What StartSteps does

StartSteps Digital Education GmbH is a Berlin-based digital education and training company founded in 2021 (registered HRB 220327 B, headquartered at Factory Berlin, Rheinsberger Str. 76/77). It operates AZAV-certified tech career training bootcamps targeting career changers and unemployed individuals in Germany, with programs delivered online in English via live instructor-led sessions. Core programs include a 6-month full-time SAP S/4HANA Tech Finance program, a SAP Logistics (EWM) program, a ServiceNow Automation & Workflow Consultant program, a Cloud & Data Engineering program built around AWS and Databricks, and a 13-week AI Automation Specialist program; alongside these, the company offers a 35-hour private 1:1 Tech Mentor program covering nine disciplines. Curriculum is co-developed with technology partners — SAP, ServiceNow, AWS, and Databricks — under official Authorized Training Partner or certification-prep arrangements.

StartSteps serves two distinct buyer groups with different revenue mechanics. On the consumer side, eligible unemployed individuals access programs at no personal cost via Bildungsgutschein (and, for Tech Mentor, AVGS) vouchers issued by Agentur für Arbeit and Jobcenter, which act as the primary student-referral and funding channel. On the corporate side, the company designs custom reskilling programs for enterprises — most notably the 2022 Women in Tech Reskilling program with Zalando, where 30 women participated in the Compass phase and 20 progressed to intensive bootcamps with guaranteed placement at Zalando. Graduate hiring outcomes are facilitated through the TalentStart (talentstart.de) recruitment platform connecting alumni with employers including Capgemini, Zalando, Schwarz IT, and TTI Group. Distribution is primarily online self-serve for direct applicants, with employer-sponsored and government-referred students flowing through channel partnerships.

The company is privately held as a German GmbH with no disclosed institutional investors; its single recorded funding event is a 2020-08-15 raise of $118,424. Operations are led by CEO and Managing Director Mozamel Aman, with COO Sarah Cordivano and co-founder Paddy Hall; the broader management team includes program, marketing, partnerships, and educational-consulting functions. The business is small (firmographic headcount band 11-50) and concentrates on the DACH region, primarily Germany.

Name

StartSteps

Legal name

StartSteps Digital Education GmbH

Website

https://startsteps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

StartSteps Digital Education GmbH is a Berlin-based AZAV-certified tech training provider delivering SAP, ServiceNow, AWS/Databricks, and AI Automation bootcamps to career changers in Germany, funded primarily through Agentur für Arbeit Bildungsgutschein vouchers and supplemented by corporate reskilling programs such as the Zalando Women in Tech initiative.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Training & Education

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Bootcamps & Accelerated Reskilling (Full-time/Part-time) (BPAEANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC), Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services (EDAAAKAO), Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)

Keywords

• Tech career bootcamp
• Professional training programs
• SAP training
• Cloud data engineering
• Government-funded education

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Training (Bildungsgutschein): Programs are 100% funded through Bildungsgutschein vouchers issued by Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter for eligible unemployed individuals. No cost to qualifying students.
2. Corporate Training Programs: Custom training programs designed for enterprise clients (e.g., Zalando Women in Tech reskilling program) where employers sponsor employee training
3. Tech Mentor Private Training: Private 1:1 training programs funded through AVGS (Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein) vouchers from employment agencies

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

StartSteps delivers intensive, employer-shaped tech training bootcamps online in live instructor-led format covering SAP S/4HANA Finance, SAP Logistics (EWM), ServiceNow Automation & Workflow, Cloud & Data Engineering with AWS and Databricks, and AI Automation. Programs run 13 weeks to 6 months full-time and are AZAV-certified so eligible unemployed individuals in Germany can attend free of charge using Bildungsgutschein vouchers from Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter. A separate Tech Mentor Program offers 35 hours of private 1:1 training across nine tech disciplines, and graduates are routed into jobs via the TalentStart hiring platform.

Product overview

StartSteps is a German digital education company founded in 2021 in Berlin that provides tech career training programs designed for career changers. The company's core offerings consist of intensive training programs in partnership with major technology platforms: SAP Tech Finance (S/4HANA), ServiceNow Automation & Workflow, Cloud & Data Engineering (AWS/Databricks), SAP Logistics (EWM), and AI Automation Specialist. These programs are 5-6 months full-time or 13 weeks in duration, taught in English online with live instructors, and are AZAV-certified for government funding eligibility. Complementing the intensive programs is the Tech Mentor Program offering 35 hours of private 1-on-1 training across 9 tech disciplines (Code, Online Marketing, UX/UI, Data, IT, Project Management, Cloud Computing, CyberSecurity, App Development). StartSteps also operates TalentStart, a recruitment platform connecting graduates with hiring employers. All programs aim to prepare participants for specific tech roles with recognized industry certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TalentStart: Hiring platform for connecting StartSteps graduates with employers

Products and services

• SAP Tech Finance Program A 6-month full-time online, live instructor-led program that trains participants to become certified SAP S/4HANA Tech Finance Consultants (FI/CO). Co-developed with SAP, it is designed for career changers with finance or ERP backgrounds and is 100% funded via Bildungsgutschein for eligible students.
• ServiceNow Automation & Workflow Consultant Program Online, live instructor-led program focused on ServiceNow workflow automation, platform configuration, and enterprise service delivery. Delivered under StartSteps' ServiceNow Authorized Training Partner status for career changers targeting ServiceNow consultant roles.
• Cloud & Data Engineering Program with AWS and Databricks Online, live instructor-led program focused on designing, automating, and optimizing data pipelines in the cloud using AWS and Databricks. Prepares students for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and Databricks Certified Data Engineer Associate certifications.
• SAP Logistics (EWM) Program Online, live instructor-led program focused on workflows, automation, and process optimization in supply chains for operations and consulting roles. Co-developed with SAP covering SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM).
• AI Automation Specialist Program A 13-week full-time online, live instructor-led program focused on building practical AI automation skills to improve workflows and prepare participants for in-demand AI automation careers. Funded via Bildungsgutschein for eligible students.
• Tech Mentor Program A private 1-on-1 training program delivering 35 hours of personalized mentorship over 2 months across nine tech disciplines: Code, Online Marketing, UX/UI, Data, IT, Project Management, Cloud Computing, CyberSecurity, and App Development. Funded via AVGS vouchers approved by JobCenter or Agentur für Arbeit.
• TalentStart A talent recruitment platform (www.talentstart.de) connecting StartSteps graduates with hiring employers including Capgemini, Zalando, Schwarz IT, and other partner companies, providing job matching and career placement services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Programs are 100% funded through government Bildungsgutschein vouchers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• ZalandoflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Women in Tech Reskilling program collaboration. 30 women employees participated in Compass course, 20 continued to intensive bootcamps with guaranteed job placement at Zalando upon completion. Part of Zalando's commitment to 40-60% women in tech roles by 2023.
• Code Academy BerlinminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Partner bootcamp for Zalando Women in Tech Reskilling program, providing Full-Stack Web Development training.
• WBS Coding SchoolminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Partner bootcamp for Zalando Women in Tech Reskilling program, providing coding education.
• SAPcoreTechnology or IntegrationSAP Authorized Training Partner delivering SAP S/4HANA Tech Finance and Logistics (EWM) programs. Curriculum co-developed with SAP ensures alignment with employer requirements and prepares students for SAP certifications.
• ServiceNowcoreTechnology or IntegrationServiceNow Authorized Training Partner delivering Automation & Workflow Consultant program. Focuses on workflow automation, platform configuration, and enterprise service delivery skills.
• AWS (Amazon Web Services)coreTechnology or IntegrationCloud & Data Engineering program prepares students for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification. Curriculum aligned with AWS cloud infrastructure and data platform skills.
• DatabrickscoreTechnology or IntegrationCloud & Data Engineering program includes Databricks Certified Data Engineer Associate preparation, focusing on data pipeline design and cloud data platform expertise.
• Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGovernment employment agency that issues Bildungsgutschein funding vouchers for eligible unemployed individuals. Primary channel for student recruitment and program funding.
• JobcentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal employment agencies that co-fund training through Bildungsgutschein vouchers for registered unemployed individuals.
• CertQuacoreOthersCertification body granting AZAV accreditation to StartSteps programs, ensuring quality standards required for government funding approval.
• TalentStartcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJob placement platform (www.talentstart.de) connecting StartSteps graduates with hiring employers including Capgemini, Zalando, Schwarz, and other partner companies.
• 30+ Bootcamp PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of partner bootcamps for continued education after Compass course. Includes 42 Wolfsburg, CareerFoundry, Ironhack, Le Wagon, WBS, SuperCode, and others for coding, data, design, and marketing specializations.
• SumUpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company providing laptops to StartSteps students in need during their training programs. Contributed to student success stories through equipment support.
• CareerFoundryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner bootcamp for UI Design specialization. Students who complete Compass course may continue with CareerFoundry for full UI/UX design training.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• StackFuel: Berlin-based provider of data science and AI/data engineering bootcamps for working professionals and career changers. Comparable on tech-curriculum focus, online delivery, and German-market reskilling positioning.
• neuefische: German tech bootcamp operator offering full-time and part-time reskilling programs (web dev, data, cloud) often funded through Bildungsgutschein. Most direct comparison to StartSteps' bootcamp model, target student segment, and German voucher-funded channel.
• CareerFoundry: Online tech bootcamp for UI/UX, data, web development, and cyber security, with mentorship-based model and German market presence. Listed as a partner bootcamp for StartSteps' Compass pathway; overlaps on career-changer focus, online delivery, and outcome-oriented programs.
• Ironhack Germany: Global coding and data bootcamp with active presence in Berlin; offers full-time and part-time career-change programs and has a strong employer hiring-partner network. Comparable in learner persona (career changers) and bootcamp curriculum, though funded primarily by self-pay and ISA rather than voucher-only.
• Spiced Academy (WeAreDevelopers): Berlin-based tech reskilling bootcamp focused on web development and data, AZAV-certified and partnered with German employment agencies for voucher-funded delivery. Comparable in curriculum scope, target learners (career changers), and government-funding mechanism.
• Le Wagon Germany: European coding bootcamp with a Berlin campus offering full-stack web development and data science bootcamps aimed at career changers. Comparable in curriculum focus, instructor-led online delivery option, and target learner segment.
• WBS Coding School: Part of WBS Training, one of Germany's largest vocational training groups; offers full-stack and data bootcamps frequently financed via Bildungsgutschein. Comparable funding model, employer partnerships, and target learner profile, with significantly broader institutional scale.
• SuperCode: German coding and data bootcamp offering full-time and part-time programs, AZAV-certified and government-voucher funded. Direct overlap with StartSteps in target segment, delivery format (online live), and German reskilling channel.

Broad incumbents

• Udacity: Global online education platform offering nanodegree programs in cloud, data, AI, and enterprise software (including AWS, SAP-aligned content). Competes in the same self-paced and mentor-supported online segment and competes for the same upskilling learner, though without StartSteps' AZAV/voucher channel.

Emerging players

• 42 Wolfsburg: Free, peer-to-peer coding academy partnered with Volkswagen in Wolfsburg; focuses on software engineering without tuition. Listed as a StartSteps pathway partner; adjacent model (no-cost digital skills training) competing for the same career-changer pool in Germany.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@startsteps
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/startsteps
• Instagraminstagram.com/startsteps_germany
• Facebookfacebook.com/startsteps

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about StartSteps