What frogblue does

frogblue (legally fb Vertriebs AG) is a German smart home and building automation company headquartered in Kaiserslautern, Germany. It designs, manufactures, and sells wireless Bluetooth mesh-based control systems for residential and light commercial buildings, with products including compact 'frog' modules installed behind standard light switches, dimmers, relays, heating controllers (frogBoxHeat, frogHeatBar), sensors (frogRoomSense, frogMultiSense, frogMotion), the SIP-based frogTerminal video door intercom, and the frogDisplay wall-mounted touchscreen. The architecture uses decentralized 'virtual cable' control over Bluetooth LE mesh with MQTT, supports the Matter SmartHome standard, and integrates with SIP, BACnet, KNX, ONVIF, MOBOTIX, Grandstream, and DESFire EV2. Operations run locally without a mandatory cloud subscription; an optional frogCloud enables worldwide remote smartphone access.

The company monetizes primarily through hardware sales — a typical single-family home system of lighting, heating, blind control, and video door intercom is priced at approximately 6,000 EUR, with claimed ~80% cable-laying cost reduction versus wired systems. Secondary revenue streams include paid frogblue Certified Installer training (3-day course at 148 EUR per participant), optional cloud subscriptions, and license-free configuration software. Go-to-market combines a direct global webshop with a frogXpert certified installer partner network, supported by multilingual digital presence (English, German, French, Japanese) and trade-show activity including the International Partner Conference (IPC) 2025.

frogblue is a privately-held German Aktiengesellschaft controlled by its founding family. Leadership comprises CEO Dr. Ralf Hinkel and CSO Christian Heller, with a supervisory board chaired by Willi A. Fallot-Burghardt alongside Sabine Hinkel and Michael Schlecht. The company operates in DACH, broader EU markets, and Japan, and positions itself as a 'Made in Germany' specialist emphasizing reliability, VDE-certified safety, energy efficiency, and flexibility of post-installation reconfiguration.

Name

frogblue

Legal name

fb Vertriebs AG

Website

https://frogblue.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

frogblue (fb Vertriebs AG) is a German smart home and building automation company selling Bluetooth mesh wireless control systems — frogs, sensors, SIP video intercoms, and heating controllers — through a certified frogXpert installer network and direct webshop, serving residential and light commercial properties across DACH, the EU, and Japan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Smart Home & Building Automation Hardware

NAICS

Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing (33421)

SIC

Auto Controls For Regulating Residential & Comml Environments (3822), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Whole-Home Automation System Design & Programming (HSAHADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Smart Lighting & Dimming Control Installation (HSAHADAB), Voice Assistant & Smart Home Hub Setup (Alexa/Google/HomeKit) (HSAHADAF)

Keywords

• Smart home automation
• Building automation systems
• Wireless lighting control
• Bluetooth mesh networking
• Video door intercoms

Headquarters

HQ city

Kaiserslautern

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Smart Home Hardware Products: Sale of frog devices (actuators, dimmers, relays, sensors), control units (frogDisplay, frogTerminal), and accessories. Products installed behind standard light switches requiring only 230V power connection.
2. Cloud Service (Optional): Optional cloud subscription for worldwide remote access to smart home via smartphone. System operates locally via Bluetooth without cloud - cloud is optional add-on.
3. Installer Certification Training: 3-day certification training program for installers resulting in 'frogblue Certified Installer' status. Training includes frogKey and frogAct2-2 hardware components. Cost: 148 Euro per participant.
4. License-free Software: Configuration and operating software is license-free with free updates included. No ongoing licensing costs for users.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

frogblue develops and manufactures a wireless building automation system based on compact Bluetooth-enabled controller modules ('frogs') installed behind standard 230V light switches. The frogs form a self-healing mesh network that eliminates control cables and central control cabinets. The portfolio spans lighting dimmers/relays/actuators, heating controls (frogBoxHeat, frogHeatBar), the SIP-based frogTerminal video door intercom, the frogDisplay wall touchscreen, sensors, and the license-free frogControl app for end users and ProjectApp for installers.

Product overview

frogblue is a German smart home and building technology company offering a modular, wireless building automation system. The portfolio consists of 'frog' modules (compact Bluetooth-enabled controllers installed behind standard light switches) forming the core of the system, complemented by specialized control modules (frogBoxHeat for heating, frogBoxGPS for weather sensing), the frogTerminal SIP video door intercom, and the frogDisplay wall-mounted touchscreen interface. Control is provided via the frogControl app for end users and ProjectApp for installers. The system uses Bluetooth mesh networking with 'virtual cables' eliminating the need for control wiring, supports SIP-based communication, and integrates with standards including BACnet, KNX, ONVIF, and Matter. All data remains on-premises with optional cloud connectivity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• frogXpert: FrogXpert logo appears on the website, appearing to be a certification or partner program for frogblue installers and partners.

Products and services

• frog Core Module (frogD1) Compact Bluetooth-enabled controller installed behind standard light switches/sockets requiring only 230V power. Acts as the core building block of the frogblue system, enabling wireless control of lighting, blinds, fans, windows, doors, and heating via virtual cables without control cables. Targeted at residential and commercial installers performing retrofits or new-builds.
• frogDim2-2 Dimmer module with two dimmable outputs (300W each) and two inputs for connecting buttons or switches. Controls LED lighting with variable dimming curves, DALI 2 compatible, configurable for day/night dimming behavior. Targeted at installers and homeowners needing LED lighting control.
• frogDim1-3 Universal dimmer with one dimmable output (300W) and three inputs for buttons, switches, or sensors. Supports phase-cut dimming for various load types. For installers requiring flexible single-channel dimming.
• frogRelay2-2 Relay module with two relay outputs (total 1200W) and two inputs. Controls blinds, roller shutters, awnings and other motorized devices with position targeting capability. For shading and motor control in frogblue installations.
• frogAct1-3 Wireless extension module for frogBoxHeat, serving as a virtual output for adding heating circuits. Communicates via the frogblue Bluetooth mesh network. Targeted at heating expansions in residential and commercial installations.
• frogAct1-1 Actuator module with one 400W output and one input for buttons, switches or motion detectors. Used for lighting control and integration of external sensors within the frogblue mesh.
• frogC5-BAT 5-channel wireless actuator (6A) for controlling lighting or heating valves. Enables multiple switching functions within the frogblue mesh.
• frogBox (Central Hub) Central hub providing system connectivity, coordinating all connected frogblue devices and enabling local and remote control via the frogblue mesh.
• frogBoxHeat Heating control module managing up to 11 heating circuits. Supports standalone operation, pump control, emergency manual operation, and integration with underfloor heating, radiators, or electric heating. Up to 6 additional circuits via virtual outputs.
• frogBoxGPS Outdoor sensor module measuring external temperature and brightness for weather-based building control. Enables automatic blind positioning based on sun and frost conditions.
• frogTerminal SIP-based IP video door station with 8-megapixel hemispheric all-round camera (180-degree panoramic view), touchscreen, PoE/WLAN connectivity, H264 video, door contact and relay. Supports multi-party scenarios, PIN/RFID access, and direct SIP calling without an additional server. For residential and commercial entrances.
• frogTerminal S3-SV Variant of the frogTerminal video door intercom designed for integration into a 3-fold SIEDLE Vario module housing.
• frogDisplay 3.5-inch touchscreen wall-mounted operating interface (81x81x12mm) serving as 'smartphone on the wall'. Provides visualization, access control, intercom, alarm system, video camera display, and WiFi-based secure remote access. Also functions as a full SIP telephone.
• frogAccess Access control module enabling RFID-based door entry with DESFire EV2 authentication, part of frogblue's decentralised access solution.
• frogMotion Motion detection sensor for the frogblue system, enabling presence-based automation triggers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% cost reduction in cable laying compared to wired central systems
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Secomp AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss distribution partner showcasing frogblue products live at BernExpo trade show.
• SmartHome Matter StandardcoreTechnology or Integrationfrogblue uses Bluetooth with optimized mesh and MQTT for communication, compatible with the new SmartHome Matter standard for interoperability.
• SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)coreTechnology or IntegrationfrogTerminal based on SIP world standard - the global standard for VoIP communications. Enables integration with any IP telephone system without additional hardware.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Control4: Specialized home and commercial automation incumbent (Snap One) offering integrated lighting, climate, security, and AV control. Competes with frogblue in the professionally installed residential/small-commercial automation segment.
• Crestron Electronics: Broad automation incumbent covering residential and commercial lighting, shading, AV, and HVAC. Competes in higher-end smart home and commercial projects where frogblue's commercial B2B story is positioned.
• Lutron Electronics: Global leader in lighting dimming and shading controls (Caséta, RA, HomeWorks). Competes with frogblue primarily on lighting/dimming but with much larger brand reach and broader portfolio.
• ABB Busch-Jaeger: Incumbent European switch and building automation brand offering KNX-based and free@home systems. Competes with frogblue in switch-box retrofit projects and benefits from deep electrician/installer relationships.

Direct peers

• Loxone: Austrian-headquartered smart home and building automation vendor offering a comparable decentralized, app-controlled system (Loxone Miniserver) for lighting, shading, HVAC, and access. Closest direct competitor to frogblue in European residential/small-commercial automation.
• Gira: German building automation specialist with KNX-based switches, dimmers, blind controls, and access systems. Competes directly with frogblue in German residential and light-commercial projects, particularly in DACH.
• Fibaro: Smart home automation vendor (now part of Nice Group) producing Z-Wave-based modules for lighting, blinds, climate, and access. Comparable product mix and target customer base to frogblue.
• DoorBird (Bird Home Automation): German IP video door intercom manufacturer with SIP support and smart home integrations. Closest direct competitor to frogblue's frogTerminal product in the door-intercom category.
• eQ-3 (Homematic IP): German manufacturer of Homematic IP smart home modules covering lighting, heating, shutters, and access — a direct peer in modular, wireless, European-market home automation.

Emerging players

• Shelly (Allterco): Bulgarian manufacturer of small, low-cost Wi-Fi/Bluetooth relay and sensor modules targeting DIY smart home installers. Overlaps with frogblue on relay/dimmer/actuator modules but at a much lower price point and DIY orientation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDefaultChannel
• Xx.com/FrogblueRussia
• Facebookfacebook.com/frogblue.SmartBuildingTechnology

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 frogblue