Sentinel Holding Institut GmbH

What Sentinel Holding Institut GmbH does

Sentinel Holding Institut GmbH (SHI) is a privately held German limited liability company headquartered in Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, that operates a data and certification platform for sustainable building products. Founded in 2008 with approximately 21 employees, SHI maintains the SHI-Datenbank, Europe's leading database of pollutant-tested (schadstoffgeprüft) and sustainable construction products, with over 2,300 verified product datasets covering compliance with major European building certification schemes including DGNB, QNG, BNB, BREEAM, LEED and EU-Taxonomie; a 2024 milestone noted 50,000+ certified construction articles in the database. The database is uniquely audited semi-annually by independent testing firm SGS-TÜV Saar, a structural credibility differentiator in the European certification market.

The platform architecture centers on three core offerings: the SHI-Datenbank (a product database and directory), the SHI-Produktpass (a consolidated digital certification document bundling compliance data across multiple schemes and recognized as valid proof by DGNB and STI-BIW), and ZERTIVA (a SaaS project management tool launched in 2023 targeting a 50% reduction in building certification documentation time). The SHI-Schnittstelle (API) enables automated data flows into partner ecosystems including DGNB Navigator, STI-BIW ZERT-Cockpit, Alexander Bürkle's e-commerce platform (with the alexgreen label), AUSSCHREIBEN.DE (700+ manufacturers, 1.1M+ specification texts) and BIM.pi. Supporting modules include SHI-Marketingsupport (manufacturer marketing services), SHI-Projektbegleitung (project accompaniment), SHI-International (expert network) and the Gesundheitslounge media brand.

SHI monetizes through four primary revenue streams: recurring certification and listing fees for the SHI-Datenbank and SHI-Produktpass; ZERTIVA SaaS subscriptions (14-day free trial); SHI-Schnittstelle API integration licensing; and SHI-Marketingsupport professional services. Its customer base spans architects, planners, auditors, building product manufacturers, construction companies, real estate developers, tradespeople and private consumers, with named enterprise relationships including BAUHAUS (160 German specialist centers stocking 3,500+ SHI-tested products), Sopro Bauchemie, KRAUTOL (DAW Group), Alexander Bürkle, LIST Eco and DGNB. Geographically, SHI operates primarily in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) with international reach via SHI-International.

Name

Sentinel Holding Institut GmbH

Legal name

Sentinel Holding Institut GmbH

Website

https://sentinel-haus.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sentinel Holding Institut GmbH operates Europe's leading database of pollutant-tested and sustainable building products, providing certification, project management (ZERTIVA), and API integration services for building compliance across DGNB, QNG, BREEAM, LEED, and EU-Taxonomie schemes in the DACH region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Construction Compliance Software

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

International Standards Development & Standardization Bodies (BPADANAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Standards Development & Publishing (SDOs, Technical Standards) (MPAJACAB)

Keywords

• Sustainable construction certification
• Building product database
• Pollutant testing services
• Certification management software
• Healthy building materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Freiburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. SHI-Datenbank & SHI-Produktpass (Product Listing & Certification Fees): Manufacturers pay to list and certify their products in the SHI-Datenbank and receive the SHI-Produktpass. The SHI-Produktpass bundles product quality data across multiple certification schemes (SHI-Schadstoffgeprüft, DGNB, QNG, BNB, BREEAM, LEED, EU-Taxonomy), enabling manufacturers to demonstrate compliance for multiple schemes from a single document. This creates a recurring certification and listing revenue stream.
2. ZERTIVA (Project Management SaaS Tool): ZERTIVA is a SaaS project management tool for building certification processes. It is offered with a 14-day free trial and is marketed as a subscription tool. Available at zertiva.eu, it targets architects, auditors, construction companies and developers to streamline QNG, DGNB, BREEAM, LEED, EU-Taxonomie and BNB certifications.
3. SHI-Marketingsupport (Marketing Services): Customised marketing solutions for manufacturers including social media content creation, press releases, branded database entries, trade show presence support, and custom video production via the 'Gesundheitslounge' media brand. Revenue is generated through service contracts with manufacturers seeking to promote their SHI-certified products.
4. SHI-Schnittstelle (API Integration Fees): Technology integration fees from partners (DGNB, STI-BIW, Alexander Bürkle, AUSSCHreiben.DE, BIM.pi) who embed SHI-certified product data into their own platforms via API. Generates revenue through licensing and integration partnership agreements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Sentinel Holding Institut GmbH operates the SHI-Datenbank, Europe's leading database of over 2,300 manually verified, pollutant-tested (schadstoffgeprüft) and sustainable construction products, audited semi-annually by SGS-TÜV Saar. Its core deliverables are the SHI-Produktpass (a consolidated digital compliance document covering DGNB, QNG, BNB, BREEAM, LEED and EU-Taxonomy) and ZERTIVA, a SaaS project management tool that streamlines building certification workflows. The company also licenses its product data through the SHI-Schnittstelle (API) and offers complementary marketing and project support services.

Product overview

Sentinel Holding Institut GmbH operates a platform-plus-services architecture centered on the SHI-Datenbank (SHI Database), Europe's leading database for pollutant-tested construction products with over 2,300 verified datasets. The core SHI-Produktpass serves as the central digital certification document bundling criteria for DGNB, QNG, BNB, BREEAM, LEED, and EU-Taxonomy certifications. ZERTIVA provides the complementary project management tool for building certifications. Additional modules include SHI-Schnittstelle (API interface for system integration), SHI-Marketingsupport (marketing services), SHI-Projektbegleitung (project support), SHI-International (expert network), SHI-Forschungsprojekte (research projects), and Gesundheitslounge (video production services). The platform enables building certification compliance while the services support product visibility, project certification, and professional networking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SHI-Produktpass: A centralized digital document that bundles product-relevant criteria and standards for sustainable building certifications including SHI-Schadstoffgeprüft, DGNB, QNG, BNB, BREEAM, LEED, and EU-Taxonomy.
• ZERTIVA
• SHI-Schnittstelle

Products and services

• SHI-Datenbank Europe's leading database for pollutant-tested construction products containing over 2,300 manually verified, emissions-tested product datasets enabling sustainable building certifications (QNG, DGNB, NaWoh, BNB, EU-Taxonomy). Each dataset is independently audited by SGS-TÜV Saar. Sold as a subscription database listing and certification service to building product manufacturers and accessed by architects, planners, auditors and construction companies for sustainable building projects.
• SHI-Produktpass Central digital document that bundles product-relevant criteria and standards across SHI-Schadstoffgeprüft, DGNB, QNG, BNB, BREEAM, LEED and EU-Taxonomy into a single certification record. Recognised as valid proof documentation by DGNB and STI-BIW without additional counter-verification. Sold to building product manufacturers to demonstrate multi-scheme compliance in a single document, used by architects, auditors and construction companies for certification submissions.
• ZERTIVA

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% reduction in documentation time for building certifications (claimed by ZERTIVA)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen)coreTechnology or IntegrationSHI has established a data interface between the SHI-Datenbank and the DGNB Navigator. Products certified by SHI are automatically displayed in the DGNB environment. The SHI-Produktpass is recognised by DGNB as valid proof documentation without additional counter-verification, simplifying material selection and certification for manufacturers, auditors and planners.
• Steinbeis-Transfer-Institut Bau- und Immobilienwirtschaft (STI-BIW)coreTechnology or IntegrationSHI-Produktpass is officially recognised as valid proof documentation for schadstoffgeprüft and nachhaltige building products. A digital interface between the SHI-Datenbank and the ZERT-Cockpit App of STI-BIW has been established, enabling coordinators, planners and auditors to access SHI-certified product data directly within the STI-BIW certification system for BNB and QNG certifications.
• Alexander Bürkle GmbH & Co. KGcoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic partnership integrating SHI-certified product data into the Alexander Bürkle online shop. QNG-ready certified products are marked with the alexgreen label and remain up-to-date via an automated interface to the SHI-Datenbank. Alexander Bürkle acts as a leading independent technology service provider in electrical engineering, smart buildings, and smart industries.
• AUSSCHREIBEN.DE (a brand of ORCA-Software GmbH)coreTechnology or IntegrationAUSSCHREIBEN.DE is the leading digital platform for building product data in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), with over 700 manufacturers and more than 1.1 million specification texts. The SHI-AUSSCHREIBEN.DE interface automatically tags SHI-certified products and enables filtered search via 'Nachhaltigkeit' and 'SHI' filters, improving product discoverability for architects, specialist planners and tradespeople.
• BAUHAUS AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBAUHAUS, with ~160 specialist centres in Germany, offers over 3,500 SHI-tested products identified by green price labels at no additional premium. The partnership enables broad availability of schadstoff- and emissions-arm products for both trade professionals and consumers. Joint initiatives with SchwörerHaus provide access to healthy, KfW-eligible homes for building families.
• Deutscher Wohnbau Verbund GmbH & Co. (DWV)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerDWV is a leading housing industry association in Germany representing approximately 150 member companies. DWV supports the use of the ZERTIVA digital project management tool among its members, providing access to SHI-certified product data for planning and certification processes. The partnership drives adoption of SHI solutions in the residential housing sector.
• LIST Eco GmbH & Co. KGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIST Eco is a leading developer of holistic sustainability concepts for real estate and neighbourhoods, supporting investors, property holders, developers, cities and municipalities in realising EU-Taxonomy-compliant and future-ready building projects. LIST Eco integrates SHI-certified product data into its sustainability concepts and GIS/BIM-based planning processes for DGNB, QNG, BREEAM and BNB certifications.
• LNB – Leitfaden Nachhaltig Bauen GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLNB is a process-oriented, low-threshold building assessment tool for public buildings. The SHI 'QNG-ready' seal is recognised within LNB as a suitable proof for fulfilling QNG criteria in the area of schadstoffvermeidung (hazardous substance prevention). The partnership simplifies proof documentation for LNB_QNG certification, saving time and increasing planning certainty.
• eeule GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development Partnereeule provides a digital guided process platform that supports auditors, planners and construction companies through QNG certification requirements step by step. SHI contributes its expertise in testing emissions-reduced and schadstoffgeprüft building products. The partnership reduces error sources and creates clear structures and traceable proofs for QNG certifications.
• ARGE Neue MedienminorGTM or Marketing PartnerARGE Neue Medien is an association of over 100 brand manufacturers in the building technology sector, organising quality management of product data and standardisation of data formats for its member companies. The partnership enables optimised distribution of sustainability data and certificates for ARGE members, with automated processes and individual consultation on data generation.
• Verband der deutschen Parkettindustrie e.V. (vdp)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe German Parquet Industry Association (vdp) cooperates with SHI to increase the visibility of parquet in construction. The partnership facilitates architects', planners', construction companies' and property owners' access to relevant product information and proofs, while vdp member companies benefit from increased visibility among key target groups in the sustainable construction market.
• SGS-TÜV Saar (Independent Process Auditor)coreOthersSGS-TÜV Saar is an independent testing and certification company that semi-annually audits the SHI-Datenbank product intake and review processes. SHI proudly states it is the first and only building-products database whose processes are regularly audited by SGS-TÜV Saar. This partnership is foundational to SHI's credibility and trust positioning.
• BurdaVerlag (#livingbetter Initiative)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerUnder the motto 'Gesundes Leben fängt zuhause an!' (Healthy living starts at home), BurdaVerlag and Sentinel Haus Institut launched the nationwide #livingbetter initiative. The initiative provides accessible information about healthy, sustainable and schadstoffarme living spaces through the central platform www.living-better.de, leveraging BurdaVerlag's high-reach media brands and an extensive communications campaign with partners BAUHAUS, SchwörerHaus, Alpina, Zehnder, Sopro and pro clima.
• Greenstyle Studio Freund GmbH (Berlin)minorOthersGreenstyle Studio by Freund in Berlin serves as a production venue for SHI's 'Gesundheitslounge' film and video content. SHI's media brand 'Die Gesundheitslounge' produces reportages, product films, interviews and health talk shows showcasing SHI partners and their healthy, sustainable product offerings.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen): German Sustainable Building Council, the leading building-level certification scheme in Germany. While SHI is a data and product-certification partner of DGNB, DGNB operates an overlapping ecosystem (DGNB Navigator, certification criteria) and represents SHI's closest comparable scheme body in the German sustainable construction market.
• natureplus e.V. European quality label for building and furnishing products made from climate-friendly, natural and sustainable raw materials. Directly comparable to SHI-Schadstoffgeprüft as a product-level sustainability/health certification scheme targeting the same architects, planners and manufacturers in DACH and EU markets.
• eco-INSTITUT Germany: German testing and certification institute focused on emissions, pollutant content and ecological quality of building products, furnishings and textiles. Directly comparable as a building product testing/certification specialist feeding the same architects, planners and manufacturers SHI serves.
• Sentinel Haus Institut: The original Sentinel Haus Institut entity focused on healthy building consulting, research and training, from which Sentinel Holding Institut's data and product certification activities evolved. Operates in the same wohngesundheit (healthy living) and pollutant-tested construction products space with overlapping customers (architects, manufacturers, consumers).
• IBU (Institut Bauen und Umwelt e.V.): Operator of the German EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) programme for construction products. Directly comparable as a product-level sustainability data and certification body whose datasets feed into DGNB, BNB and LEED — the same schemes SHI's Produktpass targets.

Broad incumbents

• TÜV Rheinland: Global testing, inspection and certification incumbent offering building product testing, sustainability certification and quality audits. Operates broadly across industries rather than specialising in SHI's healthy-building niche, but competes for the same product certification budgets of European manufacturers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SoproBauchemieGmbH
• Instagraminstagram.com/sentinelholdinginstitut
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sentinel-holding-institut

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Sentinel Holding Institut GmbH