What Borderstep Institute does

Borderstep Institut für Innovation und Nachhaltigkeit gemeinnützige GmbH is an independent, non-profit applied research institute (gGmbH) founded in July 2005 in Berlin by three scientists — Prof. Dr. Klaus Fichter, Dr. Severin Beucker, and Dr. Jens Clausen — and operating from a Dahlem headquarters since April 2025 with a branch office in Hannover. It conducts interdisciplinary research across seven thematic areas: Green Economy, Sustainability Innovations, Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Business Models, Smart Energy, Digitalization & GreenIT, and Climate Change, with recognized international leadership in data center energy consumption analysis and longitudinal monitoring of Germany's green startup ecosystem (the annual Green Startup Report documents roughly 4,700 green startups and has been published since 2013). Borderstep co-developed the DIN SPEC 90051-1 sustainability standard for startups and its research has demonstrably shaped German policy — the regionally piloted 'Woche der Wärmepumpe' was scaled nationally by BMWK and dena in 2024, and Borderstep's analytical input contributed to Hannover's 2021 coal phase-out decision projected to save ~800,000 tonnes of CO2 by 2035.

The institute operates on a project-based research revenue model rather than a commercial product model: income is generated through publicly funded research grants (primarily BMBF, BMWK, and EU framework programs) and commissioned studies from government agencies (notably the Umweltbundesamt), industry associations, and municipalities. Publications, reports, and the annual Borderstep Impact Forum are offered free of charge, and there is no disclosed commercial pricing. The customer base is concentrated in federal and state government, with secondary engagement of industry associations, corporations, and startup-ecosystem intermediaries. The first commercial spin-off, ImpactNexus GmbH (founded 2021), commercializes the institute's sustainability assessment research into SaaS for impact management and ESG reporting; it operates as a separate legal entity. The institute maintains 11-50 employees (researchers, fellows, and student assistants), pursues an open-access publication strategy, and distributes research through its website, newsletters, earned media (including ARD appearances), webinars, the annual Impact Forum, and policy workshops.

Name

Borderstep Institute

Legal name

Borderstep Institut für Innovation und Nachhaltigkeit gemeinnützige GmbH

Website

https://borderstep.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Borderstep Institute is a Berlin-based German non-profit research institute (gGmbH), founded in 2005, conducting applied research on sustainable entrepreneurship, green economy, smart energy, and GreenIT for government agencies, EU bodies, and industry associations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Research and Policy Advisory

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

GHG Accounting & Net-Zero/Decarbonization Planning (Scopes 1–3) (EUAHAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainability & ESG Consulting (BPAHACAK), Permitting, Siting & Environmental Impact (EIA/NEPA) Advisory (EUAMANAB)

Keywords

• Sustainability research
• Applied innovation research
• Green startup monitoring
• Sustainable entrepreneurship studies
• Green IT research

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

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. Research funding and commissioned studies: Borderstep Institute generates revenue through publicly funded research projects (BMBF, BMWK, EU commissions) and commissioned studies for government agencies, industry associations, and municipalities. Examples include commissioned work from the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), EU Directives-related research, and government-funded innovation projects.

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Borderstep Institute is an independent, non-profit research organization (gGmbH) that conducts applied research on innovation and sustainable development. It delivers commissioned studies, policy advisory reports, and longitudinal data analyses for government agencies, industry associations, and the startup ecosystem across seven thematic areas: climate change, green economy, sustainability innovations, sustainable entrepreneurship, smart energy, sustainable business models, and digitalization/GreenIT. Its deliverables include research publications, policy papers, the annual Green Startup Report, sustainability assessment standards, and the Borderstep Impact Forum.

Product overview

Borderstep Institute is a non-profit research institution (Borderstep Institut für Innovation und Nachhaltigkeit gGmbH) focused on applied research in sustainability and innovation studies, not a product company. Its offerings consist of research publications, studies, and project reports rather than commercial software products or services. The institute publishes periodic reports such as the Green Startup Report, provides scientific analysis and policy recommendations, and facilitates knowledge transfer through its publications and events like the Borderstep Impact Forum. Research is conducted across seven thematic areas: Green Economy, Sustainability Innovations, Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Business Models, Smart Energy, Digitalization & GreenIT, and Climate Change.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Green Startup Report
• Borderstep Impact Forum
• Commissioned Research and Policy Studies
• Data Centre Energy and Sustainability Research
• Borderstep Booklets and Compact Knowledge Publications

Quantifiable outcome

• Borderstep-initiated 'Woche der Wärmepumpe' scaled from regional to national level (2024) with 525+ events and 50,000+ attendees
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• ESCP Business School BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch alliance initiated in August 2024 with the world's oldest business school (founded 1819). Prof. Dr. Florian Lüdeke-Freund leads the Borderstep research area on Sustainable Business Models under this partnership. Joint research and publication activities, including co-authored studies and the joint 'Highimpact Agenda' report.
• Leibniz Universität HannovercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Dr. Gunther Seckmeyer on the 'Solare Wärmepumpe' (Solar Heat Pump) project and demonstration unit. Joint organization of the 'Woche der Wärmepumpe' events that scaled nationally. Joint publications on heat pump diffusion and energy transition.
• Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (BMWK) / denacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMWK and Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena) adopted Borderstep's regional 'Woche der Wärmepumpe' initiative and scaled it nationally in 2024. This represents direct policy impact of Borderstep's research-driven advocacy work on heat pump adoption.
• Kompetenzzentrum Energieeffizienz durch Digitalisierung (KEDi)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKEDi commissioned Borderstep for the project on business models for digital building technologies. The dena-associated competency center focuses on digital energy efficiency solutions where Borderstep provides research and analysis.
• Scientists for Future (S4F)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBorderstep co-founded and actively supports the Scientists for Future movement. Dr. Jens Clausen led S4F's heat transition working group. S4F publications co-authored by Borderstep researchers provided scientific grounding for policy debates on heat pumps and district heating.
• ImpactNexus GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst spin-off from Borderstep (2021). Founded based on Borderstep's sustainability assessment research. Dr. Jannic Horne led development as CEO; Dr. Constanze Trautwein serves as product development lead. ImpactNexus develops SaaS solutions for impact management and ESG reporting.
• FridaysForFuture / ParentsForFutureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBorderstep provided scientific expertise to the FridaysForFuture movement, particularly on district heating decarbonization. Supported the 'hannover erneuerbar' citizens' initiative in Hannover's heat transition process, contributing to the 2021 council decision on coal phase-out.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Institut für ökologische Wirtschaftsforschung (IÖW): Berlin-based non-profit sustainability economics research institute with comparable focus on sustainable entrepreneurship, green economy, and corporate sustainability. Directly comparable as a fellow German research gGmbH competing for similar BMBF/BMWF project tenders.
• adelphi: Berlin-based independent think tank and policy consultancy on environment, climate, and sustainable development. Directly comparable in non-profit/think-tank model, EU and German ministry funding sources, and focus on sustainability policy advisory.
• Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, Energie: Leading German sustainability and energy transition research institute with strong policy impact tradition. Comparable in research focus on energy transition, climate innovation, and sustainable economy, though larger in headcount and federal/state funding footprint.
• Ecologic Institute: Berlin-based environmental policy research institute working on EU sustainability policy, energy transition, and climate governance. Closely comparable in funding model (EU and federal ministry grants), mission (applied sustainability research), and client base (policymakers and EU institutions).
• RIFS Potsdam (Research Institute for Sustainability): Potsdam-based sustainability research institute formerly affiliated with the Helmholtz Centre. Comparable in interdisciplinary sustainability research agenda, focus on transformation processes, and German public-funder client base.
• Oeko-Institut: Freiburg/Darmstadt/Berlin-based applied ecology and sustainability research institute working on energy transition, circular economy, and environmental policy. Comparable as a fellow German non-profit research institute competing for similar UBA, BMBF, and EU-funded mandates.

Emerging players

• South Pole Group: Global for-profit climate solutions and sustainability consultancy working on net-zero strategy, GHG accounting, and ESG advisory. Comparable in GHG/net-zero consulting domain though structured as a commercial venture with global delivery and venture backing.

Others

• ImpactNexus GmbH: SaaS spin-off from Borderstep (founded 2021) providing impact management and ESG reporting software. Comparable as a direct commercialization of Borderstep's startup sustainability assessment research, though owned and operated independently.

Broad incumbents

• Fraunhofer ISI: Karlsruhe-based Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research, a much larger applied research organization covering innovation systems, energy policy, and sustainability transitions. Broader incumbent that competes for the same BMBF tenders with greater scale and consortium leadership.
• BCG (Climate & Sustainability Practice): Boston Consulting Group's global sustainability practice covering ESG strategy, climate transition, and impact measurement. Comparable in impact measurement methodology work (former Borderstep researcher Dr. Jannic Horne is BCG alum) and sustainability advisory to corporations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/borderstep-institute-for-innovation-and-sustainability
• Xx.com/borderstep_org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Borderstep Institute