerberos Compliance is a German RegTech company that provides subscription-based anti-money laundering (AML) compliance outsourcing for entities obligated under the German Money Laundering Act (GwG). Its core offerings include AML-as-a-Service and MLRO-as-a-Service subscriptions, a KYC web app and API for automated PEP/sanctions/high-risk country screening, a centralized AML Desk compliance documentation platform, Kerberos Academy for staff training and DEKRA certification, and complementary modules for enhanced due diligence, data protection, and whistleblowing systems.

Product overview

Kerberos Compliance operates a modular platform-plus-services architecture combining proprietary software with expert human services. The core offerings include: (1) AML-as-a-Service and MLRO-as-a-Service as subscription models for complete outsourced compliance, (2) the KYC App and AML Desk as digital platforms for partner verification and document management, (3) the KYC/AML API enabling automated screening via programmatic integration, (4) enhanced Due Diligence services for high-risk cases, and (5) complementary modules for employee training (Kerberos Academy), data protection, and whistleblowing systems. The portfolio is anchored by a digital KYC platform (Kerberos KYC-Anwendung) that provides automated PEP screening, sanctions list checks, and risk assessments with actionable recommendations, supported by human compliance analysts for complex cases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AML-as-a-Service
• MLRO-as-a-Service Subscription-based appointment of qualified external Anti-Money Laundering Officers (Money Laundering Reporting Officers) and deputies, including full MLRO responsibilities: risk analysis, policy maintenance, employee training, suspicious transaction reporting via goAML, authority communication, and compliance status reporting.
• KYC/AML API API-based product enabling automated AML standard checks via programmatic integration, supporting real-time PEP screening, sanctions list matching, and high-risk country verification for high-volume batch processing in enterprise systems.
• KYC App Web application for initiating, conducting, and managing KYC/KYB business partner checks on natural persons and legal entities, including PEP screening, sanctions list matching, high-risk country checks, risk scoring, and actionable recommendations.
• AML Desk Digital platform providing central access to all AML compliance documents and a real-time view of compliance status, supporting document management, workflow management, and regulatory obligation tracking for GwG-obligated entities.
• (enhanced) Due Diligence In-depth business partner investigation service for high-risk relationships, including risk assessments, network analysis of ownership structures, UBO representation, adverse media screening, and risk categorization across reputation, geographic, network, and legal dimensions.
• Schulungen zur Geldwäscheprävention (AML Training) Digital and in-house training programs for AML compliance awareness covering GwG obligations, delivered to staff at all levels across all GwG-obligated industries, with certificates of completion.
• Kerberos Academy Learning management system for delivering E-Learning, webinar, and in-person AML compliance training formats, with progress tracking, certificate management, and DEKRA certification for compliance roles.
• Zertifizierungen (Certifications) DEKRA initial certification and refresher/recertification courses for Anti-Money Laundering Officers (Geldwäschebeauftragte), enabling nationally recognized qualification documentation for MLRO roles.
• Datenschutz (Data Protection) External data protection officer (Datenschutzbeauftragter) and GDPR management services providing comprehensive data privacy compliance support alongside AML services.
• Hinweisgebersystem (Whistleblower System) Legally compliant whistleblowing portal provided under the Hinweisgeberschutzgesetz (HinSchG) and GwG, offering anonymous communication capabilities for reporting AML and other compliance concerns.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 successfully completed authority proceedings and supervisory examinations
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IDnowcoreTechnology or IntegrationIDnow is a strategic technology integration partner providing VideoIdent and eID (electronic identity document) verification services. Kerberos integrates IDnow's remote identification solutions into its KYC workflows to enable compliant identity verification under §12 GwG for clients without physical presence.
• DEKRAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDEKRA provides certification examinations for AML compliance officers in Germany. Kerberos offers DEKRA certification exam preparation courses and hosts certification sessions. The partnership enables Kerberos to provide nationally recognized qualification documentation for MLRO roles.
• BVK (Bundesverband der Vermögensberater)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBVK is the German Federal Association of Asset Advisors. Kerberos partners with BVK to provide AML compliance services to BVK member firms obligated under the GwG.
• IVD (Immobilienverband Deutschland)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerIVD is the German Real Estate Association. Kerberos partners with IVD to serve real estate agents and property managers who are obligated under the GwG.
• DICO (Digital Compliance)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDICO is a digital compliance association/network. Kerberos participates in the DICO ecosystem as a member and preferred AML compliance provider.
• EBZ (Europäisches Bildungszentrum)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEBZ (European Education Centre) is an educational institution. Kerberos partners with EBZ to deliver AML compliance training and certification programs.
• legeARTIS ComplianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerlegeARTIS Compliance is a legal compliance consultancy. Kerberos collaborates with legeARTIS on compliance matters, potentially sharing expertise on AML and regulatory topics.
• BVGB (Bundesverband der Geldwäschebeauftragten)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBVGB is the German Federal Association of Money Laundering Officers. Kerberos is a founding member of BVGB, positioning the company as a thought leader in the German AML compliance community and enabling advocacy and industry standard-setting.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hawk AI: German-headquartered AML and fraud detection platform providing transaction monitoring, screening, and customer risk scoring to banks and fintechs. Direct competitor in the German AML compliance market with overlapping KYC/sanctions functionality and similar regulated-industry customer base.
• ComplyAdvantage: UK-headquartered AML/KYC platform offering sanctions, PEP, and adverse media screening plus transaction monitoring via API. Competes with Kerberos's KYC/AML API offering for tech-savvy and international clients operating in or expanding to Germany.
• Onfido: Global identity verification provider offering document and biometric verification plus AML screening. Competes with Kerberos's KYC onboarding flows for cross-border and digital-native clients requiring GwG-compliant onboarding.
• Sumsub: Global identity verification and AML/KYC platform with video verification, sanctions screening, and case management. Directly competes in KYC/AML onboarding flows and increasingly targets German and EU regulated industries.
• Authada: German identity verification specialist using eID and NFC-based identification for KYC onboarding. Competes with Kerberos's integrated identity verification flows, particularly for telecom and financial services onboarding under GwG.
• IDnow: Germany-based identity verification provider offering VideoIdent and eID solutions for KYC onboarding. Direct technology overlap with Kerberos's KYC platform (Kerberos is also an IDnow integration partner), competing for the same GwG onboarding use cases.
• WebID Solutions: German provider of video identification and digital signature services for KYC and contract signing. Directly competes in the German AML-regulated identity verification market and serves many of the same GwG-obligated verticals.

Broad incumbents

• Moody's (Bureau van Dijk): Provides UBO and corporate registry data plus KYC solutions used by regulated firms globally. Competes with Kerberos's KYB and beneficial ownership verification capabilities, particularly for enterprise clients needing international corporate transparency data.

Regional players

• F24: German-headquartered critical communications, crisis management, and whistleblowing platform. Adjacent competitor in the Hinweisgebersystem/incident reporting space and shares a similar DACH RegTech and compliance buyer profile.

Emerging players

• SoSafe: German security awareness and compliance training platform. Competes with Kerberos Academy for AML/mandatory employee training budgets in German enterprises, with overlapping GTM into compliance decision-makers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KerberosAML
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEObBLCRk9ivdD1UnKrKp3g
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kerberos-compliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/kerberos_compliance

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kerberos Compliance