USM
USM (United Soft Media Verlag GmbH) is a Munich-based German electronic publisher producing cross-platform software, games, and audiobooks. It serves DACH consumers with licensed-IP adaptations (CATAN Universe, Die drei ???, Ubongo), educational and reference software (Redshift, Der Stammbaum), and audio drama through USM Audio.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersMunich, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What USM does
USM (United Soft Media Verlag GmbH) is a Munich-based German electronic publishing company operating across three verticals: educational and reference software, digital board game adaptations and adventure games, and audio publishing under the USM Audio brand. The software and games division builds cross-platform products for PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, and Steam, with notable catalog items including the Redshift astronomy and planetarium suite, Der Stammbaum genealogy software, CATAN Universe (a digital adaptation of the CATAN board game with multiplayer and paid expansions), the Die drei ??? and Die drei !!! detective adventure game series, and a range of educational titles (Goldfinger learning programs, Goldfinger Junior). USM Audio distributes audiobooks and audio dramas in fiction, crime, biography, and children's genres through usmaudio.de and through the VVA/arvato book trade channel.
The company monetizes through one-time perpetual software licenses (€9.99-€99.00), freemium mobile games with in-app purchases (CATAN Universe, Ubongo, Die drei ???), unit-priced audiobook sales (€7.99-€19.99), and physical media (DVD-ROM/CD-ROM). Distribution is multi-channel: digital through Apple's iOS App Store, Google Play, Amazon Appstore, Microsoft Store, and Steam; physical through the arvato media GmbH/VVA wholesale book trade network covering DACH; and direct e-commerce via usm.de, with order fulfillment outsourced to Kosmos & You GmbH. Key strategic partnerships include licensing from Catan GmbH, co-development with Kosmos Verlag, and audiobook distribution with Europa/Sony Music for the book trade.
USM serves horizontal consumer segments — primarily German-speaking families with children (the dominant segment via licensed children's IP), adult hobbyists (astronomy, genealogy, hunting, birding), and audiobook listeners — with no enterprise customers. The company holds multiple industry awards (Deutscher Computerspielpreis 2018, TOMMI nominations and placements, Comenius EduMedia medals, Digita 2014) validating catalog quality. Gregor Giehrl is the Managing Director (Geschäftsführer). USM is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors or funding rounds.
USM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- USM
- Legal name
- United Soft Media Verlag GmbH
- Website
- https://usm.de
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- USM (United Soft Media Verlag GmbH) is a Munich-based German electronic publisher producing cross-platform software, games, and audiobooks. It serves DACH consumers with licensed-IP adaptations (CATAN Universe, Die drei ???, Ubongo), educational and reference software (Redshift, Der Stammbaum), and audio drama through USM Audio.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
USM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electronic Publishing / Educational and Entertainment Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (51321), Software Publishers (5132), Software Publishers (513210)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Audiobook Publishers (Trade & Consumer) (MPAJAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Genre & Category Publishing (Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Sci‑Fi/Fantasy, etc.) (MPAJAAAB), E-book Retail & Reading Platforms (Stores, Apps, Devices) (MPAJAMAA), Digital Books & Audiobooks Retail (E-books/Audiobooks) (CRALAAAI), Physical Audiobook Publishing & Distribution (CD/MP3 Media, Packaging, Fulfillment) (MPAJAIAJ)
Keywords
Where USM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Munich
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
USM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Digital Product Sales: Sales of software, games, and apps as downloads and physical media (DVD-ROM, CD-ROM)
- Mobile App Sales: Revenue from iOS, Android, and other app store distributions with free-to-play models and in-app purchases
- Audio Content (USM Audio): Sales of audiobooks and audio dramas across genres including fiction, crime, biography, and children's content
- Affiliate Revenue: Revenue from Amazon EU Partner Program and iTunes Partner Program affiliate links
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Premium Software (e.g., Redshift 9 Premium) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Software |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Game Apps (e.g., Ubongo) |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free-to-Play Games (CATAN Universe) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Audiobooks |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels9 records
Marketing channels10 records
USM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
USM develops and publishes consumer software, mobile apps, PC and console games, and audiobooks for the German-speaking market. Its portfolio centers on licensed branded entertainment (Die drei ??? detective games, CATAN Universe, Ubongo), knowledge software (Redshift astronomy, Der Stammbaum genealogy, KOSMOS reference works), educational titles (Goldfinger), and an audiobook label (USM Audio). Products are sold as downloads, physical media, and in-app purchases through usm.de, app stores, Steam, Nintendo eShop, and German book trade.
Product overview
USM (United Soft Media Verlag GmbH) is a German electronic publishing company offering a diverse portfolio of software, games, and audio products. The product range includes: (1) Reference/Astronomy software like Redshift 9 Premium (professional planetarium), genealogy software Der Stammbaum 10, and reference works like KOSMOS Welt-Almanach; (2) Educational software including Goldfinger learning programs and Yoga für alle; (3) Board game digital adaptations including CATAN Universe, Ubongo, Ubongo Deluxe (Nintendo Switch), Kahuna, and Die Legenden von Andor; (4) Adventure games including multiple Die drei ??? (Three ???) detective games and Die drei !!! adventure apps; (5) Escape room games like EXIT - Der Fluch von Ophir; (6) Mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Amazon across reference, education, and gaming categories; (7) Audio publishing through USM Audio featuring audiobooks and audio dramas available at usmaudio.de. Products are distributed as DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, downloads, and apps through platforms including Steam, Microsoft Store, Apple App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Appstore.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Die drei ???: Detective adventure game series based on the popular German mystery series for children and teens
- Redshift
- Ubongo
- CATAN Universe
- Der Stammbaum
- Goldfinger
- Die drei !!!
Products and services
- Redshift 9 Premium
Quantifiable outcome
- Multiple industry awards including TOMMI, Comenius EduMedia, Digita, and German Computerspielpreis
Companies that use USM
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
USM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
USM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Europa (Sony Music)coreUSM is a distribution partner of Europa for the book trade for audio drama series including Die drei ??? Kids, Die drei !!!, Ritter Rost, Hui Buh, Der kleine Vampir, and Winnetou. Other Europa titles are distributed directly through Sony Music.
- arvato media GmbH (VVA)corearvato media GmbH handles wholesale distribution for USM products to the book trade through their VVA (Verlagsvertriebsauslieferung) service. Located in Gütersloh, Germany.
- Kosmos & You GmbHcoreDirect sales partner for order fulfillment and processing. Handles e-commerce order delivery and billing for USM products purchased through usm.de.
- Kosmos VerlagcoreCo-development partnership with Kosmos Verlag for various apps covering themes including animals, nature, and sky observation. Kosmos branding appears on multiple USM products including KOSMOS Welt-Almanach.
- Steam (Valve)minorDistribution platform for PC game downloads including Die drei ??? titles and CATAN Universe.
- Apple (iOS App Store)corePrimary app distribution platform for iOS apps including CATAN Universe, Ubongo, and adventure games. iTunes Partner Program affiliate relationship also exists.
- Google (Google Play)corePrimary app distribution platform for Android apps. Multiple USM titles available including CATAN Universe, Ubongo, and Die drei ??? series.
- Amazon (Appstore)minorApp distribution through Amazon Appstore for Android. Amazon EU Partner Program affiliate relationship for marketing referrals.
- Microsoft (Microsoft Store)minorDistribution platform for Windows 10 apps and Redshift astronomy software.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
USM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Daedalic Entertainment: Hamburg-based publisher of narrative/adventure games (Deponia, Silence, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum). Competes with USM in German adventure-game production and has comparable PC/console distribution patterns via Steam.
- Tivola Games: Hamburg-based developer and publisher of children's game apps (e.g., dog/cat care simulations) targeted at German-speaking families on iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch. Same German kids/family app niche as USM's Die drei ??? and Emil und Pauline titles.
- Asmodee Digital: Specialized digital publisher of board game adaptations (Catan, Ticket to Ride, Pandemic). Direct competitor in the licensed board-game-to-app space, particularly relevant to USM's CATAN Universe and Ubongo franchise strategy.
- Oetinger Verlag: Hamburg-based children's book and audio publisher (Die drei ??? print editions compete with USM's Die drei ??? game/merchandise licensing). Overlaps with USM on audio content, kids IP, and DACH distribution.
- Ravensburger: German-based publisher of board games, children's books, and educational products with digital adaptations. Highly comparable to USM's mix of Kosmos/CATAN-licensed games, educational apps, and reference works marketed to German-speaking families.
- Hörbuch Hamburg: Independent Hamburg-based audiobook publisher with a broad fiction, crime, and children's catalog. Competes for shelf space and award nominations (Deutscher Hörbuchpreis) against USM Audio.
- Der Hörverlag: Penguin Random House imprint specializing in German-language audiobooks and audio dramas. Directly comparable audiobook/audio-drama publishing model to USM Audio, with similar award recognitions (Deutscher Hörbuchpreis).
- Franckh-Kosmos Verlag: Stuttgart-based publisher of Kosmos-branded board games, science kits, and reference works. Existing co-development partner of USM for Himmelsjahr, Welt-Almanach, and Jägerprüfung; comparable mix of physical and digital reference/entertainment products.
Regional players
- MAGIX: Berlin-based software publisher (video editing, music, photo). Comparable as a German multimedia software publisher selling perpetual-license desktop software, though focused on prosumer creative tools rather than games/audiobooks.
Broad incumbents
- Koch Media / Deep Silver: German-headquartered publisher/distributor of AAA video games (Dead Island, Saints Row, Metro) with retail physical distribution muscle similar to USM's VVA partnership model, but operating at much larger scale across console/PC.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
USM social profiles
Digital presenceUSM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
USM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
USM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
USM M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about USM
What does USM do?
USM develops and publishes consumer software, mobile apps, PC and console games, and audiobooks for the German-speaking market. Its portfolio centers on licensed branded entertainment (Die drei ??? detective games, CATAN Universe, Ubongo), knowledge software (Redshift astronomy, Der Stammbaum genealogy, KOSMOS reference works), educational titles (Goldfinger), and an audiobook label (USM Audio). Products are sold as downloads, physical media, and in-app purchases through usm.de, app stores, Steam, Nintendo eShop, and German book trade.
Is USM a public or private company?
USM is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was USM founded?
USM was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is USM based?
USM is headquartered in Munich, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does USM make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Digital Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are mobile App Sales, audio Content (USM Audio) and affiliate Revenue.
Who are USM's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Daedalic Entertainment, Tivola Games, Asmodee Digital, Oetinger Verlag, Ravensburger, Hörbuch Hamburg, Der Hörverlag and Franckh-Kosmos Verlag. MAGIX is listed as a regional player. Koch Media / Deep Silver is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does USM have an API?
No public API is recorded for USM.
What industry is USM in?
USM's product category is Electronic Publishing / Educational and Entertainment Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAIAA, Audiobook Publishers (Trade & Consumer), with a secondary code of MPAJAAAB, Genre & Category Publishing (Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Sci‑Fi/Fantasy, etc.). Its NAICS code is 51321 and its SIC code is 2731.