Christian Lindner is among Tenpal's investors

The Berlin-based startup Tenpal aims to make it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises to access public contracts. Founded in 2026, the platform uses AI agents to identify suitable calls for bids, review tender documents, and prepare bids in a largely automated manner. According to the company, this reduces the amount of work required per application by about two-thirds. Investors include entrepreneurs Daniel Meisen and Kai Leisering, as well as former German Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner.

Tenpal is thus targeting a market that is economically attractive to many companies, but whose bureaucratic requirements pose a significant barrier to entry. According to an OECD estimate cited by the startup, the public sector in Germany awards contracts worth around 500 billion euros annually. According to Tenpal, small and medium-sized enterprises in particular often choose not to participate because the search for suitable tenders and the subsequent application process tie up too many personnel resources. Any founder who has ever tried their hand at such applications can tell you a thing or two about the bureaucratic hurdles involved.

30 to 80 working hours for a single application

Public tenders can be an important source of revenue for companies. At the same time, they often require extensive documentation, supporting evidence, and compliance with detailed formal requirements. According to Tenpal, his clients have so far invested between 30 and 80 working hours in a single application. Particularly complex procedures can require up to 500 responses and supporting documents.

For larger companies with specialized procurement departments, this effort is more manageable than for small and medium-sized businesses, whose employees must handle tenders in addition to their day-to-day operations. Added to this is the uncertainty as to whether the effort is even worth it. After all, even a fully prepared application does not guarantee a contract. Tenpal sees this as one reason why companies often overlook public tenders despite having the necessary expertise.

AI Agents Handle Search and Preparation

The platform is designed to simplify the entire process, from searching for suitable tenders to preparing the application documents. To this end, AI agents scan public procurement platforms daily and identify contracts that might be a good fit for the respective company.

The software then analyzes the tender documents, checks eligibility criteria, and prepares the necessary documents. These include, for example, forms, self-declarations, and parts of the technical proposal. This is intended to allow companies to focus more on the economic and technical content of their proposals.

The final selection of the tender, the review of the documents, and the submission remain the responsibility of the client.

Two-thirds less effort, according to customer reports

Tenpal reports that customers have been able to reduce the time required for tender submissions by about two-thirds using the platform. This would be relevant for both companies and public contracting authorities: small and medium-sized enterprises could tap into additional sales opportunities, while contracting authorities could benefit from a wider selection of bids.

It remains to be seen whether this effect will actually materialize. The time savings reported so far are based on customer accounts; reliable data on whether Tenpal also increases the number of successful bids or new market entrants is not yet available. The decisive measure of Tenpal’s success will therefore not be solely how quickly AI agents fill out forms. What is far more important is whether the technology actually makes it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises to access public contracts, thereby fostering greater competition.

Christian Lindner and Entrepreneurs Invest

Tenpal is financed by a group of private investors from Berlin and other parts of Germany. Among the named investors are entrepreneurs Daniel Meisen and Kai Leisering, as well as Christian Lindner, former Federal Minister of Finance and former FDP chairman.

The amount of the funding and the ownership structure have not been disclosed. Lindner cites the economic importance of public contracts and the need to make it easier for companies to access procurement processes as reasons for his involvement.

If you want the government to spend its money wisely, you have to make it easier for businesses to find and apply for contracts.

Christian Lindner

The startup also receives support from Steffen Saebisch, who, according to the company, has worked in federal and state economic and financial administration for over 15 years, specializing in public procurement law. Saebisch highlights in particular the complexity of German public procurement law and the associated burden on small and medium-sized enterprises.

An AI Startup Bridging the Gap Between Government and Business

With its business model, Tenpal operates at an interface that is becoming increasingly attractive to specialized software providers. While many AI applications primarily automate internal business processes, Tenpal focuses on communication between companies and public administration.

This market is characterized by extensive documentation requirements, standardized forms, and recurring reviews. It is precisely these structured processes that offer opportunities for AI-supported automation. However, public procurement entails specific requirements. Incorrect information, missing supporting documents, or inaccurate statements can lead to exclusion from a procurement process.

Accordingly, it will be crucial how reliably the AI agents interpret tender documents and how well companies can verify the automatically generated information.

The greater impact lies in attracting additional market participants

Tenpal’s business model initially aims to reduce the administrative burden of existing bidding processes. In the long term, however, the economic impact could extend beyond that. If smaller companies, with the support of AI, begin to regularly participate in public tenders for the first time, the pool of potential contractors could expand.

This would be significant for both companies and public contracting authorities: small and medium-sized enterprises could tap into additional sales opportunities, while contracting authorities could benefit from a wider selection of bids. Whether this effect will actually materialize remains to be seen. The time savings reported so far are based on customer feedback; reliable data on whether Tenpal also increases the number of successful bids or new market entrants is not yet available.