HKN
HKN GmbH is a Krefeld-based, family-owned managed cloud provider founded in 1996 that delivers data-sovereign Open Source cloud services — managed Nextcloud, Zimbra Business Mail, Open Cloud Workspace, Managed Kubernetes, OpenStack IaaS, and colocation — exclusively in ISO 27001-certified German data centers for German and DACH SMEs, regulated enterprises, and IT reseller partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersKrefeld, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What HKN does
HKN GmbH is a Krefeld-based, family-owned managed cloud provider founded in 1996 that delivers data-sovereign Open Source cloud services to German and DACH customers. Its portfolio centers on managed Nextcloud (file sync/share, chat, video, office) and Zimbra Business Mail (email, calendar, groupware), sold either standalone or bundled into the Open Cloud Workspace with unified identity management via Univention Corporate Server. Underneath, HKN runs an OpenStack-based IaaS layer (the joint de:stack platform with ScaleUp Technologies) across four German locations (Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt), supplemented by managed Kubernetes, seven colocation sites, and email security add-ons (Mail Security Cloud, 365 Total Protection, Mail Awareness via Hornetsecurity). In April 2026 it introduced four Nextcloud operating models (Business, Enterprise, Reseller, Confidential) with the Confidential tier adding Trusted Execution Environment-based Zero-Knowledge architecture, and in June 2026 signed a Letter of Intent with SpaceNet AG to bundle Zimbra expertise.
Revenue is generated predominantly through recurring subscriptions — per-instance or per-user monthly billing across the Nextcloud variants, Zimbra, Managed Kubernetes, OpenStack IaaS, de:stack, and colocation — augmented by project-based Enterprise deployments and white-label Reseller partnerships with volume-tiered discounts. Pricing is universally quote-based with no public list rates; a free 14-day Business Nextcloud trial supports a self-serve evaluation path while enterprise sales close via personal consultation and named contacts. Customer segments span German SMEs seeking Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace alternatives, regulated operators in finance, healthcare, public sector, and utilities (BaFin, NIS-2, KRITIS), IT resellers and MSPs reselling under their own brand, and data-sovereignty-sensitive enterprises (case in point: Jugendhilfe Köln). All infrastructure is hosted in ISO 27001-certified German data centers with full GDPR/DSGVO compliance and no third-country data transfers, positioning HKN as a regulatory-moor alternative to US hyperscalers. The company is led by managing directors Marco Nöchel, Lutz Knabenreich, and Sandra Nöchel-Knabenreich, and remains a privately held GmbH with no disclosed external funding.
Go-to-market is hybrid: direct inside sales and field engagement for German enterprises, white-label channel partners for SMB reach, content marketing via the HKN CloudBlog and SEO, and selective participation in industry events (OpenStack Summit, CloudFest). The firm holds Nextcloud Platinum and Zimbra Business Service Provider partner status, both top-tier credentials that underpin managed-service credibility. Strategic recent moves include the four-variant Nextcloud re-architecture, the Confidential Computing tier, the AI Assistant integration across the workspace stack (with optional European plusKI backend under EU AI Act labeling), and the deepening Zimbra partnership with SpaceNet AG.
HKN firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HKN
- Legal name
- HKN GmbH
- Website
- https://hkn.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- HKN GmbH is a Krefeld-based, family-owned managed cloud provider founded in 1996 that delivers data-sovereign Open Source cloud services — managed Nextcloud, Zimbra Business Mail, Open Cloud Workspace, Managed Kubernetes, OpenStack IaaS, and colocation — exclusively in ISO 27001-certified German data centers for German and DACH SMEs, regulated enterprises, and IT reseller partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HKN industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Managed Cloud Hosting and Collaboration Services
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Computer Facilities Management Services (541513), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Cloud Platforms (On‑Prem Cloud Stacks) (HDABABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cloud Security Managed Services (CSPM/CWPP/CNAPP) (BPAEADAF), Cloud Compliance, Audit & Continuous Controls Monitoring (CCM/GRC) (HDABAHAI)
Keywords
Where HKN is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Krefeld
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
HKN business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Managed Cloud Services (Nextcloud, Zimbra, Workspace): HKN provides fully managed Nextcloud and Zimbra deployments with dedicated instances, automatic updates, backups, monitoring, and personal support. Revenue is generated through recurring per-instance or per-user subscription fees, with the company offering Business Nextcloud, Enterprise Nextcloud, and Confidential Nextcloud tiers.
- IaaS / OpenStack Cloud Computing: HKN operates its own OpenStack-based IaaS platform (de:stack) offering virtual data center packages with managed services, sold on a resource-consumption or package basis. Infrastructure services include virtual machines, storage, and networking.
- Managed Kubernetes: Managed Kubernetes environment services for container orchestration, supporting Docker workload migration and Kubernetes-based development projects, typically sold as part of cloud subscription packages.
- Colocation: HKN offers colocation and server housing at seven German data center locations, providing physical rack space, power, and cooling in high-performance facilities. Revenue is generated through recurring rack-space fees.
- Mail Security Services: Cloud-based email security services (Mail Security Cloud, 365 Total Protection, Mail Awareness training) sold as add-on subscriptions to existing mail infrastructure or Microsoft 365 environments.
- Professional Services & Consulting: Migration support, onboarding, training, and consulting services for Nextcloud, Zimbra, and infrastructure deployments. May also include NIS-2 compliance consulting and standby environment design.
- Nextcloud Reseller Program: White-label Nextcloud hosting for IT resellers and MSPs. Partners offer HKN's infrastructure under their own brand with monthly per-user billing, tiered volume discounts, and second-level support provided by HKN.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Business Nextcloud: Managed Nextcloud with dedicated instance, full updates, backups, monitoring, and personal support. Hosted in German ISO-27001 data centers with AVV included. |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Enterprise Nextcloud: Custom architecture for high availability, complex AD/LDAP integrations, own infrastructure, or regulated industries (NIS2, BaFin, KRITIS). Project-based planning and ongoing managed operations. |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Confidential Nextcloud: Nextcloud with Confidential Computing (Trusted Execution Environments) for data protection during processing. Includes client-side encryption, independent encrypted backups, and documented restore processes. |
| Subscription | Monthly | Reseller Nextcloud: White-label Nextcloud for IT resellers and MSPs with own branding, domain, and pricing control. Monthly per-user billing with volume-based tiered discounts. |
| Subscription | Monthly | de:stack OpenStack IaaS: Virtual data center packages with transparent resource-based pricing, flexible resource adjustment, and ISO-27001 certified German data centers. |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
HKN product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HKN provides managed, data-sovereign Open Source cloud services for businesses and public-sector organizations in Germany, centered on Nextcloud (file sync, share, office, chat, video) and Zimbra Business Mail (email, calendar, groupware), delivered as four Nextcloud operating models (Business, Enterprise, Reseller, Confidential) plus the unified Open Cloud Workspace. Infrastructure offerings include OpenStack-based IaaS, Managed Kubernetes, and colocation across seven German sites, complemented by mail security services for Microsoft 365 and on-premises mail servers.
Product overview
HKN offers a portfolio of data-sovereign, Open Source-based cloud services for businesses and public-sector organizations in Germany. The core portfolio centers on two integrated collaboration platforms — Nextcloud (file sync & share, office, chat, video) and Zimbra Business Mail (email, calendar, groupware) — which can be used independently or combined as the unified Open Cloud Workspace, centrally managed via Univention Corporate Server. Four Nextcloud operating models address different needs: Business Nextcloud (managed, rapid deployment), Enterprise Nextcloud (custom, high-availability), Reseller Nextcloud (white-label for IT partners), and Confidential Nextcloud (Confidential Computing with Zero-Knowledge architecture for sensitive data). Infrastructure-layer offerings include managed Kubernetes, OpenStack-based cloud computing (Virtuelles Rechenzentrum), and colocation across seven German sites. Email and Microsoft 365 security is delivered via 365 Total Protection and Mail Security Cloud, powered by Hornetsecurity. The de:stack IaaS platform (jointly with ScaleUp Technologies) extends cloud infrastructure options. All services are hosted exclusively in Germany, operate on Open Source software, and are managed by HKN with personal support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Nextcloud: GDPR-compliant cloud storage, file sharing, and collaboration platform with Talk for chat and video meetings.
- Zimbra Business Mail
- Open Cloud Workspace
- 365 Total Protection
- Mail Security Cloud
- OpenStack Cloud Computing
- Managed Kubernetes
- Colocation
- de:stack
Products and services
- Business Nextcloud Managed Nextcloud deployment providing each customer organization with a dedicated instance in German ISO-27001-certified data centers. HKN handles setup, updates, backups, monitoring, and personal support. Includes files, Office, calendar, contacts, chat, and video conferencing, with optional AI Assistant activation. Designed for teams needing rapid deployment without infrastructure management.
- Enterprise Nextcloud Custom Nextcloud deployment for organizations with requirements beyond standard configurations, including high availability, complex AD/LDAP integration, custom storage connections, or on-premises infrastructure. Planned and built project-based, from architecture through migration to ongoing operations. Targets regulated industries (BaFin, NIS2, KRITIS), public institutions, and large-scale migrations from Microsoft 365.
- Reseller Nextcloud White-label Nextcloud hosting program for IT system houses and managed service providers. HKN provides infrastructure, operations, monitoring, and second-level support; resellers manage customer relationships, branding (own domain, own logo), pricing, and first-level support under their own brand. Monthly billing with tiered volume discounts.
- Confidential Nextcloud Premium Nextcloud variant using Confidential Computing with Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) to protect data even during active processing, not just at rest or in transit. The provider has no technical access to plaintext data under normal operations. Combines enclaved runtime, customer-controlled encryption keys, independent encrypted backups, and documented restore/exit processes. Targets healthcare, social services, and organizations with legally or commercially sensitive data.
- Zimbra Business Mail DSGVO-compliant, Open Source business email and groupware solution providing email, calendar, address books, task management, and team delegation in an integrated platform. Exchange-compatible via ActiveSync for synchronization with iPhone, Android, and Microsoft Outlook. Available as a fully managed cloud service or as a self-operated cluster in HKN's data center. Provided with Zimbra BSP Partner-level enterprise support.
- Open Cloud Workspace Integrated all-in-one digital workspace combining Nextcloud and Zimbra under a unified interface, managed through Univention Corporate Server for centralized identity and access management. Provides documents, email, calendar, contacts, project management, chat, and video conferencing in a single platform. Designed as a DSGVO-compliant, data-sovereign alternative to Microsoft 365 for enterprises with combined collaboration and communication needs.
- Managed Kubernetes Managed Kubernetes services supporting the migration of existing and new workloads onto Docker containers and Kubernetes clusters. HKN handles cluster management, accelerating and simplifying development projects by eliminating the need for in-house Kubernetes operations expertise.
- OpenStack Cloud Computing (Virtuelles Rechenzentrum) OpenStack-based Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) platform enabling customers to operate virtualized instances in a data-sovereign cloud environment. All environments operated exclusively in Germany within DSGVO-compliant data centers. Customers can manage virtual instances across multiple German locations with full control over their workloads.
- Colocation Server housing and colocation services across seven German locations (including Berlin, Hamburg, and Düsseldorf). HKN provides high-performance data center space and sustainable server housing for customers deploying their own hardware in HKN-operated facilities.
- 365 Total Protection Security extension for Microsoft 365 environments that adds email security, archiving, encryption, and centralized signature management to Microsoft 365 tenants. Provides protection against spam, viruses, phishing, and targeted attacks on email infrastructure.
- Mail Security Cloud Cloud-based email security service extending existing mail servers and Microsoft 365 environments with spam filtering, virus protection, anti-phishing defenses, email archiving, encryption, and a centralized signature service. Delivered via Hornetsecurity infrastructure with automatic continuity failover.
- Mail Awareness Employee training system that systematically trains staff to recognize email-based attacks. Part of the security awareness portfolio complementing Mail Security Cloud and 365 Total Protection.
- de:stack Multi-region IaaS cloud platform built on OpenStack, operated jointly by HKN and ScaleUp Technologies. Provides virtual instance management across four German data center locations (Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt). Designed as a DSGVO-compliant, cost-transparent alternative to AWS, Google, and Azure for the German Mittelstand, with predictable resource-based pricing and personal partner-level support.
Quantifiable outcome
- 14-day free trial available with full functionality and no purchase commitment for Business Nextcloud
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use HKN
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
HKN technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
AI capability10 records
Feature7 records
HKN partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- SpaceNet AGcoreHKN GmbH and SpaceNet AG formalized a Letter of Intent at CloudFest 2026 in Rust to bundle their Zimbra expertise for modern mail services. The partnership aims to combine expertise, operational capacity, and purchasing power to deliver sovereign mail services professionally and long-term. Both companies are established German Open Source cloud providers with complementary strengths in Zimbra operations.
- ScaleUp Technologies GmbH & Co. KGcoreHKN and ScaleUp Technologies jointly operate the de:stack multi-region OpenStack IaaS platform for the German Mittelstand. The partnership combines HKN's and ScaleUp's four networked German data center locations (Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt) into a single managed cloud platform. Both partners bring over 20 years of company history and ISO-27001-certified infrastructure to the joint offering.
- ScaleUp Technologies GmbH & Co. KGcoreThrough the de:stack joint venture, HKN and ScaleUp Technologies offer Open Cloud Workspace locations in Hamburg, Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Frankfurt am Main, operating in ISO 27001-certified data centers. The partnership provides the infrastructure backbone for HKN's managed cloud services.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
HKN competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- plusserver: German managed cloud provider offering sovereign IaaS, managed services and plusKI AI infrastructure from German data centers. Directly comparable as a domestic Open Source / OpenStack-based cloud operator serving GDPR-regulated Mittelstand customers.
- ScaleUp Technologies: Joint venture partner in de:stack and a German Open Source cloud provider with ISO 27001 data centers. Closely comparable in technology stack, customer segment and infrastructure footprint, while operating its own managed cloud services in parallel.
- SpaceNet AG: German Open Source cloud and managed hosting provider with deep Zimbra expertise, partnered with HKN in 2026. Highly comparable as a sovereign cloud and groupware provider for German enterprise customers.
- Hornetsecurity: Email security and backup provider whose Continuity Service HKN resells inside Mail Security Cloud. Comparable as a German-rooted cloud security vendor serving Microsoft 365 and on-prem mail environments.
Broad incumbents
- IONOS SE: Large German cloud and hosting incumbent offering IaaS, managed hosting and productivity services to European SMBs. Comparable as a domestic alternative to US hyperscalers, but at much broader scale and without HKN's Open Source workspace specialisation.
- Hetzner Online GmbH: German hosting and cloud provider operating data centers in Germany and Finland. Comparable on German-rooted infrastructure and SMB/Mittelstand focus, but more oriented to commodity hosting and dedicated servers than managed Open Source workspaces.
Emerging players
- ownCloud: Open Source file sync, share and collaboration platform that competes directly with Nextcloud (HKN's primary workspace technology). Comparable as a vendor of the underlying collaboration stack HKN resells and manages.
- Mailbox.org: German GDPR-compliant email and groupware provider targeting privacy-conscious businesses and prosumers. Comparable as a sovereign email alternative to US providers, though smaller in scope and without the broader managed-workspace suite.
- Open-Xchange: Developer of OX App Suite, an Open Source email and groupware platform that competes with Zimbra in the same category. Comparable as an upstream technology alternative that could power sovereign German email offerings like HKN's.
Others
- Univention: Provider of Univention Corporate Server, the identity and access management layer HKN uses to unify Nextcloud and Zimbra in Open Cloud Workspace. Comparable as a key technology partner whose roadmap and licensing directly shape HKN's workspace offering.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
HKN social profiles
Digital presenceHKN compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
HKN financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HKN leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
HKN funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HKN M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HKN
What does HKN do?
HKN provides managed, data-sovereign Open Source cloud services for businesses and public-sector organizations in Germany, centered on Nextcloud (file sync, share, office, chat, video) and Zimbra Business Mail (email, calendar, groupware), delivered as four Nextcloud operating models (Business, Enterprise, Reseller, Confidential) plus the unified Open Cloud Workspace. Infrastructure offerings include OpenStack-based IaaS, Managed Kubernetes, and colocation across seven German sites, complemented by mail security services for Microsoft 365 and on-premises mail servers.
Is HKN a public or private company?
HKN is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was HKN founded?
HKN was founded in 1996. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is HKN based?
HKN is headquartered in Krefeld, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does HKN make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Managed Cloud Services (Nextcloud, Zimbra, Workspace) is the primary driver. The others are iaaS / OpenStack Cloud Computing, managed Kubernetes, colocation, mail Security Services, professional Services & Consulting and nextcloud Reseller Program.
Who are HKN's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are plusserver, ScaleUp Technologies, SpaceNet AG and Hornetsecurity. Broad incumbents are IONOS SE and Hetzner Online GmbH. Emerging players are ownCloud, Mailbox.org and Open-Xchange. Univention is listed as an others.
Does HKN have an API?
No public API is recorded for HKN.
What industry is HKN in?
HKN's product category is Managed Cloud Hosting and Collaboration Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDABABAA, Private Cloud Platforms (On‑Prem Cloud Stacks), with a secondary code of BPAEADAF, Cloud Security Managed Services (CSPM/CWPP/CNAPP). Its NAICS code is 518 and its SIC code is 7370.