STI

What STI does

STI Security Training International GmbH is a privately held German aviation security services and training company founded in 2001 and headquartered in Flörsheim am Main. The company operates three integrated business lines: (1) proprietary training software — OTS (Operator Training System) for 2D X-ray image interpretation and ProDetect for 3D CT-based screener training, co-developed with Battelle; (2) an e-learning and instructor-led training platform delivered globally through the NEOS online shop and on-site classroom programs; and (3) operational security services including passenger screening at five German regional airports (Frankfurt-Hahn, Paderborn, Friedrichshafen, Lübeck, Sylt) and air cargo inspections at four LBA-approved centers. STI is also a self-approved Regulated Agent (RegB) and certified EU Validation Examiner for ACC3/RA3/KC3 validations, enabling it to serve airlines, airports, shippers, and regulators across the air cargo compliance value chain.

The company's revenue model combines recurring software licensing (OTS, ProDetect, NEOS subscriptions), professional services (instructor-led training, consulting, EU validation), managed services (airport passenger and cargo screening labor), and hardware/equipment sales (ECAC test pieces, PSA Kits, training posters). Go-to-market is bifurcated: enterprise field sales with custom multi-year contracts for airports, aviation authorities, and carriers globally, paired with a self-serve e-commerce channel via NEOS. Pricing is opaque and quote-based across all tiers. Customer concentration is meaningful on the services side — German regional airport screening accounts for the majority of headcount and is operationally concentrated — while the software and training business serves customers in more than 70 countries, providing geographic diversification. STI is founder/management-owned with no disclosed external funding, led by Managing Directors Axel Stefan and Holger Heldmann.

Name

STI

Legal name

STI Security Training International GmbH

Website

https://sti-training.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

STI Security Training International GmbH is a German aviation security firm that develops proprietary X-ray image interpretation training software (OTS, ProDetect), operates passenger and cargo screening at German airports, and provides EU-validated compliance services to airlines and regulators globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Security Training

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Security Guards and Patrol Services (561612), Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services (56161)

SIC

Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation Security (AVSEC) Training (BPAKAOAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Passenger & Terminal Screening Services (BPAKAMAA), Hold Baggage & Cargo Screening Services (BPAKAMAB), Defense & Security (EDABALAH)

Keywords

• Aviation security training
• X-ray image interpretation
• Passenger screening services
• Air cargo inspections
• Security consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Flörsheim Am Main

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Training Software Licenses: Revenue from OTS and ProDetect software licenses for X-ray image interpretation training
2. E-Learning (NEOS): Online training courses sold through NEOS shop for web-based training modules (WBT courses)
3. Instructor-Led Training: On-site classroom training for aviation security using modular training systems
4. Security Screening Services: Passenger screening at German airports and air cargo inspections at control centers
5. Consulting Services: Security consulting for supply chain security, airports, and EU validation services
6. Equipment Sales: Sale of security equipment including ECAC Standard Test Pieces, PSA Kits, and security culture posters

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

STI Security Training International GmbH develops and sells proprietary aviation security training software (OTS for 2D and ProDetect for 3D X-ray image interpretation) and delivers the NEOS online e-learning platform. The company also operates passenger screening at five German airports, performs air cargo inspections at four LBA-approved inspection centers, provides instructor-led classroom training, and offers security consulting including EU ACC3/RA3/KC3 validations. Products and services are sold to airports, airlines, aviation security authorities, known shippers, and regulated agents across more than 70 countries.

Product overview

STI offers a comprehensive portfolio of aviation security training solutions comprising three core products: OTS (Operator Training System) for 2D X-ray image interpretation training, ProDetect Security Screener Training for 3D X-ray/CT image interpretation developed jointly with Battelle, and NEOS as an online/e-learning platform. The company also provides instructor-led classroom training, security screening services at German airports, consulting for supply chain security, and specialized equipment including test pieces and personal protective equipment. The products are designed to work together with ProDetect linking to OTS Management for detailed evaluations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NEOS: Online training system developed by STI that can be carried out anywhere and anytime, allowing users to determine their own pace of learning.
• ProDetect®
• OTS

Products and services

• OTS (Operator Training System) Proprietary training software for X-ray image interpretation used by aviation security screeners, industry, and critical infrastructure operators. Includes OTS Management module for detailed graphical and tabular evaluations of screener training progress and performance.
• ProDetect Security Screener Training 3D X-ray image interpretation training system developed jointly with Battelle for aviation security screeners. Uses computed tomography (CT) imaging with an extensive 3D image library of real threats and realistic user interface mapping for Analogic ConneCT, Leidos ClearScan, and Smiths Detection CTiX, XCT, and CTX9800.
• NEOS Online Training System STI's online training system that can be carried out anywhere and anytime, allowing users to determine their own pace of learning. Sells web-based training (WBT) courses through the NEOS shop on a self-service basis.
• Instructor-led Training for Aviation Security On-site classroom training delivered by trainers with extensive knowledge and experience, using a modular system for aviation security training that includes work-related topics.
• Passenger Screening Services Outsourced passenger screening operations provided to German airports, deployed as qualified personnel at the airport. STI operates passenger screening at five German airports (Frankfurt-Hahn, Paderborn, Friedrichshafen, Lübeck, Sylt).
• Air Cargo Inspection Services Professional X-ray screening and inspection of air cargo at a nationwide network of four LBA-approved air cargo inspection centres, plus mobile freight control. Services include secure supply chain operations for Reglementierte Beauftragte (RegB) and Bekannte Versender (Known Shippers).
• EU Validation and Security Consulting Services Security consulting and EU validation services for airports, EU air carriers, and supply chain operators. Includes ACC3, RA3, and KC3 validations in third countries, security audits, and security program development, delivered by IATA CEIV-trained EU validation reviewers certified by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA).
• ECAC Standard Test Piece (STP) Test equipment for regular verification of the accuracy of X-ray inspection systems, containing samples of various materials of different densities.
• PSA Kit European certified personal protective equipment kit for aviation security personnel, developed by STI in collaboration with ICA. Designed for one person for two operational days.
• Security Culture and Awareness Poster Set Set of 5 posters with different motifs measuring 60x40cm, suitable for posting in social rooms, corridors, and work areas to promote security culture and awareness.

Quantifiable outcome

• Screener ability to correctly assess threats improved through regular genuine training with fast and reliable detection of dangerous objects

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BattellecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development partnership with Battelle for ProDetect 3D security screener training system. Battelle contributes behavioral research platform and X-ray technology expertise; STI contributes education and training expertise. ProDetect is based on Battelle's 20+ years of experience providing aviation security intelligence to U.S. agencies including DHS, TSA, and FAA.
• ICA (International Civil Aviation)minorOthersICA collaborates with STI to provide European certified, high-quality Personal Protective Equipment (PSA Kit) for aviation security personnel. The PSA Kit is designed for one person for two operational days.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rapiscan Systems (OSI Systems): Manufactures aviation security screening equipment and integrates checkpoint solutions for airports globally. Directly comparable to STI as a peer in the aviation screening value chain, though focused on hardware versus STI's training-software emphasis.
• Smiths Detection: Global manufacturer of aviation X-ray and CT screening equipment (CTiX, XCT, CTX9800), referenced in STI's ProDetect UI mappings. Compares as a direct peer because it serves the same airports and screeners with adjacent products in the same regulatory ecosystem.
• ICTS Europe: Aviation security services and consulting company operating across European airports, providing screening personnel and training. Comparable to STI as a direct peer in outsourced aviation security operations and personnel training.
• Leidos: Provides aviation security detection solutions including ClearScan, listed among the OEM equipment STI's ProDetect system integrates with. A directly comparable peer operating in airport security screening technology and services.
• Nuctech Company: Supplies aviation and cargo X-ray inspection equipment globally. Comparable as a peer in the aviation security screening equipment market, though larger and broader than STI's training-software focus.
• L3Harris Technologies (ClearScan): Supplies aviation security screening platforms including computed tomography systems referenced by STI for screener training. A direct competitor in the aviation security detection market that touches the same airport customers and regulatory standards.

Broad incumbents

• Securitas AB: One of the world's largest security services providers with a dedicated aviation security division offering screening, training, and managed services at airports. A broad incumbent peer overlapping with STI on airport screening services but at much larger scale across many verticals.
• Allied Universal: Global security services company offering aviation security workforce and screening services, formed through G4S acquisition. A broad incumbent peer competing with STI for airport screening contracts but operating across the full security services spectrum.

Others

• IATA (International Air Transport Association): Industry association providing aviation security training, certification programs (including CEIV referenced by STI staff), and standards. An adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor, but comparable for benchmarking training and certification scope in aviation security.
• Battelle Memorial Institute: Joint development partner with STI on ProDetect 3D X-ray training system and a US aviation security intelligence provider to DHS, TSA, and FAA. Comparable as a partner/thematic peer in aviation security R&D and behavioral research, though their primary offering is research services rather than commercial training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/zugelassenerTransporteur
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sti-security-training-international-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 STI