Handwerk Connected

What Handwerk Connected does

Handwerk Connected GmbH is a German B2B cooperation marketplace that connects construction and finishing trades businesses (Bau- und Ausbaugewerbe) so they can share idle capacity or subcontract to one another on cross-trade projects. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Wermelskirchen (registered in Cologne), the company operates a web platform at app.handwerkconnected.de alongside native iOS and Android apps, serving trades businesses across all 16 German states with registration also open to Austria and Switzerland. The platform reports 11,000+ registered businesses across 25+ trade specialties and 9,000+ cooperations facilitated, with the highest density in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg.

The core product is a verified-business matching system: free registration allows browsing, while a paid "Smart-Profil" (activated via a "Netzwerk-Pass" subscription of 1, 6, or 12 months at €19, €54, or €97.20 respectively) enables posting up to three active listings, responding to tenders, and initiating direct contact. Direct-contact activations carry transaction fees of €40–250 per job-posting inquiry (variable by project size) or a flat €49 per capacity-listing inquiry, settled via Stripe or PayPal. A separate advertising tier, HANDWERK CONNECTEDplus (€7.90–€19.90/month), lets B2B service providers market to the trades audience. Underlying infrastructure runs on web hosting by Raidboxes GmbH, platform/app hosting by Herr und Frau Pixel, HubSpot CRM for customer management, and Microsoft Teams for customer-facing video communication.

Go-to-market is predominantly self-serve PLG supplemented by trade-association endorsement (Kreishandwerkerschaft Remscheid), Premium Partner cross-promotion (notably OBI's heyOBI ecosystem), SEO and Google Ads, weekly onboarding webinars (Online-Touren), and an SEO-rich content layer (Magazin blog, Handwerker Lexikon A–Z glossary, Insider newsletter). The company is privately held with no disclosed outside funding, operates with 1–10 employees under Managing Director Nicole Dunker, and was recognized as an "exzellentes Unternehmen" in the 2025 WirtschaftsWoche "Best of Technology" award program run with Fraunhofer ISI and KIT.

Name

Handwerk Connected

Legal name

Handwerk Connected GmbH

Website

https://handwerkconnected.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Handwerk Connected is a German B2B marketplace that connects construction and finishing trades businesses to share capacity, find subcontractor partners, and collaborate on cross-trade projects, serving 11,000+ registered businesses across Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

B2B Construction Trades Marketplace

NAICS

All Other Business Support Services (561499)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional & Business Services Marketplaces (Freelancers, SMB Services) (BPAMAHAG)

Keywords

• B2B trades marketplace
• Construction cooperation platform
• Trade subcontractor network
• Craftsmen capacity matching
• Trades business networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Wermelskirchen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Smart-Profil / Netzwerk-Pass Subscription: Monthly or prepaid subscription (1, 6, or 12 months) for the Smart-Profil which enables businesses to post listings, respond to postings, and contact other verified businesses. The platform's primary revenue driver. Subscription grants visibility within the network and the ability to publish up to 3 active job/capacity listings.
2. Direktkontakt (Contact Activation) — Auftragsinserate: Transaction fee charged when a business activates direct contact for a job posting (Auftragsinserat). Price varies by project size (40–250 EUR), displayed before booking commitment.
3. Direktkontakt (Contact Activation) — Kapazitätsinserate: Flat transaction fee of 49 EUR per inquiry charged to the business requesting contact for a capacity listing (Kapazitätsinserat).
4. Handwerk Connected Plus (HC+) — Service Advertising: Premium listing platform (HC+) allowing B2B service providers to advertise offerings to the Handwerk Connected trades network. Two tiers: Individual (1 service listing, 7.90 EUR/month, monthly cancellation) and All-in-One (5 listings, 19.90 EUR/month). Includes newsletter exposure for listed services.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Handwerk Connected operates a B2B cooperation marketplace for German-speaking trades businesses (Bau- und Ausbaugewerbe). The platform matches businesses with idle worker capacity to those needing sub-contractors for projects, enabling cross-trade collaboration across 25+ trade specialties (Gewerke). Verified businesses activate a paid Smart-Profil (Netzwerk-Pass) to post job listings, offer available capacity, and contact other trades companies across all 16 German states.

Product overview

Handwerk Connected is a B2B cooperation platform for the German-speaking craft trades industry. The core product is the Handwerk Connected platform, which connects craft businesses with free capacity to those needing resources for joint project execution. The platform is complemented by a mobile app (iOS/Android) for on-the-go access, the HANDWERK CONNECTEDplus extension for service providers targeting craft businesses, and a Premium Partner program offering exclusive deals from industry partners. Users can access free basic features or upgrade to Smart-Profil (6 or 12-month subscription) for full functionality including listing posting and contact access. Additional services include Online-Touren educational seminars, the Handwerker Lexikon knowledge base, the Magazin blog, and the Golden Deal Award program recognizing exemplary cooperation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HANDWERK CONNECTEDplus: A service allowing companies to advertise their services to Handwerk Connected platform users. Offers Individual package (1 service listing, €7.90/month) and All-in-One package (5 service listings, €19.90/month).

Products and services

• Handwerk Connected Core Platform The primary B2B cooperation platform connecting German trades businesses (Bau- und Ausbaugewerbe) with each other. Enables verified trades businesses to find project partners, list idle capacity, and coordinate cross-trade collaboration across 25+ trade specialties (Gewerke) covering all 16 German states. Free basic registration with paid Smart-Profil subscription for full posting and contacting capabilities.
• Handwerk Connected Mobile App Native mobile application for iOS (App Store id6648772820) and Android (Google Play) that enables registered trades businesses to manage cooperations, respond to inquiries, view messages with push notifications, and handle reservations while away from the desktop platform.
• HANDWERK CONNECTEDplus (HC+) A premium service provider directory allowing B2B companies (software vendors, financing providers, tool makers, marketing agencies) to advertise their offerings to Handwerk Connected's network of 11,000+ trades businesses. Available in Individual tier (1 service listing, 7.90 EUR/month) and All-in-One tier (5 service listings, 19.90 EUR/month), with newsletter exposure included.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11.000+ registered trades businesses using the platform
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OBI (OBI Deutschland)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOBI is a Premium Partner offering Handwerk Connected users access to project requests from the OBI ecosystem. Through the heyOBI platform (9M+ users), OBI forwards qualified project leads to registered trades businesses on Handwerk Connected. In return, Handwerk Connected's user base represents a trusted sub-contractor network for OBI's retail ecosystem. OBI promotes 'Reichweite' (reach via 9M+ heyOBI users), 'Zeitgewinn' (pre-qualified customers), and 'Volle Freiheit' (trades businesses retain full pricing and contracting control).
• ViessmannminorGTM or Marketing PartnerViessmann is listed as a Premium Partner providing energy and climate solutions (heating, cooling, ventilation, electricity generation) for new construction and modernization. The partnership positions Viessmann as a partner provider for Handwerk Connected's trades user base seeking HVAC and energy solutions.
• KredPal (Finanzierung im Handwerk)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerKredPal is a Premium Partner offering financing solutions specifically designed for trades businesses. Their offering enables end customers of trades businesses to finance projects (e.g., heat pump installation, renovation) — preventing lost sales due to financing barriers. KredPal compares 26 banks to offer competitive rates and charges no upfront cost, only a fee on successful transactions.
• OfficeOn (Handwerkersoftware)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficeOn is a Premium Partner offering trades-specific business management software targeting small and medium-sized trades businesses. The partnership promotes OfficeOn to Handwerk Connected's 11.000+ trades business users as an integrated software solution for process digitalization (less paperwork, no unnecessary features).
• HAUPA (Werkzeuge und Technik)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHAUPA is a Premium Partner specializing in certified cable connection and pressing technology as well as system and safety tools for electrical trades and industry. HAUPA offers tools and equipment deals to Handwerk Connected's trades user base.
• WebSpring (Online-Marketing-Agentur)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWebSpring is a Premium Partner providing online marketing agency services specializing in website design, search engine optimization, and social media advertising for trades businesses.
• Kreishandwerkerschaft RemscheidcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe local trade guild (Kreishandwerkerschaft Remscheid) actively endorses Handwerk Connected to its member businesses in the plumbing/heating (Sanitär- und Heizungstechnik) and electrical (elektrotechnische Handwerke) trades. Guild representative Fred Schulz describes the platform as a 'seriöses und leistungsstarkes Instrument' (serious and powerful instrument) for meeting future challenges.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Aroundhome: Berlin-based marketplace for home renovation services (heating, bathrooms, solar, windows). Comparable in connecting homeowners with vetted trades; overlaps in heat-pump and renovation verticals driving demand on Handwerk Connected.
• Blauarbeit: German online marketplace for trades services and subcontractor matching. Operates a similar SMB-trades matching model and competes directly for the same registered-business audience in DACH.
• MyHammer: Germany's largest consumer-facing marketplace connecting customers with trades businesses. Directly comparable in target audience (German Handwerk SMBs) and marketplace model, though oriented toward end-customer demand sourcing rather than B2B cooperation.

Emerging players

• CraftJack: US lead-generation platform for home-services contractors. Smaller-scale comparable in connecting trades businesses with project leads; useful benchmark for B2B-only lead monetization.
• Helpling: Germany/Europe-based marketplace for cleaning and home services with vetted professional onboarding. Comparable in SMB-professional verification model; adjacent rather than directly competitive in construction trades.

Regional players

• ProntoPro: Italy-headquartered marketplace for professional services including trades. Comparable marketplace model serving SMB professionals in a European market, with potential overlap in cross-border DACH-expansion strategy.

Broad incumbents

• Angi (Angi Leads / HomeAdvisor): US-based home-services marketplace and lead-generation platform. Operates a similar SMB-trades matching model at scale and serves as a relevant international analog for what a mature Handwerk Connected could resemble.
• Check24 Handwerk: Germany's largest comparison platform with a Handwerk vertical that aggregates demand for trades services. As a broad incumbent, Check24 dwarfs Handwerk Connected in traffic and could extend into B2B-tradie matching if strategically motivated.
• Houzz Pro: International home-renovation platform offering trades professionals project management, CRM, and lead generation. Comparable in providing a software-plus-marketplace stack for SMB trades; broader geographic and feature footprint.

Others

• Werk24: Germany-based construction-industry software and data provider. Adjacent ecosystem participant serving the same trades SMB audience, but focused on back-office tooling rather than cooperation matching.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HandwerkConnectedGmbH
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/handwerkconnected-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/handwerk_connected

Compliance2 records

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&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Handwerk Connected