IBR Institute of International Business Relations at Steinbeis University Berlin

What IBR Institute of International Business Relations at Steinbeis University Berlin does

IBR Institute of International Business Relations GmbH is a private German education provider founded in 1998/1999, headquartered in Weissach-Flacht, Germany, and operating as part of the Steinbeis University Berlin academic ecosystem since 2008. The company designs and delivers work-integrated postgraduate and undergraduate degree programmes, with its flagship German Global MBA (90 ECTS over 24 months, six residential periods across multiple continents) awarded by Albstadt-Sigmaringen University. Flanking offerings include doctoral studies and a Master of Arts in Leadership awarded by Kairos University (USA), and European bachelor pathways at Škoda Auto University (Czech Republic), Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, and John von Neumann University (Hungary). The underlying methodology is a work-integrated learning model inspired by Germany's dual-education tradition, in which students complete 24 practical management assignments in their own workplaces while studying, and must demonstrate a five-times return on tuition to graduate.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition fees for the Global MBA programme, with regional pricing tied to the student's home country. Distribution is achieved through a network of IBR Information & Business Consultation Centres across Israel, India, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Ghana, supported by a consultative sales motion involving personal interviews and online application. The customer base is individual working professionals (typically with ~10 years of managerial experience) rather than enterprise buyers, and the company has no publicly disclosed revenue, no external equity investors, and a headcount of 11-50 employees. Recent strategic activity has concentrated on geographic expansion (Nigeria entry in 2025), new university partnerships (Škoda Auto University and John von Neumann University in 2024), and continued FIBAA accreditation cycles, signalling active but incremental scaling rather than hyper growth.

Name

IBR Institute of International Business Relations at Steinbeis University Berlin

Legal name

IBR Institute of International Business Relations GmbH

Website

https://ibr-network.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IBR Institute of International Business Relations is a private German education provider that designs and delivers work-integrated postgraduate and undergraduate degree programmes, primarily the German Global MBA, for working professionals across multiple continents through regional consultation centres and partner universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Business Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs) (EDAHAHAA)

Keywords

• Executive education
• Work-integrated learning
• Global MBA programs
• Business school
• Postgraduate management education

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Global MBA: Tuition fees for the Global MBA program depend on the student's home country/region. The program includes 90 ECTS credits over 24 months with 6 residential periods of 5 days each.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

IBR designs and delivers work-integrated academic programmes for employed professionals, with the German Global MBA as its flagship. Students study, work, and grow simultaneously through personalised coaching, mentorship, six global residential periods, and 24 in-company management assignments, earning an MBA from Albstadt-Sigmaringen University. Supporting offerings include doctoral studies via Kairos University (USA), Master of Arts in Leadership, and European bachelor pathways at partner universities.

Product overview

IBR Institute of International Business Relations operates as an educational institution offering a portfolio of work-integrated postgraduate and undergraduate degree programmes. Its core offering is the German Global MBA — a work-integrated executive MBA (90 ECTS, 24 months) awarding a Master of Business Administration from Albstadt-Sigmaringen University in Germany. This flagship programme is flanked by Doctoral Studies (PhD, via Kairos University, USA) and European Bachelor Pathways at three European partner universities (Škoda Auto University, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, John von Neumann University). IBR does not offer a software product; its offerings are exclusively academic programmes delivered through residential periods, tutorials, and mentored workplace assignments. The company acts as an orientation, preparation, and academic support partner alongside its university degree-awarding partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• German Global MBA IBR's flagship executive MBA programme, fully work-integrated and designed for working professionals who study while employed. Delivered through six residential periods across Europe, Asia, Australia, America, and Africa, with 24 in-company assignments creating measurable workplace impact. Awards a Master of Business Administration degree from Albstadt-Sigmaringen University (Germany).
• Kairos University Programmes (PhD, Master of Arts in Leadership, Bachelor of Arts in Leadership) Degree programmes (PhD, Master of Arts in Leadership, Bachelor of Arts in Leadership, and integrated BAL/MAL pathway) awarded by Kairos University (USA), accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. IBR provides orientation and contextualised learning support alongside these programmes for working professionals seeking US-accredited qualifications.
• European Bachelor Pathways Bachelor-level study pathways at selected European partner universities, including Škoda Auto University (Czech Republic), Albstadt-Sigmaringen University (Germany), and John von Neumann University (Hungary). Some pathways offer international double-degree options and are aimed at international students including candidates from India and Southern Africa.
• Doctoral Studies (PhD) Research-focused doctoral programmes supporting PhD candidates through orientation, academic mentoring, and scholarly inquiry. Offered in partnership with Kairos University (USA) within an accredited US academic framework for working professionals undertaking practice-based doctoral research.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24 practical management problems solved during program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered emerging, major and core.

• West African Recruitment Hub (Nigeria)emergingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Established in 2025, marking entry into West Africa. Focuses on building structured academic pathways and professional networks while preparing candidates for postgraduate study. First MBA programme activities planned from 2026 onward.
• Škoda Auto University (Czech Republic)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Double degree programme in collaboration with Albstadt-Sigmaringen University. Enables joint development of attractive study pathways for international students including candidates from India and Southern Africa.
• John von Neumann University (Hungary)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Bachelor-level study pathways in engineering, computer science, and applied sciences. Located in Kecskemét, an important automotive and manufacturing hub with Mercedes-Benz presence.
• Albstadt-Sigmaringen UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Cooperation agreement under external examination framework where university defines admission criteria, issues regulations, appoints examiners, oversees examinations, and awards degrees while IBR designs and delivers academic preparation. The German Global MBA is awarded by this university.
• Kairos University (USA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022IBR supports PhD candidates and Master of Arts in Leadership students within accredited US academic framework. Kairos University is accredited by Higher Learning Commission (HLC), recognized by U.S. Department of Education and CHEA.
• Southern African Academic PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Initial activities in Mozambique in 2009, expanded to Namibia (2009), Zimbabwe (2013). Supporting executive education, postgraduate studies, and long-term academic cooperation in Southern Africa.
• Steinbeis University BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008IBR became part of Steinbeis University Berlin in 2008, marking a decisive step in its institutional development. Contributed to expanding Steinbeis University's international reach and visibility, carrying the Steinbeis model of practice-oriented higher education into international markets.
• India Academic NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008International activities established in India following 2008 integration into Steinbeis. Partnerships focused on preparing students for international study experiences and structured academic pathways.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• EU Business School: International business school with campuses across Europe and online MBA programs targeting working professionals. Comparable to IBR in offering internationally oriented MBA education with multi-campus delivery, though EU has broader program portfolio and stronger direct enrollment model.
• Hult International Business School: Global business school offering one-year MBA and executive MBA programs with campuses and rotations across multiple continents. Comparable to IBR in its globally distributed MBA delivery model targeting internationally mobile working professionals.
• ESMT Berlin: Berlin-based international business school offering MBA and executive education programs. Comparable to IBR as a German-headquartered, internationally focused business school targeting professional learners with executive-level programming.
• Mannheim Business School (Mannheim Executive MBA): German-based business school offering executive MBA programs for working professionals. Directly comparable to IBR as a German institution delivering internationally oriented MBA education with strong academic and accreditation credentials.

Regional players

• Strathmore Business School: Leading East African business school offering MBA and executive education programs with strong corporate partnerships. Comparable to IBR's Southern African engagement and focus on executive education in emerging markets, though Strathmore is regionally concentrated in Kenya.
• Wits Business School: South African business school offering MBA and executive programs with strong industry partnerships. Comparable to IBR in serving the Southern African executive education market with internationally accredited credentials.

Broad incumbents

• INSEAD: Top-tier global business school with executive MBA programs and campuses across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Comparable to IBR in internationally distributed MBA delivery but operates at significantly larger scale and brand recognition.

Others

• Škoda Auto University: Czech business school and IBR's double-degree partner since 2024-2025. Comparable as a European business school offering bachelor and master programs with international pathways, and now structurally connected to IBR through their joint program.
• Albstadt-Sigmaringen University: German state university that awards IBR's Global MBA degree under an external examination framework since 2022. Operationally linked as the degree-awarding partner; comparable as a German higher education institution offering business and engineering programs.

Emerging players

• Quantic School of Business and Technology: Mobile-first, accredited MBA program focused on working professionals. Comparable to IBR in serving employed learners seeking flexible, career-compatible credentials, though Quantic is fully online while IBR requires residential periods.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ibr_business
• Facebookfacebook.com/ibr-institute-of-international-business-relations-158273897462
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ibr-institute-of-international-business-relations

Compliance3 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 IBR Institute of International Business Relations at Steinbeis University Berlin