What Givve does

Givve (legally PL Gutscheinsysteme GmbH) is a Munich-based FinTech that operates a regulated prepaid Mastercard benefit- and payment-card platform targeting German employers and public-sector organizations. Founded in 2010 and acquired by France's Upcoop Genossenschaft (Groupe Up) in 2018, the company issues a multi-product card infrastructure spanning Sachbezug (tax-free non-cash benefits up to €50/month), Essenszuschuss (meal subsidies up to €7.67/workday), Gutschein (employer-branded gift vouchers up to €60 per occasion), the Bezahlkarte (welfare payment cards for asylum seekers and other Leistungsempfänger), and Stadtmarketing (regional city-marketing cards). Card operations are routed through DiPocket UAB (an E-Geld Institut supervised by the Bank of Lithuania) and Thredd Group Limited on the Mastercard network; givve itself operates as an E-Geld Agent under BaFin notification with ZAG and GwG compliance.

Underlying technology centers on controlled-loop card architecture that restricts cash withdrawal, transfers and merchant categories (MCC 6010, 6011, 7995, 6534) to enforce tax-law eligibility, complemented by cloud-native administration tooling. The givve Hub provides employer self-service for card ordering, loading orders, standing orders and reporting, with an API enabling automated data exchange (including integration with public-sector software Prosoz and LÄMMkom Lissa). Cardholders access balances, PINs and regional settings through the givve mobile app with Apple Pay/Google Pay support. The card production partner is Exceet Card Group AG (ISO 14001, recycled PVC).

The business model is transaction-based: revenue is generated from card-loading/transaction fees charged to employers, plus merchant commissions on acceptance-partner spending. Cards are issued to 30,000+ corporate and public-sector customers serving 600,000+ card users, with the Bezahlkarte program having issued 824,000 cards since 2016 against €450M annual spending volume. Distribution combines direct enterprise/public-sector sales with a multi-tier partner program (DZ Bank group, payroll and tax-advisor resellers), while marketing emphasizes tax compliance, automation and a transparent commission pricing model without setup fees, minimum order quantities or contract duration.

Name

Givve

Legal name

PL Gutscheinsysteme GmbH

Website

https://givve.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

givve (PL Gutscheinsysteme GmbH) is a Munich-based FinTech that issues prepaid Mastercard benefit and payment cards for 30,000+ German corporate and public-sector clients, covering Sachbezug, Essenszuschuss, Bezahlkarte and Stadtmarketing products managed via the givve Hub platform and integrated APIs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Employee Benefits & Payment Platform

NAICS

Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (52232), Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Prepaid Card Program Managers & Issuers (BIN Sponsors) (FSAMANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Government Benefit & EBT / Social Program Cards (FSAMANAF), Card Issuing Platforms (Issuer Processing) (FSAGABAD), Card Issuing & Program Management Platforms (BPAMAFAH)

Keywords

• Prepaid benefit cards
• Employee benefits platform
• Corporate compensation solutions
• Meal subsidy cards
• Public sector payment cards

Headquarters

HQ city

München

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Card Loading/Transaction Fees: Revenue generated from loading fees charged to employers when loading benefit amounts onto cards. The card operates on prepaid model where employers load funds.
2. Acceptance Partner Commission: Commission charged to merchants (accepting partners) on transactions made with givve cards. No setup or integration costs charged to merchants.
3. Partner Program Revenue: Commission-based model for partners (sales partners, tax advisors, affiliates, service partners) who resell or recommend givve products. No license fees for partners.
4. Bezahlkarte for Public Sector: Revenue from government agencies and public institutions using prepaid cards for benefit recipients (asylum seekers, students, homeless support). Cards issued since 2016.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Givve (legally PL Gutscheinsysteme GmbH) issues prepaid Mastercard-based digital benefit cards that employers load with tax-optimized monetary amounts for employees, and that public sector authorities use to disburse welfare benefits. The platform supports multiple product variants on a single card infrastructure — Sachbezug (non-cash benefits up to €50/month tax-free), Essenszuschuss (meal subsidies up to €7.67/workday), Gutschein (gift cards up to €60), Bezahlkarte (welfare payments), and Stadtmarketing (city/regional marketing). Cards are managed by employers via the givve Hub web platform with API automation.

Product overview

Givve offers a modular card-based employee benefits and payment solutions platform built on prepaid Mastercard infrastructure. The core givve Card platform supports multiple product variants: Sachbezug (non-cash benefits up to €50/month tax-free), Essenszuschuss (meal subsidies up to €7.67/workday), Gutschein (retailer-specific gift vouchers up to €60 for special occasions), and Bezahlkarte (welfare payment cards for public authorities). Additional variants include Stadtmarketing for regional economic development and § 18a TVöD products for public sector employees. All cards are managed through the givve Hub platform with API automation capabilities, and accessed by users via mobile app with Apple Pay and Google Pay support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• givve Card Sachbezug Non-cash benefit Mastercard for corporate employers enabling tax-free monetary benefits of up to €50 per month per employee, spendable at Mastercard acceptance points within a configured regional area.
• givve Card Essenszuschuss Meal subsidy Mastercard for employers to fund employee lunches up to €7.67 per workday tax-optimized; usable at restaurants, bakeries, butcher shops, and selected delivery services within configured region.
• givve Card Gutschein Reloadable gift voucher Mastercard redeemable at a single employer-defined retailer across Germany; employers can load up to €60 tax-free for special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries.
• givve Card Bezahlkarte Prepaid Mastercard for public authorities to distribute welfare benefits to recipients such as asylum seekers, students, homeless, or elderly; features configurable regional limits, optional cash withdrawal, and online payment restrictions.
• givve Card Stadtmarketing Regional benefit Mastercard for municipalities to strengthen local commerce, combining non-cash benefits with local economic support by restricting usage to designated regional acceptance points.
• givve Card Sachbezug nach § 18 a TVöD Non-cash benefit Mastercard for public sector employees under § 18a TVöD-VKA regulations, allowing public employers to provide tax-free benefits up to €50 per month using budgets from the performance compensation system.
• givve Hub Central cloud-based web platform for employers to manage all givve Card products — card ordering, loading orders, standing load orders, reporting, and Academy video tutorials; available 24/7 with real-time transfers and API integration to enterprise systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to €50/month tax-free benefit for employees (brutto = netto)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and flagship.

• DiPocket UABcoreTechnology or IntegrationE-Geld Institute (E-money institution) that issues the givve Card. Licensed by Bank of Lithuania (equivalent to BaFin in Germany). Follows EU-wide standards and guidelines from EBA. DiPocket uses Thredd Group Limited as technical service provider for Mastercard-accredited processing.
• Thredd Group LimitedcoreTechnology or IntegrationMastercard-accredited processor with global expertise in Prepaid products. Operates fail-safe platform managing all processes, payment transactions, and their control for Mastercard. Ensures card payments work within Mastercard network.
• MastercardcoreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal payment card network provider. givve Cards are Prepaid Mastercard products accepted wherever Mastercard is accepted in designated regions. givve uses restricted Mastercard network per product settings for compliance.
• Exceet Card Group AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationGerman-based card production company with official Mastercard license. ISO 14001 certified environmental management. Produces cards with 15-20% recycled PVC, renewable energy in production, and short European supply chain.
• UPSsupportingOthersCard shipping partner. UPS uses many electric vehicles and participates in tree planting for CO2 offset. Also engages in social projects through donations and volunteering.
• Bundesvereinigung City- und Stadtmarketing Deutschland e.V. (bcsd)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of BCSD, the German association for city and urban marketing. Works together to promote and support all those involved in city and urban marketing, working with people for vital and functioning city centers.
• DZ BankflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCooperative banking group (Genossenschaftsbanken). Successfully introduced givve Card for employee retention at member banks' corporate customers. Partner provides givve access to banking network customer base.
• Lohnkonzepte GmbHflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPayroll concepts specialist partner. Provides givve Card as part of salary optimization concepts. Committed partnership on equal footing with trust and efficiency.
• Langer & Partners GmbH & Co. KGflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBest practice partner in compensation & benefits consulting. Recommends givve to clients seeking tax-free benefit solutions.
• Praemium Plus GbRflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium benefits consulting partner with best practice case studies in givve partnership program.
• Confera Consulting GmbHflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent consulting firm for non-cash benefits. Partner testimonials highlight nice team, customer-oriented management, and successful collaboration.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Swile: French employee benefits platform combining prepaid card, meal subsidies, and gift products via Mastercard network. Comparable technology architecture and product mix to givve, with growing presence in Germany.
• Pluxee (formerly Sodexo Benefits & Rewards): Spin-off from Sodexo specializing in employee benefits and engagement, operating across 30+ countries. Directly competes with givve in prepaid benefit cards and meal subsidies, particularly for multinational corporate accounts.
• Edenred: Global leader in prepaid corporate benefits (Ticket Restaurant, etc.), serving 50M+ users across 45 countries. Direct competitor to givve in employee meal subsidies and benefit cards in Germany and Europe.
• Spendit: German FinTech providing prepaid Mastercard-based employee benefit cards (Sachbezug, meal subsidies, net salary optimization). Most direct domestic competitor to givve in the German SME and corporate market.
• Belonio: German provider of digital benefit cards and meal subsidies built on Mastercard infrastructure. Competes with givve in the same Sachbezug and Essenszuschuss categories with similar tax-optimized employer positioning.

Others

• Up Si (Groupe Up voucher arm): Sister entity under Upcoop Genossenschaft providing paper and digital vouchers in France. Sister organization to givve within the same parent cooperative, offering adjacent (not directly competing) voucher/benefits products in different geographies.
• VR Bank / DZ Bank Group: German cooperative banking network distributing givve's products to member banks' corporate clients. Channel partner rather than competitor; however, the cooperative banking ecosystem also represents a potential direct competitor if banks develop proprietary benefit card offerings.
• Mastercard Prepaid Solutions: Network partner and platform provider for givve's card products. Not a competitor but a critical infrastructure provider — comparable platforms could be built by enterprise clients directly via Mastercard's issuing services.

Emerging players

• Probonio: German digital benefits and Sachbezug platform offering prepaid cards for employee benefits. Overlaps with givve on tax-optimized benefit delivery but with smaller scale and narrower product set.
• Lunchit: Nordic employee meal benefit platform with digital prepaid card products. Comparable Essenszuschuss use case and target market (corporate employers) but smaller and regionally focused on the Nordics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/givve

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors4 records

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 Givve