HAMKAI

What HAMKAI does

HAMKAI GmbH is a boutique digital marketing agency headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, with operational subsidiary SEEKK in China. Founded in 2012 by Kai Ding (Ding Kai), a bicultural entrepreneur educated at South China University of Technology and the University of Regensburg, the firm provides integrated digital marketing and cross-border e-commerce services for European companies — predominantly German Mittelstand and so-called "Hidden Champions" (Professor Hermann Simon's mid-sized niche market leaders) — seeking to enter and scale in Chinese and South Korean markets.

The company's service portfolio is organized around three pillars: (1) B2B digital marketing for industrial companies (Baidu and Bing SEO/SEM, content marketing on Zhihu/WeChat, 1688.com operations); (2) e-commerce operations as a certified Tmall Partner (TP) for Tmall Global and JD Worldwide, including marketplace setup, daily operations, marketing, customer service, and supply chain management; and (3) market entry consulting covering market research, competitive analysis, brand planning, registration, and channel strategy. Technical assets include a proprietary SaaS system for corporate websites, PrestaShop-based e-commerce solutions with Chinese localization (AliPay integration, Chinese frontend templates, BorderGuru shipping modules), and WeChat Mini Program development capabilities. SEEKK obtained official Tmall Global TP-Partner certification in September 2020.

Revenue is generated through a multi-stream model: project-based and retainer digital marketing fees; TP setup fees of 10,000–30,000 EUR (3–6 month onboarding) plus monthly service fees of 3,000–7,000 EUR and 8–12% commission on net sales for marketplace operations; market entry consulting on a project basis; and website localization services including Chinese hosting and ICP license procurement. Customers include Venta, Testo, Heraeus, Röchling Automotive, WEGMANN automotive, RRC power solutions, menzerna, Palas, Franz Binder, VIA Optronics, Finetech, and Dr. Hesse Tierpharma (its longest-standing client since 2014). The company is founder-owned with no disclosed institutional funding.

Name

HAMKAI

Legal name

HAMKAI GmbH

Website

https://hamkai.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HAMKAI is a Hamburg-based boutique digital marketing agency and certified Tmall Global TP partner that helps German Mittelstand and European Hidden Champion companies enter and operate in Chinese and South Korean digital markets through B2B marketing, e-commerce operations, and market entry consulting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cross-Border Digital Marketing and E-Commerce Services

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Media Buying Agencies (541830)

SIC

Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro primary industry

B2B Marketplaces & Wholesale Platforms (BPAMAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wholesale/B2B Generalist Marketplaces (CRAFAAAF), Local Search & Business Directories (BPAMAAAE)

Keywords

• China digital marketing
• Cross-border e-commerce
• Tmall Global TP services
• China market entry consulting
• B2B industrial marketing

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Digital Marketing Services: Performance marketing (SEM/SEO/PPC), content marketing, and KOL/influencer marketing services for B2B industrial companies. Clients include automotive suppliers, scientific instruments, automation components, and chemical suppliers. Revenue generated through project fees and retainer contracts.
2. E-Commerce TP Operations (Tmall Global/JD): As certified TP Partner for Tmall Global, HAMKAI operates marketplace shops for international brands. Setup phase costs 10,000-30,000 EUR (3-6 months). Monthly operating costs 3,000-7,000 EUR plus 8-12% commission on net product sales.
3. Market Entry Consulting: Comprehensive consulting services including market research, competitive analysis, brand planning, registration, and channel strategy for companies entering the Chinese market.
4. Website Design and Localization: Website localization services including design, hosting in China, and ICP license application. CMS solutions using SEEKK SaaS, Contao, Typo3, and WordPress for Chinese corporate websites.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

HAMKAI is a boutique digital marketing agency that delivers integrated digital marketing and e-commerce services for European companies seeking to enter or expand in the Chinese and South Korean markets. Its core offerings include B2B digital marketing (SEO/SEM/PPC on Baidu and Bing, content marketing, KOL/influencer marketing), full-service e-commerce operations as a certified Tmall Global TP and JD Worldwide partner (storefront setup, daily operations, supply chain management, financial monitoring), and China market entry consulting (market research, competitive analysis, brand planning, brand and company registration, channel strategy). The firm also provides WeChat marketing, livestream commerce, and website localization including ICP license application.

Product overview

HAMKAI is a boutique digital marketing agency offering a comprehensive suite of services for B2B and cross-border E-commerce with focus on China and South Korea markets. Their portfolio consists of three main areas: (1) B2B Digital Marketing services using their proprietary SEEKK SaaS platform for industrial companies targeting Chinese search engines like Baidu and Bing; (2) E-Commerce Operations as Tmall Partner (TP) and JD Partner managing marketplace shops on Tmall Global, JD Worldwide, and 1688.com for brands in environmental devices and personal care; (3) Full-service market entry support including market research, competitive analysis, brand planning, and China business services. The company also provides specialized digital marketing services including SEO/SEM, content marketing, KOL/influencer marketing, social media advertising (WeChat, Weibo, Douyin, Bilibili, Xiaohongshu), livestream commerce, and website localization including ICP licensing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• B2B Digital Marketing for Industrial Companies

Quantifiable outcome

• Venta Tmall Global shop achieved impressive and exponential growth exceeding all expectations in very short time after September 2020 launch
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration16 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• SEEKK (Chinese Subsidiary)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020HAMKAI's Chinese subsidiary company operating as the operational arm for e-commerce activities in China. In September 2020, SEEKK was certified as official TP-Partner of Tmall Global, enabling HAMKAI to directly operate Tmall Global shops for international brands.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• JD.com: Operator of JD Worldwide cross-border e-commerce platform where HAMKAI provides TP services. Platform partner and ecosystem dependency rather than direct competitor.
• Alibaba Group (Tmall Global / 1688.com): Owner and operator of Tmall Global, 1688.com, and Alimama, the platforms on which HAMKAI operates TP shops and runs advertising campaigns. Key infrastructure partner and ecosystem dependency rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• TMO Group: Dutch digital agency specializing in cross-border e-commerce and China market entry, helping European brands build and operate Tmall Global, JD, and other Asian marketplace storefronts. Most direct comparable to HAMKAI's boutique, TP-focused model.
• Webcertain: Digital marketing agency offering international SEO, SEM, content, and localization services for brands expanding across multiple markets including China, Korea, and APAC. Comparable to HAMKAI's multi-market Asia digital marketing services.
• Azoya International: Cross-border e-commerce solutions provider enabling international brands to launch and operate on Tmall Global, JD Worldwide, and other Chinese platforms, including storefront operations, marketing, and supply chain integration. Overlaps directly with HAMKAI's TP and cross-border e-commerce operations.
• Dragon Social: Hong Kong-based boutique digital marketing agency offering social media, KOL, and content marketing services specifically for brands entering the Chinese market across WeChat, Weibo, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu. Closely comparable to HAMKAI's mid-market, social-media-led China entry offering.

Broad incumbents

• Publicis Groupe: Global communications and marketing group with significant China presence offering integrated digital, media, and e-commerce services. Competes for large enterprise cross-border mandates rather than Hidden Champion niche.
• WPP: Global advertising holding company with dedicated China operations and GroupM media buying capabilities. Competes at the upper end of the cross-border China marketing services market but with broader portfolio and global mandate.
• B2B International ( gyro / Havas B2B ): Global B2B marketing agencies operating in the industrial and technical segment, similar to HAMKAI's Hidden Champion client base, but with broader geographic scope and significantly larger scale.

Emerging players

• Yong Sheng (Tmall Global TP ecosystem): Other certified Tmall Global TP partners and boutique cross-border e-commerce service providers operating in the same TP ecosystem as HAMKAI/SEEKK, including smaller China-focused operators competing for foreign brand mandates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/14374796
• Instagraminstagram.com/kaidingde

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 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 HAMKAI