What Selbstdenker does

Selbstdenker AG is a privately held, owner-managed German software development firm founded in 1996 in Regensburg by Stephan Fürnrohr, operating as a kleine Aktiengesellschaft since 2001. The company designs, builds, and hosts complex, database-driven internet and intranet systems for German Mittelstand and enterprise customers, spanning consulting, concept, design, development, and managed hosting under a single-vendor model. Its work targets organisations requiring integrated web presence, e-commerce, internal process automation, and reliable operation, with named engagements covering hospitality (Best Western Central Europe), automotive (GRAMMER AG), sports equipment (ABS Protection), industrial manufacturing (Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen), tourism (CANUSA TOURISTIK) and environmental certification (Omnicert).

The technical foundation is the proprietary SDFrameworks 5.4 platform — a 100% Java-based eBusiness framework with a transparent API and three core modules: e-business (multi-tenant multi-shop, B2B/B2C, product configurator, ERP/CRM/payment integration), e-media (CMS/ECM/EIM with workflow publishing and full-text search), and e-community (B2E/B2B/B2C/B2G portals with chat, forums, surveys and SMS). Built on Java with WebObjects, JavaScript, jQuery, Bootstrap, Knockout.js and MooTools, the platform is supplemented by standalone tools — SDGroupCalendar (Exchange Server/Active Directory group calendar, v7.1), SDBenchmarking (KPI collection for franchise networks), TEXT IN MOTION (collaborative document editing), IKS-Tool (BilMoG internal control system compliance), and Auf.Termin (online appointment scheduling for government, business and education). Hosting runs in-house on Mac OS X Server (BSD UNIX) with 24/7 monitoring and a 98% availability SLA.

Commercially, Selbstdenker generates revenue from three streams: project-based custom software development with milestone payments, recurring monthly hosting retainers billed in advance, and ongoing support via hourly budgets or monthly flat fees. GTM is direct enterprise sales, supported by a portfolio website and customer testimonial-driven referrals. The firm is self-financed, profitable, independent of external investors, and operates with a core team of around 10 permanent employees supplemented by a freelancer and partner-company network — a profile consistent with a small, stable German IT services boutique rather than a venture-backed scale-up.

Name

Selbstdenker

Legal name

Selbstdenker AG

Website

https://selbstdenker.ag

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Selbstdenker AG is a German software development firm that designs, builds, and hosts custom database-driven internet and intranet systems for enterprise customers using its proprietary SDFrameworks 5.4 Java platform. Founded in 1996 in Regensburg, it operates a small core team plus freelancer network, selling project-based development, recurring hosting, and standalone tools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Regensburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Development Services: Custom software development, media design, and individual programming services for database-based internet and intranet systems. Revenue generated through project-based engagements with milestone payments (1/3 at contract, 1/3 at beta, remainder at acceptance).
2. Hosting Services: Full-service hosting with 98% availability guarantee. Monthly recurring revenue model with payments due in advance by the third working day of each billing month.
3. Support Services: Technical support including telephone and in-person consultation, error resolution outside warranty, and software updates. Billed through pre-announced hour budgets or monthly flat fees.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Selbstdenker AG is a custom software development firm that designs, builds, and hosts complex database-driven internet and intranet systems for businesses. Its core product is the proprietary Java-based SDFrameworks 5.4 platform, complemented by specialized modules (e-business, e-media CMS, e-community) and add-on tools (SDGroupCalendar, SDBenchmarking, TEXT IN MOTION, IKS-Tool, Auf.Termin), plus full-service 24/7 hosting.

Product overview

Selbstdenker AG operates as a custom software development firm founded in 1996, offering a platform-plus-modules product architecture centered on its proprietary SDFrameworks (currently v5.4) Java framework. SDFrameworks serves as the foundational development platform enabling rapid, cost-effective creation of database-driven web systems, with three core functional modules: the e-business module (multi-shop e-commerce with B2B/B2C capabilities, product configurator, ERP/CRM integration), the e-media module (content management supporting CMS through ECM/EIM levels with workflow publishing), and the e-community module (portal platform for B2E/B2B/B2C/B2G). Complementing the framework, the company offers specialized add-on tools including SDGroupCalendar (Exchange Server group calendar), SDBenchmarking (KPI collection and benchmarking), TEXT IN MOTION (collaborative document editing), IKS-Tool (internal control system for BilMoG compliance), Auf.Termin (online appointment scheduling), and a full-service hosting offering. The portfolio spans the full lifecycle from consulting and design through development and managed hosting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SDGroupCalendar: Group calendar add-on for Microsoft Exchange for centralized scheduling and overview.
• SDBenchmarking
• TEXT IN MOTION
• IKS-Tool
• SDFrameworks
• Auf.Termin

Products and services

• SDFrameworks 5.4 Proprietary 100% Java framework that serves as the foundational development platform for database-driven internet and intranet systems, featuring a transparent API and modular architecture enabling rapid, cost-effective enterprise web development.
• Auf.Termin Online appointment scheduling solution that enables government agencies, businesses, and educational institutions to schedule appointments online without phone calls.
• SDGroupCalendar 7.1 Browser-based group calendar add-on for Microsoft Exchange Server (2007-2013, 2016, Exchange Online/Office 365) providing centralized scheduling, resource booking for rooms and equipment, and native Active Directory integration.
• SDBenchmarking

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% hosting availability guaranteed
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature6 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Thoughtworks: Global custom software development firm specializing in complex enterprise web systems and platform engineering. Comparable as a high-end custom development shop selling consulting, engineering, and managed hosting-style services.
• adesso SE: German IT services company with industry-specific software products and custom development for enterprise customers. Similar B2B DNA, German-speaking market focus, and blend of product + services revenue.
• msg systems AG: German IT consulting and software development group serving insurance, banking, healthcare, and public sector with proprietary industry platforms. Highly comparable to Selbstdenker's German Mittelstand focus and custom-software-plus-platform model.
• Neofonie GmbH: Berlin-based German digital agency and custom software developer building enterprise web platforms, CMS, and search/AI products. Closely comparable in size, German B2B focus, and full-stack web development with proprietary components.
• GFT Technologies SE: German-headquartered IT solutions and digital transformation provider with proprietary platforms and custom engineering. Comparable as a mid-sized German firm selling enterprise software + implementation services.

Emerging players

• Centigrade GmbH: Cologne-based UX and software development studio for enterprise digital products. Comparable as a German mid-market custom software firm with deep enterprise customer relationships, though smaller and design-led.

Broad incumbents

• Capgemini SE: Global IT services and consulting firm with strong German presence serving enterprise customers with custom development, system integration, and managed services. Overlaps significantly with Selbstdenker's enterprise web-systems and hosting offerings at much larger scale.
• T-Systems International GmbH: Deutsche Telekom's enterprise IT services subsidiary offering custom software, integration, and managed hosting to large European enterprises. Comparable as a full-lifecycle IT provider but at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.
• IBM Consulting: Global consulting and application services arm of IBM, including hybrid cloud, ERP, and custom enterprise software delivery. Comparable on enterprise custom software + hosting/infrastructure, but as a vastly larger diversified incumbent.
• Accenture: Global professional services firm with a large German digital and custom-software practice (including former Sinnerschrader). Comparable on enterprise web/digital transformation work and proprietary-platform-enabled delivery, but at massive scale and with global delivery.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Selbstdenker