bmp Ventures invests in COMAN Software GmbH
IBG Risikokapitalfonds III (IBG), managed by bmp Ventures AG (bmp Ventures), is investing € 1.2 million in COMAN Software GmbH (“COMAN”). The minds at the company based in Gardelegen, Stendal have developed unique project and appointment scheduling software, which has already been put to use by initial big-name vehicle manufacturers and plant constructors worldwide. COMAN is a spin-off of inpro Innovationsgesellschaft für fortgeschrittene Produktionssysteme in der Fahrzeugindustrie mbH (“inpro”).
Based on the requirements of inpro Group partner companies Daimler, SABIC, Siemens, thyssenkrupp and Volkswagen, COMAN was initially developed to implement projects in the field of plant construction. It has since evolved into a marketable visual project and appointment scheduling software tool and established itself as a successful solution.
“Initiated a few years ago as a development project within the framework of inpro, COMAN has become a mature first-stage product. We are grateful for the support provided by inpro shareholders over many years, but also look forward now to growing as an independent company with great customers,” says COMAN founder and Managing Director Timur Ripke.
Dr. Gerd Esser, Managing Director of inpro, adds: “inpro’s mission is to develop new technologies for vehicle production and industrial applications. We see huge opportunities for COMAN in the right market. We are therefore delighted that COMAN has won a top VC in the shape of bmp Ventures, which will be on hand to provide the company with support as it continues to grow. We wish the founders much success in achieving their goals.”
COMAN has the potential to establish itself as leading global player owing to the software’s unique specialisation. This permits both stationary and mobile comprehensive data collection at the construction site and CAD-based visualisation of the respective project status, while offering interfaces to software tools in adjacent process stages. Another special feature of the software is the exceptional synchronisation options between client and contractor through the use of AutomationML.
“These clear unique selling features, existing customer base and significant development potential – for example, by expanding to other industries such as plant operations, value chain stages and other applications – made it an easy decision for us to invest in COMAN,” explains Dr. Jan Alberti, bmp Ventures Management Board member. "The capital invested will be used primarily by COMAN to recruit additional staff to provide the punch needed to leverage its growth potential.”
About the IBG funds
The IBG funds, based in Magdeburg, are the risk capital funds of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. The IBG funds provide investment capital for new, innovative technology companies (seed and start-up) with long-term and above-average growth potential that are headquartered in or have a branch office in Saxony-Anhalt. At the start of 2017, IBG set up the new RKF II risk capital fund with a volume of EUR 66 million. The fund is financed by the state and European Union and invests in innovative technology companies in Saxony-Anhalt in their seed, startup and growth phases. It is open available to company founders, but also SMEs with product or process innovations and good market experience. The IBG funds are managed by bmp Ventures AG, Berlin and Magdeburg.www.ibg-vc.de
About bmp Ventures AG
With a background of experience of more than 250 investments in almost all technology segments, the majority of which were early phase, bmp is one of the most experienced venture capital investors in Germany. In addition to direct investments, bmp's activities also include managing risk capital funds for KfW Bankengruppe and DEG - Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft.
bmp currently manages the IBG funds in Saxony-Anhalt and the Frühphasenfonds Brandenburg. bmp has around 20 employees in Berlin and Magdeburg.www.bmp.com
Contact:
bmp Ventures AG
Corinna Riewe
- Public relations –
Tel.: +49-30-2030 5567
Email: criewe@bmp.com
Web: www.bmp.com
COMAN Software GmbH
Timur Ripke - Managing Director- Tel.: +49-3931 68626 26
Email: ripke@coman-software.com
Web: www.coman-software.com