Initiative Young Researchers

What Initiative Young Researchers does

Initiative Junge Forscherinnen und Forscher e.V. (IJF) is a German non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 2010 and headquartered in Würzburg, with a regional office in Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg. The organization delivers free STEM (MINT) education programs to children and youth across Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg through mobile on-site project days, teacher training (Fortbildungen), multi-year learning cycles (MINT-Lernkreisläufe), and specialized offerings including the KI4Kids AI literacy program for elementary schools, Medizintechnik project days, the MINT-Planspiel board game, and university-supported delivery via Hochschulstützpunkte. Methodology centers on hands-on, experiment-based learning (forschend-entdeckendes Lernen) delivered by young scientific presenters, with iterative co-development through three MINT-Pilotierungsschulen.

IJF operates a community-led go-to-market model anchored in the MINT-Allianz Bayern network (8 regional MINT hubs co-founded with Bayerische Sparkassenstiftung in 2013) and since November 2022 has run MINTraum Bayern as the central coordination office for MINT education in the Free State of Bavaria, with backing from the Bavarian State Ministry for Education and Culture. Revenue is grant-driven, with diversified foundation funding from Bayerische Sparkassenstiftung, Vector Stiftung, Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt, TÜV SÜD Stiftung, Vogel Stiftung Dr. Eckernkamp, Arnfried and Hannelore Meyer-Stiftung, and others, plus EU (ESF+) grants — most notably a €2.3 million award announced in June 2026. Recurring membership dues from 100+ partner organizations and transactional shop sales (experiment books and kits) provide supplementary income. The organization is governed by a board chaired by Prof. Dr. Alfred Forchel (former President of Universität Würzburg), managed by Christoph Petschenka, and supported by a tripartite advisory board spanning academia, industry (Brose, Würth IT, SGL Carbon, ebm-papst), and education research.

Name

Initiative Young Researchers

Legal name

Initiative Junge Forscherinnen und Forscher e. V.

Website

https://initiative-junge-forscher.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Initiative Junge Forscherinnen und Forscher (IJF) is a non-profit founded in 2010 that delivers free STEM (MINT) education programs, including project days and teacher training, to children and youth across Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

AI & Machine Learning (Foundations & Applied) (EDAMACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Health Science & Medical STEM Programs (Pre-Med, Public Health) (EDAMABAJ)

Keywords

• STEM education services
• School project days
• Teacher professional development
• MINT learning programs
• Youth science outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Würzburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation and EU Funding: IJF's primary revenue stream is grants and project funding from foundations and EU programs. Key funders include Europäischer Sozialfonds Plus (ESF+), Bayerische Sparkassenstiftung, Vector Stiftung, Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU), TÜV SÜD Stiftung, Vogel Stiftung Dr. Eckernkamp, and the Arnfried and Hannelore Meyer-Stiftung. This funding enables IJF to offer programs free of charge to schools and teachers.
2. Membership Dues: IJF operates a membership program (Mitglied werden) where companies, institutions, and individuals become members for an annual fee, providing operational support and network participation.
3. Shop Sales: IJF operates a shop selling educational materials, books, and experiment kits. Products include the 'Von Archimedes bis zu den Wolkenkratzern' experiment book series for first graders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Initiative Junge Forscherinnen und Forscher e. V. (IJF) is a non-profit organization that delivers hands-on, experiment-based STEM (MINT) education programs directly to schools and teachers across southern Germany. Its portfolio centers on mobile Projekttage (project days) for students, Fortbildungen (continuing education) for teachers, multi-year MINT-Lernkreisläufe (learning cycles), and themed programs including KI4Kids (AI literacy for primary schools), Medizintechnik (medical technology), and the MINT-Planspiel (sustainability board game). All core programs are free of charge to schools, funded by foundations and public grants, with a small revenue stream from a shop selling experiment books and kits.

Product overview

The Initiative Junge Forscherinnen und Forscher e.V. (IJF) is a non-profit STEM education initiative for children and youth in southern Germany (Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg). Its portfolio is organized as a set of interconnected educational programs: the core offering consists of mobile Projekttage (project days) delivered by young presenters at schools, supplemented by Fortbildungen (teacher training) and MINT-Lernkreisläufe (learning cycles combining training with student project days). Key themed programs include KI4Kids (AI education for elementary schools), Medizintechnik (medical technology project days), MINT-Planspiel (a board game on sustainable Smart Home decisions), MINT-Familientage (family events), and Webinare für Lehrkräfte (online teacher webinars). The Hochschulstützpunkte network extends reach through university student presenters. IJF also operates the MINT-Allianz Bayern (8-region network) and MINTraum Bayern (statewide coordination office since 2022). All programs are free for schools, funded by foundations (DBU, Vector Stiftung, TÜV SÜD Stiftung, Vogel Stiftung, Sparkassenstiftungen) and public funds (ESF+).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MINTraum Bayern: Central coordination hub for MINT education in Bavaria, established in November 2022.
• MINT-Allianz Bayern
• MINT-Lernkreisläufe
• KI4Kids

Products and services

• Projekttage (Project Days)
• Fortbildungen (Teacher Training)
• MINT-Lernkreisläufe (MINT Learning Cycles)
• MINT-Planspiel 'Smarte Technik braucht kluge Köpfe' (MINT Board Game)
• KI4Kids – Kinder erforschen die Zukunft (AI4Kids – Children Research the Future)
• Medizintechnik – Zukunftsforscher: Technik für Gesundheit (Medical Technology Project Days)
• MINT-Familientage (MINT Family Days)
• Hochschulstützpunkte (University Support Points)
• Webinare für Lehrkräfte (Webinars for Teachers)
• Arbeitskreise Didaktik (Didactics Working Groups)
• MINTraum Bayern (MINT Space Bavaria)
• MINT-Allianz Bayern (MINT Alliance Bavaria)
• Produktentwickler-Workshops (Product Developer Workshops)
• IJF Shop (Experiment Books and Educational Kits)

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,385 students and teachers participated in IJF programs in 2018 alone, totaling 95,331 since founding in 2010.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

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

• MINT Zukunft schaffen!coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIJF became a partner of the nationwide 'MINT Zukunft schaffen!' network initiative in February 2019. The partnership aims to raise awareness of MINT education and partner engagement for Germany's technology workforce. The initiative, founded in 2008 under the patronage of Chancellor Angela Merkel, provides a shared platform for German MINT initiatives to amplify their collective impact.
• ScienceLab (Wissenschaftsladen Nürnberg e.V.)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIJF co-implements the KI4Kids – Kinder erforschen die Zukunft project with ScienceLab. IJF covers northern Bavaria (Nordbayern) while ScienceLab covers southern Bavaria (Südbayern). ScienceLab contributes expertise in science education for children and youth, extending the reach and content quality of the AI literacy program.
• RHÖN-KLINIKUM AGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-year cooperation (since January 2019) with FOS/BOS Bad Neustadt a.d. Saale. RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG funds IJF project days covering IT ('IT2School – Gemeinsam IT entdecken') and medical technology ('Technik für Gesundheit'). Students develop therapy games and medical technology prototypes. The company provides site visits to its Bad Neustadt campus, giving students insight into modern medical technology and digital health applications.
• Würzburger Versorgungs- und Verkehrs-GmbH (WVV)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTOP member of IJF, hosting the annual member assembly. WVV opened its facilities for teacher training on energy and transportation topics (Lernkreislauf Würzburg-Kitzingen). Company provides facilities for MINT-Allianz Bayern meetings. Awarded the WVV-Umweltpreis 2026 to IJF.
• Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und KultuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports MINTraum Bayern, the central coordination office for MINT education across Bavaria, launched in November 2022. The ministry provides strategic direction and institutional backing for IJF's coordination role across all MINT regions in Bavaria.
• Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTOP member of IJF. Brose employees participate in teacher training at their facilities, providing insights into Industry 4.0 and production technologies. Brose's global HR team member Michael Stammberger serves as Deputy Spokesperson of IJF's Advisory Board (Beirat).
• Würth IT GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTOP member and partner of IJF. Conducts tandem project days with IJF at schools (e.g., Gewerbliche Schule Künzelsau), providing IT professionals as role models and supporting IT competency development for students.
• Knauf Insulation GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpens facilities for teacher training, giving educators behind-the-scenes insight into insulation materials production. Supports the MINT-Lernkreislauf Heilbronn with industry context.
• Audi AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in a Tinkering workshop combining experimental vehicle construction with upcycling, where students created toys earning the 'AUDI-IJF-Siegel' (Audi-IJF seal) for their creations.
• ebm-papstminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTOP member of IJF. Opens facilities for student visits, showcasing career opportunities in ventilation and drive technology. Provides real-world context for IJF's energy and technology project days.
• SGL Carbon GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTOP member of IJF. Hosted the 2019 annual member assembly at its Meitingen facility, demonstrating commitment to the organization's mission and providing networking opportunities for IJF members.
• Riedel BauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports IJF project days on lightweight construction (Leichtbau) topics, providing industry expertise and context for students exploring structural engineering concepts.
• Experimenta HeilbronnmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of the Zukunftsallianz MINT-Region Heilbronn (February 2024). Experimenta, as the science center in Heilbronn, collaborates with IJF on regional MINT network development and shared programming.
• Hochschule Heilbronn (Gründerzentrum Startklar)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with IJF on Produktentwickler-Workshops (product developer workshops) on medical technology. The Gründerzentrum Startklar (startup center) at the university provides facilities and expertise for students developing assistive products for people with disabilities, extending the workshop program and connecting to the startup ecosystem.
• Hosokawa Alpine AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTOP member of IJF. HR Manager Lisa Fratz participated in IJF's international tandem project days at International School Augsburg, presenting career paths in STEM to students.
• Universität Würzburg (Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIJF's honorary president Prof. Dr. Alfred Forchel (former President of University of Würzburg) serves as Vorstandsvorsitzender (Chairman of the Board). The university's M!ND-Center hosts IJF events and provides pedagogical research support. Multiple JMU institutes participate in IJF's advisory board.
• THWS – Technische Hochschule Würzburg-SchweinfurtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIJF maintains a Hochschulstützpunkt (university support point) at THWS, where university students in technical fields conduct MINT school visits using IJF programs. THWS hosts the annual Stützpunkttreffen (support point meeting). Prof. Dr. Jochen Seufert serves on IJF's board.
• acatech – Deutsche Akademie der TechnikwissenschaftenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIJF co-hosted the 'acatech am Dienstag' event in Würzburg (November 2018), bringing nanotechnology research to schools and the public. acatech provides high-level scientific credibility and connects IJF with Germany's top technology experts.
• Willi Weitzel (Welterforscher, TV presenter)coreOthersWilli Weitzel serves as IJF's Schirmherr (patron). As a well-known science TV presenter (Welterforscher), he provides celebrity endorsement and actively promotes IJF at public events such as the 'Europa in meiner Region' action day. He moderates IJF events and features in IJF promotional materials.
• Die Physikanten (Science Show Troupe)minorOthersDie Physikanten performed their science show at the 'Europa in meiner Region' action day, providing high-entertainment science demonstrations that complement IJF's educational programming.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wissensfabrik: Mannheim-based non-profit network of over 130 companies and educational institutions promoting STEM and entrepreneurship education in schools. Directly comparable to IJF in mission (school-based STEM via corporate-university-school partnerships) and model (member-funded free programs), with a national scope.
• Junge Tüftler: Berlin-based non-profit offering hands-on STEM and maker education programs to youth across Germany. Directly comparable to IJF in mission (STEM access for children and youth), delivery model (workshops and project days at schools), and target audience (K-12 and secondary students), though operating nationally rather than regionally.
• Stiftung Kinder forschen: National foundation (formerly Haus der kleinen Forscher) providing early STEM education to Kindergärten and Grundschulen across Germany. Directly comparable to IJF's MINT-Familientage and KI4Kids programs in targeting young children with hands-on STEM, with a much larger national footprint and corporate partnership network.
• Forscherstation: Heidelberg-based STEM education initiative offering hands-on STEM workshops for children and teacher training programs. Directly comparable to IJF in delivery model (mobile presenter-led project days at schools) and audience (children/youth in southern Germany), making it a strong regional direct peer.
• zdi – Zukunft durch Innovation: Statewide STEM network in North Rhine-Westphalia coordinating regional MINT centers, school-industry partnerships, and teacher training. Comparable to IJF's MINT-Allianz Bayern model with similar structure (regional hubs, school-focused programs, public funding), though serving a different geography with similar institutional logic.
• ScienceLab (Wissenschaftsladen Nürnberg e.V.): Nuremberg-based non-profit delivering science education programs for children and youth in Bavaria. Direct peer in geography (co-implements KI4Kids with IJF for southern Bavaria), target audience (Bavarian school children), and product (hands-on STEM project days) — making it both a partner and the most locally comparable peer.

Broad incumbents

• MINT Zukunft schaffen: National MINT education network initiative (under patronage of Chancellor Merkel when founded) connecting German MINT initiatives to amplify collective impact. IJF is itself a member; the platform serves as a comparable umbrella peer representing the broader institutional landscape IJF operates within.
• Wissenschaft im Dialog: Berlin-based non-profit promoting dialogue between science and society through school programs, science slams, and public events. Adjacent peer operating in the broader science education space with similar multi-stakeholder funding (foundations, public) but a national rather than regional focus.
• Körber-Stiftung: Large Hamburg-based private foundation running the MINT-Forum and multiple STEM education initiatives as part of a broader portfolio. Operates in the same STEM education space but from a much larger scale and broader thematic scope, making it a broad incumbent rather than a direct specialist peer.

Others

• Bayerische Sparkassenstiftung: Bavarian foundation that co-founded the MINT-Allianz Bayern with IJF in 2013 and remains IJF's largest regional co-funder. Listed as a peer because of its deeply intertwined role in IJF's network — overlapping participants, co-funded programs (Lernkreislauf Würzburg-Kitzingen, KI4Kids), and shared ecosystem — though functioning as a funder rather than competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCaxCaXYPRq-u8K5mPNykUVA
• Facebookfacebook.com/InitiativeJungeForscher
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/initiative-junge-forscherinnen-und-forscher-e-v-ijf
• Instagraminstagram.com/ijf_initiative_junge_forscher
• Xx.com/junge_forscher

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Initiative Young Researchers