AKRA
AKRA GmbH is a Hamburg-based IT consulting and custom software development firm that places on-site consultants and project teams at startups, mid-market companies, and international corporations across the Hamburg metropolitan area, delivering full-stack development, IT infrastructure, and project management services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersHamburg, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AKRA does
AKRA GmbH is a privately held IT consulting and software development firm headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, founded circa 2000 by Fabian von Borcke, Thomas Ochmann, and Peter Lorenz. The company delivers custom software development, IT infrastructure, and IT project management services to a client base spanning startups, mid-market firms, and international corporations operating exclusively within the Hamburg metropolitan area. Headcount stands at over 70 employees as of 2024/2025, with engagement structures ranging from one-month deployments to multi-year embedded consulting assignments; consultants are placed on-site at client locations, acting as both developers and project partners under a relationship-driven, direct-sales go-to-market model. AKRA's revenues are derived from negotiated, project-based professional services fees rather than from any productized software offering.
The company's technical stack spans full-stack development across Java, JavaScript, Ruby on Rails, Elixir, TypeScript, and .NET, with infrastructure and DevOps capabilities across Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure. AKRA applies agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban, XP, Mob/Pair Programming), continuous integration/continuous delivery pipelines, service-oriented architecture, domain-driven design, and event-driven architecture. Operational service lines include code reviews, agile coaching, IT architecture consulting, infrastructure and operations, data science, and data engineering. Notable client engagements include the ongoing academics.de academic job platform (since 2017), the VPI European Rail Service digital documentation tool for rail freight wagons (since 2020), the x-ion online portal for supplementary nursing insurance, and the Hamburg Port Authority intelligent monitoring system on Azure (since 2021). AKRA is a founding shareholder of Software Allianz Hamburg GmbH, an 80-member IT alliance with 4,500 combined experts, and joined the Aequitas Group consulting network in 2022.
AKRA's commercial positioning emphasizes a 'Partners in code' philosophy under its 3E framework (Enabling, Experienced, Empathetic), with a flat-hierarchy, family-oriented culture recognized by consecutive Hamburger Familiensiegel awards from the Hamburg city government. Pricing is bespoke and engagement-quoted; billing cadences can extend to multi-year contracts. Despite a localized geographic footprint, the firm maintains enterprise-style capabilities through its alliance memberships and a diversified vertical mix spanning rail logistics, port/IoT infrastructure, labor unions, and job platforms, providing moderate resilience against single-segment demand swings.
AKRA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AKRA
- Legal name
- AKRA GmbH
- Website
- https://akra.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- AKRA GmbH is a Hamburg-based IT consulting and custom software development firm that places on-site consultants and project teams at startups, mid-market companies, and international corporations across the Hamburg metropolitan area, delivering full-stack development, IT infrastructure, and project management services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AKRA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- IT Consulting and Software Development Services
- NAICS
- Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Enterprise Architecture & IT Operating Model (BPAHAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- iPaaS / Cloud Data Integration (HDAEACAD)
Keywords
Where AKRA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hamburg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
AKRA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Consulting and Staffing Services: AKRA provides software development consultants and IT professionals to client companies on project basis. Consultants work on-site at client locations for varying durations, handling software development, IT infrastructure, and project management engagements. The company acts as an employer of record for its consultants while providing project-based services to clients.
- Software Development Projects: End-to-end custom software development from analysis and conception through implementation and deployment. AKRA takes full ownership of customer projects from start to finish.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Bespoke consulting arrangements - no standardized pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
AKRA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AKRA GmbH is a software consulting and IT services firm that places expert software developers and IT professionals at client sites on project-based engagements ranging from one month to several years. The company delivers full-stack custom software development, IT infrastructure consulting, and IT project management services, taking end-to-end ownership of client projects from analysis and conception through implementation and deployment. Its work spans technologies including Java, JavaScript, Ruby on Rails, Elixir, TypeScript, and .NET, deployed on AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure.
Product overview
AKRA GmbH is a software consulting and IT services company that provides custom software development, IT infrastructure, and IT project management services. They do not offer a unified product platform but rather deliver bespoke solutions through consulting engagements. Their service portfolio includes agile software development, DevOps, CI/CD implementation, service-oriented architecture, code reviews, domain-driven design, event-driven architecture, agile training and coaching, project management, IT architecture consulting, infrastructure and operations, data science, and data engineering. Their work is delivered through project-based consulting engagements for clients ranging from startups to international corporations, primarily in the Hamburg metropolitan area. Key technologies they work with include Java, JavaScript, Ruby on Rails, Elixir, TypeScript, .NET, Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure). Notable client projects include the evolution of academics.de job platform, the VERS-Tool mobile application for VPI rail documentation, an online portal for a German trade union's supplementary nursing insurance, and the Hamburg Port Authority quay facility monitoring system.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Custom Software Development
- IT Infrastructure Consulting
- IT Project Management
- DevOps and CI/CD Consulting
- Agile Coaching and Training
- Data Science and Data Engineering
- IT Architecture Consulting
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1400 projects completed over 20+ years of operation
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use AKRA
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AKRA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
AKRA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Aequitas GroupminorAKRA joined Aequitas Group in 2022. The group's consulting services complement AKRA's offerings, providing customers and employees with a comprehensive package for successful project execution.
- Software Allianz Hamburg GmbH (SAH Hamburg)coreAKRA is a founding member and shareholder of SAH Hamburg, an IT industry alliance currently comprising 80 member companies with a combined 4,500 IT experts. The alliance focuses on maintaining high quality standards and serves as a provider for large-scale IT projects.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AKRA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- iteratec GmbH: Munich-headquartered German software engineering and digital transformation consultancy with comparable headcount (~300) and full-stack Java/cloud delivery model — virtually the closest mid-tier DACH peer to AKRA.
- SALT Solutions GmbH: Munich-based IT consultancy delivering custom enterprise software, integration and DevOps for industrial/logistics clients in DACH — directly comparable niche and engagement shape to AKRA.
- TNG Technology Consulting: Munich-based high-end technology consultancy with a similarly technical, engineer-led culture offering custom software, cloud and agile/DevOps consulting comparable to AKRA's offering.
- codecentric AG: German Java and cloud-native consulting firm with a similar 'expert developer partner' positioning and comparable engagement model, frequently delivering from a strong DACH bench.
Broad incumbents
- Thoughtworks Germany: Global technology consultancy with DACH presence and a long-standing reputation for agile, full-stack delivery and architecture consulting that overlaps with AKRA's enterprise architecture and DevOps practices.
- GFT Technologies SE: Stuttgart-headquartered digital transformation consultancy serving banks, insurance and industrial clients with custom software development — directly comparable verticals and consulting-led GTM to AKRA.
- msg systems AG: Large German IT consultancy with industry-specific practices and end-to-end software delivery capabilities that overlap with AKRA's enterprise services across DACH verticals.
- Capgemini Engineering (formerly Altran): Global engineering and digital services giant with significant German operations that competes with AKRA for the same Hamburg industrial / port / rail enterprise custom-software mandates at much larger scale.
Regional players
- Netlight GmbH: Northern-European tech consultancy (originating in Scandinavia) with senior software consultant placement and agile delivery philosophy that parallels AKRA's 'partners in code' expert-led model.
- Wavestone: French-headquartered European consulting firm with a strong custom software and technology transformation practice in DACH adjacent markets; comparable in project-based IT consulting DNA.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AKRA social profiles
Digital presenceAKRA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AKRA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
AKRA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AKRA 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 AKRA
What does AKRA do?
AKRA GmbH is a software consulting and IT services firm that places expert software developers and IT professionals at client sites on project-based engagements ranging from one month to several years. The company delivers full-stack custom software development, IT infrastructure consulting, and IT project management services, taking end-to-end ownership of client projects from analysis and conception through implementation and deployment. Its work spans technologies including Java, JavaScript, Ruby on Rails, Elixir, TypeScript, and .NET, deployed on AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure.
Is AKRA a public or private company?
AKRA is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was AKRA founded?
AKRA was founded in 2000. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is AKRA based?
AKRA is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does AKRA make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Consulting and Staffing Services are the primary driver. The others are software Development Projects.
Who are AKRA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are iteratec GmbH, SALT Solutions GmbH, TNG Technology Consulting and codecentric AG. Broad incumbents are Thoughtworks Germany, GFT Technologies SE, msg systems AG and Capgemini Engineering (formerly Altran). Regional players are Netlight GmbH and Wavestone.
Does AKRA have an API?
No public API is recorded for AKRA.
What industry is AKRA in?
AKRA's product category is IT Consulting and Software Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAEAB, Enterprise Architecture & IT Operating Model, with a secondary code of HDAEACAD, iPaaS / Cloud Data Integration. Its NAICS code is 541511 and its SIC code is 7371.