What Bitforge does

Bitforge AG is a privately-held Swiss full-service digital agency headquartered in Zurich, founded in 2004, operating with a team of approximately 20+ specialists. The company designs and develops mobile apps, web applications, augmented and virtual reality experiences, and UX/UI solutions for Swiss enterprise clients, government bodies, and regulated institutions, including Coop (FOOBY), SWICA (BENEVITA, mySWICA), ZVV (ZVV One), Liechtenstein Marketing (LIstory), ETH Zürich, and the Swiss Federal Government. Core technology spans cross-platform Flutter development, Unity and ARKit-based AR/VR, Firebase, Django, Vue.js progressive web apps, and headless CMS architectures.

The company operates a hybrid business model combining bespoke professional services with two proprietary product lines: (1) Yago, a Swiss AR cloud platform with Studio (AR content management), Scenes (room design and sales demos), and Assistance (AR video support) modules, offered via yago.cloud; and (2) the Phone Book App, a white-label enterprise mobile directory sold with one-time project fees and recurring annual per-device licenses. Go-to-market is consultative direct sales targeting Swiss enterprise and public-sector buyers, anchored by a free Welcome Workshop lead qualification process and supported by 30+ Best of Swiss Apps awards, the #1 agency ranking in both the 5-year and 10-year Best of Swiss Apps rankings (2024), and founding membership in the Swiss Digital Inclusion Alliance (ADIS). Revenue is generated through time-and-materials, fixed-price, and cost-ceiling project contracts, supplemented by recurring subscription and licensing revenue from proprietary products.

Name

Bitforge

Legal name

Bitforge AG

Website

https://bitforge.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bitforge AG is a Zurich-based Swiss digital agency founded in 2004 that designs mobile apps, web platforms, and AR/XR experiences for Swiss enterprise, government, and institutional clients, operating a hybrid model of bespoke professional services alongside its proprietary Yago AR platform and Phone Book App products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Software Development Services

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Cloud-Native Application Development (Containers/Kubernetes/Serverless) (BPAEAFAE)

Keywords

• Mobile app development
• Augmented reality solutions
• Cross-platform software
• Digital accessibility consulting
• Enterprise web applications

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Software Development (Professional Services): Bitforge operates as a Swiss full-service digital agency providing bespoke software development services. Revenue is generated through project contracts structured as either time-and-materials (hourly/daily rates with detailed reporting), fixed-price packages, or cost-ceiling arrangements, often with performance-based components. Contracts are documented via framework and individual work contracts, or via formal offers.
2. Product Licensing (Yago AR Platform): Bitforge offers its own AR platform product Yago, which includes Studio (AR model management), Scenes (AR sales consultation), and Assistance (AR-powered support), sold as a software platform to enterprises for their own use.
3. Phone Book App Licensing: White-label phone book app sold as an out-of-the-box product with one-time project costs and recurring annual license fees (maintenance + per-device licensing).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bitforge is a Swiss full-service digital agency that designs, develops, and maintains custom mobile apps, web applications, and AR/VR experiences for enterprise clients. Beyond custom development services, Bitforge offers two proprietary products: Yago, an AR cloud platform with modules for content management, AR sales demos, and AR-assisted video support, and a white-label Phone Book App for enterprise internal communications.

Product overview

Bitforge is a Swiss full-service digital agency offering mobile app development, UX/UI design, AR/VR solutions, and digital accessibility consulting. The company operates two proprietary product lines: (1) Yago, a Swiss AR platform with three modules (Studio for AR content management, Scenes for field sales support, and Assistance for remote video-AR support), and (2) the Phone Book App, a white-label enterprise communication tool. Services include software engineering using Flutter cross-platform framework, UX design, digital accessibility (founding member of Swiss Digital Inclusion Alliance), AR development using Unity/ARKit, and innovation consulting via Design Thinking workshops. Bitforge has delivered award-winning apps for clients including Coop (FOOBY), SWICA (Benevita), ZVV (ZVV One), and Liechtenstein Marketing (LIstory), and holds the #1 ranking in both 5-year and 10-year Best of Swiss Apps agency awards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Yago: Augmented reality platform for e-commerce, marketing, and sales support. Includes Yago Studio (AR content management), Yago Scenes (AR room design and sales demos), and Yago Assistance (AR-supported video support).
• FOOBY

Products and services

• Yago AR Platform Proprietary augmented reality platform enabling companies to integrate AR into marketing, e-commerce, sales force, and after-sales support. Three modules: Yago Studio (AR content management), Yago Scenes (room design and live AR product demos), and Yago Assistance (video calling with AR support for remote technicians). Sold to enterprise clients for their own use.
• Phone Book App White-label enterprise mobile telephone directory available as iOS/Android app with offline availability, caller ID, favorites, emergency number access, and integration with SharePoint and Active Directory. Sold to hospitals, healthcare facilities, and field service organizations with mobile workforces.
• Mobile App Development Full-service custom mobile app development from validated MVP through complex enterprise solutions. Cross-platform Flutter development, native iOS/Android, and AR/VR applications delivered via agile methodology in two-week sprints. Includes UX/UI design, software engineering, accessibility optimization, and store upload.
• UX and UI Design User experience and user interface design services including collaborative UX design approach, iterative UX concept development, user research, usability testing, and accessibility consulting following WCAG guidelines.
• Digital Accessibility Consulting Digital accessibility services and WCAG compliance consulting. Includes accessible app design (font scaling up to 200%, dark mode, screen reader optimization), accessibility audits, inclusive design workshops, and educational offerings through the Digital Inclusion Academy.
• Augmented Reality Development AR/VR development services spanning ARKit (iOS), AR Foundation (Unity), WebXR, and mixed reality solutions. Projects include LIstory, Remote AR Sales, and AR Murtendiorama. Also delivers the proprietary Yago AR platform.
• Innovation Lab Innovation consulting using Design Thinking workshops, rapid prototyping, and user testing to bring ideas to market readiness.

Quantifiable outcome

• FOOBY app consistently ranked #1 in Swiss download charts since launch with hundreds of thousands of active users
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability9 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Swiss Digital Inclusion Alliance (ADIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBitforge is a founding member of the Alliance for Digital Inclusion Switzerland (ADIS), launched by Swiss Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider. ADIS aims to make digital technologies accessible to people who struggle to use them. Bitforge co-founded the Digital Inclusion Academy (DIA) with the Access for All Foundation as the operational vehicle for this mission.
• Stiftung Zugang für Alle (Access for All Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBitforge jointly founded the Digital Inclusion Academy (DIA) with the Access for All Foundation in July 2024. The DIA is their shared vehicle for pursuing a digitally accessible Switzerland through courses, webinars, and consulting services.
• Obvious Design GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign agency partner on the FOOBY project. Obvious Design worked alongside Bitforge and Coop to deliver the award-winning Swiss cooking app. The interdisciplinary agile team combined design and development expertise.
• DEPT®majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital agency DEPT partnered with Bitforge on the SWICA Benevita project, contributing to the award-winning health promotion app.
• yawavemajorStrategic or Co-development Partneryawave's marketing automation system is integrated with the Level Sports app developed by Bitforge. yawave also partnered on the Level Sports project for the overall go-to-market execution.
• MYI AgencymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMYI Agency was responsible for event installations at Fantasy Basel and Polymanga Lausanne for the Swissmilk Planets project. They also supported the Swissmilk and Ceres Media team in digital marketing for the gamification app.
• Hug & Dorfmüller Design AGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign agency partner on the Level Sports project alongside Bitforge's software development.
• feeycoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerfeey partnered with Bitforge to develop the Remote AR Sales app — a video call tool with AR product visualization for live customer consultation in their own spaces. This is a strategic partnership combining feey's plant retail expertise with Bitforge's AR development capabilities.
• Swiss Made SoftwareminorOthersBitforge holds Swiss Made Software membership, signaling commitment to Swiss-based software development quality standards.
• SwicominorOthersBitforge holds membership in Swico, the Swiss association for digital transformation and technology.
• Open AR CloudminorOthersBitforge holds membership in the Open AR Cloud initiative, positioning itself as a leader in the Swiss augmented reality ecosystem.
• Virtual SwitzerlandminorOthersBitforge is a member of Virtual Switzerland, a Swiss initiative promoting virtual and augmented reality.
• SGDA (Swiss Game Developers Association)minorOthersBitforge holds membership in the Swiss Game Developers Association.
• Swiss Police ICTminorOthersBitforge holds a partnership/membership with Swiss Police ICT organization.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Liip: Swiss digital agency specializing in custom web and mobile app development for enterprise clients. Direct comparable to Bitforge in terms of geographic focus (Switzerland), service offering (custom software, UX, accessibility), and target client base (Swiss enterprises and government).
• Apps with Love: Swiss app development agency focused on iOS, Android, and cross-platform apps for brands and enterprises. Closely comparable to Bitforge's mobile app development practice, including similar award presence (BOSA) and Swiss enterprise client base.
• Ti&m: Swiss software agency offering digital transformation, custom software development, and platform engineering for banks, insurance, and government. Comparable to Bitforge in Swiss enterprise focus and custom development services, though larger and more FinServ-heavy.
• Netcetera: Swiss software company delivering custom software, mobile, and digital solutions to enterprises in finance, transport, healthcare, and government. Overlaps with Bitforge on enterprise mobile app delivery and Swiss government/regulated-industry clientele.
• ipt: Swiss IT and digital agency offering software engineering, cloud, and consulting services to enterprise and government clients. Comparable to Bitforge in Swiss enterprise/government focus and custom development service model.
• Ergon Informatik: Swiss software company specializing in custom software, security, and digital solutions for financial services and government. Comparable to Bitforge in Swiss enterprise/government custom development, though Ergon has a stronger financial services focus.
• Nerdindustries: Swiss digital product agency building custom digital products, mobile apps, and enterprise software for European clients. Comparable to Bitforge in custom software delivery, agile methodology, and Swiss-based enterprise focus.

Broad incumbents

• DEPT®: Global digital agency with significant European presence; partnered with Bitforge on the SWICA BENEVITA project. Overlaps with Bitforge on Swiss enterprise custom app delivery and UX, but operates at much larger scale across multiple geographies and service lines.
• Unic: Swiss-headquartered digital agency with broader European presence offering custom digital solutions, mobile apps, and cloud services. Comparable to Bitforge on Swiss enterprise custom delivery, but larger and more internationally diversified.
• Thoughtworks: Global technology consultancy providing custom software development, design, and digital transformation services. Comparable to Bitforge on enterprise custom software delivery and agile methodology, though operates at much larger scale across industries and geographies.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bitforge
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bitforge-ltd.
• Facebookfacebook.com/bitforgeAG

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Bitforge