Craft business platform Meisterwerk raises €6M for DACH expansion

The Berlin-based startup Meisterwerk App, a central operating platform for craft businesses, has raised €6M in Series A funding. Semapa Next, a venture capital firm that invests in European-based companies, led the round and was joined by I2BF, NEXXUS and existing investors Wecken & Cie, Speedinvest, seed + speed, Innovation Nest, Marcus Krüger Syndicate. Meisterwerk drives revenue growth and operating efficiency for over 600 craft businesses in the DACH region. The new funds will be used to further develop and optimise the company's digital solutions. The long-term goal of Meisterwerk is to become the central operating system for craft businesses in Europe.

Craft businesses face major challenges: On the one hand, they often experience a high level of jobs; on the other hand, they have to cope with analogue, chaotic work processes and a shortage of skilled workers. Since the Covid pandemic and the outbreak of war in Ukraine, material supply problems and rising prices have made planning more difficult, severely affecting efficiency and productivity.

The Meisterwerk app helps craft businesses to better organise their work in the office and for service workers by making all important processes and information on projects available on mobile devices or desktops. Users always know exactly what needs to be done, when and where they need to be, and can take photos and upload them for documentation purposes, track working hours, fill out forms and exchange messages directly in the app. The aim of the Meisterwerk app is to ensure smooth job processing by mapping the entire value chain - including the quotation and invoicing process as well as personnel management. This not only saves craft businesses time and stress, but also significantly increases their efficiency and thus enables sustainable growth.

With the latest infusion of growth capital, Meisterwerk App will boost the company's ability to tackle the most pressing challenges facing craft businesses today. Meisterwerk App will go beyond standard ERP systems, offering ground-breaking services such as bespoke financial solutions and advanced AI automation. These innovative features will not only streamline operations and improve financial management, but also drive unprecedented business growth, setting new standards for efficiency and profitability in the craft sector.

Bertram Wildenauer, CEO and co-founder of the Meisterwerk app, commented: "The software market for the skilled crafts sector is currently developing more dynamically and promisingly than ever before. Vertical SaaS solutions like ours are now also being fully utilised in Germany and are meeting with huge demand. Our current financing round clearly shows that there is enormous interest in digital solutions for trade businesses. The USA is already ahead of us here and gives us a clear view of future developments. The coming years will decide who takes the leading position in Europe. Apps that enable business growth will prevail, and we are determined to make Meisterwerk the first choice for craft businesses."

Bertram Wildenauer and Nick Sonnenberg founded Meisterwerk App GmbH at the end of 2018. Wildenauer gained practical experience in his uncle's tinsmith business before specialising in digital product development and strategy. Sonnenberg contributes his extensive experience in civil engineering and digital product development and specialises in UX and UI research. Together, they combine their craft roots with technological expertise to develop innovative solutions for craft businesses and sustainably increase their efficiency.

Hugo Augusto, CEO of Semapa Next, shared: “Meisterwerk’s Series A round is our third investment in a German company this year alone. We are excited to support Meisterwerk and believe in their leadership team, their deep industry expertise and their exceptional ability to execute. This is just the beginning of their journey to become the leading operating system for craftsmen in Europe.”