- Founded
- 2022-01-01 in Germany
- Headquarters
- Germany
Brainwerk Consulting (branded as "brainwerk") is a boutique consultancy founded in 2022 by payment industry veteran Christian Diegelmann. The firm specializes exclusively in payment strategy, licensing, and compliance solutions for the global online gaming sector (casino, sports betting) and high-risk merchant verticals. Headquartered in Germany, the company leverages over 20 years of Diegelmann’s experience building and selling payment service providers (PSPs) and managing a regulated financial institution in Malta. Brainwerk’s core proposition is bridging the gap between operational payment performance and regulatory adherence—a critical nexus for operators expanding across jurisdictions. The firm offers advisory on payment orchestration platforms (POPS), intelligent routing, acquirer relations, and end-to-end monitoring, alongside interim management and licensing support (including EU financial licenses). With a lean team of 2–10 employees, Brainwerk operates as a trusted partner for both emerging and large-scale gaming operators. Its recent focus includes a Payment Orchestration Platform (POP) advisory service, branded under “brainpay”, and a growing emphasis on compliance-first payment architectures. The company is privately held and maintains a public profile through industry events such as ICE Gaming.
Detailed Review
Background
Brainwerk Consulting was established in 2022 by Christian Diegelmann, a seasoned entrepreneur who previously founded Euro Payment Group GmbH in Germany in 2005, grew it into a full payment service provider, and sold it to Merkur Gaming in 2014. Following the sale, Diegelmann continued as CEO of the group’s Malta-based payment service provider and financial institution until 2022, where he also launched the innovative product Paylado. This deep operational background—spanning PSP management, treasury, and licensing—directly informs Brainwerk’s consulting ethos.
Services
The consultancy’s service suite is tightly focused on the iGaming industry’s specific payment challenges: high chargeback rates, multi-currency complexity, regulatory fragmentation, and the need for scalable routing. Brainwerk advises on intelligent smart-routing, payment performance benchmarking, and the selection/integration of payment orchestration platforms (POPS). It also provides interim management services for payments teams and licensing advisory (EU financial licenses, local gambling permits).
Recent Developments
A notable recent development is the launch of “brainpay,” a specialized payment service with smart-routing capabilities targeting travel, e-commerce, digital entertainment, and iGaming merchants. According to a November 2024 LinkedIn post from the company, Brainwerk will take “the next step” in Q1 2026, though specifics remain undisclosed.
Operational Model
The firm maintains a low headcount (2–10 employees according to its LinkedIn profile) and a lean operational model, relying on Diegelmann’s extensive network and hands-on involvement. No external funding rounds have been reported; the company appears self-funded. Its client base includes both established sports betting operators and online casinos, with a particular emphasis on those scaling geographically. Brainwerk has not been involved in any publicly reported partnerships or controversies.
Market Position
The market differentiator is its founder’s rare combination of PSP ownership, regulated financial institution leadership, and deep iGaming vertical knowledge—a trifecta that few consultancies can claim.
Key Products
Brainwerk Consulting
Core advisory service: payment strategy, licensing, compliance, interim management for iGaming operators. Includes payment orchestration platform (POP) selection and implementation.
brainpay
A specialized payment service with intelligent smart-routing and seamless online payment infrastructure, targeting digital business models (travel, e-commerce, digital entertainment, iGaming). Launched via brainwerk’s ecosystem.
Offices & Headcount
5 employees (approx.)
Key Persons
- Christian Diegelmann
Founder & Owner