fugu
fugu GmbH is a Bern-based Swiss web agency offering its proprietary open-source Fuman CMS and modular digital platforms (websites, e-commerce, ticketing, member management) to Swiss non-profits, cultural institutions, SMEs, and public-sector clients, with full in-house Swiss development.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersBerne, Switzerland
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What fugu does
fugu GmbH is a Swiss web agency founded in 2002 by Stefan Grünig and headquartered at Schwarztorstrasse 9 in Bern, operating as a private limited liability company (GmbH) under Swiss law. The firm specializes in web design, web development, and digital platform services, anchored by its proprietary open-source content management system 'Fuman.' Fuman is a PHP/MySQL-based, headless, WCAG 2.2-compliant CMS with RESTful API capabilities, multilingual workflows, and an extensive module ecosystem.
The company's product architecture is a platform-plus-modules model: Fuman serves as the core, supplemented by tiered website packages (Website Mini, Midi, Maxi, and Headless CMS), e-commerce modules (Shop, Shop mit Payment), ticketing with seat selection, course management, member and donor administration, newsletter, forum, event management, and analytics. All development is conducted in-house in Bern with no nearshoring or offshoring, supporting a '100% Swiss-made' positioning and the Swiss Made Software label.
Fugu generates revenue through a combination of project-based web development services (custom website and platform builds for clients such as the Swiss Federal Government and Swisscom AG) and subscription-based recurring fees for hosting, support, and tiered website packages. The company serves primarily Swiss-based non-profits, NGOs, associations, cultural and educational institutions, municipalities, and SMEs, with a strong specialization in accessibility and multilingual platforms. The core team numbers approximately 5 people (founder, 2 developers, 2 designers), and the company is bootstrapped with no external institutional investment.
fugu firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- fugu
- Legal name
- fugu GmbH
- Website
- https://fugu.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- fugu GmbH is a Bern-based Swiss web agency offering its proprietary open-source Fuman CMS and modular digital platforms (websites, e-commerce, ticketing, member management) to Swiss non-profits, cultural institutions, SMEs, and public-sector clients, with full in-house Swiss development.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
fugu industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Content Management System (CMS) / Web Platform
- NAICS
- Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Web Content Management (WCM) & Experience Platforms (Content Services) (HDAEAGAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Enterprise Content Management (ECM) Suites (HDAEAGAB)
Keywords
Where fugu is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berne
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
fugu business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Web Development & Design Services: Custom website design, programming, and digital platform development services. Projects include corporate websites, e-commerce shops, web platforms, and accessibility solutions. Pricing is project-based, custom quoted based on requirements.
- Fuman CMS Licensing & Support: Open source CMS with no license costs, but the company provides implementation, customization, hosting, and ongoing support services. Custom development and module extensions are billable services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Template – quick start with standard templates |
| Subscription | Monthly | Website Mini – compact and professional |
| Subscription | Monthly | Website Midi – grows with requirements |
| Subscription | Monthly | Website Maxi – complete solution |
| Subscription | Monthly | Headless CMS – maximum flexibility |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
fugu product offering
Product offeringCore offering
fugu GmbH builds and licenses its proprietary open-source Fuman CMS (PHP/MySQL, REST/GraphQL API, WCAG 2.2 compliant) as a modular digital cockpit for websites, e-commerce, membership management, ticketing, and content. Around this core product, the agency sells tiered website subscriptions (Website Mini, Midi, Maxi, Headless CMS) and project-based professional services including UX/UI design, custom web development, e-accessibility (WCAG) certification, and SEO.
Product overview
fugu GmbH is a Swiss web agency offering a modular digital platform built around its proprietary Fuman CMS. The portfolio consists of the Fuman CMS as the core product (open-source, headless, WCAG 2.2 compliant), supplemented by tiered website packages (Website Mini/Midi/Maxi, Headless CMS), e-commerce modules (Shop, Shop mit Payment, Kurs-Management, Mitgliederverwaltung, Ticketing), communication tools (Newsletter, Forum, Adressen & Kontakte), and operational extensions (Eventmanagement, Zeiterfassung, Dokumentenverwaltung). The platform follows a 'cockpit' philosophy where content is entered once and reused across all channels. The product architecture is platform-plus-modules: Fuman serves as the central hub, with add-on modules for specific business functions (membership, e-commerce, ticketing, analytics) that can be combined based on client needs. All solutions are developed locally in Bern, Switzerland.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Fuman: Open Source, headless, and SEO-optimized CMS developed by fugu, featuring barrierefreie (barrier-free) design, multi-language support, and integration capabilities for CRM, shops, and other business tools.
Products and services
- Fuman CMS Proprietary open-source, headless, SEO-optimized content management system built on PHP and MySQL. WCAG 2.2 compliant, multilingual, multi-tenant capable, with REST/GraphQL API. Serves as the central platform for websites, web shops, member management, ticketing, and digital services. Available at no license cost with paid implementation, hosting, and support.
- Website Mini Compact, entry-level website package built on Fuman CMS. Includes basic structure with homepage, services, contact, and about us pages; responsive design; WCAG accessibility; multilingual content management; SSL; integrated visitor statistics. Supports 1 user. Billed monthly.
- Website Midi Mid-tier website package with expanded structure for products, services, or locations. Adds SEO tools with social media preview and Google snippet preview, full-text search, WYSIWYG inline editing, QR code generator, URL shortener, multiple user roles, staging environment, and performance optimization. Billed monthly.
- Website Maxi Full-featured website and content hub solution with multi-tenant capability, multiple user roles, change journal and workflows, full-text search, advanced multilingual support with translation workflows, saved filters, version control, release workflows, live preview, SEO and performance monitoring, API interfaces and integrations, and CMS training. Billed monthly.
- Headless CMS API-first content management option delivering content via REST/GraphQL for omnichannel strategies. Features live preview, change journal, integrated translation processes, and scalable, accessible architecture. Content can be output to websites, mobile apps, shops, or third-party platforms. Billed monthly.
- Template-Paket Quick-start website package using standard templates with 8 hours of customization (logo, colors, fonts). Includes installation at existing provider, DSG/DSGVO compliance, phone and email support, SSL, backups, and optional upgrade to project model. One-time/perpetual.
- Projekt-Paket Custom development engagement structured in 4 phases: analysis, conception & design, programming, and testing. Includes individual UX/UI design, stakeholder workshops, WCAG 2.2 accessibility with testing, SEO optimization, Core Web Vitals, and end-to-end support. Project-based pricing.
- e-Accessibility (WCAG) Service Digital accessibility service ensuring websites meet WCAG 2.2 standards. Includes semantic markup, screenreader optimization, keyboard navigation, color contrast compliance, and certification partnership with Access for All. For organizations needing accessibility-compliant web platforms.
- SEO Service
- Konzept & Design (UX/UI Design) UX/UI design, interaction design, corporate design, and visual identity services. Follows 'Design Follows Function' principle with user-centered concepts, responsive layouts, and consistent brand expression.
- Programmierung (Web Development) Web development services including responsive websites, platform development, and digital services built on Fuman CMS. Specializes in WCAG-compliant programming, e-commerce, and scalable solutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20-30% increased reach through accessible accessibility (including older audiences and mobile users)
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use fugu
Customer profileNamed customers23 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
fugu technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration15 records
Feature5 records
fugu partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ADIS (Allianz Digitale Inklusion Schweiz)corefugu is a founding member of ADIS since 2010. The alliance promotes digital inclusion and accessibility. fugu developed their accessible website and contributes to advancing digital accessibility standards in Switzerland.
- Stiftung Access for allcoreAccess for All tests and certifies fugu's websites for accessibility compliance. This partnership ensures websites meet WCAG standards and accessibility requirements.
- CH OpenminorMembership organization for open source in Switzerland. fugu is a member supporting open source software development and adoption.
- Open Event DataminorMembership organization for open event data standards in Switzerland. fugu supports open data initiatives and transparent data exchange.
- Swiss Made SoftwareminorSwiss Made Software label certifies that software is developed in Switzerland. fugu is a member, demonstrating commitment to Swiss software quality standards.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
fugu competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Adobe Experience Manager: Enterprise-grade WCM and digital experience platform from Adobe. Sets the upper-tier benchmark for large regulated organizations that fugu occasionally competes with or complements via headless integrations.
- WordPress / Automattic: Dominant global open-source web content management platform with massive ecosystem of themes, plugins, and developers. Sets the de facto standard against which Fuman must compete on features, community, and price.
- Drupal Association: Open-source WCM platform widely used by governments and large institutions, including in Switzerland. Direct substitute in the public-sector/cultural website space where fugu competes.
Direct peers
- Unic AG: Swiss digital agency with proprietary enterprise content and customer engagement platforms, serving large enterprise and public-sector clients. Comparable business model combining bespoke CMS-style platform with consulting services for Swiss regulated buyers.
- Liip AG: Swiss web and digital agency based in Zurich/Fribourg with similar focus on accessible, open-source-based web platforms and Drupal/Typo3 expertise. Most direct comparable in terms of Swiss market, size band, and value proposition around quality, accessibility, and open technology.
Emerging players
- Strapi: Open-source headless CMS with strong developer mindshare and VC backing. Competes with Fuman in the headless/API-first content layer for modern web and mobile applications, particularly for mid-market customers.
- Contentful: Berlin-based headless CMS platform with significant enterprise traction. Comparable in headless/API-first architecture, but operates as a pure SaaS at the enterprise tier where Fuman targets accessibility-led Swiss clients.
- Directus: Open-source headless data platform/CMS competing in the API-first space where Fuman's new headless offering is positioned. Targets developers and integrators building custom digital experiences.
- Storyblok: Headless CMS with visual editor targeting mid-market digital teams. Overlaps with Fuman's headless/visual-editing positioning and competes for the same type of content-led web project buyer.
- Pimcore: Open-source data and experience management platform with strong DACH presence and a comparable product-bundling approach (CMS + DAM + PIM + digital commerce). Direct overlap in modular enterprise platform positioning, with Pimcore operating at a larger scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
fugu social profiles
Digital presencefugu compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
fugu financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
fugu leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
fugu funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
fugu 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 fugu
What does fugu do?
fugu GmbH builds and licenses its proprietary open-source Fuman CMS (PHP/MySQL, REST/GraphQL API, WCAG 2.2 compliant) as a modular digital cockpit for websites, e-commerce, membership management, ticketing, and content. Around this core product, the agency sells tiered website subscriptions (Website Mini, Midi, Maxi, Headless CMS) and project-based professional services including UX/UI design, custom web development, e-accessibility (WCAG) certification, and SEO.
Is fugu a public or private company?
fugu is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was fugu founded?
fugu was founded in 2002. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is fugu based?
fugu is headquartered in Berne, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does fugu make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Web Development & Design Services are the primary driver. The others are fuman CMS Licensing & Support.
Who are fugu's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Adobe Experience Manager, WordPress / Automattic and Drupal Association. Direct peers are Unic AG and Liip AG. Emerging players are Strapi, Contentful, Directus, Storyblok and Pimcore.
Does fugu have an API?
Yes. Fuman offers a RESTful API that allows embedding Fuman content (news, events, blog posts) into external websites. The API enables Fuman to function as a headless CMS, outputting content via API to web, mobile apps, or third-party systems. Additionally, Fuman supports widgets that can be embedded externally. Developer documentation is at www.fugu.ch/de/angebot/cms-366.html.
What industry is fugu in?
fugu's product category is Content Management System (CMS) / Web Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEAGAK, Web Content Management (WCM) & Experience Platforms (Content Services), with a secondary code of HDAEAGAB, Enterprise Content Management (ECM) Suites. Its NAICS code is 541511.