Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS

What Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS does

Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS (Fraunhofer-Institut für Offene Kommunikationssysteme) is a Berlin-based, non-profit applied research institute founded in 1988 and operating as part of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft network. The institute organizes its work into six business units — Digital Public Services (DPS), Future Applications and Media (FAME), Quality Engineering (SQC), Smart Mobility (ASCT), Software-based Networks (NGNI), and Vernetzte Sicherheit (ESPRI) — and employs 251-500 staff focused on open communication systems, digital networking, AI, quantum computing, and digital public services.

Its core technology stack centers on piveau®, a registered open-source data management ecosystem for the public sector comprising eight modules (consus, staging, metrics, ui, hub, advocat, charts, incognito) for big-data, data-sharing, and open-data use cases. Additional notable assets include CertLab (Common Criteria IT-security certification for BSI), the Common Learning Middleware, FAMIUM Deep Encode (ML-based video encoding), DIGIHAND (AR for trades), SIRIOS Lab for security research, the Meta-Katalog with 800 health-app evaluation criteria, and the Eclipse Qrisp quantum programming language integrated with NVIDIA CUDA-Q. The institute publishes Deutschland-Index der Digitalisierung bi-annually through the BMI-funded ÖFIT Competence Center and operates KATWARN for population warning.

FOKUS operates on a project-based professional-services revenue model. Funding flows from German federal and state ministries (BMI, BSI, BMWSB), EU research programs (Horizon Europe, H2020), direct industry collaboration, and public-administration service contracts. Go-to-market is sales-led via direct research collaboration rather than product sales; pricing is not disclosed and there is no commercial pricing list. Named anchor clients include Berliner Senatsverwaltung für Finanzen (SoFinData), Senatsverwaltung für Bildung Jugend und Familie Berlin (ISBJ youth-welfare platform handling ~200,000 placements), Stadt Gelsenkirchen, and Civitas Connect e.V. The institute reports to no external shareholders and has no subsidiaries, operating as a single legal entity within the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.

Name

Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS

Legal name

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.

Website

https://fokus.fraunhofer.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Fraunhofer FOKUS is a Berlin-based, non-profit applied research institute (founded 1988, part of Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft) that develops open communication systems, AI, quantum, and public-sector digitalization technologies for German ministries, EU programs, and industry partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690), Other Computer Related Services (541519)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Experience Monitoring & Management (DEX/DEM, AIOps for EUC) (BPAEAIAF)

Keywords

• Applied research services
• Digital public services
• Open communication systems
• IT security certification
• Data management platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Research Funding: Funded by German federal and state governments including BSI, BMI, BMWSB, and other public bodies for specific research projects and initiatives
2. EU Research Programs: Horizon Europe and other EU research funding for collaborative international research projects
3. Industry Collaboration: Direct collaboration with private sector companies on research and development projects
4. Public Administration Services: Research services for government agencies including state, federal, and EU-level public administration

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Fraunhofer FOKUS is an applied research institute that develops solutions for the communication infrastructure of the future across six business units (Digital Public Services, Future Applications and Media, Quality Engineering, Smart Mobility, Software-based Networks, and Vernetzte Sicherheit). It conducts research and delivers open-source software, certified security products, AI applications, and prototypes for public administration and enterprises, covering the full lifecycle from requirements analysis and consulting through feasibility studies, technology development, pilots, and certification (including Common Criteria via BSI).

Product overview

Fraunhofer FOKUS operates as a multi-disciplinary research institute organized into six business units: Digital Public Services (DPS), Future Applications and Media (FAME), Quality Engineering (SQC), Smart Mobility (ASCT), Software-based Networks (NGNI), and Vernetzte Sicherheit (ESPRI). The institute's portfolio centers on piveau®, an open-source data management ecosystem for the public sector with multiple modules (consus, staging, metrics, ui, hub, advocat, charts, incognito) supporting Big Data, Data Sharing, and Open Data. Key offerings include AI solutions via URBAN.KI and AI-DAPT projects, the Common Learning Middleware for LMS integration, FAMIUM Deep Encode for video optimization, and specialized labs including CertLab (Common Criteria certification), Blockchain-Werkstatt, SIRIOS Lab, and Cybersicherheitslabor. Research capabilities span quantum cryptography, NLP/chatbots (SmartEnergie), generative AI for municipalities, and knowledge graph construction. The ÖFIT competence center provides public IT research including the Deutschland-Index der Digitalisierung.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• piveau Data Management Ecosystem

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 85% of argumentative segments can be automatically correctly identified in AI-assisted objection management
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 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 capability10 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LG ElectronicscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2026LG Electronics established foundational technology partnerships with Fraunhofer Institute since 2019 as part of 6G research collaboration. LG leverages telematics expertise and has expanded 5G private network business with deployments for external clients.
• LG UpluscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKorean telecom operator LG Uplus signed 6G R&D collaboration agreement with LG Electronics, building on Fraunhofer Institute partnerships.
• KT CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKorean telecom company KT joined 6G R&D collaborations alongside LG Uplus in efforts coordinated with Fraunhofer Institute.
• Qualcomm TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLG Electronics joined Qualcomm Technologies' 6G alliance as part of broader 6G research ecosystem including Fraunhofer Institute partnerships.
• KAISTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAIST 6G Research Center established since 2019 as foundational partnership for 6G technology development with LG Electronics and Fraunhofer Institute involvement.
• Kookmin UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKookmin University in South Korea joined EU's Horizon Europe research program focused on quantum security and digital security collaboration for 6G networks.
• HTW BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation with HTW Berlin in Cybersecurity Laboratory near BER airport. Provides continuing education for business and authorities, and runs a new study program 'Wirtschafts-Informationssicherheit' plus research professorships for digital infrastructure.
• Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz (DFKI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFKI is a scientific partner in URBAN.KI project, working with Fraunhofer FOKUS on AI solutions for municipalities including Leipzig geodata chatbot implementation.
• Fraunhofer IAIScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer IAIS is partner in URBAN.KI project, collaborating on AI-based solutions for public administration, particularly in SmartEnergie project for energy consulting.
• PROSOZ Herten GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in URBAN.KI project contributing to AI solutions for municipalities.
• Westfälische Hochschule GelsenkirchencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in URBAN.KI project for AI initiatives in municipalities.
• Capgemini InventcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject lead for Support Centre for Data Sharing (SCDS) consortium, working with Fraunhofer FOKUS on EU data sharing initiatives.
• time.lexcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal partner in SCDS consortium providing legal expertise on data sharing for the EU initiative.
• Base4NFDIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative for joint development and provision of research data management (RDM) services. Fraunhofer FOKUS hosted first Base4NFDI user conference with almost 200 international guests.
• Sopra Steria SEcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSubcontractor in KI-gestütztes Einwendungsmanagement project for German Center for Rail Transport Research (DZSF), working with Fraunhofer FOKUS on AI-assisted railway planning processes.
• Civitas Connect e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegrated Fraunhofer FOKUS-developed piveau data ecosystem into CIVITAS/CORE data platform for smart city applications.
• Weizenbaum-InstitutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research on how digitalization can be shaped together with society, combining interdisciplinary perspectives.
• Datenkompetenzzentrum für Städte und Regionen (DKSR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in open bydata project for Bavarian Open Data Portal, developing and technically implementing the portal together with Fraunhofer FOKUS.
• byte – Bayerische Agentur für DigitalescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBavarian digital agency commissioning open bydata platform for central point of contact for Bavarian open data.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fraunhoferfokus
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@fraunhoferfokus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/163892
• Facebookfacebook.com/fraunhoferfokus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS