Oekom

What Oekom does

Oekom – Gesellschaft für ökologische Kommunikation mit beschränkter Haftung is a privately-held German publishing house founded in 1989 and headquartered at Goethestraße 28, Munich. The company specializes in ecology, sustainability, climate change, biodiversity, and related societal topics, producing books (consumer, academic/professional, children's, guides), more than 15 specialized journals (including GAIA, politische ökologie, Nationalpark, Ökologisches Wirtschaften, TATuP, BIO, and Slow Food Magazin), E-books, and digital content. Its oekom science division publishes peer-reviewed academic journals and Open Access scientific works, with co-publishing partnerships with the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) and Deutscher Naturschutzring (DNR). The company is led by Managing Director (Geschäftsführer) Jacob Radloff.

Oekom's technology stack is a standard web publishing and e-commerce platform running on www.oekom.de, supported by Matomo for privacy-focused analytics, Cloudinary for image optimization, and Brevo (Sendinblue) for newsletter distribution. The platform supports multiple payment methods (invoice, direct debit, credit card, PayPal) over SSL-secured checkout, and the company maintains WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility compliance in line with the EU Accessibility Act and German BFSG. Distribution is multi-channel: direct-to-consumer via the owned web shop, German book trade (Buchhandel), three contracted logistics partners (Cover Service, Verlegerdienst München, A&O), digital downloads, institutional and individual journal subscriptions, and foreign rights licensing for translation rights internationally. The company also operates oekom-crowd.de (a crowdfunding platform), a podcast series with over 70 episodes, multiple themed newsletters, and social media presence across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, and BlueSky.

The business model combines one-time book and E-book sales (€14-149 price range, typically €18.99-26.99 for E-books), recurring annual journal subscriptions (print and digital, both individual and institutional), advertising placements (e.g., BIO-Marktplatz), project-based crowdfunding, and emerging B2B/B2G service revenue from Klimakommunikation (climate communication consulting for businesses and municipalities) and Unterrichtsmaterial (teaching materials for schools). Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The customer base spans individual consumer readers, the academic and research community, educators and schools, policymakers and environmental NGOs, and health-conscious sustainable lifestyle consumers, with primary geographic concentration in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and digital/E-book distribution extending globally. The company is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, acquisitions, or parent organization, and operates as a stable, 35-year-old specialist publisher without any disclosed AI/ML capabilities or proprietary technology beyond conventional SaaS tools.

Name

Oekom

Legal name

oekom – Gesellschaft für ökologische Kommunikation mit beschränkter Haftung

Website

https://oekom.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Oekom is a Munich-based, privately-held German publishing house founded in 1989 that produces books, more than 15 specialized journals, E-books, and digital content on ecology, sustainability, and climate topics for consumer readers, academic institutions, educators, and environmental organizations across the DACH market.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Book Sales: One-time purchase revenue from physical books sold through the company's e-commerce platform and traditional book trade distribution. Books are priced between €14-46 for consumer titles, with academic/specialized titles reaching higher price points (e.g., €149 for the Faktencheck Artenvielfalt).
2. Journal Subscriptions: Recurring subscription revenue from both print and digital subscriptions of specialized journals including GAIA, politische ökologie, Nationalpark, Ökologisches Wirtschaften, Ökologie & Landbau, TATuP, UmweltbeauftragteR, Raumforschung und Raumordnung, and others. Both individual and institutional subscriptions offered.
3. Digital Products: Revenue from E-book (E-PUB and PDF) sales and downloads. Some publications offered as free Open Access downloads, particularly through the oekom science academic division.
4. Crowdfunding: Project-based crowdfunding through oekom-crowd.de for select publications, where supporters can back projects during their funding period.
5. Advertising & Marketing Services: Revenue from advertising placements such as BIO-Marktplatz marketplace advertisements and promotional materials for book trade partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Oekom is a German publishing house that produces and sells books, journals, scientific publications, and digital content focused on ecology, sustainability, climate change, biodiversity, and environmental policy. The company operates the oekom science division for peer-reviewed academic publications and offers consumer magazines, children's books, podcasts, and newsletters. Additional services include climate communication consulting for businesses and municipalities, teaching materials for schools, and a crowdfunding platform for sustainability projects.

Product overview

Oekom is a German publishing company specializing in ecology and sustainability content. The company operates a multi-format publishing portfolio consisting of print and digital books (including academic/professional books, guides, and children's books), consumer and academic journals/magazines, scientific publications under the oekom science brand, a podcast series, newsletters, and online articles. Additional services include climate communication consulting for businesses and municipalities, teaching materials for schools, and a crowdfunding platform (oekom-crowd.de) for sustainability projects. The offerings are distributed through the oekom.de web shop, with related portals including oekom-hub.de, biomagazin.de, klimasparbuch.net, and tatup.de.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• oekom science: Scientific publishing division of oekom publishing academic journals and books on sustainability topics.

Products and services

• oekom Bücher (Books) Print and digital books covering sustainability, ecology, climate change, democracy, biodiversity, sustainable consumption, and related topics. Includes Sach- und Fachbücher (academic/professional titles), Ratgeber (practical guides), Kinderbücher (children's books), Buchreihen (book series), Klimasparbücher (climate savings books), and E-Books. Sold to general consumers, professionals, educators, and libraries through the oekom.de web shop and German book trade.
• oekom Zeitschriften (Journals and Magazines) Magazines and journals spanning consumer publications (Publikumszeitschriften) including BIO, Slow Food Magazin, and Natürlich Gärtnern & anders leben, and academic/technical journals (Fachzeitschriften) including politische ökologie, Nationalpark, UmweltbeauftragteR, Ökologie & Landbau, Dossiers der Nachhaltigkeit, and Briefe zur Interdisziplinarität. Offered via annual print and digital subscriptions, individual issue purchases, and institutional access.
• oekom science (Scientific Publishing Division) Scientific publishing division offering peer-reviewed scientific journals (GAIA, Ökologisches Wirtschaften, Raumforschung und Raumordnung, TATuP), scientific book series, scientific books, and award-winning scientific publications. Includes Open Access options for academic content and serves researchers, academic institutions, and policy makers.
• oekom Podcast Podcast series discussing sustainability topics, ecology, and environmental issues with over 70 episodes published. Recent episodes cover themes such as 'Greenwashing – Das schmutzige Geschäft mit dem Gewissen' (Episode 71). Available for free listening to consumers, researchers, and policy audiences.
• oekom-crowd (Crowdfunding Platform) Crowdfunding platform for sustainability and ecology-related projects, including campaigns like 'PLAYBOOK Transformative Kulturarbeit' and 'Klimaschutz ist Kinderschutz'. Supporters back projects during their funding period through tiered contributions.
• Klimakommunikation (Climate Communication Services) Climate communication consulting services for businesses and municipalities, providing communication expertise on environmental and sustainability topics. Helps clients develop credible messaging on climate and ecological issues.
• Unterrichtsmaterial (Teaching Materials) Educational materials for schools based on selected oekom books, supporting education for sustainable development (BNE). Targeted at teachers, kindergartens, and other educational institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 70 episodes published in the oekom podcast series
• +1 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

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Brevo (Sendinblue)coreTechnology or IntegrationNewsletter and email marketing service provider used for distributing multiple themed newsletters (oekom, GAIA, politische ökologie, TATuP, Klimasparbuch). Brevo handles email delivery and list management for customer communications. A German-based, GDPR-certified provider.
• Cover Service GmbH & Co. KGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPhysical distribution and fulfillment partner for book shipments, located in Böblingen, Germany. Handles packaging and shipping of physical products to customers.
• Verlegerdienst München GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPhysical distribution and fulfillment partner for book shipments, located in Gilching, Germany. Handles packaging and shipping of physical products to customers.
• A&O GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPhysical distribution and fulfillment partner for book shipments, located in Rodgau-Dudenhofen, Germany. Handles packaging and shipping of physical products to customers.
• Meta Platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Threads)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial media platforms used for brand presence, content marketing, and audience engagement. Oekom maintains official fan pages on these platforms with insights analytics shared between the company and Meta.
• Twitter/XminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial media platform used for brand presence and content marketing, particularly for reaching media and policy professionals in the sustainability space.
• LinkedInminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional networking platform used for B2B engagement, particularly relevant for reaching academic institutions, environmental organizations, and professional audiences.
• BlueSkyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmerging social media platform where Oekom maintains a brand presence for reaching sustainability-conscious audiences and early adopters.
• oekom e.V. (Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe oekom association (oekom-verein.de) is a related organization that collaborates on publications, particularly scientific journals like politische ökologie and the oekom science division. The association supports the publishing mission and provides institutional connections.
• Deutscher Naturschutzring (DNR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe German Nature Conservation Ring co-publishes the journal 'politische ökologie' with Oekom. This partnership provides academic credibility and connects the publisher with the broader environmental movement in Germany.
• Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation co-publishes scientific journals with Oekom, providing institutional backing and ensuring alignment with national environmental research priorities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht: German academic publisher with significant humanities and social science journal portfolio. Comparable in journal-led revenue model and DACH academic positioning.
• Verso Books: Independent publisher with extensive catalog in political economy, environment, and sustainability. Comparable mix of academic monographs, journals, and accessible trade titles in a politically engaged niche.
• Nomos Verlag: Independent German academic publisher with extensive journal and book output in social sciences and law. Comparable in journal-heavy model, DACH academic audience, and independent scale.
• Zed Books: Independent UK publisher specializing in sustainability, development, and social justice. Highly comparable thematic focus, audience profile, and independent publishing model.
• transcript Verlag: Independent German academic and cultural publisher of comparable size and breadth, with a similarly diversified catalog of monographs, journals, and Open Access titles. Closely comparable in scale, business model, and DACH-market academic orientation.
• Carl Hanser Verlag: Independent German technical and general-interest publisher. Comparable in independent, family-controlled governance and broad subject-matter publishing across books and periodicals.
• Polity Press: Independent academic and social science publisher with strong sustainability, environmental, and social science portfolios. Comparable in combining rigorous academic publishing with broader public-facing work.
• Pluto Press: Independent publisher focused on progressive, environmental, and political topics with both book and journal output. Comparable mix of accessible trade titles and academic publishing in a niche thematic space.

Broad incumbents

• Springer Nature: Global academic publisher with extensive sustainability, environmental science, and open access portfolios. Relevant for benchmarking journal scale, Open Access strategy, and academic library relationships, though operates at vastly greater scale.
• Routledge (Taylor & Francis): Major academic publisher with extensive environmental studies, sustainability, and social science journals. Relevant for institutional subscription, foreign rights, and journal benchmarking, though far broader in scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/oekomverlag
• Facebookfacebook.com/oekom
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/oekom-verlag

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Oekom