Kauz

Based in Düsseldorf, Germany, Kauz GmbH operates as a specialized provider of conversational AI solutions, primarily targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the DACH region and various industries. The company was founded in 2016 by Dr. Thomas Rüdel, who currently serves as CEO. Dr. Rüdel holds a doctorate in economics and brings extensive international experience from his time as a partner at McKinsey, providing a strong foundation in business strategy and artificial intelligence applications.

Kauz has established its market position through the development of the aiStudio, a no-code, self-service platform for managing and training AI assistants and chatbots. The core of its technology is a hybrid approach, combining its proprietary Natural Language Understanding (NLU) engine with various large language models (LLMs), including offerings like ChatGPT. This combination is a key differentiator, allowing for the creation of AI assistants that are not only capable of natural conversation but are also controllable, mitigating the risk of AI hallucinations by enabling predefined answers for critical questions. The platform is designed for business users without technical expertise to manage content and configure AI behavior transparently.

The company's business model is centered on subscription-based licenses for its software suites, including aiSuite and aiWorkplace, with offerings tiered for different business sizes, from starters to enterprise-level clients. Revenue is generated through these licenses, which often include a setup fee, and the company also fosters a partner network of digital agencies, IT integrators, and consulting firms to expand its reach and implementation capabilities. Kauz serves a diverse client base, including savings banks, insurance companies like Deutsche Familienversicherung, and organizations in the public sector.

Since its inception, Kauz has achieved several key milestones. Initial prototypes with its own NLU were developed in 2016, followed by securing its first customers in 2017. The first investors, including Business Angels and NRW-Bank SeedCap, came on board in 2018. By 2020, the company had surpassed the deployment of 100 chatbots. A significant development occurred in 2023 with a successful financing round of approximately €2.3 million from the investor network Companisto, which fueled a complete platform rebuild to integrate generative AI. This led to the official launch of the aiStudio platform in 2024, marking a shift towards a more scalable, self-service model.

Keywords: conversational AI, chatbot platform, AI assistants, natural language understanding, NLU engine, generative AI, no-code AI platform, SME digitization, AI for customer service, controllable AI, AI workflow automation, knowledge management AI, hybrid AI, German AI company, AI marketplace, enterprise chatbots, AI business solutions, Dr. Thomas Rüdel, AI agent management, secure AI