Cbm Bremen

What Cbm Bremen does

Cbm Bremen (legal entity: cbm GmbH) is a privately held German vocational training institute headquartered at Wegesende 3–4 in Bremen, founded in 1994 and owned since 2016 by Managing Director Katrin Querfeld. The company delivers IHK-certified retraining (Umschulung) programs in three primary tracks — Fachinformatik Anwendungsentwicklung (Application Development), Fachinformatik Systemintegration (System Integration), and Mediengestaltung (Media Design) — alongside commercial education (Fachkraft Rechnungswesen, DATEV/Lexware, Office Management with ICDL and TOEIC) and modular Lerncenter courses. Generative AI literacy is embedded across the curriculum and is also sold as a standalone corporate workshop. The technology stack is consumer- and SMB-standard rather than proprietary: Microsoft 365 Edu, LinkedIn Learning, Apple Mac Minis M2, Adobe Creative Cloud, DATEV, Lexware, Figma, and third-party AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity). The institute's pedagogical model is defined by an explicitly in-person (Präsenz) delivery format with 99% attendance, positioned against competitors offering remote 'virtual classroom' alternatives.

The business model is dominated by publicly funded vocational training. Participants enter cbm programs via Bildungsgutschein (education vouchers) issued by the Agentur für Arbeit or via AVGS activation vouchers from the Jobcenter, with eligible tuition covered up to 100%. Secondary revenue streams include AVGS-funded coaching and orientation workshops, corporate AI workshops, and self-paced Lerncenter modules. Customer segments are unemployed and career-changing adults, women entering IT (via the 'Frauen starten digital' program), immigrants and refugees receiving job coaching, and corporate teams purchasing AI training. Distribution runs through employment-agency caseworker referrals, the cbm-bremen.de website with online pre-booking, organic social channels (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook), and the bremen digitalmedia e.V. employer network, of which cbm is a founding member; that network gives the company structural access to roughly 350 IT and digital companies in the Bremen region for internships and graduate placement.

The company is small (11–50 employees), owner-operated, regionally focused on Bremen with no disclosed plans for multi-city expansion, and has no external investors, M&A history, or public funding rounds on record. Operating indicators are stable: the website is actively maintained with 2026 course dates, the institute celebrated its 30-year anniversary in 2025, and cumulative graduate outcomes are stated at 800+ since inception. The addressable market backdrop — roughly 149,000 unfilled IT positions in Germany and a projected 660,000 IT-specialist shortfall by 2040 — provides a structural tailwind for retraining providers, though cbm's growth is constrained by its regional, voucher-dependent model and lack of a scalable technology layer.

Name

Cbm Bremen

Legal name

cbm GmbH

Website

https://cbm-bremen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cbm Bremen is a privately held German vocational training institute (cbm GmbH) in Bremen, founded 1994, delivering IHK-certified IT and media retraining plus commercial education, primarily funded by government Bildungsgutschein vouchers. It serves career changers, women entering IT, immigrants, and corporate teams via an in-person model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Information Technology & Software (EDAAAPAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services (EDAAAKAO), Job Search Strategy & Application Skills (EDAAAKAC), Career Exploration & Labor Market Readiness (EDAAAKAA), Systems Administration & IT Operations (Windows/Linux, Monitoring, ITSM) (EDABAFAH), Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.) (BPAEANAA)

Keywords

• Vocational retraining programs
• IT professional certification
• Media design education
• Commercial training courses
• Job coaching services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bremen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Vocational Training (Bildungsgutschein): Primary revenue stream from publicly funded retraining programs. Participants receive Bildungsgutschein (education voucher) from employment agencies or jobcenters, covering up to 100% of costs. IHK-certified retraining programs (Umschulungen) in IT and commercial fields.
2. AVGS-Funded Programs: Activation and placement vouchers (Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein) from employment agencies fund coaching and orientation workshops.
3. Corporate Training (KI-Workshop Individual): Customized AI workshops for companies and teams, booked individually. Provides in-company training on AI use cases and prompting.
4. Modular Learning Center (Lerncenter): Individual modules in IT, media, graphics, accounting and English offered through self-paced learning center with trainer accompaniment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cbm Bremen delivers IHK-certified vocational retraining (Umschulung) programs in IT application development, IT system integration, and media design, alongside continuing education in commercial fields, generative AI workshops, UX-UI design, DATEV accounting, and modular self-paced learning center courses. The institute provides individualized job coaching and orientation programs for women, immigrants, and career changers, combining in-person instruction (Präsenz) with digital learning resources and government-funded voucher pathways.

Product overview

Cbm Bremen is an educational institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of professional retraining (Umschulung) and continuing education programs primarily focused on IT, digital media, and commercial administration. The core offerings include three main IHK-certified retraining programs: Fachinformatik Anwendungsentwicklung (Application Development), Fachinformatik Systemintegration (System Integration), and Mediengestaltung (Media Design). These are complemented by specialized modular programs such as Generative AI workshops, UX-UI Design workshops, DATEV/Lexware accounting training, and Fachkraft Rechnungswesen (Accounting Specialist). Cbm operates two modular learning centers (Lerncenter IT & Medien and Lerncenter Wirtschaft & Verwaltung) providing flexible, self-paced training options. Additional services include IT orientation programs like 'Frauen starten digital' (women in IT) and 'Einstieg in die IT', job coaching, and Business English/TOEIC training. The institution emphasizes in-person (Präsenz) instruction with approximately 99% presence requirement, integrates AI education across all programs, and provides supplementary tools including LinkedIn Learning accounts and Microsoft 365 Edu licenses to participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fachinformatik Anwendungsentwicklung (IHK) Umschulung IHK-certified 24-month full-time vocational retraining program covering software development, programming languages (Java, Python, JavaScript), databases, web applications, and agile methodologies (Scrum), including 6 months of company internship. Designed for adults seeking career change into IT application development.
• Fachinformatik Systemintegration (IHK) Umschulung IHK-certified 24-month full-time vocational retraining program for system integration specialists, covering network administration, Linux, server management, hardware configuration, IT support, and hands-on work with Raspberry Pi and sensor technologies.
• Mediengestaltung (IHK) Umschulung IHK-certified vocational retraining program for media design specialists covering both print and digital design tracks, including UX-UI Design, graphic design, web design, and Adobe Creative Cloud proficiency. Designed for adults seeking entry into the media design profession.
• Generative KI Workshop / KI-Kurz-Workshop Practical workshop on generative AI tools including ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. Covers prompting techniques (Chain-of-Thought, Tree-of-Thought), ethical AI usage, hallucination prevention, and integration into professional workflows. Available as firm training for company teams as well as individual learners.
• UX-UI Design Workshop Workshop on user-centered web application development using Figma. Covers wireframing, prototyping, responsive design, accessibility, and usability testing. Available as part of Media Design retraining or as a standalone module.
• DATEV Finanz- und Lohnbuchhaltung Training Accounting software training using DATEV for financial accounting and payroll management. Includes DATEV user certificates (Finanzbuchhaltung and Lohn & Gehalt modules) and preparation for working with tax consultants and corporate accounting departments.
• Fachkraft Rechnungswesen (IHK) Weiterbildung
• Officemanagement & Digital Marketing mit TOEIC
• Frauen starten digital
• Einstieg in die Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologie 6-week intensive workshop for exploring IT career paths, covering IT basics, programming (HTML/CSS, algorithms), Linux, networking, Raspberry Pi, and AI tools. Serves as preparation for subsequent IHK retraining programs.
• Lerncenter IT & Medien Modular learning center offering flexible, self-paced courses in IT, media design, and graphics with trainer accompaniment. Modules include Python, Java, SQL, UX-UI Design, and Generative AI.
• Lerncenter Wirtschaft & Verwaltung Modular learning center for business and administration courses including accounting, business English, MS Office, and DATEV. Flexible booking with individual trainer support.
• Individuelles Jobcoaching Individual career coaching service from application preparation to entrepreneurship, including support from experts for job search, interview preparation, and career transition. Available for immigrants and specialized target groups.
• KI-Workshop Individual (Corporate AI Workshop) Customized in-company AI training for company teams, individually booked. Provides in-company training on AI use cases, prompting techniques, and practical application of generative AI tools in business workflows.
• Business English / TOEIC Training Business English language training with TOEIC certification preparation. Part of commercial education programs and integrated into office management courses.
• ICDL (International Certification of Digital Literacy) International computer literacy certification program. Cbm offers ICDL Workforce Base modules and preparation for digital competency certification, integrated into office management and commercial training programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 800+ successful IT and media graduates
• +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

Integration10 records

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• bremen digitalmedia e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partnercbm Bremen is a founding member (Gründungsmitglied) of bremen digitalmedia e.V., an association connecting IT and digital companies in Bremen. This network provides internship placements for retraining participants and job opportunities for graduates. The association also runs projects like 'avanja' focusing on women in IT.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/fortbildungbremen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cbm-bremen
• Instagraminstagram.com/cbm_bremen
• Xx.com/cbm_bremen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Cbm Bremen