Nordheld Gmbh
Nordheld GmbH is a Kiel-based, privately held D2C and regional retail brand that produces grain-free and gluten-free premium dog food, snacks, and natural chews for dog owners across the DACH region and Denmark, selling via Shopify, a subscription (Spar-Abo), and North German retail partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersKiel, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Nordheld Gmbh does
Nordheld GmbH is a Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein-based private limited company (GmbH) founded in 2018 that formulates and sells premium grain-free and gluten-free dog food, snacks, and chew products under the Nordheld and zooVital brands. Its core portfolio comprises six dry food varieties named after nautical ranks (Matrose fish & rice, Bootsmann lamb & rice, Kapitän venison & potato, Lotse duck & potato, Steuermann chicken & potato, Powerstarter salmon & potato), a single-protein wet food pouch (Fleischbeutel Hirsch pur), a snack line (Softies, Fischwürfel, Krabbenflips, Popcorn, Wildwürfel, Zahnbürsten), and the zooVital sub-brand of natural single-ingredient chews. The company operates without any proprietary technology platform; its digital infrastructure is a standard Shopify storefront with Shopify Payments, supported by DHL Paket shipping and a small content hub of dog training and nutrition advice. Nordheld monetizes through one-time D2C purchases priced in EUR, DKK, and CHF, a Spar-Abo subscription with approximately 5% recurring discount, the Heldenbox trial box at €15.99, value bundles (Doppelpack 2x10kg), and gift vouchers. The go-to-market combines direct e-commerce to consumers in Germany, Austria, Denmark, and Switzerland with a regional retail network across CITTI Märkte, Famila, DAS FUTTERHAUS, EDEKA Alpen Verbund, REWE Kronshagen, and Zoo & Co Knutzen, plus placement in dog service businesses and dog-friendly hotels in North Germany. The company is founder/management-owned under managing director Nina Rimbach, with 1-10 employees, no disclosed funding, and no institutional investors.
Nordheld Gmbh firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Nordheld Gmbh
- Legal name
- Nordheld GmbH
- Website
- https://nordheld.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Nordheld GmbH is a Kiel-based, privately held D2C and regional retail brand that produces grain-free and gluten-free premium dog food, snacks, and natural chews for dog owners across the DACH region and Denmark, selling via Shopify, a subscription (Spar-Abo), and North German retail partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Nordheld Gmbh industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Dog Food
- NAICS
- Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing (311111), Animal Food Manufacturing (31111)
- SIC
- Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dry Pet Food (Kibble) (AFADAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Natural/Organic & Limited-Ingredient Diets (CRADAFAH)
Keywords
Where Nordheld Gmbh is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kiel
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Nordheld Gmbh business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Direct E-commerce Sales: Nordheld operates its own Shopify-based online storefront selling dry food, wet food, snacks, and chew products directly to consumers in Germany, Austria, Denmark, and Switzerland. Revenue is generated through one-time product purchases with optional subscription (Spar-Abo) for recurring discounts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Heldenbox Testpaket at €15.99 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Subscription (Spar-Abo) for recurring customers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels6 records
Nordheld Gmbh product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Nordheld GmbH manufactures and sells premium grain-free and gluten-free dry dog food, wet food pouches, snacks, and chew products under the Nordheld brand, plus a zooVital sub-brand of single-ingredient natural chews. The portfolio includes six dry food recipes (Matrose, Bootsmann, Kapitän, Lotse, Steuermann, Powerstarter) using single animal protein sources (fish, lamb, venison, duck, chicken, salmon) with rice or potato as carbohydrates, formulated without artificial preservatives, colors, or flavor enhancers. Customers can purchase individual items, value bundles (Doppelpack), trial boxes (Heldenbox), gift vouchers, or subscribe via the Spar-Abo recurring discount program.
Product overview
Nordheld GmbH is a Kiel-based dog food company offering a portfolio of premium dry and wet dog food products under the Nordheld brand, complemented by snack treats and chew items. The core dry food range includes six varieties named after nautical terms (Matrose, Bootsmann, Kapitän, Lotse, Steuermann, Powerstarter), each featuring different protein sources (fish, lamb, venison, duck, chicken, salmon) with rice or potato as carbohydrates, marketed as grain-free/gluten-free options. Wet food is offered in meat pouches with pure venison. The snack lineup includes soft treats (Softies), fish cubes, shrimp flips, popcorn, game cubes, and dental chews. A sub-brand called zooVital offers single-ingredient natural chew treats sourced from EU raw materials. The company also provides bundles (Doppelpack value packs with 2x10kg), subscription service (Spar-Abo with 5% discount), trial boxes (Heldenbox), and gift vouchers. All products emphasize natural ingredients, transparency, and avoidance of artificial additives.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- zooVital: A sub-brand offering natural, single-ingredient chewing snacks for dogs, including dried beef ears, ox tendons, rabbit ears, and other animal parts. All zooVital products are 100% natural with no additives or preservatives.
Products and services
- Matrose Fisch und Reis
Companies that use Nordheld Gmbh
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Nordheld Gmbh technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Nordheld Gmbh partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- CITTI MärktecoreCITTI Märkte are large consumer markets in North Germany offering comprehensive product ranges including fresh food and non-food items. They stock Nordheld dog food products in their pet sections as a premium brand partner.
- Famila WarenhäusercoreFamila Warenhäuser are family-oriented retail stores in North Germany offering diverse products including clothing, household goods, toys and pet supplies. Nordheld products are featured as part of their pet care offerings.
- DAS FUTTERHAUScoreDAS FUTTERHAUS is a specialty pet supply retail chain offering a broad range of pet food, accessories, and care products. They carry Nordheld as a premium brand with competent customer advice.
- EDEKA Alpen VerbundminorEDEKA Alpen Verbund is a network of regional EDEKA supermarkets in South Germany, focused on regional products and high-quality diverse selections. Nordheld products are available through this channel.
- REWE KronshagenminorREWE Kronshagen is a modern supermarket near Kiel offering a diverse range of fresh foods, regional products, and branded items including Nordheld dog food.
- Zoo & Co KnutzenminorZoo & Co Knutzen is a pet specialty store in Kiel with a large selection of pet food, accessories, and care products. They stock Nordheld as a premium brand option.
- Hundegutshof ElbeminorA dog facility located directly on the Elbe river offering nature-oriented recreation, exercise, and professional care for dogs. Stocks Nordheld products for visiting dog owners and guests.
- Hundephysio OstseeminorProfessional canine physiotherapy and rehabilitation service on the Baltic Sea coast, promoting mobility, health, and well-being. Stocks Nordheld products as part of their holistic dog care offering.
- Trustful Dogs (Dominique Wehrmann)minorIndividual dog training and behavioral consulting service near Wuppertal using holistic, non-violent methods. Stocks Nordheld products for clients.
- Hundeschule ColoniaminorDog school in Cologne offering individualized and everyday dog training for a harmonious human-dog relationship using modern, non-violent methods. Stocks Nordheld products.
- Hotel Gut ImmenhofminorAn idyllic country hotel in Schleswig-Holstein combining luxurious comfort with rural charm. Nordheld dog food is available for canine guests.
- StimbekhofminorA charming thatched-roof hotel in the Lüneburg Heath region welcoming dogs, offering stylish rooms, regional cuisine, and an idyllic location. Stocks Nordheld products for guest dogs.
- ShopifycoreNordheld's e-commerce storefront is powered by Shopify, which provides the hosting, payment processing (Shopify Payments), and checkout infrastructure for the online store.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights2 records
Nordheld Gmbh competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wolfsblut: German premium dog food brand emphasizing high-meat, grain-free recipes with novel proteins. Comparable to Nordheld on protein-centric, grain-free positioning and German retail presence.
- GranataPet: German premium dog food brand offering grain-free complete diets and snacks with a focus on natural ingredients. Competes in the same DACH premium natural segment as Nordheld.
- Pets Deli: Berlin-based premium fresh and gently cooked dog food brand with subscription delivery. Closely comparable to Nordheld's DTC subscription plus premium natural positioning.
- Terra Canis: Munich-based premium German dog food brand focused on natural, grain-free, and raw/BARF-style diets. Closely comparable to Nordheld on geography, premium natural positioning, and DOG-focused product mix.
- Herrmann's Manufaktur: German premium natural dog food brand offering wet food, dry food, and snacks with a transparent ingredient philosophy. Direct competitor in the German premium natural segment.
- Belcando: German premium dry and wet dog food brand by Bewital with a focus on high meat content and natural recipes. Comparable mid-premium positioning to Nordheld.
- Anifit: German premium natural wet dog food brand operating through a hybrid direct-sales/advisor model and own e-commerce. Comparable on premium natural positioning and DACH focus.
Broad incumbents
- Josera: Established German pet food manufacturer offering broad dry and wet dog food lines including grain-free and family-tier products. A larger, broader- portfolio incumbent in the same German category.
- MERA Tiernahrung: German pet food manufacturer producing private-label and branded dry dog food including grain-free ranges. Larger, well-established German competitor across price tiers.
- Royal Canin: Global premium pet food brand (Mars) with extensive German retail and veterinary channel presence. Broader portfolio incumbent competing for the same premium dog owner.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Nordheld Gmbh social profiles
Digital presenceNordheld Gmbh financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Nordheld Gmbh leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Nordheld Gmbh funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Nordheld Gmbh 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 Nordheld Gmbh
What does Nordheld Gmbh do?
Nordheld GmbH manufactures and sells premium grain-free and gluten-free dry dog food, wet food pouches, snacks, and chew products under the Nordheld brand, plus a zooVital sub-brand of single-ingredient natural chews. The portfolio includes six dry food recipes (Matrose, Bootsmann, Kapitän, Lotse, Steuermann, Powerstarter) using single animal protein sources (fish, lamb, venison, duck, chicken, salmon) with rice or potato as carbohydrates, formulated without artificial preservatives, colors, or flavor enhancers. Customers can purchase individual items, value bundles (Doppelpack), trial boxes (Heldenbox), gift vouchers, or subscribe via the Spar-Abo recurring discount program.
Is Nordheld Gmbh a public or private company?
Nordheld Gmbh is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Nordheld Gmbh founded?
Nordheld Gmbh was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Nordheld Gmbh based?
Nordheld Gmbh is headquartered in Kiel, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Nordheld Gmbh make money?
One revenue line is on record: direct E-commerce Sales.
Who are Nordheld Gmbh's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wolfsblut, GranataPet, Pets Deli, Terra Canis, Herrmann's Manufaktur, Belcando and Anifit. Broad incumbents are Josera, MERA Tiernahrung and Royal Canin.
Does Nordheld Gmbh have an API?
No public API is recorded for Nordheld Gmbh.
What industry is Nordheld Gmbh in?
Nordheld Gmbh's product category is Premium Dog Food. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFADAFAA, Dry Pet Food (Kibble), with a secondary code of CRADAFAH, Natural/Organic & Limited-Ingredient Diets. Its NAICS code is 311111 and its SIC code is 2000.