Salzburg Management Business School

What Salzburg Management Business School does

Salzburg Management Business School (SMBS) is a private Austrian adult education institution operating as a 100% subsidiary of the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg (PLUS). Founded in 2001, SMBS delivers part-time postgraduate management education to working professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs across the DACH region (Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy), with documented international cohort reach extending to Kuwait, Thailand, China, South Africa, Canada, and the United States through embedded Global Management Experience modules.

The core product portfolio centers on the Executive MBA (EMBA), offered in multiple variants: General Management (4 semesters / 7 weeks per semester), Health Care Management, Quality & Risk Management, and a Double Degree with Hochschule Fresenius. The 2023 redesign introduced 24+ freely configurable specialization modules from semester 3 onward. Supporting programs include a Mini-MBA (Akademischer Experte), a Pathway to PhD program (articulating to UniSC Australia and historically University of Latvia), a Bachelor Professional in Psychosoziale Beratung launched in 2024 with ÖAGG, and short-format certificate offerings (CEO Masterclasses, Circular Economy, Kompaktlehrgang für Aufsichtsräte, and 2-10 day executive workshops). Programs are delivered in weekend and block formats at the Salzburg headquarters (Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse 18) with a Vienna training location for the Bachelor program, and international modules at Georgetown, Fudan, GIBS, York/Schulich, and Westminster. FIBAA accreditation was renewed in 2022 without conditions. Technology infrastructure is limited to a standard E-Campus LMS and an education-tailored ERP with no proprietary platform.

SMBS generates revenue primarily from per-semester tuition (€6,625/semester for the EMBA totaling €26,500; €1,500/semester for the Bachelor totaling €10,500), with additional streams from executive workshops (€790-€1,190), processing fees (€75-€450), late-enrollment administrative fees, and customized corporate inhouse programs (e.g., Lagermax Management Academy). The institution operates under Austrian VAT-exempt adult education status. The defining structural fact is the April-2025 announcement that PLUS will cease its involvement as sole shareholder effective 15 July 2025, with SMBS discontinuing operations while enrolled students complete studies within statutory deadlines and PLUS developing new continuing education programs under its own governance.

Name

Salzburg Management Business School

Legal name

SMBS-University of Salzburg Business School GmbH

Website

https://smbs.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Salzburg Management Business School is an Austrian private business school founded in 2001 as a 100% subsidiary of the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, delivering part-time Executive MBA, Master, Bachelor, and PhD programs to working professionals across the DACH region with international modules at Georgetown, Fudan, and GIBS; operations are scheduled to cease on 15 July 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Education

NAICS

Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

MBA & Executive MBA Programs (EDAHAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Management Research Institutes & Doctoral (PhD/DBA) Programs (EDAHAHAO), Executive Education & Corporate Programs (Non-degree) (EDAHAHAN)

Keywords

• Executive education programs
• Business school degrees
• Executive MBA programs
• Professional part-time education
• Corporate training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Salzburg

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Course Fees: SMBS generates primary revenue from tuition and course fees for Executive MBA, Master, Bachelor, and PhD programs. Fees are paid per semester or program. The institution is VAT-exempt under Austrian tax law ( § 6 Abs 1 Z 11 lit a UStG 94) as an adult education institution. Additional revenue streams include examination fees, processing fees, and late-enrollment administrative fees.
2. Certificate Programs and Executive Workshops: Revenue from short-format certificate programs (CEO Masterclasses, Circular Economy, Inhouse Corporate Programs) and 2-10 day executive workshops for leaders, priced at €790–€1,190 per workshop.
3. Corporate Inhouse Programs: Customized inhouse training programs sold to enterprises (e.g., Lagermax Management Academy), where modules are tailored to company-specific needs and delivered on-site.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SMBS delivers part-time postgraduate and executive education programs, primarily the Executive MBA (with configurable specialization modules), Master's and Bachelor's degrees, a PhD Pathway, and short-format certificate programs and executive workshops. Programs are conferred by Paris Lodron University Salzburg and are designed for working professionals and executives seeking academically recognized credentials, with international exposure via partner universities.

Product overview

SMBS offers a portfolio of executive education programs centered around its Executive MBA (EMBA) as the core product, with multiple specialized variants (Health Care Management, Quality & Risk Management, Double Degree with HS Fresenius). The portfolio includes doctoral pathway programs, a professional bachelor in psychosocial counseling, and short certificate programs including CEO Masterclasses, executive workshops on topics ranging from negotiation to circular economy, and customizable corporate inhouse programs. International exposure is provided through Global Management Experience modules at partner universities in Johannesburg, Shanghai, Washington D.C., London, and Toronto. Programs are delivered in German with English for international components, using weekend and block formats designed for working professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Executive MBA General Management Flagship Executive MBA program with 4 semesters (7 weeks each) covering management core modules followed by 24 freely selectable specialization ECTS and international study trips. Conferred by Paris Lodron University Salzburg, 90 ECTS total. Priced at €6,625 per semester plus €2,000 exam/admin fee (total tuition €26,500), targeting experienced professionals.
• Executive MBA Health Care Management Executive MBA combining business administration fundamentals with healthcare-specific expertise, designed for professionals in the medical and health sector. 4 semesters (7 weeks) format, taught in Salzburg.
• Executive MBA Qualitäts- und Risikomanagement Executive MBA combining General Management and Leadership content with international standards including ISO 9001 and related norms, focusing on quality, environment, and safety management approaches.
• Executive MBA Double Degree with HS Fresenius Double-degree Executive MBA program in cooperation with Hochschule Fresenius, offering a degree from both institutions. Students complete 2 semesters (4 weeks) of study, designed for experienced professionals.
• Mini-MBA / Akademischer Experte in General Management Compact executive education program leading to an academic expert certification (Akademischer Experte) in General Management, awarded by Paris Lodron University Salzburg. 4 semesters (6 weeks) format.
• Pathway to Ph.D. Program Structured part-time doctoral pathway enabling candidates to apply and enroll at partner universities including University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia). Modules held in Salzburg, with administrative support for admissions to a state-accredited PhD program at the University of Latvia.
• Bachelor Professional Psychosoziale Beratung Professional bachelor degree (180 ECTS, 7 semesters) in psychosocial counseling developed with ÖAGG, combining psychological foundations with practical counseling in couple, family, and career contexts. Priced at €1,500/semester (total tuition €10,500).
• CEO Masterclass Transaction Based Growth Management Executive short program targeting CEOs and managing directors, focusing on building companies for strategic transactions and exits.
• CEO Masterclass High Growth Technology Commercialization Executive short program focused on commercialization strategies for high-growth technology companies, targeting European CEOs and executives.
• Executive Workshops (Kurzprogramme) Certificate programs of 2–10 days covering topics including tactical negotiation, accounting, project management, brand management, sales management, entrepreneurship, customer orientation, new work, process management, change management, business communication, controlling, legal compliance, digital marketing, healthcare management, resilience, and art of acceleration. Priced at €790 (alumni/students) or €1,190 (external) per workshop.
• Circular Economy Zertifikatslehrgang Certificate program focused on circular economy principles and sustainability in business contexts.
• Kompaktlehrgang für Aufsichtsräte Compact certificate program for supervisory board members covering compliance, risk management, and crisis management.
• Corporate Inhouse Program Customized in-house training programs for companies, allowing organizations to book individual modules adapted to their specific business needs (e.g., Lagermax Management Academy launched June 2024). Delivered at company premises or SMBS campus.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90 ECTS awarded per Executive MBA program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship / core.

• GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business Science), JohannesburgcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022GIBS is a leading business school in Africa. SMBS students attend a 'New Markets' module at GIBS covering International Business Strategy and Cross-cultural Leadership. The partnership has been a fixed part of SMBS's international program since 2022. Module scheduled for September 2026.
• University of Latvia, RigaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Since 2015, SMBS has provided administrative support for admissions to a state-accredited PhD program (Doctor of Science in Management and Economics) at the University of Latvia. SMBS offers some doctoral seminars in Salzburg and charges administrative fees; all other tuition is paid directly to the University of Latvia, where students are enrolled.
• Paris Lodron University Salzburg (PLUS)flagship / coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMBS is a 100% subsidiary (Tochtergesellschaft) of the Paris Lodron University Salzburg. The university confers all academic degrees awarded by SMBS. The university is the sole shareholder and plans to develop its own continuing education programs under its own roof, having decided to cease its involvement in SMBS operations as of 15 July 2025.
• Georgetown University, Washington D.C.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMBS EMBA students attend a one-week international module at Georgetown University covering topics including Cross-cultural Aspects, Strategic Communication & Personal Branding, Negotiation, Transaction Based Growth Management, and Leadership & Company Development. Modules are taught by Georgetown faculty and SMBS CEO Stephanie Lichtenberg.
• Fudan University, ShanghaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMBA students attend an 'Evolving Markets' module at Fudan University, one of China's leading universities. The module offers international perspective and emerging market strategy insights as part of the Global Management Experiences elective.
• University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), Brisbane, AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMBS Pathway to PhD students can apply and enroll at UniSC upon successful completion of the SMBS Pathway program. The programs are content-wise and structurally aligned. Alumni events are held jointly in Salzburg. UniSC academic staff participate in SMBS PhD alumni panels.
• HS Fresenius (Hochschule Fresenius)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMBS offers a double-degree Executive MBA program in cooperation with Hochschule Fresenius. Students complete 2 semesters (4 weeks) of study and can earn credentials from both institutions.
• York University (Schulich School of Business), TorontominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMBS EMBA students attend an international module in Toronto at York University's Schulich School of Business, covering topics such as Finance and Markets. Sessions are also led by faculty from the Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto) and Harvard Kennedy School.
• Westminster University, LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMBS students (including MIB and MIM) can attend an international module at Westminster University in London, gaining insights into international financial markets and business operations.
• Sasin School of Management, Bangkok (Thailand)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThai students from the Sasin School of Management participated in SMBS's Toronto international module alongside SMBS students, enabling intercultural exchange.
• Gulf University for Science & Technology (GUST), KuwaitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMBS hosted a summer school program for students from GUST Kuwait in 2024, welcoming them to the SMBS campus in Salzburg.
• Long Island University Brooklyn (LIU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMBS students attended a second study week at LIU Brooklyn, New York City, with site visits organized by professors including Ray Pullaro (Dean of the School of Business).
• ÖAGG (Österreichischer Arbeitskreis für Gruppentherapie und Gruppendynamik)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Bachelor Professional Psychosoziale Beratung program was developed in cooperation with ÖAGG. ÖAGG has been a leading provider of continuing education in group dynamics and group therapy since 1959. The partnership provides the program with a strong professional network and expertise.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• University of St.Gallen (HSG) Executive School: Executive education arm of the University of St.Gallen, one of the leading German-speaking business schools. Offers Executive MBA, modular management programs, and corporate custom programs. Directly comparable in German-speaking EMBA market positioning.
• MCI Management Center Innsbruck: Austrian university of applied sciences offering part-time Master, MBA, and executive programs with international student body. Comparable in product mix (part-time postgraduate management programs with international modules) and target audience.
• WU Executive Academy (Vienna University of Economics and Business): Austrian executive education provider affiliated with WU Vienna, offering Executive MBA, Professional MBA, and short executive programs for working professionals in the DACH market. Most direct comparable to SMBS given Austrian base, university affiliation, and EMBA-centric portfolio.
• LIMAK Austrian Business School: Austrian business school affiliated with Johannes Kepler University Linz, offering Executive MBAs, university programs, and corporate inhouse training. Closely comparable to SMBS in scale, university-affiliation model, and DACH executive education focus.
• Frankfurt School of Finance & Management: German business school offering Executive MBA, Master, and certificate programs in finance and management. Comparable in DACH EMBA market and corporate inhouse training offerings, though more finance-skewed than SMBS.

Broad incumbents

• SDA Bocconi School of Management: Italian business school offering Executive MBA and custom programs with strong DACH-corridor student flow. Comparable in executive education product mix and corporate inhouse capabilities, though substantially larger and more internationally ranked.
• ESMT Berlin: Berlin-based international business school offering Executive MBA, modular programs, and corporate custom programs. Comparable in DACH executive education footprint and target audience of experienced professionals, but at a significantly larger scale.
• WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management: Larger, more established German business school offering full-time and part-time MBA programs plus executive education. Overlaps with SMBS in DACH executive education but operates at significantly larger scale and with broader brand recognition.
• Mannheim Business School (MBA Programs): German business school affiliated with University of Mannheim, offering part-time and full-time MBA, Executive MBA, and corporate programs. Direct competitor in the DACH part-time EMBA segment, with larger scale and stronger brand.

Emerging players

• Hochschule Fresenius (HS Fresenius): German private university already partnered with SMBS for a double-degree EMBA. Comparable through its part-time MBA portfolio and corporate training offerings; an existing SMBS partner and therefore a direct comparable in product design.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/smbsuniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/smbs.fb
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smbs---university-of-salzburg-business-school

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Salzburg Management Business School