Make Better

What Make Better does

make better GmbH is a privately held, founder-owned German software company headquartered in Lübeck and operating on a remote-first basis across Germany. Founded in 2012 by Matthias Mett, Torsten Maas, and Torben Keck, the company has spent more than twelve years building domain expertise exclusively in the German municipal utility (Stadtwerke) and network operator market, with 15+ named customers and 6M+ addresses managed in its system.

The company's core product is ConsumerHub, a modular SaaS ecosystem of 12 modules covering the digital customer process chain end-to-end: a Basismodul foundation plus modules for digital property owner declarations (GEE-Verwaltung), no-code order flow building (Journeys), cross-sector customer data consolidation with a Golden Record (Kundenklammer), door-to-door and partner sales (Vertriebsmodul), fiber product catalog (Fiber PIM), white-label customer portals (Portale), S/PRI wholesale automation (Open Access+), backoffice integration, automated dispatching, workflow/process automation, and centralized mail and messaging. The platform is API-first (REST, SOAP, OAuth2, Webhooks), deployed on servers in Germany under DSGVO compliance, and connects to existing utility backoffice systems (kVASy, SAP IS-U, Schleupen, Wilken, Tele AG, Konzeptum, KNM) via a pre-built adapter framework, positioning it as an integration overlay rather than an ERP replacement.

Make Better monetizes ConsumerHub as a subscription/recurring SaaS model with quote-based pricing tied to module selection and customer/address scale, sold through a consultative enterprise sales motion anchored on 30-minute live product demos and targeting IT and digitalization decision-makers at municipal utilities and network operators. Demand generation runs through industry events (SID, E-world, fiberdays), a thought-leadership blog, and direct outreach. The company is fully bootstrapped, growing from its own cash flow with no external investors, and has signaled expansion into telecommunications, a Developer/ecosystem play, and new use cases such as §14a EnWG and New Energy Products.

Name

Make Better

Legal name

make better GmbH

Website

https://make-better.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Make Better GmbH is a German bootstrapped SaaS company that develops ConsumerHub, a 12-module integration and digital-customer-process platform connecting municipal utility backoffice systems (kVASy, SAP IS-U, Schleupen, Wilken) with digital sales, service and wholesale channels for Stadtwerke and network operators in Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Utility Customer Experience Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (513210), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Customer Self-Service Portals & Digital Experience (Web/Mobile) (EUAJAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Data/Apps Connectivity & Adapters (Connectors, Drivers, SDKs) (HDAEAIAK), Digital Self-Service & Customer Portals (web/mobile, e-bill, notifications, consumption dashboards) (EUANAIAI), Developer Portals, SDKs & Documentation Platforms (BPAMADAG)

Keywords

• Utility customer experience software
• Municipal utility digitalization
• Fiber optic sales platform
• Open access wholesale automation
• ERP integration middleware

Headquarters

HQ city

Lübeck

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. SaaS/Subscription (ConsumerHub Modules): ConsumerHub is sold as a modular SaaS software ecosystem. Customers subscribe to individual or bundled modules. Pricing is based on modules selected and scale (addresses/customers in the system). No one-time license model mentioned; the product is operated as cloud-hosted software in Germany.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

make better develops and sells ConsumerHub, a modular SaaS software ecosystem of 12 modules for digital customer processes at German municipal utilities (Stadtwerke) and fiber network operators. The platform connects legacy backoffice systems (kVASy, SAP IS-U, Schleupen, Wilken, Tele AG, Konzeptum) with digital sales channels, customer portals, and S/PRI wholesale automation across electricity, gas, fiber, and heat divisions, deployed as cloud-hosted software on servers in Germany under DSGVO compliance.

Product overview

Make Better develops ConsumerHub — a modular SaaS software ecosystem for digital customer communication at municipal utilities (Stadtwerke), network operators, and multi-division energy/telco companies in Germany. The platform is built on a 12-module architecture: the Basismodul (multi-tenant backend, address database, role-based access control) serves as the mandatory foundation. On top of it sit customer-facing modules including Journeys (no-code order flows), GEE-Verwaltung (digital property owner declarations), Kundenklammer (Golden Record with duplicate detection), Vertriebsmodul (D2D and partner sales management), Produkte & Aktionen/Fiber PIM (product catalog and promotions), and Portale (white-label customer self-service portal). Integration and automation are handled by Integration (adapter framework), Dispatching (automatic backoffice dispatch), Open Access+ (S/PRI wholesale automation), Process (workflow engine), and Mail & Messaging (transactional and campaign communications). The entire ecosystem connects existing backoffice systems (kVASy, SAP IS-U, Schleupen, Wilken) with digital frontends across electricity, gas, heat, and fiber — deployed on servers in Germany, DSGVO-compliant.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ConsumerHub: Modular software ecosystem for digital customer processes at municipal utilities, network operators and telecommunications companies. Includes 12 modules covering customer data management, product catalogs, sales channels, and backend integrations.

Products and services

• ConsumerHub Modular SaaS software ecosystem of 12 modules for digital customer processes at German municipal utilities (Stadtwerke), fiber network operators, and multi-utility companies. Connects backoffice systems (kVASy, SAP IS-U, Schleupen, Wilken) with digital frontends across electricity, gas, heat, water, and fiber divisions. Deployed on servers in Germany, DSGVO-compliant, with 99% availability SLA.
• Basismodul Multi-tenant backend foundation for every ConsumerHub installation. Provides address database at building/unit level, granular role-based access control, and central workflow engine as the basis for all other modules.
• GEE-Verwaltung Digital property owner declarations (Grundstückseigentümererklärungen) module — mobile-optimized, legally compliant forms with automatic property owner validation against land registry data, status cockpit per address, and seamless handover to construction and activation.
• Journeys No-code order flow builder module for all divisions. Drag-and-drop editor for creating sales journeys with real-time availability checks, tariff selection, time-limited promotions, cross-selling integration, and legally compliant contract conclusion with double opt-in. Supports white-label branding.
• Kundenklammer (Golden Record) Cross-divisional customer data consolidation module delivering a Golden Record across electricity, gas, fiber, and heat divisions. Uses similarity-matching algorithms to identify duplicates; automatically identifies cross-selling potentials; exposes consolidated view via Headless Data Service API.
• Vertriebsmodul (D2D & Partnerportal) Door-to-door and partner sales management module with territory administration, partner portal with restricted access, D2D order capture, lead tracking through configurable pipelines, conversion reporting, partner ranking, and automated commission calculation.
• Produkte & Aktionen / Fiber PIM Central fiber product catalog and promotion management module with hierarchically structured tariff, bandwidth, and pricing data, automatic distribution to all sales channels, time-controlled discounts and promotions, and cross-divisional bundle configuration.
• Portale (Multisparten-Kundenportal) Multi-divisional customer self-service portal under white-label branding. Single login across electricity, gas, fiber, and heat. Configurable self-service functions (meter reading, direct debit, SEPA, move notifications). No-code portal builder with visual configuration of logo, colors, domain, and features.
• Open Access+ Wholesale automation module for fiber network operators. Receives, validates, and dispatches S/PRI GF1–GF9 business transactions. Includes VitroConnect integration for OA marketplace connectivity with ISPs and automated provisioning.
• Integration (Adapter Framework) Adapter framework module for third-party system integration. Ready-made adapters for kVASy, SAP IS-U, Schleupen, Wilken, Tele AG, Konzeptum, KNM. Supports REST, SOAP, and Batch protocols; Webhook support for event-driven outbound notifications; monitoring and error dashboard.
• Dispatching Automatic order dispatch module transferring orders, cancellations, and changes to kVASy, SAP, Wilken, Schleupen, Konzeptum, and KNM. Processes S/PRI GF1–GF9 fiber transactions. Includes error monitoring and automatic retry logic.
• Process (Workflow Engine) Workflow engine and event-driven process control module with configurable visual pipelines, status transitions, responsible party assignments, and automatic triggers (email, webhook, task creation, dispatching initiation). No-code configuration.
• Mail & Messaging Central customer communication module for transactional emails (order confirmations, activation notices, status changes, invoices) and segmented campaign mailings. Template management with branding, variables, and conditional content; tracking dashboard for delivery, open, click, and bounce rates.
• Online-Bestellstrecke Embedded online order flow for electricity, gas, heat, and fiber products. Six-step process (availability check, tariff selection, product configuration, checkout, legally compliant conclusion with double opt-in and VZF PDF, backoffice dispatch). Embedded via single script tag on customer's existing website with live product/pricing sync.

Quantifiable outcome

• Infrastructure activation delays reduced from months (paper/Excel GEE process) to days (digital GEE with owner validation and status tracking)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

AI capability6 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• VitroConnectcoreTechnology or IntegrationVitroConnect integration enables automated OA marketplace connectivity for Open Access wholesale. ConsumerHub exchanges S/PRI GF1–GF9 messages with VitroConnect, connecting network operators with 100+ other operators and 120+ ISPs through the directConnect platform. This is a core integration enabling the Open Access module to function as a wholesale automation hub.
• directConnect (VitroConnect platform)coreTechnology or IntegrationdirectConnect is the OA marketplace platform enabling automated wholesale message exchange. ConsumerHub integrates with directConnect to automate S/PRI wholesale processes, allowing German network operators to connect to over 100 operators and 120 ISPs automatically.
• kVASy (SIV)coreTechnology or IntegrationPre-built adapter for kVASy ERP system from SIV. ConsumerHub connects to kVASy for order dispatch, customer data import, and billing integration. One of the most commonly referenced ERP integrations in the German municipal utility market.
• SAP IS-UcoreTechnology or IntegrationPre-built adapter for SAP IS-U (Industry-Specific Utility) module. Enables bidirectional synchronization of customer data, contracts, and orders between ConsumerHub and SAP. Especially relevant for larger municipal utilities and as SAP IS-U end of mainstream support approaches (2027).
• SchleupencoreTechnology or IntegrationPre-built adapter for Schleupen and Schleupen.CS ERP systems. Enables order dispatch and customer data synchronization. Commonly used by German municipal utilities.
• WilkencoreTechnology or IntegrationPre-built adapter for Wilken ERP systems used by German municipal utilities. Enables order dispatch, customer data import, and process automation.
• Tele AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationPre-built adapter for Tele AG provisioning system. ConsumerHub dispatches fiber orders to Tele AG for technical provisioning and activation. Part of the Open Access wholesale automation stack.
• KonzeptumcoreTechnology or IntegrationPre-built adapter for Konzeptum ALKI provisioning system. ConsumerHub integrates with Konzeptum for automated order dispatch to provisioning systems, particularly for fiber network activation.
• KNM (KommunikationsNetz Mitteldeutschland)coreTechnology or IntegrationPre-built adapter for KNM provisioning system. ConsumerHub dispatches fiber wholesale orders to KNM for technical provisioning as part of the Open Access module.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wilken: Wilken provides ERP, billing and CRM software for German municipal utilities and energy suppliers. It competes with Make Better in the utility CIS / customer-process layer for the same Stadtwerke market, and is also supported via Make Better's pre-built adapter.
• ENIT Energy IT Systems: ENIT provides billing, CIS and customer-process software for German municipal utilities and energy suppliers. It competes with Make Better on the same Stadtwerke digital-customer-process layer, particularly around billing and contract management.
• KISTERS: KISTERS is a German-headquartered vendor of IT solutions for the energy, water and meteorology sectors, including customer-information and metering platforms. It overlaps directly with Make Better's utility customer-process and integration offerings.
• VitroConnect: VitroConnect operates the directConnect Open Access wholesale marketplace used by German network operators and ISPs. While VitroConnect is also a Make Better integration partner, its directConnect platform overlaps with Make Better's Open Access+ module at the S/PRI GF1–GF9 automation layer.
• Schleupen: Schleupen is a German vendor of ERP and CIS software for energy suppliers and municipal utilities, including the Schleupen.CS platform. It directly competes with Make Better on the customer-process and billing/CIS layer for the same Stadtwerke customer base, while also being integrated with via Make Better's adapter framework.
• SIV (kVASy): SIV's kVASy is one of the most widely deployed utility ERP/CIS systems among German Stadtwerke. SIV directly competes with Make Better on customer-process functionality while also being one of Make Better's most important integration targets via the kVASy adapter.

Broad incumbents

• Salesforce Energy & Utilities Cloud: Salesforce's Industries Cloud for Energy & Utilities offers a broad CRM and customer-process platform used by European utilities. It competes with Make Better at the customer-360 / portal / digital-engagement layer, but lacks the same depth of S/PRI and German-ERP-specific adapters.
• SAP S/4HANA Utilities (formerly IS-U): SAP's utility ERP (IS-U / S/4HANA Utilities) is the dominant incumbent platform across large German utilities. It competes broadly with Make Better at the customer-data and process layer and is also a key integration partner via Make Better's SAP IS-U adapter.
• Oracle Utilities: Oracle Utilities provides a global suite of CIS, meter-data management and customer-experience software used by large utilities. It competes broadly with Make Better at the customer-process and integration layer, particularly for European utilities standardizing on Oracle's stack.

Emerging players

• Power Plus Communications: Power Plus Communications (PPC) is a German vendor of smart-meter gateway and grid-communications solutions for municipal utilities. It overlaps with Make Better in the utility digital-infrastructure stack, although PPC's focus is on smart metering and BSI gateway communication rather than customer-facing processes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/make-better
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/make-better-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Make Better