The verdict in three sentences
A B2B matchmaking platform costs USD 20,000 to 58,000 (about 12 to 35 million FCFA) to build, depending on the depth of vendor vetting and payment integration. The model that works combines a 5% to 12% commission on transactions with a provider subscription of USD 25 to 85 a month. With running costs around USD 11,400 a month, break-even lands at roughly 300 transactions a month, which means launching in one precise niche rather than every trade at once.
What the platform costs, phase by phase
The typical founder wants to connect SME buyers (construction, retail, food manufacturing) with approved providers: maintenance, logistics, industrial cleaning, accounting, IT. The platform has to earn trust on both sides, and that weighs heavily on the budget.
| Phase | Features | Indicative budget | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | buyer and provider accounts, profiles, service catalogue, search | USD 6,700 to 13,300 | 6 weeks |
| Vendor vetting | company registration (UEN), licences, certificates, moderator approval | USD 3,300 to 8,300 | 3 weeks |
| Quote requests and messaging | tenders, side-by-side responses, in-app messaging | USD 4,200 to 10,000 | 4 weeks |
| Payments and escrow | PayNow, cards, holding until approval, payout | USD 3,300 to 11,700 | 4 weeks |
| Provider subscriptions | plans, recurring billing, featured listings | USD 1,300 to 5,000 | 2 weeks |
| Reviews, disputes and dashboard | verified ratings, dispute handling, analytics | USD 1,200 to 10,000 | 3 weeks |
| Total | USD 20,000 to 58,000 | 4 to 7 months |
The USD 20,000 version is a working MVP with manual vetting and a single payment method. The USD 58,000 version adds multi-method escrow, semi-automated vetting, a mobile PWA and a full back office.
The business model: commission, subscription or both
In B2B, buyers compare prices and providers try to bypass the platform after the first contact. The model must therefore charge for what keeps both sides on board: trust, secure payment and visibility.
| Revenue stream | 2026 range | Advantage | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transaction commission | 5% to 12% | aligns the platform with volume | off-platform leakage |
| Provider subscription | USD 25 to 85 a month | predictable revenue | slows sign-ups at launch |
| Paid featured listing | USD 17 to 50 a week | high margin | only useful with traffic |
| Vetting fee | USD 40 to 125 one-off | funds moderation | barrier to entry |
| Premium buyer subscription | USD 85 to 250 a month | unlimited tenders | small market at first |
| Escrow fee | 1% to 2% charged to buyer | pays for payment security | needs clear explanation |
The recommended launch model: free sign-up, a 7% commission taken on the secure payment, then a USD 33 monthly subscription for providers who want more than 5 requests a month.
Calculating break-even
With an average job value of USD 420 and a 7% commission, each transaction earns about USD 29.40.
| Monthly cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Team (2 account managers, 1 moderator, 1 sales rep) | USD 5,830 |
| Marketing (Meta Ads, LinkedIn, events) | USD 2,000 |
| Hosting and application maintenance | USD 830 |
| Vendor checks and verification | USD 500 |
| Payment fees (about 1% on USD 126,000 of volume) | USD 1,260 |
| Platform amortisation (USD 36,700 over 36 months) | USD 1,020 |
| Total | USD 11,440 |
With 80 subscribed providers at USD 33, i.e. USD 2,640 a month, USD 8,800 remains to be covered by commissions: 8,800 / 29.40 = about 300 transactions a month.
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Mini case study
Daniel, a founder in Singapore, launches a maintenance and technical services platform for SMEs in the Jurong and Tuas industrial areas. He invests USD 36,700 in a mid-range version (vetting, escrow, subscriptions). In month 6 he reaches 140 transactions and 45 subscribers: 140 x 29.40 + 45 x 33 = USD 5,600 of revenue against USD 11,440 of costs. In month 14, with 310 transactions and 85 subscribers, revenue reaches 9,100 + 2,800 = USD 11,900, above the threshold. He therefore needs to plan for roughly USD 42,000 to 50,000 of funding to cover the losses of the first 14 months, on top of development.
FAQ
Can we launch with less than USD 20,000?
A USD 8,300 to 13,300 prototype on a single service category lets you test demand, with manual vetting and one payment method. You will then need to invest in escrow and subscriptions.
How do we stop clients bypassing the platform?
By making secure payment indispensable: escrow, compliant invoices, a dispute guarantee and review history. Platforms offering these guarantees typically retain 60% to 75% of transactions.
Is escrow legal?
The platform should not hold funds itself without the relevant licence (in Singapore, under the Payment Services Act): rely on a licensed payment provider that handles holding and payout. This adds roughly 0.5% to 1% in fees.
What personal data rules apply?
Collecting identity and company documents falls under data protection law (PDPA in Singapore, law 2008-12 in Senegal) and requires a documented policy. Budget USD 500 to 1,300 for legal support.
How many providers do we need at launch?
Aim for 40 to 60 vetted providers across 2 or 3 trades before opening to buyers. Below that, requests go unanswered and early clients do not come back.
Let's scope your project. Tell us about your niche, target buyers and providers: we will price your platform between USD 20,000 and 58,000, with secure payments and a 4 to 7 month plan. 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.
