Sozialhelden e.V

What Sozialhelden e.V does

Sozialhelden e.V. is a registered German nonprofit association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 2004 in Berlin by disability activist Raúl Krauthausen, operating under the motto 'Nichts ohne uns' (Nothing about us without us). The organization is structured as a hybrid social enterprise: a non-profit association complemented by a wholly-owned commercial subsidiary, Sozialhelden UG (haftungsbeschränkt), which sells physical Wheelramp aluminum ramps. It employs approximately 25 staff and serves four primary customer segments — people with disabilities (consumers), businesses and organizations (B2B advisory), public institutions and government, and media organizations.

The technical core is an integrated accessibility data stack. Wheelmap, the flagship consumer product, is a community-driven OpenStreetMap-based map with 2M+ wheelchair-accessibility ratings in 33 languages and 300+ new daily contributions. accessibility.cloud aggregates data from 120+ organizations and serves 125 API clients, harmonized through A11yJSON, an open standard with 200+ accessibility criteria developed by Sozialhelden. a11y-Score (launched 2026) produces 0-100 regional accessibility benchmarks; Elevate Delta and BrokenLifts deliver real-time elevator outage data integrated with German public transport operators; TV für Alle is an accessible television guide; and Gesellschaftsbilder provides a stock photography database for inclusive media representation. A consulting/Academy line delivers workshops, Barriere-Scouts on-site audits, digital accessibility audits (WCAG/BITV/BFSG), and HR inclusion coaching.

Revenue is diversified across four streams: (1) individual donations and memberships, (2) Academy/consulting fees from enterprises and government (quote-based, undisclosed pricing), (3) Wheelramp hardware sales via the UG subsidiary, and (4) government grants from BMDV/mFUND (~€1M for a11y-Score), BMBF (IncluScience), and Berlin Senate. The organization also runs the Berliner Landesfachstelle für Barrierefreiheit under direct Senate commission from November 2025. As a nonprofit, financial figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Sozialhelden e.V

Legal name

Sozialhelden e.V.

Website

https://sozialhelden.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sozialhelden e.V. is a Berlin-based nonprofit founded in 2004 that builds accessibility data infrastructure (Wheelmap, accessibility.cloud, a11y-Score) and offers consulting, training, and products to help people with disabilities, businesses, government, and media organizations advance disability inclusion.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Accessibility Solutions

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB), Accessibility & Special-Needs Customer Support (BPAAABAM)

Keywords

• Accessibility mapping platform
• Disability inclusion services
• Accessibility data aggregation
• Digital accessibility consulting
• Wheelchair accessibility mapping

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Memberships: Recurring donations and membership fees from individuals supporting inclusion and accessibility work. Tax-deductible donations as recognized charitable organization.
2. Academy and Consulting Services: Workshops, trainings, and consulting on accessibility for businesses, organizations, and public institutions. Includes Barriere-Scouts program and HR consulting.
3. Wheelramp Sales: Sale of aluminum ramps through subsidiary Sozialhelden UG (haftungsbeschränkt). Profits support the non-profit association.
4. Government Funding: Project funding from government initiatives including mFUND (BMV), BMDV, BMBF, and Senate administrations for specific accessibility projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sozialhelden e.V operates digital platforms and delivers services for disability accessibility and inclusion, with the motto "Nichts ohne uns." Core digital products include Wheelmap (online map of 2M+ wheelchair-accessible places), accessibility.cloud (data aggregation API serving 125 clients using the A11yJSON open standard), a11y-Score (regional accessibility scoring), Elevate Delta (real-time elevator status), BrokenLifts, and TV für Alle. The Akademie provides paid workshops, training, and consulting on digital accessibility, HR inclusion, and inclusive communication, supplemented by Barriere-Scouts on-site inspections. Physical product sales (Wheelramp aluminum ramps) and government grants/donations also support the nonprofit mission.

Product overview

Sozialhelden e.V is a nonprofit organization focused on disability mainstreaming and inclusion with the motto 'Nichts ohne uns' (Nothing about us without us). The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected products and services across digital platforms, consulting, and advocacy. Core digital products include Wheelmap (accessibility mapping with 2M+ locations), accessibility.cloud (data aggregation API serving 125 clients), a11y-Score (regional accessibility scoring), Elevate Delta (elevator status tracking), and BrokenLifts (real-time transit elevator outages). Supporting platforms include TV für Alle (accessible TV guide), Gesellschaftsbilder.de (inclusive stock photography), and Leidmedien.de (media training). The Academy and Consulting division provides training and advisory services on digital accessibility, HR inclusion, and barrier-free communication. Physical products include Wheelramp mobile ramps and Pfandgeben bottle donation platform. The organization also operates the Berlin State Office for Accessibility and publishes Die Neue Norm online magazine.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wheelmap: Online map for wheelchair-accessible places, available in 33 languages, with over 2 million rated locations
• a11y-Score
• Leidmedien.de
• Gesellschaftsbilder.de
• JOBinklusive
• BrokenLifts
• Elevate
• accessibility.cloud
• TV für Alle
• Wheelramp
• Pfandgeben
• Pfandtastisch helfen
• Ramp-up.me
• Die Neue Norm
• Die Andersmacher
• IncluScience

Products and services

• Wheelmap An online map for finding and rating wheelchair-accessible places worldwide using a traffic light rating system (green/yellow/red). Built on OpenStreetMap data, available in 33 languages, with over 2 million rated locations and more than 300 new markers added daily by the community.
• accessibility.cloud A technical infrastructure and data exchange platform that aggregates accessibility information from over 120 organizations and harmonizes it using the open A11yJSON format with 200+ accessibility criteria, providing data to 125 API clients including mapping services, navigation systems, and real estate platforms.
• a11y-Score A digital tool that measures and scores accessibility in public spaces on a 0-100 scale using OpenStreetMap data. Covers 16 federal states and 418 independent cities and districts in Germany, enabling comparison of accessibility across regions.
• Elevate Delta A real-time elevator status information service for public transit, enabling users to know in advance if elevators are out of service and receive barrier-free alternative route suggestions. Integrated with DB InfraGO, VBB, S-Bahn Berlin, BVG, and hvv.
• BrokenLifts A real-time elevator outage information system for Berlin-Brandenburg public transit that shows current elevator status and provides barrier-free alternative routes. Built in cooperation with VBB.
• TV für Alle A cross-provider guide for accessible television content, helping users find programs with subtitles (UT) and audio description (AD) across public and private broadcasters in one place.
• Gesellschaftsbilder.de A photo database offering cliché-free images of disability and diversity for media outlets, press, and public relations, containing over 3,500 images. Models are involved as experts in their own experience.
• Leidmedien.de A media consulting platform providing journalists with practical tips on inclusive and respectful reporting about disability, offering workshops and consulting for media organizations.
• Wheelramp Mobile aluminum ramps for bridging 1-2 steps, sold via wheelramp.de through the Sozialhelden UG subsidiary. Over 1,800 ramps distributed in Germany with 800 funded by donations; profits benefit Sozialhelden e.V.
• Pfandgeben A nationwide platform enabling people to donate empty bottles and cans directly to bottle collectors nearby via app or phone, including Pfandinseln (deposit islands) for public spaces and events.
• Pfandtastisch helfen A donation voucher program allowing organizations to donate bottle deposit vouchers to charitable causes, enabling people to support good causes while avoiding the hassle of bottle returns.
• Ramp-up.me An information platform providing tips for planning barrier-free events, covering accessible entrances, elevators, signage, blind guidance systems, Sign Language interpreters, and accessible digital implementation.
• Die Neue Norm An online magazine covering disability and social policy issues, bringing perspectives of people with disabilities into media coverage, including a podcast series.
• Sozialheld*innen Akademie und Beratung The Social Heroes Academy offering workshops, training, and consulting on accessibility and inclusion for organizations, including training on digital accessibility, barrier-free communication, and HR consulting for inclusive workplaces.
• Beratung digitale Barrierefreiheit Digital accessibility consulting services including quick accessibility checks, BITV and WCAG audits for websites, apps, and digital tools, helping organizations comply with BFSG, BITV, and WCAG requirements.
• HR-Beratung & Coaching HR consulting and coaching services for inclusive recruitment and barrier-free workplace design, targeting HR departments, executives, and teams wanting to build an inclusive culture.
• Barriere-Scouts Accessibility consulting service where people with disabilities conduct on-site building inspections to identify barriers, with experts in their own experience evaluating accessibility for businesses and organizations.
• Klischeefreie Kommunikation Consulting service for stereotype-free communication in PR, marketing, and recruiting materials, helping organizations communicate inclusively and avoid unconscious exclusion.
• JOBinklusive A project promoting inclusive employment for people with disabilities on the general labor market, offering courses and training for disabled people, information exchange, and consulting for companies and organizations on implementing inclusion.
• Landesfachstelle für Barrierefreiheit und angemessene Vorkehrungen Berlin state office for accessibility commissioned by Berlin Senate Administration, supporting public institutions in implementing accessibility and advising organizations, civil society, and businesses on equal participation.
• Inklusion im Fokus Onlinekurs An online course for creating inclusive press images and visual storytelling, teaching effective public relations work using simple methods to create high-quality photos and videos as part of the Gesellschaftsbilder project.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2+ million places mapped for wheelchair accessibility
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Senatsverwaltung für Arbeit, Soziales, Gleichstellung, Integration, Vielfalt und Antidiskriminierung BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Commissioned by Berlin Senate to establish and operate Berliner Landesfachstelle für Barrierefreiheit und angemessene Vorkehrungen starting November 2025.
• NOW GmbH (Nationale Leitstelle Ladeinfrastruktur)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 April 2023Collaborated on developing 'Einfach laden ohne Hindernisse' guide for barrier-free EV charging infrastructure commissioned by BMDV.
• DB InfraGOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partnership for nationwide elevator data sharing through Elevate Delta platform. Railway infrastructure company provides comprehensive elevator status data for integration into public transport information systems.
• Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing cooperation on elevator data sharing and real-time passenger information. VBB integrates Sozialhelden accessibility data into route planners and apps.
• S-Bahn BerlincoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides elevator operational status data for integration into brokenlifts.org and VBB apps.
• Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for elevator status information and QR code notification system pilot for passengers.
• Hamburger Verkehrsverbund (hvv)coreTechnology or IntegrationIntegrates elevator status data from Sozialhelden into Hamburg public transport information.
• Gelbe Seiten, Ergo, Schindler, APOTHEKE ADHOCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWheelramp project partners supporting ramp distribution campaign with promotional support.
• Sozialforschungsstelle Dortmund (sfs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for IncluScience citizen science project, jointly developed Wheelmap apps and toolkit for inclusive research.
• ARD, ZDF, VAUNET, MedienanstaltencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTV für Alle project partners - public and private broadcasters collaborating on accessible television guide platform.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AbilityNet: UK charity providing digital accessibility services, training, and consulting for organizations. Comparable as a disability-focused nonprofit offering consulting, training, and accessibility audits alongside technology resources.
• Aktion Mensch: Germany's largest private funding organization for disability and inclusion. Comparable as a major German disability nonprofit with diversified funding (lottery, donations), advocacy, and inclusion projects targeting similar beneficiaries and institutional partners.
• Be My Eyes: Global platform connecting blind and low-vision users with sighted volunteers and AI for visual assistance. Comparable as a community-powered accessibility technology platform serving people with disabilities worldwide.
• AccessNow: App-based platform for crowdsourcing and sharing wheelchair accessibility information about venues globally. The closest direct competitor to Wheelmap in the accessibility-mapping category.

Broad incumbents

• Microsoft Accessibility: Microsoft's accessibility initiatives including Accessibility Checker, Soundscape, and enterprise compliance tooling. Comparable as a broad incumbent in digital accessibility and inclusive technology consulting adjacent to Sozialhelden's accessibility.cloud and Akademie offerings.
• European Disability Forum: Brussels-based umbrella organization representing 100 million Europeans with disabilities. Comparable as a pan-European disability advocacy and policy organization operating at a supranational level.
• Lebenshilfe: Large established German disability advocacy and service organization with broad programs across housing, education, employment, and family services. Comparable as a major DACH disability sector player with government relationships.
• Google Accessibility: Google's accessibility programs include Lookout, Live Caption, and Maps accessibility features. Comparable as a broad incumbent exposing accessibility features at global scale that can absorb Sozialhelden-style use cases.

Regional players

• Wheelchair Foundation: Nonprofit distributing free wheelchairs globally with a strong awareness and donor base. Comparable as a globally operating disability-focused nonprofit distributing physical mobility aids and running advocacy campaigns.
• Rick Hansen Foundation: Canadian organization advancing accessibility and spinal cord injury research, including the RHF Accessibility Certification for buildings. Comparable as an advocacy-and-accessibility-certification nonprofit, though primarily North American.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sozialhelden
• Facebookfacebook.com/SOZIALHELDEN
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sozialhelden
• Instagraminstagram.com/sozialhelden

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Sozialhelden e.V