The verdict in three sentences
A B2B matching platform between industrial buyers and approved subcontractors costs between EUR 60,000 and 140,000 in Amsterdam (the same scope built from Abidjan runs 15,000,000 to 35,000,000 FCFA), over 4 to 6 months of development. The budget depends mostly on three building blocks: profile verification (KvK registration, certificates, references), the tender module and payments. The business model must be chosen before development: supplier subscriptions of EUR 40 to 160 a month, commission on contracts, or both.
Features and their cost
| Building block | Scope | Indicative 2026 budget (EUR) | MVP priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company profiles | Company page, sectors, capacity, certifications, service areas | 10,000 - 20,000 | Yes |
| Verification (KYB) | KvK check, VAT number, ISO/VCA certificates, manual approval | 6,000 - 16,000 | Yes |
| Tenders | Publishing, specifications, priced bids, comparison | 14,000 - 32,000 | Yes |
| Messaging and documents | Secure exchanges, quote uploads, history | 6,000 - 14,000 | Yes |
| Ratings and reviews | Post-job evaluation, reliability score | 4,000 - 10,000 | Version 2 |
| Payments and subscriptions | iDEAL, SEPA, cards, Stripe Billing, invoices | 8,000 - 22,000 | Yes |
| Admin dashboard | Moderation, statistics, dispute handling | 6,000 - 14,000 | Yes |
| Mobile app | Tender alerts, quick bids | 12,000 - 24,000 | Version 2 |
A serious MVP (no mobile app or advanced ratings) lands around EUR 60,000 to 80,000. The full version reaches EUR 120,000 to 140,000. These are 2026 ballpark figures for a 4 to 5 person team.
Commission or subscription: which business model?
| Model | How it works | Advantage | Limitation | Typical year-2 revenue (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplier subscription | EUR 40 - 160/month by tier | Predictable revenue | Slows sign-ups at launch | 300 suppliers x 70 x 12 = 252,000 |
| Commission on contracts | 2 to 5% of signed value | Aligned with value created | Deals taken off-platform | 2% of EUR 6M = 120,000 |
| Fee per bid | EUR 8 - 25 per submitted bid | Easy to understand | Discourages small subcontractors | 3,000 bids x 15 = 45,000 |
| Paying buyers | Buyer subscription EUR 250 - 600/month | Few clients, large tickets | Long sales cycle | 25 buyers x 400 x 12 = 120,000 |
| Hybrid | Free base + premium subscription + featured listings | Growth and revenue | Harder to explain | Variable |
The model that works best at launch is hybrid: free sign-up to build supply, then a premium subscription (visibility, early access to tenders) once you reach 300 to 500 verified suppliers. Commission alone is fragile, because buyers and suppliers end up signing directly.
The real risk: chicken and egg
Technology does not make a platform succeed. Budget EUR 15,000 to 30,000 for acquisition over the first 6 months (field sales, partnerships with industry associations and the Chamber of Commerce, LinkedIn campaigns) to bring in 150 verified suppliers and 10 to 15 active buyers before opening to the public.
Mini case study
Pieter, a former procurement manager in the food processing industry, launches a platform for the Amsterdam and Zaandam industrial zones. Budget: EUR 75,000 of development, EUR 20,000 of acquisition, EUR 1,500 a month for hosting and maintenance. At 18 months he has 220 suppliers, 90 of them premium at EUR 70, i.e. EUR 6,300 a month, plus a 1.5% commission on EUR 2.4M of annual contracts, i.e. EUR 3,000 a month. Monthly revenue: EUR 9,300. The initial EUR 95,000 investment is recovered in about 12 months of operation at that rate.
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FAQ
How do we verify subcontractors?
The platform collects the KvK extract, VAT number and certificates, then an operator approves each file within 24 to 72 hours. Budget EUR 6,000 to 16,000 for this module and a part-time reviewer.
Which payment methods should we support?
iDEAL, SEPA direct debit and cards through Stripe or Mollie cover most Dutch needs, at roughly 0.3 to 1.8% per transaction. Large contracts still go through bank transfer.
What does hosting cost?
Allow EUR 250 to 600 a month for a platform with a few thousand users, backups and monitoring included.
Do we need a mobile app from day one?
No. A responsive web app is enough for the MVP. A mobile app (EUR 12,000 to 24,000) is justified once more than 60% of bids come from phones.
How long until launch?
An MVP ships in 4 months, the full version in 6. Plan 4 to 6 weeks of closed pre-launch with pilot suppliers.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your target sector, how many suppliers you aim for and your revenue model: we will price a B2B platform between EUR 60,000 and 140,000, delivered in 4 to 6 months. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
