Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde

What Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde does

Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde (HNEE) is a public university (Körperschaft des Öffentlichen Rechts) in the State of Brandenburg, Germany, established in 1992 and renamed in 2010 to become the first German university explicitly positioned around sustainable development. The university serves prospective and enrolled students through undergraduate and graduate programs in sustainability-focused fields including forestry, nature conservation, organic agriculture, sustainable economics, timber construction, sustainable tourism management, and climate change adaptation, delivered across three Eberswalde campuses (Stadtcampus, Waldcampus, and the historic Forstbotanischer Garten founded in 1830) plus a regional presence office in Schwedt/Uckermark.

HNEE's product portfolio includes two English-language Master's programs — Sustainable Tourism Management (M.A.) and Biosphere Reserves Management (M.Sc., offered through the UNESCO Category-2 Biosphere Reserves Institute) — alongside research projects (DIANA-T, MoFeT, ZooMap, INTERCEDE, PROFORPES), the Center for Data Science (C4DS), and support services including a Startup Center (Gründungszentrum) with StartupLab Schwedt, Career Service, Alumni Network (NAH), and the University Library. The university runs over 100 ongoing research projects in real-world laboratories with practice and cooperation partners, and maintains 85+ cooperation partnerships across 39 countries with a 12% international student share. Core technology integrations include the EMMA Campus Management System (CampusNet), Moodle LMS, uni-assist for international applications, and Google Analytics.

Revenue derives from state government allocations through the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture of the State of Brandenburg (MWFK), semester fees (Semesterbeitrag), and third-party research funding distributed across multiple consortia. HNEE operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market via its website, open days (Hochschulinformationstag), digital study information weeks, and welcome programs for international students, supported by formal application portals and student counseling. The institution has been EMAS-validated since December 2009, received the German Sustainability Prize 2025, and was ranked in the Top 10 of all German universities in the StudyCheck 2026 ranking.

Name

Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde

Legal name

Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde

Website

https://hnee.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

HNEE is a public university in Brandenburg, Germany, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in sustainability-focused fields including forestry, sustainable tourism, biosphere reserves management, and environmental science, serving domestic and international students across three Eberswalde campuses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry, Arboriculture & Silviculture (EDAOAOAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD), Field Schools & Experiential Academic Programs (Archaeology, Ecology, etc.) (EDAIAIAG), Faculty-Led & Custom Group Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAA)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Sustainability education
• Applied research
• Forestry programs
• Sustainable tourism

Headquarters

HQ city

Eberswalde

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public tertiary education (state-funded): As a public university (Körperschaft des Öffentlichen Rechts) in the State of Brandenburg, HNEE is funded by the Ministry for Science, Research and Culture of the State of Brandenburg (MWFK). Revenue is derived from government allocations, student fees (Semesterbeitrag), and third-party research funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde (HNEE) is a public university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in sustainability-focused fields including forestry, organic agriculture, nature conservation, sustainable economics, sustainable tourism management, and biosphere reserves management. Beyond education, HNEE conducts applied research through centers such as the Center for Data Science (C4DS) and the Biosphere Reserves Institute (BRI), runs more than 100 collaborative research projects, and provides support services including a Startup Center, Career Service, Alumni Network, and InnoSupport for research and transfer activities.

Product overview

Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde (HNEE) is a university of applied sciences offering a portfolio of degree programs and research services focused on sustainable development. The core educational offerings include two English-language Master programs: Sustainable Tourism Management (M.A.) and Biosphere Reserves Management (M.Sc.), alongside various other bachelor and master programs in areas such as sustainable business, forestry, and nature conservation. Beyond education, HNEE operates research centers (Center for Data Science), runs collaborative research projects (DIANA-T, MoFeT, ZooMap, INTERCEDE, PROFORPES), and provides support services including a Startup Center (Gründungszentrum) with StartupLab, Career Service, Alumni Network (NAH), University Library, and InnoSupport for research and transfer activities. The university positions itself as a leader in sustainability education with a score of 9.11/10 in StudyCheck rankings and 98% recommendation rate.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nachhaltiges Tourismusmanagement (M.A.) — Sustainable Tourism Management Full-time 4-semester Master of Arts program teaching sustainable tourism planning and management through data-driven decision-making aligned with the 17 SDGs. Combines economics, environmental sciences, and social sciences with a digital transformation focus, addressing prospective students seeking sustainability-focused graduate education.
• Biosphere Reserves Management (M.Sc.) — BIOM International English-language Master of Science program aligned with the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program, addressing sustainability issues from an integrative perspective with three competence areas: ecological/social systems, steering/management, and cooperation/communication/learning. Targets international students interested in biosphere reserve management.
• StartupLab Schwedt Physical creative space at Eberswalde market square supporting entrepreneurship through practical prototyping and startup development for students, alumni, and research staff.
• Gründungszentrum (Startup Center) Free advisory and coaching service guiding from initial business idea to company founding, with offerings for students, alumni, and research staff.
• InnoSupport Forschung | Gründung | Transfer Internal service unit supporting the full innovation chain: research, founding, and transfer with comprehensive consulting services including third-party funding management.
• Career Service Advisory and event services for job applications, career orientation, and job listings supporting students' professional entry.
• NAH Alumni Network Alumni network connecting HNEE graduates with ongoing benefits and professional networking opportunities.
• Hochschulbibliothek (University Library) Library services including media catalog, lending, document publishing, academic work support, research, and citation guidance.
• Center for Data Science (C4DS) Research center focused on data science applications, co-founded by Prof. Dr. Jens Müller in July 2022.
• Biosphere Reserves Institute (BRI) UNESCO Category-2 institute under UNESCO auspices, hosting the world's first English-language Master's in Biosphere Reserves Management (BIOM) and serving as a hub for international research and training on biosphere reserve management.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% student recommendation rate in StudyCheck 2026 ranking
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability6 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Biosphere Reserves Institute (BRI)coreOthersThe Biosphere Reserves Institute (BRI) is HNEE's own Category-2 institute under UNESCO auspices, offering the world's first English-language Master's in Biosphere Reserves Management (BIOM). It serves as a hub for international research and training on biosphere reserve management.
• Landesbetrieb Forst BrandenburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Brandenburg State Forestry Enterprise (Landesbetrieb Forst Brandenburg) is co-located on HNEE's Waldcampus, enabling close cooperation in forestry research, education, and practice.
• Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut (Institute for Forest Ecosystems)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Thünen Institute's Forest Ecosystems division is located on HNEE's Waldcampus, facilitating joint research in forest science and sustainability.
• Materialprüfanstalt Brandenburg GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Materials Testing Institute of Brandenburg (MPA Brandenburg) is co-located on the Waldcampus, enabling collaborative engineering and materials research.
• Center for Innovation & Sustainability in Tourism e.V. (CIST)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIST is a consortium partner in the DIANA-T project, contributing to digital transformation and sustainability research in the tourism sector.
• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer Society is a partner in the DIANA-T project, providing applied research expertise for digital solutions in sustainable tourism.
• Deutsches Institut für Gutes LebenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the DIANA-T research consortium, contributing to the development of digital services for sustainable tourism.
• netzvitamineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital agency partner in the DIANA-T project, supporting digital solution development for tourism businesses.
• TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTourism marketing body of Brandenburg as a consortium partner in DIANA-T, providing industry perspective and destination data.
• Original LandreisenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable travel operator and practice partner in the DIANA-T project, providing real-world tourism business use cases.
• Camp AdventureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutdoor and nature tourism provider as a practice partner in DIANA-T, contributing expertise in nature-based tourism.
• B & B HotelsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractice partner in the MoFeT project (Move for Female Transformation), collaborating on improving career opportunities for women in the tourism industry.
• Bundesverband Deutscher Tourismuswirtschaft e.V. (BTW)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractice partner in the MoFeT project, representing the German tourism industry and contributing to gender equality initiatives.
• Tourismusmarketing NiedersachsenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional tourism marketing body as a further partner in the DIANA-T consortium, contributing destination perspectives from Lower Saxony.
• Tourismus & Marketing OldenburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional tourism organization as a further DIANA-T partner, contributing case studies and data from the Oldenburg tourism region.
• Schwarzwald TourismusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlack Forest tourism marketing body as a further DIANA-T partner, providing Alpine tourism data and destination use cases.
• Gut BoltenhofminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable hospitality business as a further DIANA-T practice partner, contributing real-world sustainable tourism business insights.
• Stiftung WaldWeltenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerForest foundation as a regional engagement partner, supporting HNEE's regional and sustainability initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• University of Freiburg: German research university with strong environmental science, forestry, and sustainability programs; competes with HNEE for sustainability-focused students and applied research grants, but at much larger scale and broader scope.
• Technische Universität München (TUM): Large German technical university with a School of Life Sciences and forestry/environmental engineering programs; broader portfolio than HNEE but competes for sustainability and applied research students in Germany.
• Wageningen University & Research: Larger globally-ranked European university focused on life sciences, sustainability, and food/environment research; overlaps with HNEE in sustainability and biosphere-related applied research but operates at significantly greater scale.
• University of Helsinki: Large Nordic research university with sustainability, forestry, and biosphere-related programs; comparable to HNEE in hosting biodiversity and biosphere research, though operating at much greater scale and with broader mandate.

Direct peers

• Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (BOKU): Austrian university of natural resources and life sciences with strong forestry, sustainable agriculture, and environmental management programs — the closest international counterpart to HNEE's forestry and sustainability thematic focus.
• Leuphana Universität Lüneburg: German public university explicitly built around sustainability and transdisciplinary teaching; offers Bachelor's and Master's programs closely comparable to HNEE's sustainability-focused portfolio and shares a similar applied, practice-oriented Hochschule identity.
• Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU): Nordic university specialized in forestry, sustainable agriculture, and environmental sciences; comparable to HNEE in its narrow thematic focus, applied research model, and co-location with national forestry research institutes.
• Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development - HNEE itself: Listed only for context; HNEE is the anchor institution. Self-reference omitted in downstream use.

Others

• UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme partner institutions: Network of institutions implementing UNESCO biosphere reserve research and training; HNEE's BRI is integrated into this network, making MAB-affiliated institutions ecosystem peers for biosphere-related research and training collaboration.

Regional players

• Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg: German university with sustainability and environmental research profile, located in Lower Saxony; thematic overlap with HNEE in sustainability research and consortium partnerships (e.g., DIANA-T), though geographically separate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HochschuleEberswalde
• Facebookfacebook.com/hneeberswalde
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/hneeberswalde
• Instagraminstagram.com/hneeberswalde
• Xx.com/hneeberswalde

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde