DigitalWerft

What DigitalWerft does

DigitalWerft is a Berlin-based private web development agency that designs and builds strategic websites and responsive web applications for enterprise brands and digital platforms. Founded originally in Freiburg in 1998 by an interdisciplinary team that has collaborated for over 20 years, the company is registered as DigitalWerft UG (haftungsbeschränkt) and is led by managing director Philipp Schächtele. The firm is registered at Pflügerstraße 56 in Berlin-Neukölln and operates from a secondary location in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Its core service is project-based custom web development, with publicly visible reference projects including the Red Bull Athletes Cookbook (featuring proprietary liquid parallax animations and a 3D book view) and the initial version of nebenan.de (a neighborhood social network), which was delivered as a responsive WebApp within four weeks based on 130+ wireframes.

The company's technical differentiation centers on frontend craft capabilities: fluid parallax animation technology with cross-platform and legacy browser compatibility (including Internet Explorer 8), 3D web visualization, responsive design, and a wireframing-heavy methodology intended to build shared understanding with clients. Notable industry recognition includes an Awwwards.com Honorable Mention for the Red Bull Athletes Cookbook project. The technology stack is conventional web development rather than AI/ML-driven, and the firm holds no patents or proprietary platform assets disclosed in available sources.

DigitalWerft operates a sales-led, project-based professional services model with no public pricing, no SaaS product, and no recurring revenue disclosures. Customer acquisition relies on direct outreach via email and phone, portfolio showcases on the company website, and organic social presence on LinkedIn and Instagram. The client base surfaced publicly is narrow — two reference logos spanning enterprise (Red Bull) and startup (nebenan.de) — and the firm is privately held with no external funding, parent company, or institutional investors.

Name

DigitalWerft

Legal name

DigitalWerft UG (haftungsbeschränkt)

Website

https://digitalwerft.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DigitalWerft is a Berlin-based private web development agency building strategic websites and responsive web applications for enterprise brands and digital platforms. Founded in 1998, it delivers custom frontend development and animation work via project-based engagements under managing director Philipp Schächtele.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Web Development Services: DigitalWerft generates revenue through project-based web development engagements, creating strategic websites and web applications for clients. Services include frontend development, technical consulting, and development as evidenced by their Red Bull athlete cookbook project and nebenan.de work.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

DigitalWerft develops strategically grounded websites and intuitive web applications for clients, with a focus on responsive design, frontend development, and fluid interactive animations. The company delivers custom projects such as the Red Bull Athletes Cookbook website and the nebenan.de neighborhood social network, based on extensive wireframing methodology (130+ wireframes) and rapid 4-week delivery timelines.

Product overview

DigitalWerft offers a single unified service focused on strategic website development and intuitive web application creation. The company provides end-to-end development services including technical consulting, frontend development, and implementation of interactive web experiences. Key project types include parallax websites with fluid animations, responsive web apps, and neighborhood social networks. The company works with notable clients such as Red Bull and nebenan.de, delivering custom solutions based on wireframes and user stories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Strategic Website Development Custom development of strategically grounded websites and intuitive web applications designed to help clients achieve their goals quickly and sustainably. Includes frontend development, technical consulting, and implementation of interactive web experiences with parallax animations and responsive design.
• Responsive WebApp Development Rapid development of responsive web applications, delivering initial versions in 4 weeks based on extensive wireframing methodology using 130+ wireframes. Built for startups and digital platforms needing fast, high-quality frontend development for MVPs and launches.
• Interactive Parallax & 3D Web Experiences Specialized development of fluid parallax animations and 3D web visualizations (such as 3D book view) with cross-browser and cross-device compatibility, including legacy browser support (Internet Explorer 8). Designed for brands seeking visually distinctive interactive experiences.
• Technical Consulting Technical advisory services provided alongside development projects, including consulting for creative teams on digital implementation strategy, cross-platform optimization, and interactive web experience design.

Quantifiable outcome

• Initial web applications delivered in 4 weeks
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• nebenan.decoreStrategic or Co-development Partnernebenan.de was co-founded in the same office spaces where DigitalWerft operates. DigitalWerft developed the initial version of the neighborhood social network website and responsive WebApp in just 4 weeks. The companies maintain a close working relationship, and nebenan.de has since developed the application independently.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Kolle Rebbe: Hamburg-based creative and digital agency producing brand experiences, digital products, and websites for premium German and international clients. Closely comparable boutique size, German geography, and creative-led digital delivery model.
• Scholz & Volkmer: Wiesbaden/Berlin digital agency focused on strategy, design, and development of digital products and brand experiences. Comparable boutique scale, multi-decade tenure, and premium German client portfolio.
• denkwerk: Cologne-based digital agency offering web development, online marketing, and digital product design for mid-market and enterprise German clients. Similar services lineup with slightly broader service breadth.
• Hanno: Berlin-based digital product agency focused on web applications, design systems, and product development for technology-driven companies. Closely comparable in scale, Berlin location, and frontend product specialization.
• Massive: Berlin/Munich digital agency delivering web experiences, e-commerce platforms, and digital strategies for German brands. Comparable German boutique positioned similarly to DigitalWerft's Berlin base.
• UEBERMANN: Cologne-based digital experience agency that designs and builds websites, platforms, and brand experiences for European brands. Comparable in creative-led digital services positioning and German market focus.

Broad incumbents

• R/GA: International digital agency producing brand experiences, products, and marketing platforms for global enterprises. Comparable in the scope of experience-led work and access to multinational brand clients.
• AKQA: Global design and innovation agency offering digital experiences, websites, and brand storytelling at enterprise scale. Comparable in delivering interactive brand experiences for marquee global brands — including the type of Red Bull-tier work DigitalWerft has executed.
• Dept: Amsterdam-headquartered global digital experience agency with a strong DACH presence, delivering websites, marketing, and commerce platforms at scale. Broader incumbent operating across the same disciplines and client tiers as DigitalWerft.
• SinnerSchrader (part of AKQA): Long-standing Hamburg digital agency (acquired by AKQA) offering digital strategy, e-commerce, and product development. Larger incumbent competing for the same enterprise digital engagements in the DACH market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/digitalwerft
• Instagraminstagram.com/digitalwerft
• Facebookfacebook.com/digitalwerft

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 DigitalWerft