DHBW Mannheim
DHBW Mannheim is Germany's first dual public university, part of the 12-campus DHBW system, serving 5,676 students across 50 study programs by alternating campus theory with practical phases at 1,867 partner companies, funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersMannheim, Germany
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What DHBW Mannheim does
DHBW Mannheim is a public dual university and one of 12 campuses in the Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) system, founded in 1974 as Germany's first dual university. It serves approximately 5,676 enrolled students across 50 study programs spanning three faculties: Technology (Technik), Business (Wirtschaft), and Health (Gesundheit). The institution's core operating model alternates theory phases on the Mannheim campus (Coblitzallee 1-9) with practical phases hosted by 1,867 dual partner companies, producing 1,604 graduates in 2025. As a tuition-free public-law corporation (Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts) under the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, DHBW Mannheim is funded primarily through state appropriations and federal research grants, with no tuition charged to students and nominal semester fees only.
The underlying technology stack combines physical campus infrastructure with digital learning systems: a Moodle-based Learning Management System supporting 20+ languages, BigBlueButton video conferencing for online lectures, the Studgate Zimbra-based email and groupware platform, and bwSync&Share (Nextcloud-hosted) for cloud file storage. Applied research infrastructure includes specialized laboratories in Mannheim and Eppelheim, with active competence centers (DILARS, DTC, INDIS, ZEEB, ZMVT) and research clusters (AddLab, EDSC, ELCH). Notable recent research projects include GreenLab H2 (sustainable hydrogen production for campus energy needs, funded up to €100,000 by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science) and PECVD_BipoCoat (advanced coatings for PEM electrolyzer bipolar plates, funded under the Federal Government's 8th Energy Research Program in partnership with Centrotherm international AG and EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies GmbH).
DHBW Mannheim's business model is structurally different from a commercial enterprise: revenue is derived from state appropriations, federal research grants, nominal student semester fees, and in-kind contributions from dual partner companies, rather than tuition or commercial fees. Go-to-market is event-driven, with annual October intake cycles supported by info events (Spotlight Sessions, CampusTag Online), career fairs (Sprungbrett, Heidelberger Ausbildungs- und Studientage), school outreach (DHBW4Teens), and the StudyUp digital matching platform. Customer segments are prospective undergraduate students seeking employment-linked study pathways and dual partner companies seeking talent pipelines and applied research collaboration. The institution is led by President Prof. Dr. Martina Klärle (DHBW system) and does not have private shareholders, venture capital, or external investors; oversight resides with the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts.
DHBW Mannheim firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DHBW Mannheim
- Legal name
- Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg
- Website
- https://dhbw-mannheim.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- DHBW Mannheim is Germany's first dual public university, part of the 12-campus DHBW system, serving 5,676 students across 50 study programs by alternating campus theory with practical phases at 1,867 partner companies, funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DHBW Mannheim industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education / Dual Study Programs
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities (EDAHAEAF)
Keywords
Where DHBW Mannheim is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mannheim
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
DHBW Mannheim business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition-free Public Higher Education (State-funded): As a public German university (Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts), DHBW Mannheim receives government funding from the state of Baden-Württemberg and federal programs. Students pay no tuition fees. Revenue is derived from public education subsidies and research grants.
- Research Grants and Project Funding: Funded research through government programs including Baden-Württemberg's Ministry of Science, Research and Arts (up to €100,000 for GreenLab H2) and the Federal Government's 8th Energy Research Program (for PECVD_BipoCoat).
- Dual Partner Cooperation Fees: Companies participating as dual partners support the dual study model by providing practical training positions; while no direct fees are charged to students, partner companies co-finance the model through their training and mentorship contributions.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
DHBW Mannheim product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DHBW Mannheim is a public dual university offering tuition-free bachelor's and master's degree programs that integrate classroom-based academic theory at the Mannheim campus with practical work phases at one of 1,867 partner companies. The institution operates across three faculties (Technik, Wirtschaft, Gesundheit) and delivers approximately 50 study programs, supported by digital infrastructure including a Moodle LMS, BigBlueButton video conferencing, and the StudyUp student-company matching portal.
Product overview
DHBW Mannheim is a dual university (first in Germany) offering approximately 50 dual study programs combining theory at campus with practical phases at partner companies. The institution operates its own digital infrastructure including a Moodle-based Learning Management System (LMS), an event management platform for workshops and info sessions, video conferencing via BigBlueButton, cloud storage through bwSync&Share, and the StudyUp portal for student-company matching. Research initiatives include hydrogen technology projects GreenLab H2 and PECVD_BipoCoat focused on sustainable energy solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 1604 graduates in 2025 across all study programs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use DHBW Mannheim
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
DHBW Mannheim technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability2 records
Feature3 records
DHBW Mannheim partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Centrotherm international AGcoreCentrotherm international AG is an industry partner in the PECVD_BipoCoat project, which develops innovative coatings for cost-effective metallic bipolar plates in PEM electrolyzers. The collaboration aims at industrial cost reduction in hydrogen production components.
- EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies GmbHcoreEKPO Fuel Cell Technologies GmbH collaborates with DHBW Mannheim on the PECVD_BipoCoat project, contributing expertise in fuel cell technologies to the development of advanced coatings for hydrogen production components.
- Dual Partner Companies (1867 companies)core1867 companies across Germany serve as dual training partners, hosting students for practical phases, co-designing curriculum, recruiting graduates, and collaborating on applied research. These companies span technology, business, and healthcare sectors.
- DHBW System (12 Study Locations)coreDHBW Mannheim is part of the Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg system with 12 locations across the state. The system shares curricula, the Center for Advanced Studies (DHBW CAS) for master's programs, and the INDIS interdisciplinary program spanning multiple locations.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
DHBW Mannheim competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DHBW Stuttgart: Sister campus and central hub of the Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg system. Operates the same dual study model with theory-practice alternation and partner company placements, making it the most directly comparable institution to DHBW Mannheim.
- University of Cincinnati (Co-op Education Pioneer): U.S. pioneer of cooperative education since 1906, alternating academic semesters with full-time paid work placements. Closest international analogue to DHBW's dual study model in terms of structural approach and employer integration.
- Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) - System: The 12-campus parent system of DHBW Mannheim. Operates the same dual study model across Germany and shares infrastructure like DHBW CAS for master's programs, making it the closest institutional comparator.
- University of Waterloo (Co-op Model): Canadian university globally recognized for its cooperative education program embedded across degree streams. Operationally and structurally analogous to DHBW Mannheim's dual study architecture.
- Northeastern University (Co-op Leader): U.S. research university famous for its 100+ year co-op program, embedding six-month full-time work experiences into degree pathways. Most operationally similar large-scale cooperative education institution globally.
Emerging players
- IU International University of Applied Sciences: Germany's largest private university, offering flexible and often online degree programs with strong employer alignment. Competes for working professionals and corporate training budgets that DHBW Mannheim's dual model also targets.
Broad incumbents
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT): Major public research university in Baden-Württemberg with substantially larger R&D scale. Competes for top faculty, federal research grants, and STEM talent in the same regional ecosystem.
Regional players
- Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart: Public Stuttgart-based University of Applied Sciences with strong industry integration in technical fields. Overlaps with DHBW Mannheim in engineering, business, and applied research programs.
- Hochschule Mannheim: Public University of Applied Sciences located in the same city as DHBW Mannheim. Offers applied bachelor and master programs with industry placements, serving as a direct regional competitor for German students.
Others
- Fraunhofer Society (Applied Research Network): Germany's leading applied research organization with extensive industry partnerships and dual-model adjacent research. Comparable in applied research output and industry integration, though not a degree-granting institution.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DHBW Mannheim social profiles
Digital presenceDHBW Mannheim financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DHBW Mannheim leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
DHBW Mannheim funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DHBW Mannheim M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DHBW Mannheim
What does DHBW Mannheim do?
DHBW Mannheim is a public dual university offering tuition-free bachelor's and master's degree programs that integrate classroom-based academic theory at the Mannheim campus with practical work phases at one of 1,867 partner companies. The institution operates across three faculties (Technik, Wirtschaft, Gesundheit) and delivers approximately 50 study programs, supported by digital infrastructure including a Moodle LMS, BigBlueButton video conferencing, and the StudyUp student-company matching portal.
Is DHBW Mannheim a public or private company?
DHBW Mannheim is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was DHBW Mannheim founded?
DHBW Mannheim was founded in 1974. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is DHBW Mannheim based?
DHBW Mannheim is headquartered in Mannheim, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does DHBW Mannheim make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition-free Public Higher Education (State-funded) is the primary driver. The others are research Grants and Project Funding and dual Partner Cooperation Fees.
Who are DHBW Mannheim's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DHBW Stuttgart, University of Cincinnati (Co-op Education Pioneer), Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) - System, University of Waterloo (Co-op Model) and Northeastern University (Co-op Leader). IU International University of Applied Sciences is listed as an emerging player. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart and Hochschule Mannheim. Fraunhofer Society (Applied Research Network) is listed as an others.
Does DHBW Mannheim have an API?
No public API is recorded for DHBW Mannheim.
What industry is DHBW Mannheim in?
DHBW Mannheim's product category is Higher Education / Dual Study Programs. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAEAF, Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.