Xeem
Xeem is a Germany-based online challenge platform that connects enterprises (SAP, Merck, Vodafone, Evonik, etc.) with Gen Z university students for employer branding, talent discovery and crowdsourced innovation. Operated as a brand under ITCS Conference GmbH following its March 2025 acquisition.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersDarmstadt, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Xeem does
Xeem operates a web-based online challenge platform (app.xeem.de) that connects German enterprises with university students and Gen Z talent through time-limited innovation challenges typically lasting 2–4 hours. Companies (providers) host challenges for employer branding, crowdsourced innovation and talent discovery; students (challengers) participate free of charge, individually or in teams of up to four coordinated via video call, and submit solutions as PDFs. Winners and participants receive LinkedIn-shareable certificates and prize money set by the sponsoring company (typically EUR 200–1,000+). The product surface comprises three components: the core challenge platform, a 'Creative Hacks' ideation methodology toolkit (SCAMPER, Mindmapping, Walt Disney Method, Freestyle Thinking, Deep Dive, Mix & Evolve), and a certificate/credential system.
The business model is a two-sided platform monetized on the demand side: enterprise clients (named logos include SAP, Merck KGaA, Vodafone, Evonik, Barmer, Red Bull Basement, DB Schenker, IKEA Germany, ERGO, NTT DATA, Zentis and Commerzbank Business Consulting) pay individually negotiated, multi-year contracts to host challenges; the student supply side is free. Go-to-market is sales-led direct enterprise outreach (booked via zeeg.me) supplemented by a community-led university channel partnership motion and presence at ITCS events. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.
Xeem was conceived in a 2019 bachelor thesis by Janine Weirich and Géraldine at the University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt, supported by a Hessen Ideen Stipendium (Jan 2020) and the EXIST Gründerstipendium (April 2021). The beta platform launched in August 2020 with SAP and Merck as design partners; xeem GmbH was officially incorporated in June 2021. Following team expansion (Feb 2022), a 'Die Höhle der Löwen' TV appearance (April 2022), and a single ~$319K funding round (April 2022), the business operations of xeem GmbH were acquired by ITCS Conference GmbH in March 2025, under which xeem now operates as a brand led by ITCS Managing Directors Philipp Umbeck and Rachid Fennan from Frankfurt am Main.
Xeem firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Xeem
- Legal name
- ITCS Conference GmbH
- Website
- https://xeem.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Xeem is a Germany-based online challenge platform that connects enterprises (SAP, Merck, Vodafone, Evonik, etc.) with Gen Z university students for employer branding, talent discovery and crowdsourced innovation. Operated as a brand under ITCS Conference GmbH following its March 2025 acquisition.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Xeem industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Talent Engagement and Open Innovation Platform
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Computer Training (61142)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Virtual Recruitment Events, Fairs & Webinar Platforms (EDAIACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD), STEM Project-Based Learning (PBL) & Challenge Platforms (EDAFANAI), Certification & Credentialed Creator Programs (MPACALAI)
Keywords
Where Xeem is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Darmstadt
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Xeem business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Challenge Hosting for Companies: Companies (providers) pay xeem to host online challenges on the platform. The fee structure is based on agreements between xeem and the companies. Registration is free for challengers while providers pay according to separate contracts.
- Platform Services for Universities: Universities can partner with xeem to provide students access to challenges and companies. Universities serve as channel partners bringing student participants to the platform.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free participation for challengers/students |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Challenge hosting for companies |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Xeem product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Xeem operates a web-based online challenge platform where companies post open innovation challenges that students and young adults (Gen Z) solve within 2-4 hour timeframes, working solo or in teams of up to four via video call. Companies pay to host challenges for employer branding, talent discovery, and crowdsourced innovation; participants register free, submit solutions as PDFs, and can win prizes and receive LinkedIn-shareable certificates. The platform also includes a Creative Hacks ideation methodology toolkit as a supporting resource.
Product overview
Xeem operates as a single unified SaaS platform for employer branding and open innovation through online challenges. The core xeem Platform connects companies with Gen Z talent via time-limited innovation challenges (2-4 hours), where participants develop creative solutions to real business problems and submit results as PDFs. The platform is complemented by the Creative Hacks by xeem resource library (ideation methodology toolkit) and the xeem Certificate System for participant credentials. Companies use the platform for employer branding, talent acquisition, and crowdsourced innovation; participants gain practical experience, certificates, career networking opportunities, and the chance to win prizes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Xeem Online Challenge Platform A web-based SaaS platform enabling companies to host online challenges for Gen Z participants who develop and submit solutions as PDF files within 2-4 hour timeframes, either individually or in teams of up to four coordinating via video calls. Used by enterprise customers (e.g., SAP, Merck, Vodafone, Evonik, Commerzbank CBC) for employer branding, talent discovery, and crowdsourced innovation.
- Creative Hacks by Xeem
Quantifiable outcome
- Companies receive all submitted ideas as PDF files for evaluation within challenge timeframe
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Xeem
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Xeem technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Xeem partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Hub31minorStartup hub and innovation center supporting xeem's growth and development
- Lab3minorInnovation lab supporting entrepreneurial initiatives
- SAIL SOLUTIONSminorConsulting partner supporting implementation and operations
- consulting teamminorConsulting services partner for business development
- berater e.V.minorAssociation of consultants providing advisory support
- InOne Consult e.V.minorConsulting association partner for student and university engagement
- VALLEYPRENEUR CONSULTING e.V.minorEntrepreneurship consulting support from Wuppertal region
- Marc Aurel Consult e.V.minorConsulting partner supporting business initiatives
- ITCS Conference GmbHcoreParent company since March 2025; one of the most innovative tech platforms for IT recruiting and community building in Germany. ITCS acquired xeem's business operations and continues to develop the platform with new formats and strong challenge offerings.
- ITCS Conferencecorexeem became part of ITCS in March 2025. ITCS provides tech recruiting and community building infrastructure, enabling xeem to expand with new formats and enhanced networking capabilities.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Xeem competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Studydrive: Germany's largest student learning and networking platform used by universities and companies to reach students — comparable distribution model via university channel partnerships.
- Campusjäger (by Jobology): German student and graduate job platform targeting companies seeking young talent through events and employer branding — overlaps xeem's employer-branding and university-distribution strategy.
- Empion: Berlin-based AI-driven recruiting platform that matches candidates to company culture, serving enterprise employers in Germany with employer-branding and sourcing workflows overlapping xeem's value proposition.
- Honeypot: Berlin-based invite-only tech talent marketplace connecting companies (including SAP and Vodafone) with vetted developers in Germany — directly comparable to xeem's enterprise-facing Gen Z tech recruiting model.
- Workwise: German recruiting platform that lets companies post challenges and projects to engage students and young professionals before hiring — closest functional analog to xeem's challenge-based hiring flow.
- Get in Engineering: German specialist job board for engineering students and graduates connecting employers with technical talent — overlaps xeem's student-targeted employer-branding segment.
Broad incumbents
- Staufenbiel Institut: Long-established German employer-branding and student-recruiting brand (part of KARL STORZ group) running career fairs and university programs — a broader incumbent operating in xeem's employer-branding space.
- Stepstone: One of Germany's largest general job marketplaces serving enterprise recruiting needs — broad incumbent offering overlapping employer-branding and recruitment capabilities.
- LinkedIn Talent Solutions: Global dominant professional network with employer branding, talent sourcing, and recruiting solutions — broad incumbent competing for the same enterprise HR budgets as xeem.
Others
- ITCS Conference GmbH: Parent company of xeem since March 2025; German tech recruiting event and community platform running IT career conferences and networking events — adjacent enabling platform now driving xeem's distribution.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Xeem social profiles
Digital presenceXeem financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Xeem leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Xeem funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Xeem M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Xeem
What does Xeem do?
Xeem operates a web-based online challenge platform where companies post open innovation challenges that students and young adults (Gen Z) solve within 2-4 hour timeframes, working solo or in teams of up to four via video call. Companies pay to host challenges for employer branding, talent discovery, and crowdsourced innovation; participants register free, submit solutions as PDFs, and can win prizes and receive LinkedIn-shareable certificates. The platform also includes a Creative Hacks ideation methodology toolkit as a supporting resource.
Is Xeem a public or private company?
Xeem is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Xeem founded?
Xeem was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Xeem based?
Xeem is headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Xeem make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Challenge Hosting for Companies are the primary driver. The others are platform Services for Universities.
Who are Xeem's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Studydrive, Campusjäger (by Jobology), Empion, Honeypot, Workwise and Get in Engineering. Broad incumbents are Staufenbiel Institut, Stepstone and LinkedIn Talent Solutions. ITCS Conference GmbH is listed as an others.
Does Xeem have an API?
No public API is recorded for Xeem.
What industry is Xeem in?
Xeem's product category is Talent Engagement and Open Innovation Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIACAF, Virtual Recruitment Events, Fairs & Webinar Platforms, with a secondary code of MPACALAD, Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7361.