Neue Narrative
Neue Narrative is a Berlin-based publishing house (NN Publishing GmbH, est. 2017) that produces a tri-annual print magazine and digital tools (9 Spaces, Glossar, newsletters, podcast) on New Work and organizational transformation, serving ~18,717 subscribers and 300,000+ professionals across the DACH region through a self-organized, responsibility-owned structure.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Neue Narrative does
Neue Narrative (legally NN Publishing GmbH) is a Berlin-based publishing house founded in 2017 that produces a tri-annual German-language print magazine on organizational transformation, New Work, and human-centered leadership, reaching approximately 18,717 subscribers across three tiers (Basic €49/year, Karma €59/year, Führung €199/year). The company operates a multi-product ecosystem centered on the magazine: 9 Spaces (a digital workshop toolkit with over 100 handouts, whiteboard templates, and tutorial videos that generated ~€500K in 2023), the New Work Glossar (online terminology reference), four newsletters totaling 70,000 subscribers, the Fühlungsqualitäten podcast, Kollektionen (curated themed article collections), and the Netzwerk Neue Arbeit partner network of 17+ aligned organizations. Distribution combines direct-to-consumer subscriptions, a digital shop for PDF bundles, an advertising network reaching 300,000+ professionals in DACH, and magazine sponsorships (Heft-Partner*innen).
The business model is primarily subscription-recurring, supplemented by advertising and sponsorship revenue from values-aligned organizations (Haufe Akademie, needs people, spod.on, EMIL-Akademie, etc.). The company is structured as Verantwortungseigentum (responsibility ownership) — permanently owned by current employees, not acquirable, and required to reinvest or donate all profits — and achieved Gemeinwohlunternehmen certification in 2025. There is no CEO or editor-in-chief; the organization operates self-organized through defined roles (Process Owner, Sparring, Equity, Vielfaltsperspektiven) rather than hierarchical positions. Following a 2023 financial shortfall (gross revenue ~€2M vs. €2.2M target), the company took a subordinated loan and reduced headcount from 25+ to ~20 people, explicitly committing to remain a compact 20-30 person organization focused on its two core products.
Neue Narrative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Neue Narrative
- Legal name
- NN Publishing GmbH
- Website
- https://neuenarrative.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Neue Narrative is a Berlin-based publishing house (NN Publishing GmbH, est. 2017) that produces a tri-annual print magazine and digital tools (9 Spaces, Glossar, newsletters, podcast) on New Work and organizational transformation, serving ~18,717 subscribers and 300,000+ professionals across the DACH region through a self-organized, responsibility-owned structure.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Neue Narrative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Publishing
- NAICS
- Periodical Publishers (51312), Software Publishers (513210)
- SIC
- Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Business, Finance & Industry Trade Magazines (MPAJAEAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Digital Newsroom/CMS Platforms for Publishers (MPACAIAH)
Keywords
Where Neue Narrative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Neue Narrative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Magazine Subscriptions: Print magazine subscriptions with three tiers (Basic 49 EUR/year, Karma 59 EUR/year, Führung 199/year) plus gift subscriptions. Revenue from nearly 20,000 subscribers. Includes Kombi-Abo (magazine + 9 Spaces) at 159 EUR first year.
- Advertising and Sponsorship: Heft-Partner*innen (magazine sponsors), Ad-Netzwerk (advertising network reaching 300,000+ professionals), Kollektions-Sponsoring, Newsletter sponsorship, and New Work Glossar Patenschaft.
- 9 Spaces Tool Platform: Digital workshop toolkit sold as standalone subscription or Kombi-Abo bundle with magazine. Approximately 500,000 EUR revenue in 2023.
- PDF Bundles and Digital Products: Digital bundles available in the shop, including PDF versions of magazine issues.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Basic Abo - Print magazine covering production costs |
| Subscription | Annual | Karma Abo - Supportive subscription for deeper research |
| Subscription | Annual | Führung Abo - Leadership-focused subscription |
| Hybrid | Multi-year contract | Kombi Abo - Magazine + 9 Spaces bundle |
| Subscription | Annual | Gift Subscription |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels9 records
Neue Narrative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Neue Narrative is a Berlin-based publishing house that produces a tri-annual print magazine covering organizational transformation, New Work, and human-centered leadership, distributed to nearly 18,717 subscribers. The company also operates 9 Spaces, a digital workshop toolkit platform with over 100 handouts, whiteboard templates, and tutorial videos used by teams and organizations for change facilitation. The product ecosystem is complemented by an online New Work Glossar, four email newsletters, the Fühlungsqualitäten leadership podcast, and a Kombi-Abo bundle combining magazine and 9 Spaces access.
Product overview
Neue Narrative is a small publishing house in responsibility ownership (Verantwortungseigentum) that started as a print magazine and has expanded into a product ecosystem. The core offering is the Neue Narrative Magazin, a tri-annual print publication reaching nearly 20,000 subscribers, covering organizational transformation, leadership, and New Work topics. This is complemented by 9 Spaces, a digital workshop toolkit with over 100 resources for organizational change. Additional offerings include the New Work Glossar (online terminology reference), four newsletters totaling 70,000 subscribers, the Fühlungsqualitäten podcast, the Netzwerk Neue Arbeit community network, curated article collections (Kollektionen), and a Kombi-Abo bundling magazine and 9 Spaces access. The company operates on a community-wellbeing model, self-organizing without a CEO or editor-in-chief.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 9 Spaces: Workshop toolkit platform with over 100 handouts, whiteboard templates, and tutorial videos for team and organizational transformation. Reached nearly 500,000 EUR in revenue in 2023.
- New Work Glossar
- Fühlungsqualitäten
- Netzwerk Neue Arbeit
Products and services
- Neue Narrative Magazin A tri-annual print magazine about organizational transformation, New Work, and human-centered leadership. Covers topics including self-organization, leadership, care work, error culture, and workplace communication. Financed entirely through reader subscriptions across Basic (49 EUR/year), Karma (59 EUR/year), and Führung (199 EUR/year) tiers.
- 9 Spaces A digital workshop toolkit platform with over 100 handouts, whiteboard templates, tutorial videos, PDF and presentation formats, and guided Journeys for team and organizational transformation. Designed for facilitators, HR professionals, and leaders running change processes. Generated approximately 500,000 EUR in revenue in 2023.
- Kombi-Abo A bundled subscription combining the Karma-Abo print magazine with Solo access to the 9 Spaces digital workshop toolkit. Priced at 159 EUR for the first year and 358 EUR from year two onward.
- Digital Shop Products (PDF Bundles) Digital products available through the Neue Narrative online shop, including PDF bundles of magazine issues and one-time digital content purchases.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 20,000 magazine subscribers support the publication through subscriptions
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Neue Narrative
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Neue Narrative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Neue Narrative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ForTomorrowcoreForTomorrow is Neue Narrative's carbon compensation partner, helping the company measure, reduce, and offset its CO2 emissions as part of its journey toward becoming a regenerative publisher.
- The Generation ForestcoreNeue Narrative is a cooperative member of The Generation Forest, supporting reforestation and sustainable forestry as part of their environmental responsibility initiatives.
- Gemeinwohl-Ökonomie (GWÖ)coreNeue Narrative has undergone the Community Welfare Economy assessment and achieved certification, measuring their social and responsible business practices against GWÖ standards.
- Bundesverband Nachhaltige Wirtschaft e.V. (BNW)coreNeue Narrative is part of the BNW e.V., a network of companies committed to sustainable transformation and economics.
- Sina SteinkeminorJobsharing & Joint Leadership expert in the Netzwerk Neue Arbeit, providing expertise in shared leadership models.
- Svenja ReinigerminorExecutive coaching, team development & mediation specialist in the Netzwerk Neue Arbeit.
- kolleadminorRole transformation, transformation and spaces specialist in the Netzwerk Neue Arbeit.
- Movendo ConsultingminorLeadership development firm in the Netzwerk Neue Arbeit network.
- TransformationsWerkminorTransformation consulting for organizations, teams & executives in the Netzwerk Neue Arbeit.
- Akademie für angewandte NeurowissenschaftminorNeuroscientific continuing education for Leadership & HR in the Netzwerk Neue Arbeit.
- MITgestaltenminorPartner for Psychologische Sicherheit (Psychological Safety) content collaboration; gained visibility and credibility through New Work Glossar Patenschaft.
- SpaceBeyondminorPartner focused on Gewaltfreie Kommunikation (Nonviolent Communication); gained newsletter subscribers through partnership visibility.
- Design OfficesminorFlexible workspace provider; increased brand awareness as provider for flexible work landscapes through magazine visibility.
- BRAND CULTUREminorGained credibility and brand recognition through New Work Glossar Patenschaft; mentioned in SOM and magazine with positive audience response.
- Coachingbüro Huber & PartnerminorHeft-Partner*in (magazine sponsor); offers coaching, training and process facilitation education with experiential learning.
- Haufe AkademieminorHeft-Partner*in; focuses on clear role models, flexible leadership, and effective order clarification.
- needs peopleminorHeft-Partner*in; operates 32-hour work week at full pay, offering 'Freiday' as additional free day benefit.
- spod.on consulting GmbHminorHeft-Partner*in; uses organizational compass tool to help organizations gain helicopter perspective and align effectively.
- Drescher Consulting GmbHminorHeft-Partner*in; encourages organizations toward new narratives, psychological safety as foundation for collective action.
- InspiramominorHeft-Partner*in; strategy and organizational development boutique focused on meaningful work and transformation.
- EMIL-AkademieminorHeft-Partner*in; Academy for Emotional Intelligence & Leadership helping people unlock their full potential.
- crativminorHeft-Partner*in; cultural change consultancy that establishes frameworks for new behaviors and employee empowerment.
- WorkshopwerftminorHeft-Partner*in; creates effective workshops with humor, attitude and individual approaches.
- Live up! (Claudia Winkler)minorHeft-Partner*in; enables executives and teams to achieve genuine effectiveness and purposeful work.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Neue Narrative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- brand eins: Independent German business and society magazine published roughly 6x/year, with a comparable mission-driven, values-oriented editorial positioning and a similar print subscription model. Closest direct analog in the DACH B2B media landscape to Neue Narrative's editorial and ownership approach.
- t3n magazine: German digital business and new-work magazine covering digital transformation, work, and technology. Direct competitor for the same progressive HR/leadership audience in DACH, with a digital-first publishing model.
- Personalmagazin: Long-established German HR and people-management trade magazine covering HR strategy, leadership, and organizational development. Direct competitor for the HR-Entscheider*innen segment that NN targets.
- Page Magazine: German business magazine covering communication, branding, and the creative industries with a values-driven editorial slant. Comparable B2B subscription model and progressive audience overlap with Neue Narrative.
- Edition F: German digital-first business and career publication for women in leadership, with a similar mission-driven, values-oriented, subscription-funded business model. Overlaps with NN's progressive leadership audience.
- MIT Technology Review (German edition): German edition of MIT Technology Review covering digital transformation, work, and technology. Comparable B2B subscription magazine model for an executive audience interested in the future of work.
Broad incumbents
- Harvard Business Manager: German edition of Harvard Business Review targeting the same management and leadership audience as Neue Narrative, with a much larger subscriber base and broader business focus. Incumbent competitor in DACH for premium leadership content.
- WirtschaftsWoche: Major German weekly business news magazine serving executives, managers, and HR leaders across DACH. Large incumbent competitor for the same business-leader audience, though with a more mainstream and broader editorial focus.
- Haufe Akademie: Major German provider of HR, leadership, and organizational development training and content, including a publishing arm. Both a Heft-Partner for Neue Narrative and a broad incumbent in the same OD/leadership content and training market.
Emerging players
- Workpath: German B2B SaaS for OKRs and organizational transformation. Emerging player addressing the same transformation buyer that 9 Spaces targets, with a software (vs. content) delivery model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Neue Narrative social profiles
Digital presenceNeue Narrative compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Neue Narrative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Neue Narrative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Neue Narrative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Neue Narrative 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 Neue Narrative
What does Neue Narrative do?
Neue Narrative is a Berlin-based publishing house that produces a tri-annual print magazine covering organizational transformation, New Work, and human-centered leadership, distributed to nearly 18,717 subscribers. The company also operates 9 Spaces, a digital workshop toolkit platform with over 100 handouts, whiteboard templates, and tutorial videos used by teams and organizations for change facilitation. The product ecosystem is complemented by an online New Work Glossar, four email newsletters, the Fühlungsqualitäten leadership podcast, and a Kombi-Abo bundle combining magazine and 9 Spaces access.
Is Neue Narrative a public or private company?
Neue Narrative is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Neue Narrative founded?
Neue Narrative was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Neue Narrative based?
Neue Narrative is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Neue Narrative make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Magazine Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are advertising and Sponsorship, 9 Spaces Tool Platform and PDF Bundles and Digital Products.
Who are Neue Narrative's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are brand eins, t3n magazine, Personalmagazin, Page Magazine, Edition F and MIT Technology Review (German edition). Broad incumbents are Harvard Business Manager, WirtschaftsWoche and Haufe Akademie. Workpath is listed as an emerging player.
Does Neue Narrative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Neue Narrative.
What industry is Neue Narrative in?
Neue Narrative's product category is Professional Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAEAM, Business, Finance & Industry Trade Magazines, with a secondary code of MPACAIAH, Digital Newsroom/CMS Platforms for Publishers. Its NAICS code is 51312 and its SIC code is 2721.