Fürstenwalder Training and Education Center

What Fürstenwalder Training and Education Center does

Fürstenwalder Aus- und Weiterbildungszentrum gGmbH (FAWZ) is a German non-profit limited liability company (gemeinnützige GmbH) operating an integrated educational campus model across Brandenburg, Germany. Founded in 1991 and headquartered at Julius-Pintsch-Ring 25, 15517 Fürstenwalde/Spree, the organization delivers a continuous educational pathway from early childhood (Kindergarten and the model facility FAWis Kinderhäuschen for ages 1-3) through primary education (Grundschule, including Montessori pedagogy) to secondary education (Oberschule and Gesamtschule with gymnasiale Oberstufe leading to the Abitur). It also operates vocational training and continuing education programs through its Berufliche Schule Paula Fürst and an FHM-affiliated Fernstudienzentrum for cooperative degree programs. Integration and language training - funded through BAMF, BMI, and European programs - round out the offering for migrants, refugees, and long-term unemployed participants.

The core technology and pedagogical platform is Montessori-based individualized learning, with sensorimotor and child-centered educational approaches applied across Kinderhaus, Grundschule, and Oberschule units (most prominently at Montessori Campus Hangelsberg Clara Grunwald). Operations span more than 10 facilities across six Brandenburg locations, including Fürstenwalde, Hangelsberg, Königs Wusterhausen, Woltersdorf, Petershagen, and Briesen. The organization maintains an Erasmus+ consortium accreditation for 2021-2027 and an internal Pädagogische Akademie providing Montessori and pedagogical certification through AcadeMedia Education GmbH. As a non-profit, FAWZ runs on three primary revenue streams: (1) public education financing from German federal, state, and municipal sources funding basic K-12 operations; (2) vocational training and continuing education contracts with the Bundesagentur für Arbeit and ESF+ projects; and (3) integration/language project funding from BAMF, BMI, and EU programs. Parent contributions (Elternbeiträge) are income-scaled and modest (e.g., 1.70€ daily lunch charge at FAWis Kinderhäuschen). The customer base spans individual families/parents, vocational training candidates, educator students, and regional employers (via the Servicestelle Verbundausbildung coordination service). Since November 2022, FAWZ has operated as a subsidiary of Swedish education conglomerate AcadeMedia AB, with Daniel Frech serving as Managing Director following the departure of long-tenured founders Kirsten Schmitt and Thomas Enkelmann.

Name

Fürstenwalder Training and Education Center

Legal name

Fürstenwalder Aus- und Weiterbildungszentrum gGmbH

Website

https://fawz.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Short description

FAWZ is a German non-profit (gemeinnützige GmbH) operating 10+ educational facilities across Brandenburg, delivering an integrated pathway from kindergarten through Abitur via Montessori and standard pedagogy, plus vocational training, integration programs, and cooperative higher-education degrees under AcadeMedia AB ownership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 and Vocational Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

Keywords

• Private school education
• Vocational training programs
• Kindergarten services
• Language integration courses
• Secondary school education

Headquarters

HQ city

Fürstenwalde

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Education Funding: Funded through public education financing from German federal and state government sources. As a non-profit organization (gemeinnützige GmbH), the organization receives government support for operating educational facilities from kindergarten through secondary school.
2. Vocational Training and Continuing Education: Revenue from vocational training programs, continuing education courses, and professional development offerings. Funded through ESF (European Social Fund) projects, Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit), and participant contributions.
3. Integration and Language Projects: EU and federal funded integration projects including language courses and vocational integration programs for long-term unemployed and migrants, funded through BAMF, BMI, and European programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

FAWZ operates private, non-profit educational institutions in Brandenburg, Germany, delivering kindergarten, primary, secondary, and Abitur-track schooling to children of families. It also provides vocational training, German language and integration courses for migrants and job seekers, and acts as a coordinating partner for regional companies running dual-system (Verbundausbildung) apprenticeships.

Product overview

FAWZ operates as a comprehensive educational services provider offering a full lifecycle of services from early childhood (Kindergarten/Kita) through secondary education (Abitur) and into vocational training and higher education. The core portfolio consists of three main divisions: Kita und Schule (kindergarten through secondary school including Montessori and comprehensive schools at multiple locations), Aus- und Weiterbildung (vocational training including rehabilitation training and skilled trades), and Integration und Sprache (language and integration programs). Key branded facilities include the Montessori Campus Hangelsberg Clara Grunwald, Berufliche Schule Paula Fürst, and several Gesamtschulen in Petershagen, Woltersdorf, and Königs Wusterhausen. Supporting services include the Servicestelle Verbundausbildung for coordinating apprenticeship programs, Erasmus+ consortium for international mobility, and an FHM distance learning center offering cooperative degree programs. The organization became part of Swedish AcadeMedia AB in 2022, operating under that parent company's educational quality framework.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Montessori Campus Hangelsberg Clara Grunwald: Campus facility including Kinderhaus, Grundschule and Oberschule following Montessori pedagogy
• FAWis Kinderhäuschen
• Berufliche Schule Paula Fürst
• Gesamtschule Woltersdorf
• Gesamtschule Königs Wusterhausen
• Gesamtschule Petershagen

Products and services

• Kindergarten Pre-school early-education program for children in Brandenburg, operated as the first stage of FAWZ's integrated kindergarten-through-Abitur pathway.
• Primary school (Grundschule) Private primary education for children in Brandenburg, delivered on FAWZ campuses and aligned with the German Grundschule curriculum.
• Secondary school (Oberschule) Private secondary education (Oberschule level) for students in Brandenburg seeking an alternative to the public school system.
• Gymnasium (up to Abitur) Private upper-secondary school track preparing students for the Abitur, completing FAWZ's integrated kindergarten-to-Abitur educational pathway.
• Vocational training (Berufsausbildung) Vocational training programs preparing learners for skilled trades and professions, delivered by FAWZ for individual students and adult learners.
• German language and integration courses German language acquisition and integration courses for migrants, refugees, and job seekers, commissioned and funded by public authorities.
• Servicestelle Verbundausbildung (dual vocational training coordination) A coordination service that enables regional Brandenburg companies to run dual vocational training (Verbundausbildung) by partnering them with FAWZ for the school-based portion of apprenticeships.

Quantifiable outcome

• Seal 'Schule mit hervorragender Berufs- und Studienorientierung' awarded multiple times (2013, 2017, 2021, 2025)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AcadeMedia ABcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 November 2022FAWZ gGmbH became part of the Swedish AcadeMedia AB education group in November 2022. This partnership provides access to a larger educational network, shared resources, and professional development opportunities through the AcadeMedia Education GmbH subsidiary.
• Fachhochschule des Mittelstands (FHM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer dual study programs at the Fernstudienzentrum at Berufliche Schule Paula Fürst. Programs include Bachelor Socialpädagogik & Management and Master Berufspädagogik.
• Montessori Landesverband BrandenburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership and cooperation with Brandenburg state Montessori association for educational methodology and pedagogical exchange.
• Montessori DeutschlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partnership with Montessori Germany for educational standards, teacher training, and pedagogical certification.
• Montessori EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean cooperation for Montessori education standards and international exchange programs.
• Erasmus+ ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAWZ institutions are Erasmus+ accredited consortium for 2021-2027 program. Enables international mobility, group exchanges, and virtual projects with partner schools across Europe.
• Handwerkskammer Brandenburg (HWK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of Crafts partnership for vocational training in trades, including woodworking and metal work certification.
• IHK Ostbrandenburg (Chamber of Industry and Commerce)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of commerce partnership for vocational training certification and industry connections.
• Stadt FürstenwaldecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Fürstenwalde partnership for operating FAWis Kinderhäuschen large-scale day care facility.
• Kolping Bildungswerk DeutschlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational cooperation with Catholic social education provider for professional development and training.
• Grundschulverband (Primary School Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership in primary school association for educational standards and pedagogical exchange.
• VDP (Verband Deutscher Privatschulen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership in German private school association for advocacy and educational exchange.
• Partnerschule Nysa (Poland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partnership with school in Nysa, Poland for student and teacher exchanges under the project 'Education for Freedom and Agency'.
• Agentur für Arbeit Frankfurt (Oder)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional employment agency participating in Berufs- und Studienorientierungsmesse for career guidance and job placement.
• Bundespolizeiinspektion Frankfurt (Oder)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal police participation in career orientation events for law enforcement career opportunities.
• Europa-Universität ViadrinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership for study orientation and higher education pathway information at career fairs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AcadeMedia AB: FAWZ's Swedish parent and one of Northern Europe's largest independent education providers, with extensive K-12, preschool, and adult education operations across Germany, Sweden, and Norway. A broader incumbent whose portfolio strategy and capital allocation directly shape FAWZ's growth path.

Emerging players

• BBiC Bildung Beruf Integration Culture: Berlin-based education provider focused on vocational training and integration programs for migrants. Comparable emerging operator in the same BAMF/ESF-funded integration segment, competing for similar publicly funded contracts in the Berlin-Brandenburg region.

Direct peers

• JOBLINGE gGmbH: JOBLINGE is a German non-profit focused on vocational integration of disadvantaged youth through training and employer partnerships. Highly comparable to FAWZ's integration and vocational training segments for long-term unemployed, refugees, and youth transitioning into skilled trades.
• Kolping Bildungswerk: Kolping Bildungswerk is one of Germany's largest non-profit vocational education and continuing training providers. Comparable to FAWZ's Aus- und Weiterbildung and integration divisions, operating similar publicly funded vocational, language, and reintegration programs with multi-site regional presence.
• Phorms Education: Phorms Education operates private bilingual (German/English) K-12 schools across multiple German states, including primary and secondary campuses. Directly comparable as another non-state private school operator with a distinct pedagogical approach, multi-location footprint, and similar mix of full-fee and publicly funded families.
• Berlin Metropolitan School: Berlin Metropolitan School is an international private school offering IB curriculum from primary through secondary. Comparable as a private alternative-pedagogy school operator in the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region, competing for similar internationally oriented families.

Others

• IHK Ostbrandenburg: Regional Chamber of Industry and Commerce serving the same Brandenburg geography as FAWZ. They co-deliver vocational certification and Prüfung oversight for FAWZ's Fachpraktiker and Verbundausbildung programs—ecosystem partner rather than competitor.
• Handwerkskammer Brandenburg: State Chamber of Crafts co-governing vocational training and certification for FAWZ's wood and metal trade programs. Comparable enabling/oversight institution shaping FAWZ's apprenticeship and Fachpraktiker curriculum rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fawz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Fürstenwalder Training and Education Center