Fau

What Fau does

fau GmbH (full legal name: fau Gesellschaft für Faktenrecherchen und Analysen im Umweltschutz mbH) is a Berlin-based engineering services firm founded in 1993 that provides specialized data collection, digitization, GIS/geodata, and environmental analysis services. The company operates five service lines: data capture (Datenerfassung), geodata and GIS, non-destructive document digitization (Schriftgut-Digitalisierung), tree and green space assessment (Bäume und Grünflächen), and waste management consulting (Abfallwirtschaft). Its client base is concentrated in public-sector institutions across the Berlin-Brandenburg region, including municipal and federal government administrations, hospitals, research institutes, universities, and cultural foundations.

The company's technology stack relies on open-source GIS software (gvSIG, Quantum GIS) for geographic data work, complemented by specialized diagnostic equipment for tree assessment (Resistograph for wood decay measurement, Impulshammer for structural testing, Fractometer for wood quality analysis), and a book scanner with a V-book cradle for non-destructive digitization of bound and fragile materials. The tree inspection practice follows the Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) methodology, FLL tree inspection guidelines, and ZTV tree care standards for traffic safety assessment. The firm operates an internal quality management system under which every client engagement is processed, and positions reliability and quality as its primary values.

Fau earns revenue exclusively through project-based professional services engagements on a quote-based pricing model, with no public pricing disclosure. Distribution is direct B2B with no intermediaries, resellers, or marketplace presence, and marketing relies on the company website and professional referrals rather than paid channels. Stefan Genkinger serves as Managing Director (Geschäftsführer) and appears to be the principal owner; the firm is registered as a private German limited liability company (GmbH) at Amtsgericht Charlottenburg under HRB 49785. The company has 1-10 employees, no disclosed funding, no subsidiaries, and no parent entity.

Name

Fau

Legal name

fau GmbH – fau Gesellschaft für Faktenrecherchen und Analysen im Umweltschutz mbH

Website

https://fau-gmbh.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

fau GmbH is a Berlin-based engineering services firm founded in 1993 providing data collection, digitization, GIS, environmental analysis, tree inspection, and waste management consulting to public-sector clients across Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Data Services: Project-based service engagements for data collection, digitization, GIS mapping, and environmental analysis for B2B and government clients

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

fau GmbH is an engineering service company founded in 1993 that provides professional data collection, data capture, digitization, geodata/GIS, tree inspection, and waste management consulting services. The company collects data on-site and from documents, enters information into lists, databases, and geographic information systems, and produces analyses and expert assessments in selected specialist fields for public sector, healthcare, and research clients.

Product overview

Fau GmbH is a German service company established in 1993 offering specialized services for data collection, data capture, digitization, and environmental analysis. The company operates across multiple service areas including: Datenerfassung (data collection from documents, surveys, and databases), Geodaten/GIS (geographic information system services), Schriftgut-Digitalisierung (document digitization), Bäume und Grünflächen (tree and green space management), and Abfallwirtschaft (waste management consulting). These services are delivered as professional consulting offerings rather than software products, serving clients in public administration, healthcare, and research sectors. The company uses open-source GIS tools (gvSIG, Quantum GIS) for its geographic data work.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Datenerfassung (Data Collection Services) Qualified data collection and analysis services from various documents including surveys, journals, and other publications. Includes creation of abstracts with classifications and descriptions, database entry, and management of data collection projects for public sector and research clients.
• Geodaten / GIS (Geodata and Geographic Information System Services) Geographic Information System services including capturing geometry and attribute data, digitizing maps and aerial surveys, georeferencing analog plans, creating thematic maps, and performing data analysis with area balances. Delivered using open-source GIS tools (gvSIG, Quantum GIS).
• Schriftgut-Digitalisierung (Document Digitization Services) Non-destructive scanning of bound and unbound documents using a book scanner with V-Buchwippe (V-book cradle) for gentle handling of fragile literature. Includes digitization, format conversion, and optional data capture into workflow systems for archives, libraries, and research institutions.
• Bäume und Grünflächen (Tree and Green Space Services) Tree inspection and green space management services including traffic safety inspections using VTA methodology, tree cadastre development, and expert assessments using diagnostic equipment (Resistograph, Impulshammer, Fractometer) for municipalities, hospitals, and public agencies.
• Abfallwirtschaft (Waste Management Consulting Services) Waste management consulting including creation of waste management concepts, hazardous substance registers, and waste data collection and evaluation for hospitals, clinics, and public facilities.

Named customers14 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• AED-SICAD GmbH: German GIS solutions provider specialized in public administration and utilities. Comparable to FAU's GIS/geodata offering for municipal and government clients, though at a much larger enterprise-software scale.
• Arcadis Germany: Global environmental and engineering consultancy with a substantial German practice covering environmental compliance, sustainability and geodata. Overlaps with FAU's waste-management, environmental compliance, and GIS work but at vastly greater scale and breadth.
• HPC AG: Larger German engineering and environmental services firm with GIS, geo-environmental and surveying capabilities. Comparable to FAU's GIS and environmental data services but operating at significantly greater scale across Germany.
• Öko-Institut e.V. Leading German applied environmental research institute covering waste, chemicals and environmental policy. Relevant to FAU because both support German public-sector environmental analysis work, including engagements linked to the Umweltbundesamt ecosystem.
• Esri Deutschland GmbH: German arm of Esri, the dominant GIS software vendor. Relevant to FAU because FAU's GIS/geodata services are built around the same geographic information systems category that Esri serves in the German public-sector market.

Direct peers

• WhereGroup GmbH: German open-source GIS consultancy built around MapServer, QGIS and PostGIS. Highly comparable to FAU because both leverage open-source GIS toolchains (FAU uses gvSIG and Quantum GIS) for geodata services to public-sector clients.
• GUTcert GmbH: Berlin-based certification and sustainability/environmental consulting firm serving German industry and public sector. Comparable to FAU because both operate as mid-sized German consultancies focused on environmental compliance, waste, and sustainability documentation for institutional clients.
• Microbox GmbH: German document digitization and workflow solutions provider serving public archives and enterprises. Comparable to FAU because both offer professional Schriftgut-Digitalisierung services, including scanning of bound/legacy material for cultural and administrative clients.
• ImageWare Gesellschaft für EDV-Beratung mbH: German digitization services and document management provider. Comparable to FAU's document scanning and digitization offering for public-sector and research customers.
• con terra GmbH: German GIS and geodata specialist serving public administration, utilities and environmental clients. Comparable to FAU because both deliver GIS mapping, georeferencing and geodata services to municipal and government buyers in the German market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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 Fau