cynkra GmbH

cynkra GmbH is a Zurich-based data science consultancy built around the R programming language. The company describes itself as a team of data scientists who share a passion for the R ecosystem, using a broad skill set to help customers leverage R-powered analytics across a range of industries and applications. Its service portfolio spans the full data science workflow: extract-transform-load and database work, statistical modeling and analysis, and front-end communication through Shiny applications and R Markdown reports. A central pillar of cynkra's business is its status as a Posit Professional Services Partner. In that role it installs, configures, and maintains Posit's professional products — Posit Workbench, Posit Connect, and Posit Package Manager — on customer infrastructure, offering managed solutions, support services, and licensing to enable collaborative and scalable data science workflows in both Python and R. The company offers tiered service levels, from self-managed container images (L0) through central automation (L1) and beyond, with each project typically starting as a pilot and including consulting hours outside the managed scope. cynkra is also a significant open-source contributor. It maintains key R packages for database access with over 50 million CRAN downloads combined, including the DBI database interface and the dm package for relational data models. Its database services cover design and build (data modeling and schema design), operate (ingestion pipelines, query optimization, backup/restore, high availability, security hardening on-premises or in the cloud), and train (code review and training for teams building internal skills). The company also works on AI integration into data and analytics workflows, building open-source AI tools and providing infrastructure support for R and Posit environments. The firm is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, and operates internationally, serving clients across industries. Its team includes statisticians, economists, engineers, and R developers with advanced degrees and deep involvement in the R community, including authorship of CRAN packages and editorial roles at the R Journal. cynkra remains a privately held company.

cynkra GmbH is a data science consultancy based in Zurich, Switzerland, focused on the R programming language and its ecosystem. The company was founded by Christoph Sax, an economist with a Ph.D. from the University of Basel and two decades of experience in R, who serves as a partner and lead for analytics. While the exact founding year is not documented in the available evidence, the firm has grown by assembling a team of data scientists, statisticians, and engineers with advanced degrees and active roles in the R community. From its early days, cynkra positioned itself at the intersection of R consulting, infrastructure, and open-source development. A defining aspect of its business model is its partnership with Posit (formerly RStudio) as a Posit Professional Services Partner. This partnership allows cynkra to offer managed solutions for Posit Workbench, Posit Connect, and Posit Package Manager, handling installation, configuration, maintenance, and support on customer infrastructure. The company provides tiered service levels, starting with self-managed container images (L0) and progressing to central automation (L1) and beyond, with each engagement typically beginning as a pilot project. cynkra has also become a notable contributor to the R open-source ecosystem. It maintains key packages for database access, including DBI (the R Database Interface) and dm (for relational data models), which together have accumulated over 50 million CRAN downloads. The company's database services encompass design and build, operate, and train, reflecting a full-lifecycle approach to data platforms. More recently, cynkra has expanded into AI integration, building open-source AI tools and supporting R and Posit environments for AI-driven analytics. The team has grown over the years, with hires such as Angelica Becerra (November 2020), Antoine Fabri (September 2021), and David Granjon (September 2023). The company remains privately held and continues to serve clients across industries from its Zurich headquarters, operating internationally.

• Angelica Becerra joins cynkra as a data scientist.

• Antoine Fabri joins cynkra as a data scientist.

• David Granjon joins cynkra as Lead Shiny.

Expert R consultancy and open-source steward, bridging data science infrastructure and analytics for enterprises.

• DBI

  R Database Interface providing a unifying interface to relational databases in R, with backend packages like RSQLite, RMariaDB, and RPostgres.

• dm

  R package for working with relational data models.

• Posit Workbench

  Managed installation and configuration of Posit Workbench for enterprise data science environments.

• Posit Connect

  Managed maintenance and support for Posit Connect, including security updates and connectivity maintenance.

• Posit Package Manager

  Managed setup and configuration of Posit Package Manager on customer infrastructure.

1. 1cynkra official websitecynkra.com
2. 2Enterprise Data Science Environment - cynkracynkra.com
3. 3About - cynkracynkra.com
4. 4Database Services - cynkracynkra.com
5. 5cynkra GmbH (Switzerland) - Wikidatawikidata.org