think tank

What think tank does

think tank Business Solutions is a private IT services and digital transformation consultancy founded in 1997 in Tunis, Tunisia, with subsequent expansions to Munich (2002) and Zürich (2007). It operates through three legal entities — think tank Smart Solutions GmbH in Germany, an AG in Switzerland, and a SARL in Tunisia — and maintains a team of 150+ experts distributed across these locations. The firm delivers custom software development, AI solutions, information security, and transformation management, targeting enterprise clients in the DACH region and selected African governments.

The company's proprietary technology portfolio includes the Elix business management platform, the ADA AI design assistant, the AILAC AI Lab, PTS, and OmniRegister Hub. Its delivery model exploits a nearshore cost structure in Tunisia that reportedly yields 30-50% cost savings relative to onshore European equivalents, positioning the firm as a hybrid services-plus-product provider. The firm holds ISO 27001 and TISAX certifications, which act as gating credentials for sensitive automotive and financial-services data work.

Revenue mechanics appear to combine time-and-materials professional services for custom development with growing product licensing potential from platforms such as Elix and ADA, though contract structures, unit economics, and revenue split are not disclosed. Named customers include Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, Osram, IDS GmbH (an Allianz subsidiary), and PlanetHome, alongside government engagements in Tunisia, Madagascar, and Côte d'Ivoire, with 350+ digital projects delivered over the firm's 20+ year operating history.

Name

think tank

Legal name

think tank Smart Solutions GmbH

Website

https://thinktank.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

think tank Business Solutions is a privately held IT services and digital transformation consultancy with 150+ experts across Munich, Zürich, and Tunis, serving DACH enterprises (Audi, VW, BMW, Allianz/IDS) and African governments via custom software, AI, security, and productized platforms like Elix and ADA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

IT Consulting & Custom Software Development

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Data, Analytics & AI Consulting (BPAHAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

AI/ML Solution Integration & MLOps Enablement (BPAEAAAJ), AI/ML Engineering & Model Development Services (BPAEAHAF), Industry/Domain Analytics Solutions & Accelerators (BPAEAHAK)

Keywords

• Custom software development
• AI solutions consulting
• Information security services
• Digital transformation management
• Enterprise application development

Headquarters

HQ city

München

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

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 & Application Management: Bespoke software development services tailored to specific client requirements, including architecture consultation, agile development, quality engineering, DevOps, and ongoing application management. Delivered both onshore and nearshore (Tunis). Revenue is project-based and recurring through managed services contracts.
2. AI Solutions & Intelligization: AI strategy, governance, machine learning, NLP, predictive analytics, optimization/operations research, and intelligent platforms. Includes both advisory (strategy, governance) and implementation services. Revenue is project-based or retainer engagements.
3. Information Security Services: Cybersecurity assessments, compliance gap analyses, strategic consulting, employee awareness training, audit preparation, and managed security & compliance services (including CISO provision).
4. Transformation Management: Digital strategy, organizational design, change management, agile IT project management, and agile coaching & training services.
5. Elix Platform Licensing: Elix is offered as a modular, on-premise business management platform. Organizations pay for the modules they need. Pricing is tailored to scope and scale of deployment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

think tank is an enterprise-focused IT services and digital transformation consultancy that designs, develops, and manages bespoke software, AI/intelligization solutions, and cybersecurity services for clients across automotive, finance, government, and machinery sectors. The company complements its consulting practice with proprietary products including Elix (modular business management suite), ADA (AI-powered Application Design Assistant), and the AILAC AI research laboratory, delivered via a nearshore (Tunis) and onshore (Munich, Zürich) model.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Elix: All-in-One Business Management Software — a modular suite of business management tools and micro-apps for project management, HR, finance, and document management.
• ADA (Application Design Assistant)
• AILAC
• OmniRegister Hub

Products and services

• Elix Modular, AI-ready, low-code business and project management suite that integrates project management, HR, finance, document management, and ticketing into a single on-premise solution. Sold to private and public organizations seeking to consolidate multiple business tools. Based on microservices and micro-frontend architecture.
• ADA (Application Design Assistant) AI-powered agent that optimizes the entire software development process — from requirement analysis and precise user story creation to automated testing and quality assurance. Used by think tank's delivery teams and offered as part of client engagements.
• AILAC AI Laboratory In-house AI and Data Science research laboratory developing frontier AI solutions including Edge Intelligence cameras for autonomous vehicles, intelligent design agents for electronics and automotive, and In-Silicon Intelligence integration in semiconductor products.
• Application Development & Management Services Bespoke software development, architecture consultation, agile development, quality engineering, DevOps, and ongoing application management services delivered onshore (Munich, Zürich) and nearshore (Tunis) for enterprise and government clients.
• AI Solutions & Intelligization AI strategy and governance, machine learning, natural language processing, predictive analytics, optimization/operations research, and intelligent platform implementation for enterprises seeking to leverage AI as a fourth production factor.
• Information Security Services Cybersecurity assessments, ISO 27001/TISAX compliance gap analyses, strategic security consulting, employee awareness training, audit preparation, and managed security & compliance services (including external CISO provision).
• Transformation Management Digital strategy, organizational design, change management, agile IT project management, agile coaching & training, and external Scrum Master placement to support enterprise digital transformation programs.
• OmniRegister Hub Digital solution for managing commercial registers — streamlining government administrative procedures such as company registration and guarantee registers, including the Central Electronic Guarantee Register deployed for the Government of Madagascar.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30–50% reduction in development costs through nearshore delivery model
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, minor and core.

• 21XstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 February 202421X and think tank cooperate to jointly conquer the market for tokenized securities and provide their customers with simpler and safer access to trading digital assets.
• FinPlanet GmbHstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 November 2023Strategic partnership between think tank Smart Solutions GmbH and FinPlanet GmbH to leverage complementary service portfolios and generate synergy effects for customers.
• SWIATminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 September 2023Strategic partnership for blockchain technology and digital assets consulting. SWIAT brings blockchain expertise to extend think tank's advisory capabilities.
• WSO2coreTechnology or IntegrationWSO2 partner. WSO2 provides the open-source integration and API management platform that think tank uses as part of its technology stack for building enterprise integration solutions.
• TMI (Tunisian Multilateral Investment)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTMI partner. A Tunisian investment and development entity that collaborates with think tank on strategic initiatives in the region.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Devoteam: European IT consultancy focused on digital transformation, cloud, and AI across multiple verticals. Comparable in mid-size European IT consulting profile, AI capabilities, and enterprise/government client base.
• GFT Technologies SE: German IT consultancy and digital transformation specialist serving banking, insurance, and industrial clients. Directly comparable in target verticals, project-based services model, and DACH enterprise focus.
• msg systems AG: Large German IT consultancy focused on industry-specific solutions for automotive, financial services, and public sector. Closely comparable to think tank in vertical specialization, regulated-industry certifications, and German Mittelstand enterprise base.
• Nagarro: Global digital engineering and consulting firm with strong German and EMEA presence serving automotive, manufacturing, and financial services. Comparable in custom software, AI/ML, and digital transformation offerings.
• Senacor Technologies: Germany-based IT consultancy specializing in digital transformation for banks, insurance, and automotive. Highly comparable in customer base, agile delivery model, and DACH enterprise positioning.
• Allgeier SE: German IT services group with technology, consulting, and nearshore delivery capabilities across Europe. Comparable in diversified IT services portfolio and presence in regulated verticals.
• adesso SE: German-headquartered IT services and consulting firm with strong presence in insurance, automotive, and public sector across DACH. Comparable in size, industry mix, and custom software/consulting delivery model.
• Datagroup SE: German IT services provider offering managed services, consulting, and cloud solutions to enterprise and public sector clients. Comparable in mid-market enterprise focus and DACH regional strength.

Broad incumbents

• Capgemini: Global IT services and consulting leader with deep presence in automotive, financial services, and public sector across EMEA. Provides a broader portfolio and acts as the strategic incumbent think tank competes against in enterprise digital transformation deals.
• T-Systems: Deutsche Telekom's enterprise IT services arm offering consulting, systems integration, and digital transformation across DACH. Comparable in German enterprise/government customer base and broad IT services portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

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 think tank