What Active Key does

Active Key is a German manufacturer of hygienic, medical, and industrial input devices, founded in 2005 by Gerhard and Heidi Hahn and headquartered in Pegnitz, Germany. The company's product portfolio centers on IP68-rated fully sealed keyboards and mice using silicone membrane protection, designed for wipe-down and immersion disinfection in infection-controlled environments such as hospitals, dental clinics, microbiological laboratories, and industrial clean areas. Core proprietary technology includes CleanFunction (an FN-key combination that locks input during cleaning), low-profile scissor-switch key actuation, Cherry MX Gold Cross Point switches in programmable POS keyboards, and VAH-List / EN60601-1-2 compliant disinfection compatibility. Secondary product lines include programmable POS keyboards with integrated magnetic stripe and smart card readers, industrial keyboards with touchpad or trackball, and office keyboards.

The business model is B2B hardware sales through a multi-tier channel: direct website sales with a product finder and free 14-30 day sampling, plus a network of regional distributors (Despec in the Nordics, Exertis in France, bluechip Computer AG and api GmbH in Germany) and specialized resellers across Europe and the US. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Primary revenue streams are keyboard and mouse hardware sales, with recurring revenue from model-specific replacement silicone membranes, keyboard covers, and the Matrix Maker programming software for POS configurations.

Following a 2021 acquisition by Cherry SE and an August 2024 merger into Cherry Digital Health GmbH, the Active Key business was divested to Denmark-based Contour Design on May 28, 2025, and now operates as a wholly-owned Contour Design subsidiary (majority owned by Polaris Private Equity) under the Contour Active Key brand. Manufacturing and operations continue from Auerbach in der Oberpfalz, Germany, with a US sales office in Kenosha, WI.

Name

Active Key

Legal name

Active Key GmbH

Website

https://activekey.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Active Key manufactures IP68-rated hygienic keyboards, mice, and POS input devices for healthcare, industrial, banking, and office environments, distributing across Europe and the US as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Contour Design (Polaris Private Equity).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Computer Peripherals

NAICS

Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (334118), Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (339112)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)

akta.pro primary industry

Keyboards & Keypads (HDACAFAA)

Keywords

• Hygiene keyboards
• Medical keyboards
• Disinfectable mice
• Industrial input devices
• POS keyboards

Headquarters

HQ city

Pegnitz

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Keyboards: Sale of medical, industrial, and office keyboards. Products range from compact mini keyboards to full-size desktop keyboards with various protection levels (IP54 to IP68). Available in wired and wireless versions.
2. Hardware Sales - Mice: Sale of medical and hygiene mice including scroll sensor mice, 3-button scroll mice, and washable optical mice with IP68 protection.
3. Accessories and Spare Parts: Replacement silicone membranes, keyboard covers, and protection skins for existing keyboard products. Over 20 million actuations life expectancy for membranes.
4. Custom/Programmable Solutions: Customized keyboards and mice developed for specific applications. Programmable POS keyboards with Matrix Maker software allowing custom key assignments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Active Key designs and manufactures IP68-rated, fully sealed hygiene and medical keyboards and mice for hospitals, dental clinics, laboratories, industrial environments, banks, retail POS, and offices. The product portfolio includes medical keyboards with silicone membranes and CleanFunction, industrial keyboards with integrated touchpads or trackballs, programmable POS keyboards with MX switches, smart card and magnetic card reader keyboards, and wireless and wired medical mice. The company also offers replacement silicone membranes, keyboard covers, and the Matrix Maker configuration software as accessories and complementary offerings.

Product overview

Active Key is a leading manufacturer of hygiene and industrial keyboards and mice for professional data input, now operating as part of Contour Design. The product portfolio spans medical-grade keyboards with IP68 certification (QuickClean, MedicalKey, FlatKey series), protected keyboards, backlit keyboards, touchpad keyboards, trackball keyboards, office keyboards, compact keyboards, wireless keyboards, programmable POS keyboards, smart card keyboards, magnetic card readers, and medical mice. The range includes wired and wireless connectivity options, with key differentiating features including fully sealed silicone membranes for wipe disinfection, CleanFunction input lock during cleaning, scissor key balancing technology, and compatibility with EPA/CDC-compliant disinfectants. Replacement silicone membranes, keyboard covers, and the Matrix Maker configuration software complement the hardware offerings. Products are designed for healthcare, dental, laboratory, industrial, POS/banking, and office applications, with certifications including CE, FCC, RoHS, and EN60601-1-2.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AK-C8112 Medical Keyboard (QuickClean) Full-size 105-key IP68-rated fully sealed medical keyboard with silicone key membrane, CleanFunction input lock during cleaning, low-profile scissor keys with 3mm travel, available in white, red, and black with wired and wireless connectivity. For hospitals and hygiene-critical environments.
• AK-C7012 Medical Keyboard Compact High-quality compact notebook-style PC medical keyboard with integrated numpad, silicone membrane protection, and MAC OS compatibility. For hospitals and medical practices.
• AK-C4112 Medical Keyboard Mini Ultra-compact disinfectable medical keyboard designed for tight spaces in medical environments with silicone membrane protection. For hospitals, laboratories, and clinical workstations.
• AK-C7412 Medical Keyboard Compact with Touchpad High-performance hygiene PC keyboard with integrated numpad and touchpad, silicone key membrane, flat key profile with entirely closed surface. For medical environments.
• AK-C4412 Medical Keyboard Mini with Touchpad Compact notebook-style PC keyboard with large integrated touchpad, silicone key membrane protection, precise key actuation. For hospitals and hygiene-sensitive workstations.
• AK-CB7012 Medical Keyboard Compact Backlit Compact hygiene keyboard with 8-level dimmable backlit keys, CleanFunction for deactivating key field during cleaning, ultra-flat keys for thorough wipe disinfection. For hospitals and dark medical environments.
• AK-C8200F Hygiene Keyboard with Smart Card Reader Hygiene keyboard with integrated smart card reader, PC/SC and CCID compatible, Gemalto Chipset CR 20, single USB interface for both keyboard and smart card reader. For hospitals and access-control applications.
• AK-4450 Disinfectable Keyboard with Touchpad Disinfectable compact keyboard with integrated touchpad and silicone membrane protection. For hospitals, food industry, and automation environments.
• AK-4450-G Compact Industrial Keyboard Compact industrial keyboard with integrated touchpad, notebook-style key field, ergonomic key actuation, large touchpad for mouse replacement. For industrial and automotive applications.
• AK-8200S USB Smart Card Keyboard USB smart card keyboard with PC/SC and CCID compatibility for access control and data encryption applications. For healthcare, government, and enterprise authentication.
• AK-8800 USB Magnetic Stripe Reader Keyboard USB keyboard with full 104/105 layout and integrated 3-track magnetic stripe reader, splash water resistant, 500,000 swipe cycles. For POS and banking.
• AK-8820 Magnetic and Smart Card Reader Keyboard USB keyboard with magnetic stripe reader and smart card reader, PC/SC and CCID compatible, Gemalto Chipset ID Bridge CR 20. For POS and banking.
• AK-880 Mechanical Magnetic Stripe Keyboard Standard USB magnetic stripe reader keyboard with 3-track reader, mechanical MX key switches with Gold Cross Point contact, 500,000 read cycles. For POS.
• AK-4100 Compact Office Keyboard Small compact notebook-style keyboard with scissor balancing technology, full-size keycaps, space-saving design, low noise and ergonomic characteristic. For offices.
• AK-7000 Desktop Office Keyboard Small footprint notebook-style keyboard with joined numeric pad, 103/104 keys, low profile (18mm), ergonomic soft tactile key actuation. For offices.
• AK-7410 Ultra-flat Industrial Keyboard with Touchpad Ultra-flat industrial keyboard with integrated touchpad and number pad, full key layout (103/104 keys), surrounding rim for easy installation. For industrial applications.
• AK-4400-T Mini Desk Trackball Keyboard High-quality mini desk trackball keyboard with integrated 16mm trackball, low profile (23mm), scissor balancing technology, USB or PS/2 interface. For industrial and medical use.
• AK-S100/112 Programmable POS Keyboard 112-key programmable POS keyboard with MX Gold Cross Point key technology, internal metal plate for key fixation, 50 million actuations per key. For retail and banking point-of-sale.
• AK-S100/35 Programmable POS Keyboard 35-key programmable POS keyboard with over 50 million actuations per key. For retail and banking point-of-sale.
• AK-100/24 Programmable POS Keyboard 24-key programmable POS keyboard with 50 million actuations per key. For retail point-of-sale.
• AK-920S Stand-Alone Smart Card Reader USB stand-alone smart card reader with CCID and PC/SC compatibility, Gemalto Chipset CR20, stable and robust (350g), one-hand operable. For healthcare and access-control applications.
• AK-980 External Magnetic Stripe Reader USB external magnetic stripe reader supporting up to 3 tracks, 500,000 swipes, with metal plate card reader slot. For POS applications.
• AK-PMH3 Medical Mouse with Scroll Sensor Waterproof medical mouse with scroll sensor for glossy surfaces, symmetrical left and right-handed design, fully sealed silicone membrane with IP68 rating, blue light sensor, wake-up-by-motion function. For medical and hygiene-critical environments.
• AK-PMJ1 Washable Optical Mouse Washable optical mouse with scroll wheel, elegant hygiene mouse, easy-to-use scroll wheel, excellent cleanability, suitable for flushing and immersion, IP68 protection. For medical environments.
• AK-PMH1 Medical Mouse with 3-Button Scroll Sanitizable hygiene mouse with 3-key scroll wheel emulation, 1000 dpi optical system, IP68 fully sealed, scroll via 3 buttons. For clinical use.
• AK-PMH2 Wireless Medical Mouse with Scroll Sensor Disinfectible wireless optical mouse with scroll wheel sensor, 2.4GHz RF transmission with USB nano-dongle, 360-degree silicone safeguard, IP68 protection. For hospitals.
• AK-PMT2 Watertight Wireless Medical Mouse Watertight sanitizable medical mouse with IP68 rating, laser scanning (800dpi), 2 keys plus 3-key scroll wheel emulation, 2.4GHz RF wireless technology with up to 10m range. For clinical workstations.
• AK-F4100 Keyboard Cover Keyboard cover fits AK-4100 compact keyboard, protection against dirt and splash water, high elasticity, 10 million actuations lifespan, high transparency. For Active Key keyboard customers.
• Replacement Silicone Membrane (AK-C7000F) Replacement silicone membrane for AK-C7000F keyboard, sanitisable, disinfectant resistant according to VAH-List, available in white and black. For existing Active Key medical keyboard customers.
• Matrix Maker Configuration Software Free software tool for configuring Active Key programmable keyboards (AK-S100 and AK-100 series), enabling users to set individual strings, shortcuts, or number combinations on keys, supporting 8 programmable layers and 256 characters per button. For POS operators and system integrators.

Quantifiable outcome

• IP68-rated fully sealed devices support thorough wipe-down and wash-down disinfection
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Contour DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2025On May 28, 2025, Contour Design announced successful completion of acquiring the Active Key business from Cherry SE. Active Key becomes an integral part of Contour Design's product portfolio. Contour Design expands its position in healthcare and industrial technology by combining its ergonomic expertise with Active Key's specialization in hygienic keyboards and mice. The Active Key business continues to operate from Auerbach in der Oberpfalz, Germany.
• Cherry SEminorOthers · 1 January 2021CHERRY based in Auerbach/Opf. took over Active Key GmbH & Co.KG in 2021. From then on the company operated under Active Key GmbH with Gerrit Schick and Bernd Wagner as managing directors. In 2024, the subsidiary company was merged into Cherry Digital Health GmbH with operational departments integrated into Cherry Europe GmbH and Cherry SE.
• Cherry Digital Health GmbHminorOthers · 1 January 2021From August 2024, Active Key GmbH was merged into Cherry Digital Health GmbH as part of corporate restructuring within the Cherry Group.
• Despec (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDespec serves as a major distribution partner for Active Key across the Nordic region, covering Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Contact: Despec Denmark A/S, Vassingerodvej 25, 3540 Lynge, +45 45 76 43 00.
• Exertis FrancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExertis France distributes Active Key products throughout France. Contact: 5 rue Pleyel, 93200 Saint Denis, France. Tel. +33 1 56 47 04 70.
• bluechip Computer AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman distributor for Active Key products. Contact: Geschwister-Scholl-Strasse 11a, D-04610 Meuselwitz, +49 3448 755 190.
• api GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman distributor for Active Key products. Contact: Robert-Koch-Str. 7-17, 52499 Baesweiler, +49 241 9170 5000.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Cherry SE: German keyboard and input device incumbent and former parent of Active Key. Offers a broad keyboard portfolio including medical/hygiene lines and competes in overlapping European and POS channels.
• Logitech: Global incumbent in computer peripherals including keyboards and mice with a growing presence in healthcare and enterprise channels. Indirect competitor via general-purpose and ergonomic offerings.

Direct peers

• iKey (by Bartec): Rugged and medical-grade keyboards, mice, and pointing devices for industrial, military, and healthcare use. Direct competitor in sealed/hygiene input devices and POS keyboards.
• Man & Machine: Specialist in medical-grade, waterproof, and disinfectable keyboards and mice for healthcare, dental, and laboratory environments. Competes directly with Active Key's medical keyboard and mouse line.
• Hoffmann + Krippner: German maker of custom membrane keyboards, industrial input devices, and hygienic HMI solutions for medical, industrial, and laboratory customers. Comparable on sealed/custom input technology.
• InduKey: German specialist in industrial and silicone-membrane keyboards, including medical and hygiene versions. Overlaps with Active Key on protected and disinfectable keyboard technology.
• Seal Shield: US-based manufacturer of waterproof, washable, and antimicrobial medical keyboards and mice with IP68 ratings. Direct head-to-head competitor in hospital and dental hygiene input devices.
• Advanced Input Systems: US designer and manufacturer of custom medical, industrial, and rugged input devices, including sealed keyboards and mice. Comparable in custom sealed-input engineering for regulated verticals.
• GETT Gerätetechnik: German manufacturer of industrial and hygienic keyboards, mice, and touch input devices for medical, food, and cleanroom environments. Closest German-based direct peer to Active Key.

Others

• Contour Design: Danish ergonomic input device maker (Unimouse, RollerMouse) and parent of Active Key. Sister business and indirect channel partner; comparable in ergonomic and healthcare-focused peripherals.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Active Key