The verdict in three sentences
A B2B platform connecting companies with service providers costs 45,000 to 80,000 EUR excl. VAT as a custom MVP in 2026, with a 14 to 18 week timeline. A SaaS option such as Sharetribe at 300 to 1,000 EUR a month lets you test the market faster, but hits a wall once the business flow gets specific (tenders, certifications, milestone escrow). The business model relies on an 8 to 15 % commission, and moderation and provider vetting must be budgeted from day one.
The cost of a custom MVP
The founder of a start-up wants to connect SMEs in the aerospace and engineering supply chain with qualified subcontractors: machining, surface treatment, non-destructive testing, design offices. Buyers post a need, providers respond, payment flows through the platform.
| MVP module | 2026 range (EUR excl. VAT) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping, buyer and provider journeys, mock-ups | 5,000 to 8,000 | 3 weeks |
| Provider profiles (EN 9100 certifications, capacity, machines) | 6,000 to 11,000 | 3 weeks |
| Need posting and responses (mini tenders) | 8,000 to 15,000 | 4 weeks |
| Secure messaging and confidential drawing sharing | 5,000 to 9,000 | 2 weeks |
| Stripe Connect payments with milestone escrow | 7,000 to 13,000 | 3 weeks |
| Provider KYC (company register, insurance, identity) | 4,000 to 8,000 | 2 weeks |
| Moderation back office and dashboard | 6,000 to 10,000 | 3 weeks |
| QA, security, launch | 4,000 to 6,000 | 2 weeks |
| Total MVP | 45,000 to 80,000 | 14 to 18 weeks |
Some components are built in parallel, which is why the overall timeline is shorter than the sum of the lines.
Custom build or Sharetribe: the comparison
| Criterion | Sharetribe or marketplace SaaS | Custom MVP |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 2,000 to 10,000 EUR set-up | 45,000 to 80,000 EUR excl. VAT |
| Monthly cost | 300 to 1,000 EUR | 300 to 800 EUR hosting + maintenance |
| Time to launch | 3 to 6 weeks | 14 to 18 weeks |
| Multi-response tenders | limited | native |
| Milestone escrow | partial | full |
| Certifications and NDA handling | no | yes |
| Code ownership (fundraising value) | no | yes |
A common 2026 approach: validate demand for 3 to 6 months on a SaaS with 20 to 30 transactions, then build custom using real feedback. The SaaS cost then becomes a market research expense.
Revenue and hidden costs
Commission keeps the platform alive, but several recurring costs eat into it. Stripe Connect charges about 1.5 % + 0.25 EUR per European card payment, plus connected account fees. Moderation needs human time.
| Monthly item (2026 order of magnitude) | Assumption: 300,000 EUR monthly volume | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Platform commission | 10 % | 30,000 EUR |
| Stripe fees (cards and transfers) | about 1.2 % average | 3,600 EUR |
| Moderation and KYC checks | 0.5 FTE | 2,500 EUR |
| Buyer and provider support | 0.5 FTE | 2,200 EUR |
| Hosting and maintenance | flat fee | 700 EUR |
| Dispute handling | provision | 600 EUR |
| Margin before marketing | 20,400 EUR |
That volume is only reached after 12 to 24 months of acquisition. At launch, manually vetting a new provider takes 30 to 45 minutes: a cost to build into the cash plan.
Mini case study
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Lena, founder of a B2B matching start-up in Berlin, invests 62,000 EUR excl. VAT in the MVP. She takes a 10 % commission on an average subcontracting job of 12,000 EUR, i.e. 1,200 EUR per transaction. After Stripe fees (about 150 EUR) and 100 EUR of moderation and support per job, 950 EUR remains. She therefore needs about 65 jobs to cover development. With 6 jobs a month from month six, then 10 a month, the MVP pays back in just over a year of operation.
FAQ
What is the minimum budget for a custom B2B platform?
Plan 45,000 EUR excl. VAT for a working MVP with payments and KYC. Below 30,000 EUR, start on Sharetribe to test demand.
What commission rate suits industrial B2B?
Between 8 and 15 % depending on the value the platform adds. On jobs above 10,000 EUR, buyers rarely accept more than 10 %, hence the value of an extra provider subscription at 49 to 199 EUR a month.
Why Stripe Connect for escrow?
It holds funds until each milestone is approved and pays the provider automatically, without the platform needing its own payment institution licence. Fees stay around 1.5 % per European card payment.
How much does moderation cost?
At launch, allow 30 to 45 minutes per new provider and a half-time role from 200 active providers, about 2,500 EUR a month. Partial KYC automation cuts that cost by 40 to 60 %.
Do we need a mobile app in the MVP?
Rarely in industrial B2B: buyers work on desktops. A responsive web version is enough, and a PWA can be added later for 6,000 to 12,000 EUR excl. VAT.
Let's scope your project. Describe both sides of your market, the average job value and your commission model: we will price an MVP between 45,000 and 80,000 EUR excl. VAT, delivered in 14 to 18 weeks. 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.
