The verdict in three sentences
An industrial B2B matching platform can be built in 4 months for EUR 45,000 to 90,000 excl. VAT if the MVP sticks to three building blocks: machine capability profiles, multi-supplier quote requests and workshop subscriptions. The technical budget is not the main risk: without 150 qualified workshops at launch, buyers will not come back after their second request. Plan as much effort for supply-side recruitment as for development.
What an industrial matching MVP must include
The former industrial buyer knows the pain: finding a shop able to machine a 600 mm stainless steel part on a 5-axis centre within 3 weeks takes days of phone calls. The platform must answer that question in minutes. The core data is capability qualification: machine park, travel ranges, materials, certifications (ISO 9001, EN 9100 for aerospace), batch sizes.
| MVP module | Scope | Estimated 2026 budget (EUR excl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Workshop profiles and machine capabilities | Machine park, materials, tolerances, certifications | 9,000 to 16,000 |
| Search engine and filters | Search by process, material, dimension, area | 6,000 to 12,000 |
| Multi-supplier quote requests (RFQ) | Send one drawing to 3 to 8 shops, STEP and PDF attachments | 10,000 to 20,000 |
| Messaging and RFQ tracking | Thread per request, reminders, statuses | 5,000 to 10,000 |
| Workshop subscriptions and billing | Stripe Billing, 3 plans, automatic invoices | 5,000 to 9,000 |
| Admin back office | Workshop validation, moderation, statistics | 6,000 to 12,000 |
| Design, QA, go-live | UX, testing, EU hosting, GDPR | 4,000 to 11,000 |
| MVP total | 45,000 to 90,000 |
The gap between the low and high end comes mainly from two choices: in-browser CAD viewing (embedded STEP viewer, about EUR 6,000 more) and the depth of the machine taxonomy. A simple taxonomy of 40 process types is enough to start.
Business model: workshop subscriptions and the liquidity threshold
The most robust model for an industrial platform is a subscription on the workshop side, free for buyers. A commission on orders is hard to collect in mechanical subcontracting: exchanges move off-platform from the second order onwards.
| Workshop plan | Monthly price excl. VAT | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | EUR 90 | Visible profile, 10 RFQ responses per month |
| Pro | EUR 170 | Unlimited responses, certification badges, statistics |
| Premium | EUR 290 | Regional highlighting, priority alerts, multiple users |
| Annual commitment | 2 months free | Annual payment, lowers churn |
| Free trial | 60 days | Essential to recruit the first 150 workshops |
With an average of EUR 150 per month, 150 paying workshops generate EUR 22,500 in monthly revenue, or EUR 270,000 a year. A realistic 12-month target is closer to 60 to 90 converted workshops once trials end. The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region has several thousand machining and bar-turning companies, notably in the Arve valley: the pool exists, the difficulty is field sales effort.
4-month timeline
| Period | Development | Supply recruitment |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | UX workshops, mock-ups, machine taxonomy | List of 400 target shops, 30 interviews |
| Month 2 | Workshop profiles, back office, data import | 60 workshops signed up pre-launch |
| Month 3 | Quote requests, messaging, subscriptions | 110 workshops, profiles completed by the team |
| Month 4 | QA, security, go-live | 150 workshops, 20 pilot buyers |
An often overlooked point: workshops rarely fill in their own profile. Budget 15 to 20 minutes of assistance per shop, about 50 hours for 150 workshops.
Mini case study
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Thomas, a former buyer at an automotive supplier in Lyon, chooses an MVP at EUR 68,000 excl. VAT. He funds workshop recruitment with a sales apprentice (about EUR 1,200 per month for 6 months, EUR 7,200). Total launch cost: EUR 75,200. At 12 months he has 80 paying workshops at an average of EUR 150, or EUR 12,000 monthly revenue. Payback on the initial investment takes just over 6 months of operation at that level, excluding hosting (about EUR 250 per month) and maintenance (about EUR 1,200 per month).
FAQ
Should we start from a white-label marketplace solution?
Off-the-shelf solutions (about EUR 300 to 800 per month) handle product sales well but struggle with multi-supplier quote requests and machine capabilities. For an industrial RFQ model, custom development from EUR 45,000 is usually the better fit.
How much does maintenance cost after launch?
Count 12 to 18% of the initial budget per year, so EUR 8,000 to 15,000 excl. VAT for a EUR 70,000 MVP. This covers security updates, hosting and small improvements.
Are customer drawings protected?
Files are stored with a European host, encrypted, and visible only to the workshops consulted. A one-click NDA accepted at sign-up covers 100% of exchanges.
Can we add a commission later?
Yes, a payment and order module can be added in phase 2 for EUR 12,000 to 20,000 excl. VAT, once RFQ volume justifies it.
What timeline if the budget is capped at EUR 45,000?
The timeline stays at 3 to 4 months, but without an embedded CAD viewer or advanced statistics. It is often the right choice to validate demand before investing more.
Let's scope your project. We price your platform module by module, with an indicative budget of EUR 45,000 to 90,000 excl. VAT and a 4-month plan aligned with your workshop recruitment. 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.
