SAG-Akademie

What SAG-Akademie does

SAG-Akademie GmbH für berufliche Weiterbildung is a German private vocational training provider headquartered in Darmstadt, operating since 2004 with approximately 11-50 employees across 9 German locations plus a Vienna, Austria site. The company specializes in professional continuing education for the wastewater, pipe, and environmental technology sector, delivering IHK-recognized Sachkunde, Fachkunde, and Meister certifications — including the RKI-Meister (Rohr-, Kanal- und Industrieservice Meister), for which it is positioned as the only nationwide provider of an online distance-learning format.

Its core product is the proprietary SAG-ToGo360° e-learning platform, which underpins both self-paced distance learning and blended on-site training delivered across its branch network. The catalog spans short courses, modular Sachkunde tracks, and full Meister programs requiring on the order of 1,120 hours of study, with pricing ranging from roughly €75 for short courses to €13,900 for Meister programs. Curriculum has recently been extended into adjacent areas including drone pilot certification (with McWarnecke) and business optimization, indicating a deliberate broadening of the addressable vertical.

The business model combines B2C enrollment (individual learners paying tuition), B2B in-house corporate seminars for utilities and contractors, and B2B2C partnerships with industry associations (VDRK), content platforms (UNITRACC), and apprenticeship channels (AZUBI). The company is a privately held GmbH with no disclosed external investors and is co-led by founder Andreas Koch and co-managing director Sven Härter (joined February 2024). Revenue, customer counts, and financial KPIs are not publicly disclosed.

Name

SAG-Akademie

Legal name

SAG-Akademie GmbH für berufliche Weiterbildung

Website

https://sag-akademie.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SAG-Akademie is a German private vocational training provider delivering IHK-certified wastewater, pipe, and environmental technology courses — including the only nationwide RKI-Meister online distance learning program — via its SAG-ToGo360° platform across 9 German sites and Vienna.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Environmental Technology Training

NAICS

Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK)

Keywords

• Wastewater technology training
• Canal inspection certification
• Online distance learning
• Environmental technology seminars
• Vocational continuing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Darmstadt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Seminar Course Fees: SAG-Akademie generates revenue primarily through course fee registration. Individual seminars range from €75 to €13,900 depending on duration, content, and certification level. Courses are offered in multiple formats: in-person, online live, distance learning, hybrid, and inhouse corporate.
2. Certification and Examination Fees: Fees are charged for certification exams, recertification, and issuing of qualified certificates and attendance confirmations for various wastewater and environmental technology qualifications.
3. Hotel Booking Commission: SAG-Akademie facilitates hotel reservations for participants at in-person seminars, charging a booking fee of €125 per person per night for hotel accommodation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SAG-Akademie provides certified vocational continuing education and training for the wastewater and environmental technology sector, covering canal inspection, cleaning, sealing, rehabilitation, separator technology, property drainage, and canal construction. Courses are delivered through in-person seminars (Präsenz), self-paced online distance learning (Online-Fernlehrgänge), live studio webinars, hybrid formats, and customized inhouse corporate training, all accessed via the proprietary SAG-ToGo360° e-learning platform. The portfolio spans entry-level Sachkunde qualifications through master-craftsman RKI-Meister programs, the latter offered as the only nationwide online distance learning course of its kind in Germany.

Product overview

SAG-Akademie operates a multi-format vocational education and training platform for the wastewater and environmental technology sector. The core platform is the proprietary SAG-ToGo360° online learning system, which serves as the backbone for Online-Fernlehrgänge (self-paced distance learning). This is complemented by Präsenz-Seminare (in-person seminars), Studio-Webinare, Hybrid-Webinare, Hybrid-Seminare, and Inhouse-Seminare. The subject matter portfolio spans Kanalinspektion, Kanalreinigung, Kanalsanierung, Dichtheitsprüfung, Abscheidetechnik, Kanalbau, Grundstücksentwässerung, Arbeitssicherheit, Coaching, and Unternehmensoptimierung. A distinctive offering is the RKI-MEISTER-KURS as the only online distance learning format for this master craftsman qualification in Germany. The AZUBI SPEZIAL BS Lauingen program integrates Berufsschule education with SAG seminars and online learning. The UNITRACC cooperation adds excavationless pipe rehabilitation courses. The company also offers a dedicated online seminar booking platform for registration and payment. Subject areas are organized by qualification type (Sachkunde, Fachkunde, Fortbildung, Meister) and target audience (Azubis, Quereinsteiger, Fachkräfte, Ingenieure, Unternehmer).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• RKI-MEISTER-KURS (Online-Fernlehrgang) Nationwide unique (bundesweit einziger) online distance learning course for the RKI-Meister master craftsman qualification in wastewater technology, delivered via the SAG-ToGo360° platform and combining self-paced online learning with IHK exam preparation. Targeted at wastewater professionals seeking master-level certification.
• Präsenz-Seminare (In-person seminars) In-person classroom seminars held at SAG-Akademie's owned and partnered locations across Germany (Darmstadt, Lünen, Lauingen, Kiel, Berlin, Leipzig, Lindau, Nienburg) and Vienna, Austria. Led by experienced instructors with hands-on practical exercises, networking opportunities, and manufacturer demonstrations on industry-current equipment.
• Online-Fernlehrgänge (OFL) Self-paced online distance learning courses delivered via the proprietary SAG-ToGo360° platform. Equivalent in content and certification to in-person seminars, featuring chronologic chapter-by-chapter progression, multimedia learning videos, interactive quizzes, PDF learning materials, WhatsApp tutor support, and proctored online examinations for certification.
• Studio-Webinare (Live webinars) Live digital seminars broadcast from SAG-Akademie's studios in Darmstadt, allowing remote participants to interact with instructors in real time. Complementary to or replaceable with in-person classroom attendance.
• Hybrid-Seminare (In-person + Webinar) Hybrid seminar combining in-person attendance at the Darmstadt training location with simultaneous webinar participation by remote attendees. Webinar participants interact with in-person attendees and instructors and are taken live into practical demonstrations. Only available at the Darmstadt training center.
• Inhouse-Seminare (Corporate training) Customized on-site training programs for companies, municipalities, and engineering firms, tailored to specific processes, teams, and content requirements. Delivered either on client premises or as a webinar, with individual proposals on content, scope, and pricing.
• AZUBI SPEZIAL BS Lauingen Joint vocational training program with Staatliche Berufsschule Lauingen combining Berufsschule instruction, in-person seminars, and SAG-ToGo360° online learning to provide Sachkunde qualifications to apprentices during their vocational training and up to two years after their IHK examination. Open to apprentices in their 3rd year (canal inspection from 2nd year) and recent graduates.
• Drohnenführerschein für die Kanalinspektion Drone pilot certification course for canal inspection, enabling drone-based inspections in wastewater structures. Offered in partnership with cooperation partner McWarnecke (since September 2025) and priced as an introductory launch offering.
• Kanalinspektion (Canal Inspection) Seminare Specialized training in canal inspection covering certification as canal inspector (Kanalinspekteur), the European coding system (DIN EN 13508-2, DWA-M 149-2, ISYBAU 2017), inspection of renovated canals, large-profile inspection, and chamber inspection. For technicians preparing for Sachkunde and Fachkunde qualifications.
• Abscheidetechnik (Separator Technology) Seminare Training covering separator technology including operation and maintenance (self-inspection of light-liquid and grease separators), installation and renovation, and general inspection certification (Fachkunde Abscheideranlagen). Delivered in cooperation with industry partners.
• Grundstücksentwässerung (Property Drainage) Seminare Training on property drainage systems including certification as property drainage consultant, condition and function testing, and modular certified drainage specialist programs (e.g., ZFKD-GE-FK 17-day certification course at €4,995).
• Unternehmensoptimierung (Business Optimization) Seminare Online distance learning business optimization programs covering marketing fundamentals, management and leadership competencies, employee development, organizational efficiency, and team dynamics. New program line targeted at managers, department heads, engineers, and administrative staff in wastewater companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Bundesweit einziger (nationwide only) provider of RKI-Meister as an online distance learning program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• McWarneckeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025McWarnecke became a new cooperation partner of SAG-Akademie in September 2025, bringing drone flight technology for wastewater infrastructure inspection. SAG-Akademie offers a new drone pilot certification course for canal inspection in partnership with McWarnecke.
• VDRK (Verband der Rohr- und Kanal- und Industrieservice-Kanallog-Rhein-Main)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024VDRK supports the vocational training of RKI apprentices by providing funding of up to €250 per course for member companies. SAG-Akademie participates in VDRK's training support program and lists VDRK on its AZUBI SPEZIAL page.
• Ehle (Bildungsbereich)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020SAG-Akademie took over the Bildungsbereich (education division) of Ehle in 2020 and now holds regular seminars at the Ehle facility in Leipzig for wastewater and canal technology training.
• IBAK GmbH und Co. KGminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Since 2012, seminars in Kiel are held at IBAK facilities, a leading manufacturer of inspection systems. The partnership provides practical training with live inspection technology demonstrations, especially for kanalinspekteure.de seminars.
• Staatliche Berufsschule LauingencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Long-standing cooperation since 2011 for the AZUBI SPEZIAL program, providing Sachkunde qualifications to BS Lauingen apprentices during their vocational training and up to 2 years after IHK graduation. The partnership includes joint curriculum design and practical training sessions.
• IPEK (Lünen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPEK provides technical support at the Lünen location, assisting with practical training sessions for property drainage systems.
• JT-electronik (Lindau)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJT-electronik in Lindau hosts canal inspection seminars, providing practical technology demonstrations for seminar participants.
• UNITRACCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAG-Akademie cooperates with UNITRACC to offer specialized online seminars (DE-series) on drainage systems, pipe installation, trenchless construction, and infrastructure maintenance. UNITRACC provides course content and 21–44 continuing education points per course.
• Various Industry Product Manufacturers (Kooperationspartner)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAG-Akademie cooperates with unnamed product manufacturers in the environmental and wastewater technology sector who present their products during seminars, provide live demonstrations, and give specialist lectures. The company recruits new cooperation partners through a dedicated landing page.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• TÜV SÜD: Global testing, inspection, and certification group operating a substantial training arm with industrial continuing-education courses that intersect SAG-Akademie's vocational certification portfolio.
• TÜV Rheinland: Major global testing, inspection, and certification provider offering continuing education in industrial, technical, and safety subjects, including water/wastewater-related certificates that overlap with SAG-Akademie's offerings.
• DEKRA Akademie: Large international testing, inspection, and certification organization whose academy delivers vocational and safety training across many industries, including environmental and safety topics relevant to SAG-Akademie's certificate portfolio.
• VDI Wissensforum: Training arm of Germany's largest engineering association (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure) delivering seminars and conferences for engineers across technical disciplines, with adjacent water/environmental curriculum.

Direct peers

• Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall (DWA): Germany's main professional association for water, wastewater, and waste management offering extensive industry training, certifications, and continuing-education curricula that directly overlap with SAG-Akademie's wastewater/canal syllabus and target audience.
• UNITRACC: Education provider focused on underground infrastructure offering online courses on trenchless construction, drainage, and pipe rehabilitation; cooperates with SAG-Akademie (DE-series seminars) and operates as a partial competitor in the same content area.
• Haus der Technik (HDT): Long-standing German technical training institution in Essen delivering continuing-education seminars across engineering and environmental disciplines, including water/wastewater topics, with multi-format and certificate-driven programs comparable to SAG-Akademie's.
• TAW Technische Akademie Wuppertal: Technical vocational academy in Wuppertal offering certification and training courses across industries via in-person and remote formats, structurally aligned with SAG-Akademie's continuing-education and seminar-certification approach.
• Technische Akademie Hannover (TAH): Technical academy providing vocational continuing education across engineering and industrial disciplines in Germany, using in-person, online, and hybrid seminar formats structurally comparable to SAG-Akademie's delivery model.

Emerging players

• IBAK Helmut Hunger GmbH & Co. KG: Leading manufacturer of pipe and sewer inspection systems that runs its own practitioner training at its Kiel facility (where SAG-Akademie also hosts seminars under partnership), giving it direct overlap in canal-inspection curriculum and student base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4X221TbAqhm7LE7yc4B9ww
• Facebookfacebook.com/sag.akademie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sag-akademie
• Instagraminstagram.com/sag_akademie
• Xx.com/sag_akademie

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 SAG-Akademie