University of Applied Sciences Offenburg

What University of Applied Sciences Offenburg does

The University of Applied Sciences Offenburg (Hochschule Offenburg) is a public German university of applied sciences founded in 1967 and headquartered in Offenburg, Baden-Württemberg, with additional campus locations in Gengenbach. The institution is a Körperschaft des Öffentlichen Rechts supervised by the Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg, holds system accreditation since 2015 (re-accredited 2021), and serves approximately 3,700 students taught by around 130 professors across four faculties: Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (EMI), Mechanical and Process Engineering (M+V), Media (M), and Business (W). Its portfolio spans Bachelor and Master degree programs, dual study and cooperative thesis formats, and continuing education through CeLLO, with recent additions including Applied Artificial Intelligence programs at both undergraduate and graduate level and trinational offerings such as Sustainable Business Development.

The university's technology and applied research base is built around dedicated laboratories in each faculty, including a Big Data/ML teaching and research environment in Wirtschaftsinformatik, mechatronics and energy systems labs in M+V, media production and journalism facilities in M, and embedded systems and communications labs in EMI. Operational AI deployment is evident in the Learnwise chatbot and a prototype AIML FAQ chatbot, while external positioning was reinforced by a Top-3 placement in the Digital Campus Index 2026. The institution maintains a trinational posture at the German-French-Swiss border, formalized through cross-border cooperation with INSA Strasbourg under the VIRTFac project, and operates more than 80 international partner university agreements.

The business model is that of a publicly funded teaching and applied research institution. Core funding flows from the state of Baden-Württemberg as the dominant principal, supplemented by tuition-free enrollment with nominal semester fees, third-party research grants, knowledge-transfer contracts with regional industry, and endowment-style instruments such as the Printus Stiftungsprofessur (in place since 2012) and the pepperMINT Stiftung launched in November 2023. The Verein der Freunde der Hochschule Offenburg, with over 100 corporate members and a Kuratorium including leadership from Herrenknecht, SICK, and Bosch, functions as a permanent go-to-market and pipeline channel into the Ortenau Mittelstand.

Name

University of Applied Sciences Offenburg

Legal name

Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Medien Offenburg

Website

https://hs-offenburg.de

Company type

Public

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The University of Applied Sciences Offenburg is a publicly funded German Hochschule serving roughly 3,700 students across four faculties in engineering, media, and business, with applied research labs, an endowed professorship, and a corporate partner network of 100+ regional firms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (University of Applied Sciences)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Graduate Schools (Master’s & Doctoral Programs) (EDAHALAD), Professional & Executive Short Courses (Non-Degree, International) (EDAIAIAH), Research & Lab-Based Short-Term Programs (Undergraduate/Graduate) (EDAIAIAF)

Keywords

• University degree programs
• Applied research services
• Continuing professional education
• Technology transfer
• Industry research collaboration

Headquarters

HQ city

Offenburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Higher Education Funding: Primary funding as a state-recognized public body (Körperschaft des Öffentlichen Rechts) under supervision of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts (Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg). Operates non-commercially with public funding.
2. Tuition and Administrative Fees: As a public German Hochschule, standard semester fees and contributions (incl. administrative fees, AStA contribution, semester ticket) per enrolled student, supplemented by specific charges for continuing education, e.g. part-time/part-time General Management master programs.
3. Third-Party Funded Research and Transfer Projects: Applied research funded via federal and state programs (DFG, BMBF, BMWI-ZIM, EFRE, etc.) as well as contract research and transfer projects administered by Campus Research & Transfer (CRT) for corporate partners.
4. Donations and Sponsorship (Verein der Freunde): Voluntary contributions, memberships (Private Freund: minimum €25/year; Corporate Förderer: minimum €250/year), donations (e.g. pepperMINT Stiftung), and patronage from alumni and regional companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Public German University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Medien) delivering Bachelor's, Master's, MBA and doctoral degree programs across four faculties — Electrical/Medical Engineering & Computer Science (EMI), Mechanical & Process Engineering (M+V), Media (M) and Business (W). Sells applied research and contract research services to industry via Campus Research & Transfer (CRT), and offers part-time continuing education through the Center for Lifelong Learning Offenburg (CeLLO).

Product overview

Hochschule Offenburg (University of Applied Sciences Offenburg) is a public German university for technology, business, and media offering a portfolio of approximately 50 Bachelor's and Master's degree programs (the products listed above), grouped under four faculties: EMI (Electrical/Medical/Computer Engineering), M+V (Mechanical Engineering & Process Engineering), M (Media & Information), and W (Business). The portfolio combines core degree programs with a foundational 'Einstiegssemester startING' orientation program, a co-operative 'StudyPLUS' trainee model, and double-degree/international pathways via the International Center. Central service units — CampusIT, Campus Research & Transfer (CRT), CeLT (Center for Learning and Teaching), CeLLO (Center for Lifelong Learning), Career Center, International Center, Hochschulbibliothek, and the Qualitätsmanagement unit — support teaching, research, transfer, and continuing education. Digital services include the HISinOne application/enrollment portal and the UniNow campus app (via partnership), a Learnwise website chatbot, an OJS-based digital journal ('Kunstwerke an der Hochschule Offenburg'), and the pepperMINT foundation (launched November 2023) for MINT outreach. Research facilities (e.g., 3D-printed electronics, BIAX, CXT, FEM, Lean Manufacturing, Rapid Prototyping, RFID, Virtual Engineering labs in the W Faculty) are integral to applied research and teaching.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• pepperMINT Stiftung: Foundation launched by Hochschule Offenburg in November 2023 to promote MINT (mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, technology) education among young people, supported by five foundation partners.

Products and services

• Bachelor's degree programs (Betriebswirtschaft, Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen, Wirtschaftsinformatik, Wirtschaftspsychologie, Angewandte Informatik, Angewandte Künstliche Intelligenz, Biomechanik, Biotechnologie, Digital Engineering, Digital Public Management and Consulting, Elektrotechnik/Informationstechnik, Energie- und Gebäudetechnik, Gesundheitsmanagement und Digital Health, International Management Logistics, Maschinenbau, Mechanical Systems Engineering, Mechatronik und Autonome Systeme, Medien und Kommunikation, Mediengestaltung und Produktion, Medientechnik/Wirtschaft PLUS Pädagogik, Medizintechnik, Umwelttechnologie, Unternehmens- und IT-Sicherheit, Virtuelle Welten und Game Technologies) Undergraduate degree programs across four faculties — Wirtschaft & Management, Technik & Umwelt, Informatik & KI, Gesundheit & Life Sciences, Medien & Gestaltung — for domestic and international prospective students seeking practice-oriented higher education. Applications open via the HISinOne portal until July 15 for the main intake.
• Master's degree programs (Betriebswirtschaft, Informatik, Angewandte Künstliche Intelligenz, Communication and Media Engineering, Dialogmarketing und E-Commerce, Digitale Technologien im Maschinenbau, Elektrotechnik/Informationstechnik, Enterprise and IT Security, Höheres Lehramt an Beruflichen Schulen – Ingenieurpädagogik, International Business Consulting, Maschinenbau, Mechatronik (incl. Autonome Systeme, Robotik), Medien und Kommunikation, Medizintechnik, Process Engineering, Renewable Energy and Data Engineering, Sustainable Business Development (trinational), Wirtschaftsinformatik, Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen, Wirtschaftspsychologie, Applied Research, Biotechnology) Postgraduate degree programs in engineering, business, computer science, media, renewable energy, biotechnology, and teacher training (PLUS Pädagogik variants for vocational schools), including a trinational Sustainable Business Development master. Targeted at graduates and working professionals.
• Part-Time General Management (berufsbegleitender Master) Part-time master's program in Wirtschaft & Management for working professionals and executives, delivered through CeLLO. Combines scientific continuing education with employment; specific fees are quote-based.
• Einstiegssemester startING (orientation entry semester) Bachelor-level Orientierung & Einstieg entry semester that eases students into a technical degree, marketed as 'startING'. Offered in summer and winter semester.
• StudiumPLUS / StudyPLUS Trainee Program Cooperative study model integrating academic learning with trainee programs at partner companies, allowing students to gain practical experience and a recruitment path while studying.
• Double Degree programs Double-degree pathway offered through the International Center, allowing students to obtain two degrees from HSO and an international partner university.
• Campus Research & Transfer (CRT) — applied research and contract research services Central interface between science and business that supports researchers in implementing projects and connects the university with regional companies. Administers larger applied research, contract research, and transfer projects, drawing on federal/state programs (DFG, BMBF, BMWI-ZIM, EFRE) and corporate partners.
• Center for Lifelong Learning Offenburg (CeLLO) — continuing professional education Center consolidating the university's part-time, continuing-education offerings for professionals and executives, transferring current research to professional practice. Includes the Part-Time General Management master and other berufsbegleitende formats.
• Doctoral programs / Promotion Doctoral research opportunities coordinated through the university's research services, particularly via the Promotion pathway, including the W Faculty's doctoral programs for international students.
• W Faculty Research and Teaching Laboratories (3D-Printed Electronics & Energy Harvesting, BIAX, Customer Experience Tracking, Digital Business Models, FEM, Laser-Ultrasound, Lean Manufacturing, Kreativraum, Multi-Channel Management, Rapid Prototyping, Regenerative Energien, RFID, Virtual Engineering, Wirtschaftsinformatik) Specialized research and teaching laboratories supporting applied research, contract research, and degree-program teaching in business informatics, engineering, customer experience, virtual engineering, and renewable energies. Includes DFG-funded five-axis 3D-printed electronics machine, VR Powerwall, and laser-ultrasound testing facilities.
• Career Center — student-to-employer bridge services Bridge to the labour market offering seminars, workshops, and coaching to help students sharpen their profile and transition into the workforce, including connections to regional and national employer partners.
• Verein der Freunde und Förderer (Friends Association) memberships Membership-based support community with 100+ corporate and private members; annual fees are minimum €25 (private Freund) or €250 (corporate Förderer). Funds student grants, equipment, and the annual €1,000 prize for special social engagement. Donations are deductible as charitable contributions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,700 students and 130 professors across four faculties
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, moderate and minor.

• pepperMINT Stiftung (BSW, HOBART, VEGA Grieshaber, Herrenknecht)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2023Stiftungspartner of the HSO-led pepperMINT Foundation founded in November 2023 to promote MINT talent among young people. The four founding partners provide financial and expert support, sit on the foundation council, and help illustrate career paths in technical professions. Stiftungsratsvorsitz: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Joseph (Energie Consulting GmbH).
• Fraunhofer Institute (e.g. Fraunhofer ISE, Fraunhofer)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1964Strategic research partnership. Prof. Dr. Andreas Bett, Institutsleiter of Fraunhofer ISE, is an external member of HSO's Hochschulrat. M.Sc. Alexandra Huber (Fraunhofer) represents Alumni on the Friends Association board.
• Verein der Freunde und Förderer der Hochschule Offenburg e.V. (VdF)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Friends Association, founded in 1964, brings together more than 100 companies, alumni, private supporters, professors and staff. It funds student grants for semesters/theses abroad, invests in equipment, supports the Deutschlandstipendium, and awards the annual €1,000 prize for special social engagement. Closely intertwined with university strategy.
• Kuratorium der Hochschule Offenburg (Board of Trustees)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard of Trustees advises the university on its development and ensures dialogue with politics, business, municipalities, science and associations. Members include CEOs and senior leaders from Herrenknecht, SICK AG, Robert Bosch, MEIKO, Hubert Burda Media, EDEKA Südwest, Sparkasse Offenburg/Ortenau, Landrat des Ortenaukreises, and Oberbürgermeister of Offenburg and Gengenbach.
• Printus GmbHcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerPrintus funds the endowed professorship (Stiftungsprofessur) for Direct Marketing and E-Commerce at the W Faculty since the summer semester 2012. Dr. Peter Kirchberg (Geschäftsführer Printus) is a Kuratorium member and Julia Migenda (Printus GmbH) is on the Friends Association board.
• INSA Strasbourg (via VIRTFac project)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner in the VIRTFac project ('Virtual innovative real time factory'), a transnational joint research project on virtual factory planning between HSO and INSA Strasbourg.
• Universität Heidelberg — Institut für Physikalische ChemiemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaser-ultrasound non-destructive testing equipment at HSO is partly on loan from the Institute of Physical Chemistry at Heidelberg University; Prof. Dr. Peter Hess is a participating scientist.
• Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-WürttembergflagshipOthersZuständige Aufsichtsbehörde — the supervising ministry that exercises legal oversight of Hochschule Offenburg as a Körperschaft des Öffentlichen Rechts (public-law corporation) of the State of Baden-Württemberg.
• Landes-Behindertenbeauftragte Baden-Württemberg (Simone Fischer)minorOthersEnforcement body under the L-BGG ombuds function to which complainants can turn if HSO does not respond adequately to accessibility feedback. Contact: [email protected].
• EinfachMobil / nextbike / Naturenergie Sharing (sustainable mobility partners)minorOthersMobility partnerships supporting sustainable commuting to HSO campuses: nextbike bike rental (station between buildings D and E at Campus Offenburg), Pendlerportal ride-sharing platform, and Renault Zoe e-carsharing via Naturenergie Sharing.
• European University Association — Erasmus+coreOthersHSO participates in the Erasmus+ programme for student and staff mobility, with opportunities for German students to spend semesters abroad.
• SAP University Competence Center (Universität Magdeburg)moderateTechnology or IntegrationThrough SAP University Competence Center, HSO's Wirtschaftsinformatik students access SAP systems (SAP Business Objects BI, etc.) as part of their studies.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Technische Hochschule Köln (TH Köln): One of Germany's largest Universities of Applied Sciences (~25,000 students) with overlapping faculties in engineering, business and media; operates at materially larger scale but represents the broader benchmark HSO competes against for talent and research grants.
• Hochschule München: Largest German UAS with ~18,000 students across engineering, business, design and social sciences; a national benchmark that competes with HSO for international applicants and industry research projects, but at a fundamentally larger scale.

Direct peers

• Hochschule Aalen: Baden-Württemberg UAS with strong technical and business-informatics faculties and similar scale; directly comparable in state funding, practice-orientation and industry-sponsored labs.
• Hochschule Furtwangen (HFU): Baden-Württemberg UAS focused on engineering, computer science and business; comparable size, applied-research mandate and regional-anchor positioning within the same state funding system.
• Hochschule Esslingen: Baden-Württemberg UAS with strong engineering and business programs; similar applied-research model and Baden-Württemberg state supervision, frequently benchmarked in CHE and Digital Campus rankings.
• Hochschule Pforzheim: Neighboring Baden-Württemberg UAS with a strong design/business/engineering profile and similar scale (~6,000 students); directly comparable in faculty mix, applied-research model and recruiting territory (Ortenau/Nordschwarzwald).
• Hochschule Reutlingen: Baden-Württemberg UAS with parallel strengths in engineering, business and media/textile programs; similar internationalization profile and applied-research positioning, frequently benchmarked against HSO in regional UAS rankings.
• Hochschule Karlsruhe (HKA): State University of Applied Sciences in Baden-Württemberg with comparable faculties in engineering, business and computer science; similar mid-sized UAS profile (~8,000 students), state-supervised funding model, and applied-research orientation directly comparable to HSO's four-faculty structure.
• Hochschule Konstanz (HTWG Konstanz): Baden-Württemberg UAS of similar size with overlapping engineering, business and informatics programs; comparable practice-orientation, state funding model and regional industry partnerships make it one of HSO's closest structural peers.

Others

• Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE): Applied-research partner rather than competitor — Fraunhofer ISE is an HSO Kuratorium member and applied-research collaborator; included as an ecosystem peer illustrating how HSO plugs into Germany's broader applied-research value chain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3qZVQ5BOnXURhB5AivK1eA
• Facebookfacebook.com/HS.Offenburg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ifti
• Instagraminstagram.com/hochschule.offenburg

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about University of Applied Sciences Offenburg