What Heinrich-Emanuel-Merck-Schule Darmstadt does

Heinrich-Emanuel-Merck-Schule Darmstadt (HEMS) is a Selbstständige Berufliche Schule (independent vocational school) for electrical engineering and information technology, located at Alsfelder Str. 23, 64289 Darmstadt within the Berufsschulzentrum Nord (BSZN). The school operates as a publicly funded institution of the state of Hesse (Land Hessen) and the city of Darmstadt (Schulträger), and was founded in 1874. It is led by principal Silke Kinz (Schulleiterin / Oberstudiendirektorin) with Christina Sorgenfrei as deputy principal, and has a workforce of 251–500 employees. HEMS charges no tuition fees and is funded through the Hessian state school budget and the city's Schulträger allocation.

HEMS delivers nine distinct school forms spanning the full vocational education lifecycle: Berufliches Gymnasium (BG) leading to the allgemeine Hochschulreife (Abitur); Fachoberschule (FOS) for the Fachhochschulreife; Fachschule für Technik (FS) producing 'Staatlich geprüfter Techniker' / 'Bachelor Professional' qualifications; Berufsfachschule (BFS) and Berufsfachschule zum Übergang in Ausbildung (BÜA) for intermediate secondary credentials and apprenticeship transition; Berufsschule (BS) in three divisions — Industry electrical trades (ET), Informationstechnology (IT) under the LIMES consortium, and Handwerk electrical trades; Höhere Berufsfachschule (BFI) producing state-certified IT assistants; and Berufsvorbereitung (BzB) for pre-vocational preparation. Underlying technology consists of off-the-shelf digital learning infrastructure (Moodle LMS, WebUntis scheduling), complemented by purpose-built facilities including the 2024 Zentrum für Erneuerbare Energien (a 20 kW photovoltaic installation with Smart Grid, Smart Home, KNX, heat pumps, and EV charging demonstration infrastructure), a Makerlab with 3D printers and laser cutters, a Mediathek, and a six-field sports hall.

The business model is public-education funding: the state of Hesse and city of Darmstadt cover teacher salaries, facilities, and operations; no commercial pricing or tuition tiers exist. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer through the Hessian state school system, information evenings (Informationsabende) for prospective BG and FOS students, the school's own digital application system, and an active teacher-recruitment channel ([email protected]). Distribution occurs through on-campus instruction, Moodle/WebUntis digital platforms, the Erasmus+ international exchange network (partners in Turkey, France, Spain, Poland, Romania, Italy, Portugal, Czech Republic, and Austria), and dual-training partnerships with regional employers including ENTEGA (energy) and COUNT + CARE (IT services), plus academic alignment with TU Darmstadt and Hochschule Darmstadt.

Name

Heinrich-Emanuel-Merck-Schule Darmstadt

Legal name

Heinrich-Emanuel-Merck-Schule Darmstadt

Website

https://hems.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1874

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Public vocational school in Darmstadt, Germany, specialising in electrical engineering and information technology. Offers nine school forms from pre-vocational preparation through Abitur to advanced technical certification, funded by the state of Hesse and the city of Darmstadt.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Darmstadt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Public Education Funding: As a state-maintained vocational school (Selbstständige Berufliche Schule) in the Hessian state school system, the HEMS is publicly funded by the state of Hesse (Land Hessen) and the city of Darmstadt (Schulträger). Funding covers teacher salaries, facilities, and operations. No tuition fees are charged to students.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Heinrich-Emanuel-Merck-Schule Darmstadt is a state-maintained vocational school (Selbstständige Berufliche Schule) providing tuition-free education in electrical engineering and information technology through multiple school forms including Berufliches Gymnasium (Abitur), Fachoberschule (Fachhochschulreife), Fachschule für Technik (Techniker certification), Berufsfachschule, Berufsschule (Industry/IT/Handwerk tracks), Höhere Berufsfachschule, and Berufsvorbereitung. The school combines classroom instruction with hands-on training in modern facilities including a Makerlab and a Centre for Renewable Energies, and integrates international exposure via Erasmus+ partnerships with schools across 6+ European countries.

Product overview

Heinrich-Emanuel-Merck-Schule Darmstadt is a self-contained vocational school (Selbstständige Berufliche Schule) specializing in electrical engineering and information technology. The institution operates as a multi-faceted educational platform offering various school forms: Berufliches Gymnasium (BG) leading to Abitur, Fachoberschule (FOS) for Fachhochschulreife, Fachschule für Technik (FS) for Techniker certification, Berufsfachschule (BFS) and BÜA for vocational preparation, Berufsschule (BS) in three divisions (Industry/ET, IT/LIMES, Handwerk), Höhere Berufsfachschule (BFI), and Berufsvorbereitung (BzB). Supporting services include a Makerlab for hands-on innovation, Mediathek for learning resources, Zentrum für Erneuerbare Energien for renewable energy education, and Erasmus+ international exchange programs. The school uses Moodle as its learning platform and WebUntis for schedule management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Berufliches Gymnasium (BG) Vocational secondary school (berufliches Gymnasium) leading to the general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur). Offers technical specialization with practical learning components in electrical engineering and IT for upper-secondary students.
• Fachoberschule (FOS) Technical secondary school (Fachoberschule) offering two-year (Form A) and one-year (Form B) programmes leading to the Fachhochschulreife (applied sciences university entrance qualification), with specialization in electrical engineering.
• Fachschule für Technik (FS) Technical college providing continuing education for skilled workers, qualifying graduates as 'Staatlich geprüfter Techniker' with Bachelor Professional designation. Specializations include Informationstechnik and Elektrotechnik.
• Berufsfachschule (BFS) Full-time vocational school providing intermediate secondary education (mittlere Reife). Includes two-year programmes in electrical engineering with internship components.
• Berufsfachschule zum Übergang in Ausbildung (BÜA) Vocational school programme designed to facilitate transition into apprenticeships for young people, including those with migration backgrounds.
• Berufsschule (BS) Part-time vocational school for apprentices in dual vocational education. Three divisions: Berufsschule Industrie (ET) for industrial electrical trades, Berufsschule Informationstechnologie (IT) for IT professions under the LIMES consortium, and Berufsschule Handwerk (ET) for craft electrical trades.
• Höhere Berufsfachschule für Informationsverarbeitung (BFI) Advanced vocational school specializing in information technology, qualifying graduates as 'Staatlich geprüfte/r technische/r Assistent/in für Informationsverarbeitung'.
• Berufsvorbereitung (BzB) Pre-vocational training programmes designed to help students achieve Hauptschulabschluss and prepare for apprenticeships.
• Makerlab Collaborative learning and innovation environment at BSZN Darmstadt supporting vocational education with access to modern technologies including 3D printers, laser cutters, and electronics workshops. Open to apprentices and citizens for hands-on project work.
• Zentrum für Erneuerbare Energien (Centre for Renewable Energies) Educational facility featuring a 20 kW photovoltaic system for demonstrating renewable energy technologies including energy monitoring, smart grid, smart home, heat pumps, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Used as a teaching and demonstration centre for students and visitors.
• Mediathek Open learning and workspace for BSZN students offering 10 computer workstations, laptop and iPad lending, book collection, and individual/group study spaces.
• Erasmus+ Programme EU education programme supporting international cooperation with partner schools in Turkey, Portugal, Poland, France, Romania, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, and Austria. Includes vocational education, school education, and adult education mobility projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95 Abitur students graduated and received their certificates in the 2024 ceremony.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• ENTEGAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024ENTEGA, a regional energy company in Darmstadt, partners with HEMS as a training company (Ausbildungsbetrieb) for apprentices in electrical engineering trades. The company hosts Erasmus+ interns from Italy alongside their school-based training at HEMS, providing practical workplace experience in the electrical sector.
• COUNT + CAREcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024COUNT + CARE is an IT services company serving as a cooperative training partner for HEMS IT apprentices. The company hosts Erasmus+ interns for practical training, integrating the school-based IT vocational education with real-world professional experience.
• ITT M. Buonarroti, Trento (Trient), ItalymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The vocational school ITT M. Buonarroti in Trento, Italy is a long-standing Erasmus+ partner of HEMS. Italian apprentices undertake month-long internships in Darmstadt, combining school-based training at HEMS with practical work at partner companies ENTEGA and COUNT+CARE.
• Colegiul Economic Ion Ghica, RomaniamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partner school in Romania in the Erasmus+ #BeGreen5F project (Friendly Fair Food For Future), addressing sustainable food and nutrition in the lives of students. The partnership produced a digital cookbook and app for recipe sharing across five partner countries.
• Partner schools in PolandmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Polish partner schools, notably Zespół Szkół Mechanicznych nr 2 in Krakau, participated in Erasmus+ projects #BeGreen5F and HOME. The Krakau school hosted the final week of the HOME project (2018) and served as a project partner for sustainable food and digital exchange.
• Partner schools in SpainmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Spanish partner schools, including Institut Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona, participated in Erasmus+ project discovery meetings and the #BeGreen5F project. The Institut Vall d'Hebron organised a project-finding meeting in Barcelona in June 2019.
• TU Darmstadt (Technische Universität Darmstadt)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The TU Darmstadt Institute for Electromechanical Construction (EMK) and the University Computer Centre (HRZ) have long-standing cooperation with HEMS. The EMK institute contributes to HEMS's annual open day ('Schnuppertag') with engineering presentations. The HRZ provided technical innovation support for internet connectivity and website hosting for HEMS and other Darmstadt schools through the IDS project.
• Hochschule Darmstadt (University of Applied Sciences)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The Hochschule Darmstadt and HEMS's Fachoberschule have developed a cooperation concept for study preparation. Faculty of Electrical Engineering professors, HEMS FOS teachers, and former HEMS FOS students now studying at h_da collaborate on curriculum development, study orientation, and professional development for HEMS teachers.
• Agentur für Arbeit Darmstadt (Federal Employment Agency)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The Careers Advisory Service of the Federal Employment Agency in Darmstadt supports HEMS school leavers with career planning, job market advice, Ausbildungsbetrieb searches, and bridging opportunities. Advisors are available at HEMS every Tuesday and Thursday 10-12 Uhr.
• Darmstädter Kreis für berufliche Bildung e.V. (DKBB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The DKBB is the HEMS supporting association ('Förderverein'), promoting education and training, strengthening cooperation between industry, trade unions, professional associations, training companies, and HEMS. It financially and materially supports Erasmus+ projects, digital equipment, the library, sports events, and other school initiatives. Annual membership: €12.50.
• Partners in Istanbul (Turkey)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Turkish partner schools in Istanbul, including Dr. Mürmaz Turhan Lisesi and others, have participated in Erasmus+ projects HOME and CyberBridge. Teacher Erdoğan Akar collaborated on an AI exchange project (Istanbul, 2026). Turkey is a long-standing partner in HEMS's international network.
• Partner schools in FrancemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015French partner school in Agde participated in the Erasmus+ KA2 project HOME (2015-2018) as one of five long-term international partners, contributing to the anthology film on migration in Europe.
• Partner schools in Bacau, RomaniaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Romanian partner school in Bacău participated in the Erasmus+ KA2 project HOME (2015-2018) as one of the five long-term partner institutions, collaborating on the migration-themed anthology film project.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Friedrich-List-Schule Darmstadt: Another vocational school in Darmstadt with a similar profile; HEMS operates a USA student exchange with this institution, indicating comparable structure and overlapping program mix.
• ITT M. Buonarroti (Trento, Italy): Italian vocational school that has been an Erasmus+ partner of HEMS since at least 2019, sending apprentices for month-long internships with HEMS training partners — directly comparable technical-vocational profile.

Others

• Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK) Darmstadt: Regional Chamber of Industry and Commerce that oversees vocational examinations and apprenticeship frameworks in Hesse — an enabling institution tightly coupled to the dual training system HEMS depends on.
• Agentur für Arbeit Darmstadt: Federal Employment Agency office providing on-site career advisory to HEMS school-leavers; relevant as an ecosystem participant that channels graduates into the regional labour market.

Broad incumbents

• Hochschule Darmstadt: University of Applied Sciences and direct cooperation partner; its Faculty of Electrical Engineering collaborates with HEMS's FOS on curriculum and study preparation, making it a natural progression pathway for graduates.
• TU Darmstadt: Full university and cooperation partner; the Institute for Electromechanical Construction (EMK) contributes to HEMS open days and the HRZ supports digital infrastructure for Darmstadt schools.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Heinrich-Emanuel-Merck-Schule
• Facebookfacebook.com/HEMS.Schule
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heinrich-emanuel-merck-schule-darmstadt
• Instagraminstagram.com/hemsdarmstadt

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Heinrich-Emanuel-Merck-Schule Darmstadt