Klartext

What Klartext does

Klartext e.V. (founded January 1, 1983) is a registered non-profit language school (Vereinsregister VR 10685, Amtsgericht München) operating a single site at Augustenstraße 77 in Munich-Maxvorstadt, Germany. The organization delivers German-as-a-foreign-language instruction spanning literacy through C1 (CEFR), with core offerings including BAMF-funded integration courses, vocational B2 Berufssprachkurse, intensive A1–B1 modules, evening self-pay courses, C1 online courses, and specialized programs for architects and civil engineers. It also operates as an authorized telc and g.a.s.t. (DTZ) examination center and supplements instruction with a cultural programme (concerts, exhibitions, theater workshops, readings). Certifications include ISO 9001:2015 (TÜV Süd) and AZAV accreditation, with teaching staff possessing state qualifications and multilingual counseling capability in English, French, Russian, and Ukrainian.

The business model combines government-funded course delivery (BAMF integration courses, jobcenter-funded vocational courses, municipally financed sfK refugee courses), self-paying course fees (458 EUR per intensive module of 100 teaching units; 280 EUR per online evening module of 60 units), telc/DTZ examination fees, and tax-deductible donations processed via SozialBank AG. Revenue is derived from individual learners rather than enterprise contracts, with go-to-market conducted through a consultative, sales-assisted channel — in-person consultation, placement testing, etermin.net online booking, and referrals from immigration authorities, BAMF, and jobcenter München.

The organization is led by managing director and board member Karin Gundlach (20+ years tenure) and pedagogical director Ulli Stadler, supported by a small specialist team of customer advisors for integration, vocational, and literacy courses. The company is independently owned with no parent organization or venture capital involvement. Headcount is stated at 11–50 employees. There is no mobile application, public API, or proprietary technology platform; operations rely on standard classroom delivery, video conferencing for online courses, and third-party booking and donation infrastructure.

Name

Klartext

Legal name

Klartext e.V.

Website

https://klartext-zentrum.de/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Klartext e.V. is a Munich-based non-profit language school delivering BAMF-funded integration courses, vocational German, and self-pay programs for migrants, refugees, and professionals. Founded 1983, it operates an authorized telc/DTZ examination center and runs specialized courses for architects and civil engineers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

München

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Course Fees - Self-Paying Students: Self-paying students enroll in evening courses, intensive courses, and specialized courses (architects, civil engineers, business German) at published price points. Payment is required at time of registration.
2. BAMF-Funded Integration Courses: Government-funded integration courses for migrants, refugees, and eligible participants. Funding provided through Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF), with eligibility certificates required. Some participants can apply for cost exemptions.
3. Employment Agency/Job Center Funded Courses: Vocational language courses (Berufssprachkurse) funded through employment agencies and job centers for professional integration.
4. Examination Fees: Revenue from conducting telc and DTZ examinations at their certified examination center.
5. Donations: Tax-deductible donations accepted for integration projects, German course sponsorship, and cultural program support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Klartext e.V. is a non-profit language school in Munich that delivers German as a foreign/second language instruction across levels A1 to C1, including BAMF-funded integration and vocational courses, intensive and evening formats, online classes, specialized courses for architects and civil engineers, business German, and an on-site telc/DTZ examination center. Revenue is generated from self-paying students, government funding (BAMF, job centers, municipal sources), examination fees, and donations.

Product overview

KLARTEXT is a language school for German as a foreign/second language, offering a comprehensive portfolio of German language courses and integration services primarily for migrants and refugees in Munich. The core offerings include intensive A1-B1 German courses, BAMF-funded integration courses (with literacy and orientation components), vocational B2 German courses for employment, specialized courses for architects and civil engineers, C1 advanced courses, and evening/online options. The school operates as an authorized telc and DTZ examination centre and supplements its educational offerings with a cultural programme featuring concerts, exhibitions, and intercultural events. All courses are delivered through in-person instruction at their Munich-Maxvorstadt location (with some online options), with pricing standardized at 458 EUR per module for self-paying students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Intensive German Courses A1–B1 General German language courses covering levels A1 through B1, offered as intensive full-time programs in Munich-Maxvorstadt with morning, afternoon, and evening class options. Courses consist of 200 teaching units (100 per module) with standard pricing of 458 EUR per module; targeted at self-paying adult learners.
• Integration Courses (Integrationskurse)

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BAMF (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge)coreOthersFederal Office for Migration and Refugees provides funding authorization for integration courses and vocational language courses. KLARTEXT is an authorized BAMF course provider. New immigrants receive eligibility certificates from immigration authorities; long-term residents and EU citizens apply directly to BAMF.
• TÜV SüdcoreOthersTÜV Süd provides ISO 9001:2015 quality management certification for KLARTEXT's educational services, demonstrating adherence to international quality standards.
• telc Language TestscoreTechnology or IntegrationKLARTEXT operates as an authorized telc examination center, offering regular examination dates for telc German language certificates. Prepares students for telc Deutsch B1, B2, and C1 exams.
• g.a.s.t. (Gesellschaft für Akademische Studienvorbereitung und Testentwicklung e.V.)coreTechnology or IntegrationKLARTEXT is an authorized g.a.s.t. examination center, offering DTZ (Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer) examinations as part of integration course completion requirements.
• Landeshauptstadt München SozialreferatcoreOthersSocial Affairs Department of the City of Munich provides funding for integration courses and municipal programs supporting migrants and refugees.
• jobcenter MünchencoreOthersMunich Job Center refers clients for vocational language courses (Berufssprachkurse) and provides funding for unemployed individuals seeking professional language qualification.
• Bundesministerium des Innern, für Bau und HeimatminorOthersFederal Ministry of the Interior supports integration efforts and language education programs through policy and funding frameworks.
• IN VIA München e.V.minorOthersCatholic social organization providing support services. Listed as a supporter/partner in KLARTEXT's network of integration service providers.
• SozialBank AGminorOthersSocialBank provides the secure donation form infrastructure for KLARTEXT's integration project donations. Processes online donations and provides QR code payment functionality.
• Hueber VerlagminorOthersExternal placement test resources provided through Hueber for self-assessment: A1 to B1 placement test and B1+ to C1 placement test available to prospective students.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Goethe-Institut: German government's official cultural and language institute operating globally with extensive German-as-a-foreign-language course offerings and standardized exams. Comparable to Klartext as a German-language instruction provider, but far larger, globally distributed, and government-affiliated.
• inlingua Sprachschule: International language school chain with German locations offering corporate and individual language training including German as a foreign language. Comparable on language-school business model, but broader in scope and language coverage.
• Berlitz Deutschland: Global language-training chain with German operations offering individual, group, and corporate German courses. Comparable to Klartext on adult German-language instruction, but with a much broader corporate and multi-language portfolio.
• Lernstudio Barbarossa: German-wide education provider offering language courses including German as a foreign language alongside tutoring and adult education. Comparable to Klartext on adult German instruction but with much broader subject coverage and a multi-branch footprint.

Direct peers

• Carl Duisberg Centren: German language and intercultural training provider offering A1–C1 courses, integration courses, and professional language training across multiple German cities. Closely comparable to Klartext on curriculum, BAMF-related offerings, and professional/vocational tracks, but with a multi-city footprint.
• did deutsch-institut: Specialist German-language school chain with locations in several German cities offering intensive and integration courses. Comparable to Klartext on target learner (international adults learning German) and CEFR-level curriculum.
• GLS German Language School: Berlin-based German language school offering intensive, integration, and exam-preparation courses for international adults. Comparable to Klartext on course portfolio and exam-center status, though serving a different German city.
• Tandem München: Munich-based language school offering German and other foreign-language courses, including integration-oriented programs. Comparable to Klartext as a local Munich competitor for adult German learners.
• DeutschAkademie: Munich-headquartered German language school chain offering intensive, evening, and integration German courses across multiple German and Austrian cities. Closely comparable to Klartext on course structure, target learner, and Munich origins.

Others

• Hueber Verlag: Major German publisher of German-as-a-foreign-language textbooks and learning materials. Comparable as an ecosystem participant — Klartext already references Hueber placement tests — and adjacent through publishing of DaF learning content.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

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 Klartext