Iconate

What Iconate does

Iconate is a Berlin-based digital transformation agency founded in 1999 that delivers integrated IT services and web development to mid-market and enterprise clients across the DACH region with capability for European projects. The company's core offerings span IT infrastructure consulting (mobile workplaces, cybersecurity, GDPR-compliant data protection, managed IT services), web and software development (CMS, portals, e-commerce, native iOS/Android applications), and digital strategy consulting. The firm operates through a multi-subsidiary group structure: the parent iconate Gesellschaft für Kommunikation und Medien mbH, regional marketing subsidiary iconate nord GmbH (established 2015), digital services subsidiary iconate nxt GmbH (formed in 2016 from the acquired digital division of Thomas Manss & Company), and iconate invest (a technology-driven venture investment vehicle). Primary vertical focus is real estate, with secondary verticals in education, associations/foundations, tourism, media, healthcare, and law firms.

The company's technology stack is built primarily on open-source platforms (Typo3, Drupal, WordPress, Liferay, Magento, Shopware) augmented with AI, data, and automation capabilities. Iconate's positioning emphasizes a "360° digital transformation" approach — combining experience design, infrastructure, AI, data, and automation under one engagement rather than as separate point solutions. Differentiators include 25+ years of accumulated real estate domain expertise (formalized in Alexander Schirpke's MBA thesis on real estate digitalization), cross-functional in-house delivery teams, and a registered trademark portfolio (iconate®, iconference®, little sister®). The firm has no external institutional investors, no parent company, and no public funding rounds disclosed.

Iconate's revenue model is professional-services-based with bespoke quote-based pricing and multi-year contracts; no standard pricing tiers are publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is sales-led and direct, with named account managers per service line (Alexander Schirpke for strategy, Georg Rudorff for IT services, Sven Papenfuß for web projects) targeting clients with 2 to 1,000 employees. The firm is privately held with ownership concentrated among the Managing Directors — Alexander Schirpke (MD & Shareholder, 25+ years tenure) and Georg Rudorff (MD since 2022, internal promotion after 15+ years). Named clients include the Deutscher Bundestag, the Royal Danish Embassy Berlin, Land Berlin, Savills, NAI Apollo, Colliers, DPA, T-Systems, the German Red Cross, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Evonik Industries, and Deutsche Rentenversicherung.

Name

Iconate

Legal name

iconate Gesellschaft für Kommunikation und Medien mbH

Website

https://iconate.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Iconate is a Berlin-based digital transformation agency founded in 1999, delivering IT infrastructure consulting, cybersecurity, data protection, and web development services to mid-market and enterprise clients across the DACH region, with deep specialization in the real estate vertical.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

IT Consulting & Digital Transformation Services

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210), Security Systems Services (56162)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise Architecture & Technology Roadmapping (BPAEAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cybersecurity & Identity Consulting (BPAHAEAG)

Keywords

• Digital transformation consulting
• IT infrastructure services
• Cybersecurity consulting
• Web development services
• Data protection consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. IT Services & Consulting: Fees for IT infrastructure consulting, cybersecurity, data protection, and managed IT services. Projects range from strategic planning to ongoing infrastructure management for mid-market and enterprise clients.
2. Web & Software Development: Fees for custom web development, CMS implementation, portal and e-commerce platform development, and mobile app development. Typically project-based with clear deliverable milestones.
3. iconate invest – Technology Ventures: Investment vehicle developing and growing technology-driven business models and companies domestically and internationally. Represents a separate revenue/investment stream for the group.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Iconate is a digital transformation agency that delivers integrated IT infrastructure services, cybersecurity and data protection consulting, web and software development (CMS, portals, e-commerce, mobile apps), and digital strategy consulting to mid-market and enterprise clients in Germany and Europe. Core offerings include adaptive/mobile workplaces, cyber security and GDPR-compliant data protection concepts, online fundraising platforms, e-learning/serious games platforms, and industry-specific solutions for real estate, education, associations/foundations, and medical/law practices.

Product overview

Iconate is a digital transformation agency offering a comprehensive portfolio of services rather than a single unified product. The company provides IT & Services (infrastructure, cybersecurity, mobile workplaces, consulting) and Web & Development (CMS, portals, e-commerce, mobile apps). The portfolio includes specialized industry solutions for Real Estate (Immobilien), Education & E-Learning, Associations & Foundations, Online Fundraising, and Practice/Law Firm solutions. The company operates through subsidiaries iconate nord (regional marketing, est. 2015) and iconate nxt (digital services, est. 2016 from Thomas Manss & Company acquisition). Services are delivered using open-source technologies including Typo 3, Drupal, WordPress, Liferay, Magento, and shopware.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• iconate nord: Regional marketing focus subsidiary established in 2015
• iconate nxt
• iconate invest

Quantifiable outcome

• Hundreds of successfully completed projects across CMS, portals, and e-commerce
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• iconate nord GmbHcoreOthersWholly-owned subsidiary of iconate Gesellschaft für Kommunikation und Medien mbH, established in 2015. Focuses on regional marketing services. Based in Berlin.
• iconate nxt GmbHcoreOthersWholly-owned subsidiary formed in 2016 from the acquisition of the digital division of Thomas Manss & Company. Now an integral part of the iconate group, focused on next-generation digital services. Based in Berlin.
• Thomas Manss & CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2016, iconate acquired and integrated the digital division of Thomas Manss & Company to form iconate nxt, expanding the company's digital capabilities.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Materna Information & Communications SE: German IT services provider offering digitalization, cloud, cybersecurity, and managed services to enterprise and public sector clients. Highly comparable in service breadth, German market focus, and public-sector reference base.
• Aperto (now IBM iX): Berlin-based digital agency that was acquired by IBM and folded into IBM iX, offering digital strategy, design, and platform development with strong public-sector heritage. Direct comparable on geography, vertical specialization, and bundling of design + technology under one roof.
• nexum AG: Cologne-based digital agency offering strategy, technology, and marketing solutions to German enterprise clients. Closely aligned with iconate's 360° transformation positioning, CMS/portal implementation work, and mid-market enterprise focus.
• adesso SE: German mid-tier IT consulting and software development firm headquartered in Dortmund with thousands of employees, serving enterprise and mid-market across verticals with custom development, consulting, and managed services — directly comparable to iconate's core IT services and vertical-specialization model at larger scale.
• SinnerSchrader (now part of Accenture Song): Formerly independent Hamburg-based digital agency now operating within Accenture Song; built on similar client roster and service portfolio (digital strategy, web platforms, e-commerce). Reflects the consolidation path that mid-tier German digital agencies typically face.
• Senacor Technologies: Munich-based IT consultancy specializing in digital transformation, data platforms, and core systems for German enterprise clients including financial services and real estate. Closely overlaps iconate's mid-market German enterprise focus and vertical solutions model.

Emerging players

• Centigrade GmbH: Mid-sized German software and consulting boutique focused on digital transformation, cloud, and data engineering for enterprise clients. Comparable in size and DACH enterprise focus, though with a stronger cloud/data tilt versus iconate's broader infrastructure and CMS heritage.

Broad incumbents

• Thoughtworks: Global technology consultancy specializing in custom software, digital platforms, and data/AI enablement for enterprise clients across industries. Overlaps iconate's custom development and digital transformation mandate, though at materially larger scale.
• Publicis Sapient: Global digital transformation consultancy serving enterprise clients with strategy, experience, technology, and data services. Operates a strong DACH presence (notably Frankfurt/Sapient Razorfish heritage) and competes for similar German enterprise digital mandates at greater scale.
• msg group (msg systems ag): Larger German-headquartered IT consulting and software group with deep vertical focus across insurance, banking, automotive, and public sector. Comparable service mix and DACH concentration, with significantly broader scale and product portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Iconate