objektfabrik Joachim Tuchel

What objektfabrik Joachim Tuchel does

objektfabrik GmbH is a privately held German software company founded in 1999 by Joachim Tuchel and headquartered in Ludwigsburg, Germany. It operates as a founder-led micro-firm (1-10 employees) delivering object-oriented software development services to small and medium-sized enterprises (KMU) that require commercial applications beyond spreadsheet or word-processor capabilities. Its core technology stack is built on the Smalltalk programming language and Instantiations' VAST Platform (formerly VisualAge for Smalltalk), emphasizing rapid prototyping, high interactivity with end users, and long-term software maintainability over speed-to-delivery alone.

The company's revenue is generated across three lines: (1) Kontolino!, a proprietary SaaS online accounting product launched in 2013 for freelancers, partnerships, and small capital companies, offering bookkeeping, e-invoicing, and annual financial statement preparation; (2) custom Smalltalk-based software development for SME clients delivered through a personal, relationship-driven direct sales model; and (3) authorized distribution, training, and consulting services for Instantiations' VAST Platform across the German-speaking Euro area. Go-to-market combines direct sales for custom work, a self-serve product-led motion for Kontolino!, and channel/reseller activity for VAST Platform licensing.

Objektfabrik has been bootstrapped since inception with no external funding, no institutional investors, and no parent company. It is incorporated as a GmbH at the Stuttgart commercial register (HRB 798847) and primarily serves the DACH region. Its competitive positioning is built on nearly three decades of specialized Smalltalk expertise, niche authority within the VA Smalltalk developer community (evidenced by c't magazine publications and VA Smalltalk Forum presentations), and long-tenured personal customer relationships rather than scale, AI differentiation, or platform network effects.

Name

objektfabrik Joachim Tuchel

Legal name

objektfabrik GmbH

Website

https://objektfabrik.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

objektfabrik GmbH is a founder-led German software firm delivering custom Smalltalk-based applications and the Kontolino! SaaS accounting product to small and medium-sized enterprises, freelancers, and VAST Platform users in the DACH region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ludwigsburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. SaaS Subscription (Kontolino!): Online accounting software operated since 2013 under a Software-as-a-Service model, generating recurring subscription revenue from freelancers, partnerships, and small corporations.
2. Custom Software Development: Object-oriented software development services for SMEs, focusing on commercial applications that cannot be optimally designed with spreadsheets or word processors.
3. VAST Platform Licensing and Support: Resale of VAST Platform licenses and associated manufacturer support services as a distribution partner of Instantiations in the German-speaking Euro area.
4. Training and Consulting: Training services for VAST Platform development environment and consulting on Smalltalk-based application development projects.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

objektfabrik designs, develops, and maintains custom object-oriented software applications for small and medium-sized enterprises (KMU) that cannot be optimally served by off-the-shelf spreadsheet or word-processing tools. The company also develops and operates Kontolino!, a proprietary SaaS online accounting platform for freelancers, partnerships, and small corporations, and serves as a distribution, training, and consulting partner for Instantiations' VAST Platform (Smalltalk) in the German-speaking Euro area.

Product overview

objektfabrik GmbH is a commercial software company serving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMUs). Its portfolio consists of two main pillars: (1) Kontolino!, a proprietary online accounting SaaS product launched in 2013, which handles bookkeeping, e-invoicing, and annual financial statements; and (2) VAST Platform-related consulting, training, and distribution services, where the company acts as Instantiations' authorized business and training partner in the German-speaking Eurozone, reselling VA Smalltalk licenses, providing manufacturer support, and delivering customer project consulting. Additionally, the company offers bespoke object-oriented software development using Smalltalk and VAST Platform directly to KMU clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kontolino!: Online accounting software (SaaS) for freelancers, partnerships, and small corporations to handle bookkeeping, create and receive e-invoices, and prepare annual financial statements.
• VAST Platform

Products and services

• Kontolino! Online accounting SaaS platform that enables freelancers, partnerships, and small capital companies to manage their bookkeeping, create and receive e-invoices, and prepare annual financial statements independently or in collaboration with a tax consultant.
• Custom Software Development Bespoke object-oriented software development services for small and medium-sized enterprises, using Smalltalk and VAST Platform to build and maintain business applications tailored to specific customer needs beyond what spreadsheets or word processors can deliver.
• VAST Platform Services Business partner, training, and consulting services for Instantiations' VAST Platform in the German-speaking Eurozone, offering license resale, manufacturer support, training courses, and project consulting for VA Smalltalk-based application development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 30 years of continuous operation since 1999, demonstrating sustained market viability and expertise
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• InstantiationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2005Objektfabrik serves as a distribution partner for Instantiations' VAST Platform (formerly VisualAge for Smalltalk) in the German-speaking Euro area. They resell VAST Platform licenses and provide manufacturer support services. Additionally, they act as a business partner, training and consulting partner for VAST Platform, having supported customers of all sizes for nearly 30 years in using this development environment.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/objektfabrik-joachim-tuchel

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 →

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