adesso SE

History and Founding

adesso SE was founded in 1997 in Dortmund, Germany, by Prof. Dr. Volker Gruhn and a small team. Over more than 25 years, it has evolved from a local software house into one of the fastest-growing large IT companies in Europe, now listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The company’s growth has been driven by a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, building a network of specialised subsidiaries.

Business Model

adesso’s business model centres on long-term client partnerships, offering consulting, custom software development, and ready-to-use software products. The company’s revenue model is project-based and recurring, with a mix of fixed-price and time-and-materials engagements. Key differentiators include deep industry knowledge across banking, insurance, automotive, manufacturing, retail, life sciences, and the public sector, as well as a vendor-neutral technology approach.

Products and Platforms

The company’s flagship product is adSCAILE, an Agentic AI platform designed for controllable, reproducible, and production-ready AI integration. Additionally, adesso offers industry-specific solutions for sectors such as banking (e.g., adesso insurance solutions), manufacturing, and retail, as well as standard application products for common business processes. The Interaction Room methodology supports collaborative digital transformation design. adesso is also a major partner for SAP, Microsoft, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Workato, and Snowflake.

Market Position and Competitors

adesso operates in the highly competitive IT services and consulting market in German-speaking Europe, competing with firms such as Accenture, Capgemini, and T-Systems. Its strength lies in its specialised industry solutions and deep regional knowledge. The company reported a 14% revenue increase to €1.47 billion in 2024 and a 30% EBITDA improvement to €123.6 million, demonstrating profitable growth.

Partnerships and Recent Developments

Notable recent moves include a global alliance with Sonata Software to deliver AI-powered modernisation and a partnership with Microsoft for digital transformation. In 2024, Mark Lohweber assumed the role of CEO, succeeding the previous co-CEOs Michael Kenfenheuer and Dirk Pothen. The company continues to expand its footprint in Asia and maintain a strong presence in over 65 locations worldwide.