University of Applied Sciences Bielefeld

What University of Applied Sciences Bielefeld does

Hochschule Bielefeld (HSBI), legally registered as Hochschule Bielefeld - University of Applied Sciences and Arts, is a German public university founded in 1976 and rebranded from its original Fachhochschule Bielefeld identity in the 2020s. The institution operates three campuses across the Ostwestfalen-Lippe (OWL) region in Bielefeld, Minden, and Gütersloh, organized into six faculties: Design (Gestaltung), Campus Minden, Engineering and Mathematics (IUM), Social Work, Business, and Health. It serves prospective and enrolled students, working professionals in continuing education pathways, and acts as a research and technology-transfer partner for regional industry and academic peers.

The university's core technology stack is composed of internally operated digital platforms supporting teaching, administration, and research. ILIAS functions as the e-learning management system for course delivery and academic collaboration; LSF/CAT operates as the academic administration and course registration portal; HSBIKI is an AI-assisted knowledge system deployed for the university community; and the CampusCard integrates multiple student-facing services. Research infrastructure includes the InCamS@BI research center at the Gütersloh campus, focused on intelligent camera systems and image processing, alongside broader research programs in photovoltaic modules, artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty, and sustainable technologies.

HSBI's revenue model is anchored by annual appropriations from the Land Nordrhein-Westfalen (NRW state government), supplemented by competitive third-party research grants from bodies including the DFG, BMBF, and the European Union (notably Erasmus+), as well as fee-based continuing education programs (part-time bachelor's, part-time master's, and certificate courses) targeted at employed professionals. As a tuition-free public institution, enrolled students pay only a per-semester fee (Semesterbeitrag) covering administrative costs and the national Deutschlandsemesterticket. Distribution relies on on-campus instruction across the three locations, digital learning platforms for enrolled students, and international mobility through Erasmus+ and bilateral exchange agreements. Recruitment and outreach run through the institutional website, education fairs such as the Westfälische Studienbörse, school outreach programs, the Jungstudierende (young student) initiative, and the Zentrale Studienberatung (central student advisory service).

Name

University of Applied Sciences Bielefeld

Legal name

Hochschule Bielefeld - University of Applied Sciences and Arts

Website

https://fh-bielefeld.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Hochschule Bielefeld (HSBI) is a German public University of Applied Sciences serving students, working professionals, and regional industry partners across six faculties and three OWL-region campuses, funded primarily by the Land Nordrhein-Westfalen and supplemented by DFG, BMBF, and EU research grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bielefeld

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Funding: As a German public university (Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften), HSBI receives primary funding from state (Land Nordrhein-Westfalen) and federal government sources. Funding covers teaching, research, and infrastructure operations.
2. Third-Party Research Funding: Research projects funded by external bodies including DFG (German Research Foundation), EU programs (Erasmus+), BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research), and industry partners.
3. Continuing Education Programs: Fee-based continuing education offerings including part-time master's programs, part-time bachelor's programs, and certificate courses (Zertifikatsangebote) for working professionals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hochschule Bielefeld (HSBI) is a public University of Applied Sciences and Arts offering practice-oriented undergraduate and graduate degree programs across six faculties (Design, Campus Minden, Engineering and Mathematics, Social Work, Business, and Health) at three campus locations in the OWL region. The institution supplements its teaching with applied research, technology transfer initiatives (Center for Entrepreneurship, BRIC, CareTech Hubs, Wissenswerkstadt), and fee-based continuing/part-time education programs for working professionals.

Product overview

University of Applied Sciences Bielefeld (HSBI) is a multi-disciplinary higher education institution offering a portfolio of academic study programs across six faculties (Design, Engineering and Mathematics, Social Work, Business, Health, and Campus Minden). The institution provides educational services through its e-learning platform (ILIAS) and academic administration portal (LSF/CAT), along with an AI knowledge intelligence service (HSBIKI). HSBI's technology transfer ecosystem includes initiatives such as the Center for Entrepreneurship, InCamS@BI, Wissenswerkstadt Bielefeld, BRIC, and CareTech Hubs, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship alongside its core educational offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HSBI Transfer: Technology transfer and industry collaboration unit of the university
• Center for Entrepreneurship (CfE)
• InCamS@BI
• Campus OWL Verbindungsbüro New York

Products and services

• Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs (6 Faculties)
• Continuing Education and Part-Time Programs
• Promotion/Doctoral Programs (Promotionskolleg)
• International Exchange Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple research projects funded by DFG, BMBF, and EU programs annually
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Campus OWL Verbindungsbüro New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational representative office of the Campus OWL university network in New York, facilitating transatlantic academic exchange, research collaboration, and student mobility between German universities and North American institutions.
• Wissenswerkstadt BielefeldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge and innovation hub in Bielefeld bringing together universities, research institutions, and industry to foster knowledge transfer, entrepreneurship, and regional development.
• Erasmus+ PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Union mobility program enabling student and staff exchanges with universities across Europe. HSBI participates in both student mobility and staff mobility for teaching and training purposes.
• Netzwerk hdw nrw (hochschule.digital.wissen.nrw)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of universities in North Rhine-Westphalia focused on digitalization in higher education, sharing best practices and developing digital teaching and learning resources.
• BRIC (Bielefeld Research and Innovation Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and innovation hub focused on industry collaboration and technology transfer, connecting university expertise with regional business needs.
• CareTech HubscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation network focused on care technologies and health tech solutions, fostering collaboration between the health sciences faculty and industry partners.
• Center for Entrepreneurship (CfE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated entrepreneurship center supporting startup culture, business plan development, and venture creation among students and alumni. Operates the HSBI Startup Award.
• Stiftung Kinder ForschenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting early childhood education in STEM. HSBI collaborates on the 'Spürnasenzeit' project bringing MINT (STEM) education to kindergartens in Bielefeld.
• Bildungsbüro BielefeldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal education office in Bielefeld coordinating educational initiatives. Partner in the Spürnasenzeit project for MINT education outreach.
• InCamS@BI (International Campus Bielefeld)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational campus initiative promoting global academic collaboration and cross-cultural learning experiences at HSBI.
• Innovation2Business.nrwcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-wide initiative in North Rhine-Westphalia supporting technology transfer and business innovation from universities to industry.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about University of Applied Sciences Bielefeld