BBW Group

What BBW Group does

BBW Group is a Berlin-based educational institution founded in 1972/1973 as a non-profit registered association (eingetragener Verein / e.V.) affiliated with the Unternehmensverbände Berlin-Brandenburg (UVB), the regional employers' association. It delivers vocational education across three branded divisions: bbw Hochschule (an accredited and state-recognised private university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in full-time, dual, and part-time formats), bbw Weiterbildung (continuing education for professionals and HR decision-makers), and bbw Privatschulen (private vocational schools covering Fachoberschule, Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik, Berufsschule, and Berufsfachschule). With 251-500 employees and 13+ training locations across Berlin and Brandenburg, the company offers retraining (Umschulung), advanced professional training (Fortbildung), integration courses for migrants, vocational rehabilitation, corporate seminars and coaching, outplacement, payroll administration, and space rental at the Berliner Haus der Wirtschaft. Primary customer segments are unemployed individuals funded through the Bildungsgutschein system, employed professionals seeking advancement, migrants requiring language and integration support, vocational rehabilitation clients, transitioning military personnel, and regional employers in Berlin-Brandenburg.

The core platform is a hybrid physical-digital delivery model combining in-person training across 13+ campuses with an Online Akademie providing live-online retraining, continuing education, professional courses, and online seminars. An AI-powered course finder (KI-Navigator) supports self-service programme discovery across digital channels. BBW holds AZAV certification, the regulatory prerequisite for delivering publicly funded vocational training programmes in Germany, and operates an authorised telc language examination centre for German and professional language certifications. Specialised industry-aligned qualifications include Fachkraft Optik and Fachkraft Elektronikfertigung, co-developed with semiconductor and electronics companies such as ASML/Berliner Glas to address regional skilled-labour shortages in the microelectronics sector. Recent expansion into AI training through a cooperation with MCR Unternehmensberatung (Feb 2026) extends the curriculum into the AI upskilling vertical.

Revenue is predominantly derived from publicly funded training via Bildungsgutschein vouchers issued by the Federal Employment Agency and regional Jobcenters, which can cover up to 100% of programme costs for eligible participants. Supplementary revenue streams include corporate training contracts (firm seminars, coaching, outplacement, payroll administration, space rental), fee-based university degree programmes at bbw Hochschule, and private-school fees at bbw Privatschulen. Distribution channels include direct B2B sales, government employment-agency referrals, an in-house consultation hotline (0800 22 97 466), online booking systems, info days, employer forums, and the AI-Navigator tool. BBW has no external venture capital or private equity investment; the organisation operates as a self-sustaining association under its member companies within the UVB-affiliated regional business community.

Name

BBW Group

Legal name

bbw Bildungswerk der Wirtschaft in Berlin und Brandenburg e. V.

Website

https://bbw-berlin.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

BBW Group is a Berlin-Brandenburg non-profit educational association delivering vocational retraining, continuing education, university degrees, and corporate training across 13+ locations. It primarily serves job seekers, employed professionals, migrants, and regional employers through government-funded Bildungsgutschein programmes and AZAV-certified offerings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Junior Colleges (61121)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships & Work-Based Learning (EDAAAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Internships, Externships & Work-Based Learning Placement (EDAMAKAB), Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs) (EDAHAHAA)

Keywords

• Vocational education training
• Retraining programmes
• Continuing professional education
• Integration language courses
• Corporate training seminars

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-funded training (Bildungsgutschein): BBW Group's primary revenue stream comes from publicly funded vocational training programmes. The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) and regional Jobcenters issue education vouchers (Bildungsgutschein) that cover up to 100% of costs for unemployed or at-risk individuals, enabling retraining, advanced certification, and reskilling.
2. Corporate training and services: BBW Group generates revenue from企业提供-specific seminars (Firmenseminare), coaching and consulting, outplacement services, payroll administration, and space rental (Raumvermietung) at the Berliner Haus der Wirtschaft. These B2B services are priced and contracted individually.
3. Fee-based vocational and higher education programmes: Some programmes, including certain parts of bbw Hochschule degree offerings and professional courses, are fee-based for participants not covered by government vouchers. The bbw Privatschulen operate on fee or public funding models.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

BBW Group is a non-profit educational association delivering government-funded retraining (Umschulung), continuing education (Fortbildung), integration and German-language courses, vocational rehabilitation, and corporate training seminars to job seekers, employed professionals, migrants, and businesses in the Berlin-Brandenburg region. Its three branded divisions — bbw Hochschule (accredited university), bbw Weiterbildung (continuing education), and bbw Privatschulen (private vocational schools) — extend the offering to degree programmes and vocational school education, supported by the bbw Online-Akademie and an AI-powered KI-Navigator course finder.

Product overview

BBW Group operates as an educational and training organization with three main sub-brands: bbw Hochschule (accredited university), bbw Weiterbildung (continuing education), and bbw Privatschulen (private vocational schools). The core offering consists of retraining programs (Umschulungen), continuing education and qualification (Fortbildung), online academy (Online-Akademie) with live-online instruction, career coaching (AVGS), integration courses for migrants, vocational rehabilitation, seminars, and professional development programs. Specialized industry-specific qualifications include Fachkraft Optik (optics technician) and Fachkraft Elektronikfertigung (electronics manufacturing technician), developed in partnership with leading Berlin-Brandenburg companies. The group serves job seekers, employees, migrants, and businesses across Berlin and Brandenburg through 15+ locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• bbw Online-Akademie: Live-online training programs including retraining, continuing education, part-time programs, and online seminars
• bbw Bildungszentrum
• bbw Privatschulen

Products and services

• bbw Hochschule Accredited and state-recognised private university offering bachelor and master degree programmes in full-time, dual, and part-time formats, positioning itself as a bridge between academic education and regional business needs.
• bbw Weiterbildung Continuing education division providing professional development programmes, certifications, and HR solutions for working professionals and companies in Berlin and Brandenburg.
• bbw Privatschulen Private school division comprising Fachoberschule (technical secondary school), Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik (social pedagogy school), Berufsschule (vocational school), and Berufsfachschule (vocational college) for learners in Berlin-Lichtenberg and beyond.
• Umschulungen (Retraining programmes) Career retraining programmes for job seekers and career changers, available both in-person at BBW training sites and via the live-online Online Akademie, with over 50 years of experience and strong examination and placement results.
• Fortbildung und Qualifizierung (Continuing education and qualification) Continuing education and qualification measures for working professionals to stay current with labour-market demands, including programmes such as Facherzieher/-in für Teilhabe und Inklusion in Kita und Ganztagsschule.
• Coaching – AVGS Career coaching and preparation programmes funded through activation and placement vouchers (Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein) issued by the Federal Employment Agency, such as the VUWA preparation course for retraining, continuing education, and vocational training.
• Kurse für Migranten (Integration and German language courses) Integration courses, professional language courses (Berufssprachkurse/BSK) and general German courses (A1–C1) for migrants and refugees, including telc examination services, ESF-BAMF-funded language courses, and exam preparation at B1, B2, C1 levels.
• Berufliche Rehabilitation (Vocational rehabilitation) Vocational rehabilitation services — including the Betriebliche Umschulung für Rehabilitanden (BUR) programme — that help individuals return to work after accidents or illness and regain financial independence.
• Seminare und Coachings (Seminars and coaching) Specialised seminars and coaching offerings covering topics such as financial accounting basics, current labour law, and leadership without line-management authority, designed to establish expert status in a professional field.
• Berufsbegleitende Lehrgänge (Part-time professional development programmes) Fundable advancement training programmes (Aufstiegsweiterbildung) for career advancement into middle management, including AEVO/IHK trainer certification, Personalreferent:in (bSb), Immobilienfachwirt:in (IHK), agile and classic project management, Lernprozessbegleiter/in, and DATEV/Lexware certifications.
• Kurse für Soldaten (Transition programmes for military personnel) Tailored education and retraining programmes for soldiers nearing the end of their military service, covering civilian career transitions, recognition of military qualifications, and professional language training.
• Corporate / B2B Training and Event Services Contracted corporate services for companies in Berlin and Brandenburg, including firm-specific seminars (Firmenseminare), employee coaching, outplacement, payroll administration, and event-space rental at the Haus der Wirtschaft.

Quantifiable outcome

• High examination pass rates and placement rates for retraining graduates
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• MCR UnternehmensberatungminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2026BBW Bildungswerk der Wirtschaft and MCR Unternehmensberatung announced a cooperation for AI training in Berlin, jointly developing AI-focused educational offerings for professionals.
• Unternehmensverbände Berlin-Brandenburg (UVB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBBW Group operates as the dedicated education and employment partner of the Unternehmensverbände Berlin-Brandenburg (UVB), the regional employers' association. This strategic partnership shapes BBW's programme portfolio to match real labour market demand and ensures graduates have direct pathways into UVB member companies.
• International Semiconductor and Electronics Companies (Berlin-Brandenburg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBBW Group collaborates with leading international companies in the semiconductor and microelectronics sectors (including ASML/Berliner Glas and others) to co-develop unique qualifications such as 'Fachkraft Optik' and 'Fachkraft Elektronikfertigung', addressing acute skilled labour shortages in the Berlin capital region.
• Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) and regional JobcentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Federal Employment Agency and regional Jobcenter in Berlin and Brandenburg issue Bildungsgutschein vouchers that fund retraining and upskilling at BBW Group, and collaborate on programme design to align with labour market needs.
• ASML / Berliner GlascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBBW Group partnered with ASML/Berliner Glas in developing the 'Fachkraft Optik' qualification programme, designed to meet the growing demand for optics specialists in the semiconductor industry in the Berlin capital region.
• telc (The European Language Certificate)coreTechnology or IntegrationBBW Group operates as an authorised telc examination centre, offering official language proficiency examinations (German and professional language courses) recognised across Europe.
• ESF (European Social Fund) and BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBBW Group delivers ESF-BAMF funded integration courses and repeat integration courses (ESF+), supported by European Social Fund grants and the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
• Deutsche Bahn (DB)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeutsche Bahn is listed among BBW Group's partners and education partners, indicating a collaboration for training and workforce development within the transport sector.
• HTW Berlin (Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHTW Berlin is listed as a partner of BBW Group, suggesting collaboration in higher education and applied research contexts.
• IHK Berlin (Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBBW Group participates in the IHK Berlin's Ausbilderkongress and delivers IHK-recognised professional certifications (e.g., Sachkundeprüfung nach §34a GewO for security personnel), operating as an approved IHK training provider.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (bbw Bayern): Bavarian sister organization of BBW Group, sharing the bbw brand and employer-association roots, and offering parallel vocational training, continuing education and university services. Effectively the same operating model in a different German state.
• IBB Institut für Berufliche Bildung AG: Large private vocational training group offering AZAV-certified retraining, AVGS coaching and language courses with strong digital delivery. Direct competitor for voucher-funded learners in BBW's core segments.
• Euro Akademie: Network of private vocational schools (Berufsfachschulen, Fachschulen) offering training in care, education and business. Comparable to bbw Privatschulen in structure and to BBW's vocational preparation offerings overall.
• WBS Training AG: Vocational training provider delivering retraining, advanced training and coaching funded by Bildungsgutschein, plus corporate upskilling. Overlaps with BBW Weiterbildung and BBW's B2B portfolio.
• DAA Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie: Major German provider of AZAV-certified retraining, AVGS coaching and language courses funded through Bildungsgutschein. Competes head-to-head with BBW in publicly funded vocational and integration programmes.
• Bildungswerk der Wirtschaft gGmbH (bfw): German vocational education provider affiliated with employer associations, delivering retraining, advanced training and integration courses. Closely mirrors BBW's employer-affiliated, multi-state vocational education model.
• BBQ Bildung und Berufliche Qualifizierung GmbH & Co. KG: Vocational training provider focused on activation, retraining and integration courses for job seekers. Directly comparable to BBW's AVGS, Umschulung and migrant integration programmes.

Broad incumbents

• DEKRA Akademie: Vocational training arm of DEKRA SE, delivering retraining, advanced training and qualification programmes across Germany. Broader portfolio and corporate backing, but overlapping course catalogue in retraining and continuing education.
• TÜV Rheinland Akademie: Continuing education arm of TÜV Rheinland offering professional certifications, safety training and qualification programmes. Comparable to BBW's corporate seminar and certification offerings, with broader industry reach.

Regional players

• VHS Berlin (Volkshochschulen): Public adult education centres in Berlin offering continuing education, language and integration courses. Regional alternative provider of adult education that overlaps with parts of BBW Weiterbildung's catalogue.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bbw_gruppe

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 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 BBW Group