knowmates

What knowmates does

knowmates GmbH is a German full-service e-commerce and online marketing agency headquartered in Leipzig, with a secondary office in Chemnitz. Founded in 2014 and led by managing director Jonny Orbán, the firm operates as a certified JTL-Servicepartner, positioning itself inside the JTL-Software ecosystem that is widely adopted by German SMB merchants. Its service portfolio spans four functional pillars — e-commerce (JTL-Wawi warehouse management, JTL-Shop, JTL-WMS, eazyAuction marketplace integration, JTL-Connector to Magento/Shopware/WooCommerce/Gambio/OXID/PrestaShop, JTL-Ameise data tooling), online marketing (SEO, SEA, content, social, newsletter, affiliate), design (UI/UX, web, graphic), and development (JTL plugin and template development, Joomla) — delivered under a consultative, individual-solutions model with a dedicated account-manager approach.

The underlying technology stack is centered on the JTL ecosystem rather than proprietary platforms: knowmates resells, implements, and extends JTL products, supplemented by third-party integrations for payments (Amazon Pay, Mollie, PayPal, Klarna), POS (LS-POS via Luwosoft), analytics (Google Analytics, Search Console), and consent (Borlabs Cookie). The firm also offers specialized shop and Wawi hosting, a dedicated support portal, and training services. There is no indication of in-house AI/ML product development; AI surfaces only as AI-aware SEO and content optimization for generative search.

Revenue mechanics are exclusively professional services — implementation fees, retainers, and project work — billed to German SMB e-commerce clients on a custom-quote basis with no publicly disclosed tiers. Customer acquisition is sales-led and primarily domestic (DACH), drawing leads from the website, blog content, case-study portfolio, JTL partner ecosystem, and referral partners (Händlerbund, Google Partner, Amazon Pay Agenturpartner, Adcell, Luwosoft, Jera, Marcos Software). The firm is privately held, has no disclosed external funding or parent company, and is registered at Amtsgericht Leipzig (HRB 30752).

Name

knowmates

Legal name

knowmates GmbH

Website

https://knowmates.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

knowmates GmbH is a Leipzig-based German e-commerce and online marketing agency and certified JTL-Servicepartner delivering JTL-software implementation, marketplace integration, design, development, hosting, and online marketing services to SMB merchants in the DACH region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

E-commerce and digital marketing services

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Marketplace Enablement, Seller Tools & E-commerce Infrastructure (BPAMAGAK)

Keywords

• E-commerce consulting
• Online marketing agency
• JTL-Shop implementation
• Marketplace integration
• Search engine optimization

Headquarters

HQ city

Leipzig

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. E-Commerce Services: Professional services for online shop setup and optimization, including JTL-Shop implementation, marketplace integration (eBay, Amazon), hosting, and ongoing shop management
2. Online-Marketing Services: Comprehensive digital marketing services including SEO, SEA, Content Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Newsletter Marketing, and Affiliate Marketing
3. Design Services: UI/UX Design, Webdesign, and Grafikdesign services for e-commerce businesses
4. Development Services: Web development services including JTL-Pluginentwicklung, JTL-Templateentwicklung, and custom web solutions

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

knowmates GmbH is a certified JTL-Servicepartner digital agency that delivers e-commerce and online marketing services to German online retailers. Its core services cover JTL-Software consulting and implementation (JTL-Wawi, JTL-Shop, JTL-WMS, eazyAuction, JTL-Connector, JTL-Ameise, LS-POS), online marketing (SEO, SEA, content, social media, newsletter, affiliate), UI/UX and graphic design, JTL plugin/template and Joomla development, marketplace integration, managed hosting, and remote training. The agency emphasizes individual, custom solutions and long-term client relationships.

Product overview

knowmates GmbH is an E-Commerce and Online-Marketing agency based in Leipzig, Germany, operating as a certified JTL-Servicepartner. The core offering centers on the JTL product ecosystem: JTL-Wawi (free warehouse management system), JTL-Shop4/JTL-Shop5 (online shop system), and JTL-WMS (warehouse management software). They provide related services including eazyAuction for eBay/Amazon marketplace integration, JTL-Connector for third-party shop systems (Magento, Shopware, WooCommerce, Gambio, OXID, PrestaShop), and JTL-Ameise for data import/export. Additional services encompass Online-Marketing (SEO, SEA, Content, Social-Media, Newsletter, Affiliate), Design (UI/UX, Web, Graphic), Development (JTL plugins/templates, Joomla), and Hosting. The company operates offices in Leipzig and Chemnitz.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• JTL-Servicepartner Beratung und Betreuung Certified JTL-Servicepartner consulting, implementation, and ongoing support service for the JTL-Software ecosystem, targeting German e-commerce businesses that need a specialist to operate or migrate their JTL-Wawi ERP, JTL-Shop storefront, JTL-WMS warehouse management, eazyAuction, JTL-Connector, JTL-Ameise, and LS-POS environments.
• Online-Marketing (Suchmaschinenoptimierung / SEO) Search engine optimization service for JTL-Shop-based online retailers and other e-commerce sites, focused on improving organic search rankings and traffic for German SMB merchants.
• Online-Marketing (Suchmaschinenwerbung / SEA) Paid search engine advertising (SEA) campaign management, leveraging knowmates' Google Partner status to run paid search campaigns for e-commerce clients.
• Online-Marketing (Content-Marketing) Content marketing service producing editorial and product-related content for e-commerce clients to support SEO, brand, and conversion goals.
• Online-Marketing (Social-Media-Marketing) Social media marketing service managing social channels and paid/organic social campaigns for German e-commerce clients.
• Online-Marketing (Newsletter-Marketing) Email newsletter marketing service covering strategy, design, and execution of email campaigns for e-commerce clients.
• Online-Marketing (Affiliate-Marketing) Affiliate marketing service setting up and managing affiliate programmes for e-commerce clients.
• UI/UX-Design User interface and experience design service for e-commerce shops, including information architecture, interaction design, and conversion-oriented UI design.
• Webdesign Web design service producing visual designs and responsive layouts for e-commerce storefronts and related web properties.
• Grafikdesign
• JTL-Pluginentwicklung
• JTL-Templateentwicklung
• Joomla!-Entwicklung
• Marktplatzintegration
• Shop-Hosting
• Warenwirtschaft-Hosting
• Schulungen und Fernschulungen

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% customer satisfaction rate on Google and Trustpilot reviews
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration33 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JTL-SoftwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationCertified JTL-Servicepartner providing implementation, consulting, and support for all JTL products. Has access to test and development systems and direct contact to JTL developers with short reaction times for complex questions. Can pass on direct monetary benefits to customers through the partnership.
• HändlerbundcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for legal compliance solutions including e-commerce legal text management, data protection, and regulatory compliance (e.g., Widerrufsbutton, Greenwashing-Gesetz)
• GooglecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGoogle Partner status enabling provision of Google Ads, SEO optimization, and Google marketing services. Company displays Google Partner logo indicating certified expertise.
• Amazon PaycoreTechnology or IntegrationAmazon Pay Agenturpartner authorized to integrate and implement Amazon Pay payment solution for JTL-Shop and other e-commerce platforms. Can help customers avoid first-month fees through partner link.
• AdcellminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdcell Partner Agentur providing affiliate marketing services and solutions to customers

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DotSource: Jena-based German e-commerce agency specializing in platform integration, digital commerce strategy, and marketing. Direct overlap in target customers (German retailers) and e-commerce implementation services.
• flagbit: German e-commerce and PIM agency with deep integrations across Shopware, Magento, and JTL. Comparable in serving SMB/mid-market German retailers needing platform implementation and digital marketing.
• netz98: Another German JTL-Servicepartner and e-commerce agency offering JTL-Wawi, JTL-Shop, and marketplace integration services to SMBs. Highly comparable in target customer, JTL specialization, and service mix.
• mediawave commerce: German e-commerce agency with services across Shopware, OXID, and JTL implementations plus digital marketing. Similar SMB retailer focus and full-service delivery model.
• diva-e: Large German full-service e-commerce and digital agency covering platform implementation, marketing, and design. Overlaps with knowmates' end-to-end service portfolio but at significantly greater scale.
• nexum: German digital agency providing e-commerce, content, and marketing services. Comparable in offering an integrated e-commerce + marketing bundle to mid-market and enterprise clients in the DACH region.
• Websale AG: German JTL partner and e-commerce service provider offering shop systems, hosting, and implementation. Comparable as a JTL-ecosystem-focused agency serving German SMBs.
• valantic: European digital agency and consultancy with strong e-commerce, ERP, and marketing automation practices. Overlaps in offering end-to-end commerce implementation and digital marketing to mid-market clients in DACH.

Broad incumbents

• Arvato (Bertelsmann): Large-scale digital services and e-commerce fulfillment provider within Bertelsmann. While much broader, it competes for the same mid-market German retailer implementations and digital marketing budgets.
• Shopware AG: Major German e-commerce platform vendor with a large partner agency network. Knowmates connects to Shopware via JTL-Connector and competes with certified Shopware partners for the same SMB implementations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/knowmates

Compliance7 records

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 knowmates