What Element-i Bildungsstiftung does

Element-i Bildungsstiftung is a Stuttgart-based, German-registered charitable foundation (gGmbH, gemeinnützig) founded in 2011 by Waltraud Weegmann and Clemens M. Weegmann to promote education in its broadest sense for children aged 4–10 in Baden-Württemberg. The foundation operates a portfolio of free educational programs delivered through Kitas, schools, cultural institutions, and corporate partners, with flagship biennial action days — the Kinder-Kunst-Tag (arts and culture) and the Tüftler- und Forscherinnentag (STEM and crafts) — alternating every two years. Supplementary programs include the Foto-Workshops 'Die Welt mit Kinderaugen sehen' (since 2012, 1,500+ participants), the musical theater project 'Wenn ich du wärest' (2025/2026), 'element-i macht Musik', a cooperation with Junges Schloss (Landesmuseum Württemberg), professional development for pedagogical staff, the Sozialstipendien scholarship program, and the Quereinstieg career-changer initiative. In November 2024 the foundation opened the TÜFTLEREI (element-i Werkstatt) in Stuttgart, its first permanent children's workshop for hands-on MINT learning.

The foundation's core product surface consists of curated, free, in-person pedagogical experiences that pair expert instructors and institutional venues with small groups of children, complemented by continuing-education offerings for educators and resource libraries (Erfahrungsschatzkiste, Kinderrechte-Check). The 9th Kinder-Kunst-Tag in 2026 spanned 69 cultural institutions in 28 cities; the Tüftler-und Forscherinnentag has cumulatively engaged over 6,000 children since 2014. There is no proprietary software product, no technology platform, and no disclosed AI integration — operations are powered by people, partnerships, and physical venues rather than technology stacks.

The business model is donation-funded: revenue streams comprise individual donations, corporate CSR partnerships, foundation grants (e.g., Schüssler Escher Stiftung as core funder of Kinder-Kunst-Tag since 2016), and contribution channels including the foundation's own Altruja-powered form, Bank für Sozialwirtschaft AG, PayPal, Gooding, WeCanHelp, and the Maja-Karte (Payback) loyalty scheme. All programs are free at the point of use for children, Kitas, and schools. The foundation maintains a small core staff (1–10 employees, including Managing Directors Waltraud and Clemens M. Weegmann, Director Meike Betz-Seelhammer, and Project Manager Sabine Sauer) and monetizes scale via in-kind venue and volunteer contributions from its 100+ partner institutions across Baden-Württemberg.

Name

Element-i Bildungsstiftung

Legal name

element-i Bildungsstiftung gGmbH

Website

https://element-i-bildungsstiftung.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Element-i Bildungsstiftung is a Stuttgart-based charitable foundation that delivers free early-childhood education programs in arts, culture, MINT, and music to children aged 4–10 across Baden-Württemberg, funded by donations and delivered through 100+ Kita, school, cultural, and corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Foundation Services

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive ECE Curriculum Frameworks (Birth–5) (EDACAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Creative Arts, Music & Movement Content (EDAGACAG), Classroom Learning Centers & Thematic Units (Dramatic Play, Blocks, Sensory, STEM) (EDACAJAH), Enrichment-Focused Before/After Care (Arts, STEM, Language) (EDACAHAI)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• STEM education programs
• Arts education programs
• Educational foundation
• Teacher professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation operates as a non-profit organization (gGmbH) funded primarily through donations from individuals, companies, and other foundations. Revenue comes from direct donations, online giving platforms, corporate partnerships, and grant funding. The organization is recognized as gemeinnützig (charitable) under German tax law.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Element-i Bildungsstiftung is a non-profit educational foundation (gGmbH) that delivers free early childhood education programs in arts, culture, and STEM (MINT) to children aged 4-10 across Baden-Württemberg. It organizes biennial action days (Kinder-Kunst-Tag and Tüftler- und Forscherinnentag), operates the TÜFTLEREI children's workshop, runs photo and theater projects, and provides professional development for pedagogical staff and scholarship support for disadvantaged children.

Product overview

Element-i Bildungsstiftung is a charitable educational foundation that operates as a single unified organization offering a portfolio of educational programs and support services for children, pedagogical professionals, and career changers. The core programs include the biennial Kinder-Kunst-Tag (alternating with Tüftler- und Forscherinnentag) for early arts and STEM exposure, the TÜFTLEREI workshop facility, Foto-Workshops with traveling exhibitions, and musical theater projects. Supporting infrastructure includes Sozialstipendien for financial assistance, Quereinstieg-Programme for career changers, and the Erfahrungsschatzkiste resource collection. All offerings are coordinated from the Stuttgart headquarters, with programs spanning across Baden-Württemberg.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TÜFTLEREI: The element-i workshop (Werkstatt) for children focusing on MINT, crafts, and hands-on learning activities.
• Kinder-Kunst-Tag
• Tüftler- und Forscherinnentag

Products and services

• Kinder-Kunst-Tag Baden-Württemberg A biennial statewide action day (every two years, alternating with Tüftler- und Forscherinnentag) where kindergarten children visit art and cultural institutions to experience behind-the-scenes access and participate in creative activities.
• Tüftler- und Forscherinnentag Baden-Württemberg An action day that inspires kindergarten children for STEM and crafts topics; since 2014, over 6,000 children have been able to try out technology, crafts, and natural sciences at corporate and educational partner sites.
• Tüftler- und Forscherinnentag für pädagogische Fachkräfte Professional development events for pedagogical specialists to rediscover the joy of tinkering and research, enabling them to share enthusiasm for STEM with children.
• TÜFTLEREI – element-i Werkstatt A workshop facility opened in November 2024 where children and youth can experiment with different areas and materials, attend practical workshops, and implement their own ideas under expert guidance.
• Foto-Workshops und Ausstellung „Die Welt mit Kinderaugen sehen" Multi-day photography courses for children aged 6-10 and single-day workshops for children aged 4-6, taught by professional photographer Thomas Perper, culminating in a traveling exhibition of winning photos selected by a children's jury.
• Theaterprojekt „Wenn ich du wärel" Musical theater project involving approximately 100 children and youth who developed scenes, texts, costumes, and stage sets over one year, addressing themes of friendship, belonging, courage, digital worlds, and perspective-taking.
• element-i macht Musik Music project within cultural projects in educational facilities; the third round was launched in 2025.
• Kooperationsprojekt mit dem Jungen Schloss (Landesmuseum Württemberg) Cooperation project with the children's museum of the State Museum Württemberg in Stuttgart, involving educational projects and direct-entry students.
• Kinderrechte-Check An offline quiz and interactive tool for children to learn about their rights, including a downloadable PDF version and reflection paper.
• Sozialstipendien Scholarship program supporting children from financially disadvantaged families to participate in educational programs regardless of their parents' financial situation.
• Quereinstieg-Programme Programs supporting career changers entering the educational field, including practical training opportunities in MINT and arts education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 6,000 children reached through Tüftler- und Forscherinnentag since 2014
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• KärcherminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner for Tüftler- und Forscherinnentag, hosting children for hands-on STEM activities at their facilities.
• HobbyHimmel – die offene WerkstattminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for Tüftler- und Forscherinnentag providing workshop space and hands-on activities.
• Jugendtechnikschule FellbachminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner for technology-focused activities during Tüftler- und Forscherinnentag.
• TÜRENMANNminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCraft/trade partner hosting workshops for children and adults during Tüftler- und Forscherinnentag.
• Fachverband Glas Fenster FassademinorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partner for Tüftler- und Forscherinnentag, hosting events at their academy in Karlsruhe.
• TÜFTLEREI (element-i Werkstatt)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe TÜFTLEREI is the foundation's own workshop facility in Stuttgart, opened November 2024, serving as a hands-on learning space for children.
• Akademie für gesprochenes WortcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheater professionals who collaborated on the musical theater project 'Wenn ich du wäre' with children from element-i facilities.
• Junges Schloss (Kindermuseum Landesmuseum Württemberg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing cooperation project with the children's museum including creative educational programs, exhibitions, and professional development for pedagogical staff.
• Wolff & Müller (Tiefbau)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company supporting the Tüftler- und Forscherinnentag with hands-on building activities and site visits.
• 69 Cultural Institutions (2026 Kinder-Kunst-Tag)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMuseums, theaters, music schools, galleries, and cultural venues across 28 cities in Baden-Württemberg that host children during the Kinder-Kunst-Tag.
• Stiftung Kinder forschenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation for early STEM education that the element-i Bildungsstiftung cooperates with for MINT programs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Stiftung Kinder forschen: Germany's leading foundation for early STEM (MINT) education in Kitas and schools, directly cooperating with element-i on Tüftler- und Forscherinnentag programs. Operates a similar mission of bringing hands-on science learning to young children nationwide.
• Schüssler Escher Stiftung: Long-standing core financial partner of element-i Bildungsstiftung since 2016 and co-supporter of Kinder-Kunst-Tag. Comparable as a regionally focused German education foundation funding cultural and pedagogical projects in early childhood.

Broad incumbents

• Deutsche Kinder- und Jugendstiftung (DKJS): National German foundation running programs for children and youth in education, participation, and STEM. Operates at much greater scale and national reach than element-i, but pursues a closely related mission of expanding educational opportunities for young people.
• Bertelsmann Stiftung: One of Germany's largest private foundations with a major education portfolio covering early childhood through vocational training. Significantly larger in budget and scope, but operates with a similarly programmatic, partner-driven model targeting educational equity.
• Heinz Nixdorf Stiftung: Major German foundation funding STEM education and digital literacy programs, including early childhood and school initiatives. Comparable in MINT focus to element-i's Tüftler- und Forscherinnentag but at significantly larger scale and national scope.
• Stiftung Lesen: National German foundation promoting reading and literacy among children and youth. Operates a similar donation-funded, partner-network model delivering education programs through schools, Kitas, and cultural institutions.
• Joachim Herz Stiftung: Large German foundation with extensive education portfolio covering early childhood, schools, vocational training, and STEM. Comparable as a donation-funded, project-delivery foundation focused on educational outcomes for young people.
• Kindernothilfe: Large German child-welfare non-profit funding education, child protection, and youth development projects. Operates a similar donation-driven model supporting educational access for disadvantaged children, though with a more international focus.

Regional players

• Baden-Württemberg Stiftung: Regional foundation serving Baden-Württemberg — the same state where element-i operates — funding education, science, and cultural projects. Operates comparable model of partnered, project-based funding of regional education and civic programs.
• Stiftung Bildung und Soziales der Sparda-Bank Baden-Württemberg: Regional Baden-Württemberg foundation associated with Sparda-Bank that has sponsored element-i's Kinder-Kunst-Tag. Operates a comparable regional funding model supporting education and social projects within the same geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHcd2Fd0Cv6OT9yahtt6fCA
• Facebookfacebook.com/elementibildungsstiftung
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/73133380
• Instagraminstagram.com/element_i_bildung

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 Element-i Bildungsstiftung