Our EBF founding story
Two founders, both still managing directors today, and over 30 years of company history—that's quite an achievement! We are proud to be founder-led and feel the IT passion of both founders in our DNA. And this is how it all began...
IT specialists are born
Markus and Marco – these aren’t just two first names. These are the two who started it all. Marco grew up with a father who was a programmer and already had his first computer at the age of 11 – a Commodore C64, of course. Markus can’t remember ever living without technology: “I’ve always been interested in it. It started with Atari, and by 1982 I was the proud owner of a ZX Spectrum 48k – with its characteristic rubber keyboard and rainbow stripes.”
Getting to know each other
The two met for the first time in the mid-90s—one with long hair, the other wearing a leather jacket. They immediately found a shared passion: IT.
Early on, OS/2 and Windows projects arose that required the support of both of them. And what developed was more than just a friendship. It was the beginning of EBF.
From fax to focus: EBF becomes a “GmbH”
Between 1994 and 1998, Marco and Markus implemented various projects related to enterprise fax systems and collaboration solutions such as Lotus Notes. “Even as students, we were considered experts—simply because hardly anyone else had the expertise.” Their first business address? Marco’s old apartment in Cologne’s Belgian Quarter. “It was always terribly loud and warm—because the computers were running nonstop and their fans were working hard.”
The next step followed in January 1998: the founding of a limited liability company. It was a bold but necessary step, because “one project followed another.” Although the notary warned, “This founding agreement is worse than a marriage contract,” the two did not shy away. “Techies at heart, entrepreneurial spirit in our heads—we signed,” recalls Markus.
What sets the two apart: passion, pragmatism, and a keen sense for trends
“We traveled around the world in search of IT trends. And then we proclaimed them like apostles. Literally: customers and partners invited us over for coffee just to hear about the latest developments—because back then, there were no online keynotes or webinars. WE had the knowledge advantage.”
That’s how the two discovered the first business-ready smartphone in the US—the BlackBerry 5810. “We were determined to be involved in the product launch in Germany—and thanks to our partner BlackBerry (RIM), we succeeded.” The fact that EBF was one of BlackBerry (RIM)’s first official partners is still a source of pride today—and was an important growth driver. Overall, the two have always had a keen sense for trends and the right partners – and have relied on strong networks and collaborations.
From thinking to doing – the path to developing our own products
With the first major growth, we also began developing our own products. Always with EBF’s DNA in mind: quality, service, customization.
“It has always been important to us to adapt existing products to our customers and their individual challenges. And if there was nothing suitable, we simply developed something ourselves.” A logical step. And a successful one.
The conclusion: only those who recognize trends early on and make them tangible for customers can create real added value.
Whether it was the BlackBerry era, the major shift toward unified endpoint management, or the new wave surrounding modern work and AI, EBF has always been at the forefront.
“We are good at making complex things manageable,” says Marco. And Markus adds, “Our job is to get through it—and take others with us along the way.”
One thing has always remained the same: working together.
“It has always been important to us to have an office together—even if corporate bosses have set a different example. But my place is next to him. Period,” explains Marco.
And this spirit of cooperation has always shaped the corporate culture.
Although 80% of the time was spent with customers in the past, the team was closely knit. Everyone could do everything and supported each other—consulting, support, implementation. It was varied, pragmatic, often “learning by doing.”
This closeness – to each other and to our customers – continues to this day:
cross-functional, hands-on, always with the goal of not just advising, but truly accompanying. Only today with even more expertise and even more experience.
Today: EBF is more than just a company. It is a team.
What drives us is our attitude. A sense of togetherness based on trust. A passion that connects us. A culture that grows out of conviction.
“Over the years, many have tried to get us excited about B2C (because it’s easier) – but B2B is our home,” explains Marco. “We don’t work with companies – we work with people,” adds Markus. And our customers feel that – just as we do.
Markus and Marco are still on board today. #founder-led #team-oriented #withheart
They believe in strong partnerships, honest advice, and that curiosity and innovative strength never wear off. That’s why it never gets boring. “And it’s still great when an employee from sales or consulting comes home and says, ‘We rocked it, we got the deal!’” explains Marco.
“We want to leave something behind that will last,” Markus summarizes.
After more than 30 years of company history, we are excited to see how the story continues. What we can say for sure is that EBF is not a facade—it is the result of 30 years of friendship, an intuition for trends, and a certain willingness to take risks for something new.
EBF is a company with a rich history. Once you know it—as you do now.
