CK Holding
CK Holding GmbH is a privately held German holding company owned by AI expert Carsten Kraus. It directly owns operating companies (Omikron, Casablanca.ai, Brainbox) and makes Pre-Seed/Seed angel investments in AI and technology startups, holding a stake in FACT-Finder, Europe's leading e-commerce search technology.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersPforzheim, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CK Holding does
CK Holding GmbH is a privately held German investment holding company (Dachgesellschaft) headquartered in Pforzheim, founded and controlled by serial entrepreneur and AI expert Carsten Kraus. The firm pursues a dual strategy: directly founding and wholly owning operating companies (notably Omikron Data Solutions GmbH, Omikron Data Quality GmbH, Casablanca.ai, and Brainbox GmbH) and making minority angel investments in early-stage (primarily Pre-Seed/Seed) startups across AI, e-commerce, agri-tech, LiDAR, and digital platforms. Its most strategically significant asset is its retained stake in FACT-Finder, originally an Omikron business unit now spun off and described as Europe's leading search technology for large online shops, alongside a portfolio of 13+ investments including uptain, FYTA, ISTARI.AI, agriBORA, Hybrid Lidar Systems, and DEALCIRCLE.
The holding's revenue mechanics flow through its operating subsidiaries (recurring software and data-quality revenue at Omikron, e-commerce search revenue at FACT-Finder) and through equity upside and dividends from angel investments and prior exits (SchulLV, Cliplister, Omikron, EMHS). Carsten Kraus personally holds multiple patents and pending applications for AI procedures, some of which underwrite portfolio companies, and the holding's distribution and go-to-market posture relies on Kraus's personal brand across LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and industry events such as the German Business Angel Day, where he was recognized as Business Angel of the Year 2024. Geographically the holding is concentrated in Germany/Europe, with portfolio companies extending reach into international markets, and the operating philosophy explicitly favors non-metropolitan locations, with Pforzheim positioned as the innovation base rather than Berlin or Munich.
CK Holding firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CK Holding
- Legal name
- CK Holding GmbH
- Website
- https://ck-holding.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- CK Holding GmbH is a privately held German holding company owned by AI expert Carsten Kraus. It directly owns operating companies (Omikron, Casablanca.ai, Brainbox) and makes Pre-Seed/Seed angel investments in AI and technology startups, holding a stake in FACT-Finder, Europe's leading e-commerce search technology.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CK Holding industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Investment Holding / Venture Capital
- NAICS
- Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) (533), Offices of Other Holding Companies (551112), Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)
- SIC
- Patent Owners & Lessors (6794), Investors, Nec (6799), Non-Operating Establishments (9995)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Innovation & Technology Scouting Units (with investment mandate) (FSANAHAI)
Keywords
Where CK Holding is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pforzheim
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
CK Holding business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Holding Company Operations: CK Holding generates revenue through its portfolio of self-founded companies including Omikron Data Solutions, Omikron Data Quality, Casablanca.ai, and Brainbox GmbH. These companies operate independently and contribute to the holding's revenue stream.
- Startup Investments and Angel Investing: As a holding company and Business Angel vehicle, CK Holding participates in startup investments. Carsten Kraus invests as Business Angel in external startups, particularly in Pre-Seed/Seed phases, providing capital and mentorship in exchange for equity stakes.
- Patent Licensing: Revenue is generated through patents held by Carsten Kraus for AI procedures, with some portfolio companies built on the basis of these patents.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
CK Holding product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CK Holding GmbH functions as a holding company and business angel vehicle that directly operates self-founded AI and technology companies (including Omikron Data Solutions GmbH, Omikron Data Quality GmbH, Casablanca.ai, and Brainbox GmbH) and holds equity stakes in external early-stage startups (such as FACT-Finder, uptain, ISTARI.AI, FYTA, agriBORA, and Hybrid Lidar Systems). The holding earns returns through portfolio company operations, equity participation, and the licensing of proprietary AI patents held by founder Carsten Kraus.
Product overview
CK Holding GmbH is a holding company and business angel vehicle operated by AI expert Carsten Kraus. The company pursues a dual strategy: founding and owning companies directly (own companies) and investing in external startups (portfolio investments/participations). The core portfolio includes FACT-Finder (Europe's leading e-commerce search technology), Casablanca.ai (AI startup), Omikron Data Solutions GmbH and Omikron Data Quality GmbH (data-related companies), and Brainbox GmbH. Additional portfolio investments span across diverse sectors including uptain (e-commerce), FYTA, ISTARI.AI (AI), meinhaus.digital, Linkster, airrange, Valent, agriBORA (agriculture tech), Hybrid Lydar Systems, DEALCIRCLE, and Elos. The portfolio also includes historic companies (Lernpartner, Omikron Software GbR, eProfit Internet Marketing, Semantische Reisesuche) and successfully exited companies (SchulLV, Cliplister, Omikron, EMHS). The strategic focus across all companies is on Artificial Intelligence and technological innovation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CK Holding Angel Investment Program Angel investment and hands-on mentorship offering for Pre-Seed/Seed startups, providing equity capital, AI and data-analytics expertise, and access to an established angel network (including the BAND Frequent Angels Club). Targeted at founders of AI and disruptive-tech ventures.
- FACT-Finder Search, navigation, and product-discovery technology for large online shops and e-commerce retailers; positioned as Europe's leading on-site search solution for major retailers. Customers are large e-commerce enterprises.
- Casablanca.ai AI-focused product offering associated with the AI startup Casablanca.ai, founded by Carsten Kraus as part of the CK Holding portfolio and intended for adoption by enterprises and developers working with AI.
- Omikron Data Solutions GmbH Wholly-owned subsidiary of CK Holding offering software and data-related solutions, with historical roots in the Omikron software business. It is part of CK Holding's owned-operating-company portfolio rather than a stand-alone startup investment.
- Omikron Data Quality GmbH Wholly-owned subsidiary of CK Holding providing data quality solutions to enterprise customers as part of the holding's owned-operating-company portfolio.
Quantifiable outcome
- FACT-Finder is Europe's leading search technology within large online shops
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use CK Holding
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
CK Holding technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
CK Holding partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- FACT-FindercoreFACT-Finder was formerly a business unit of Omikron (founded by Carsten Kraus). It is now an independent company in which Carsten Kraus continues to hold shares through CK Holding. It is Europe's leading search technology for large online shops.
- Casablanca.aicoreAI startup in the CK Holding portfolio. The company focuses on artificial intelligence solutions and operates in partnership with the holding structure led by AI expert Carsten Kraus.
- BAND Frequent Angels ClubcoreInitiated by Carsten Kraus, this club facilitates networking and experience exchange among business angels. It serves as a platform for connecting portfolio companies and the broader angel community.
- Omikron Data Solutions GmbHcoreFounded by Carsten Kraus during his school years, Omikron is one of CK Holding's foundational companies. The company developed Omikron-Basic, which was sold to Atari in 1988.
- Brainbox GmbHminorAI-focused portfolio company under CK Holding, contributing to the holding's AI technology ecosystem.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CK Holding competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CK Holding social profiles
Digital presenceCK Holding financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CK Holding leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
CK Holding subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
CK Holding funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CK Holding M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CK Holding
What does CK Holding do?
CK Holding GmbH functions as a holding company and business angel vehicle that directly operates self-founded AI and technology companies (including Omikron Data Solutions GmbH, Omikron Data Quality GmbH, Casablanca.ai, and Brainbox GmbH) and holds equity stakes in external early-stage startups (such as FACT-Finder, uptain, ISTARI.AI, FYTA, agriBORA, and Hybrid Lidar Systems). The holding earns returns through portfolio company operations, equity participation, and the licensing of proprietary AI patents held by founder Carsten Kraus.
Is CK Holding a public or private company?
CK Holding is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was CK Holding founded?
CK Holding was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is CK Holding based?
CK Holding is headquartered in Pforzheim, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does CK Holding make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Holding Company Operations are the primary driver. The others are startup Investments and Angel Investing and patent Licensing.
Does CK Holding have an API?
No public API is recorded for CK Holding.
What industry is CK Holding in?
CK Holding's product category is Investment Holding / Venture Capital. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAHAI, Corporate Innovation & Technology Scouting Units (with investment mandate). Its NAICS code is 533 and its SIC code is 6794.