Studentenwerk Frankfurt am Main

What Studentenwerk Frankfurt am Main does

Studierendenwerk Frankfurt am Main is a German public-law student services organization (Anstalt des öffentlichen Rechts) under the legal supervision of the state of Hesse, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Frankfurt am Main. It is the legally mandated service provider for subsidized student welfare at six partner universities in the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region: Goethe-Universität (Bockenheim, Westend, Riedberg, and Niederrad campuses), Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst, Hochschule für Gestaltung (Offenbach), Hochschule RheinMain (Rüsselsheim), and Hochschule Geisenheim. The organization operates a platform-plus-services model comprising dining (Mensen, Cafeterias, Cafés), student housing (25+ Wohnheime plus Hostel HOME flexible accommodation and MainTutor managed housing), education funding administration (BAföG and AFBG/Aufstiegs-BAföG), psychosocial counseling, social and financial advisory, legal advice, childcare (Studieren mit Kind, FamilyCard), a student job board (Studi-Jobbörse), a proprietary loan product (MainSWerk-Studiendarlehen), catering services, and the FRANK student magazine.

The technical infrastructure underlying these services is conventional rather than transformative. Digital touchpoints include the Mieterportal tenant management portal, an Online-Bewerbung housing application system, and cashless payment via the Hochschulkarte/Mensacard with GIRO/credit card integration and Kartenaufwerter recharging stations. Sustainability is built into the food service layer through the Umweltscore environmental scoring system, the Mehrweg reusable-container program, and the "Restlos Glücklich" food-waste initiative, alongside the mensaVital healthy-eating sub-brand. There is no disclosed use of AI/ML, proprietary models, or research-driven technology in the technology stack. The MainSWerk Service GmbH subsidiary operates as a wholly owned commercial entity extending beyond the parent's public-law remit, primarily to deliver the MainSWerk-Studiendarlehen loan product.

The business model is a hybrid of mandatory per-semester student contributions (Beiträge), state of Hesse subsidies, transactional food and beverage revenue from 20+ dining facilities (partially subsidized), recurring rental income from 25+ student dormitories (with Hostel HOME starting from 630 EUR per month), and ancillary income from catering, the MainSWerk loan book, and commercial subsidiary activity. Distribution is direct-to-student with no intermediaries or resellers; service delivery occurs through on-campus physical facilities and digital self-service platforms. Marketing and outreach operate through institutional university channels, student government bodies (Verfasste Studierendenschaft), Instagram, Facebook, Mastodon, the Studiwerk blog, newsletter, FRANK magazine, and the Verwaltungsrat governance route. Customer segments include enrolled students (primary), student parents, students with disabilities or chronic illness, international students, and students in financial hardship.

Name

Studentenwerk Frankfurt am Main

Legal name

Studierendenwerk Frankfurt am Main

Website

https://studentenwerkfrankfurt.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Studierendenwerk Frankfurt am Main is a Hessian public-law student services organization providing subsidized dining, housing, BAföG/AFBG administration, psychosocial and legal counseling, childcare, and a student loan to enrolled students at six partner universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Services (Higher Education Support)

NAICS

Rooming and Boarding Houses, Dormitories, and Workers' Camps (7213), Educational Services (611), Special Food Services (7223)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Food Service & Dining Operations Management (Managed Cafeterias) (EDAEALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student Residence Halls & Dormitory Management (On-/Near-Campus) (EDAIALAB), Guest, Visitor & Conference Housing Services (Summer/Break Housing) (EDAEAFAN)

Keywords

• Student housing services
• University dining services
• Education funding counseling
• Psychosocial student counseling
• Childcare for students

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Food and Beverage Operations: Revenue from operating university canteens (Mensen), cafeterias, cafes, and catering services across multiple university campuses. Food service is partially subsidized.
2. Student Housing Rent: Rental income from approximately 25+ student dormitories (Wohnheime) across Frankfurt am Main, Rüsselsheim, Wiesbaden, and Geisenheim. Rent starts from 630 EUR per month at Hostel HOME.
3. Student Semester Contributions: Mandatory student contributions (Beiträge) paid per semester that fund core Studierendenwerk services including counseling, BAföG administration, and social services.
4. State Subsidies and Public Funding: Government funding and subsidies from the state of Hesse for operating student services including subsidized dining and affordable housing.
5. MainSWerk Student Loan: Student loan product (MainSWerk-Studiendarlehen) offered as a financing option for students in financial need.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Studentenwerk Frankfurt am Main is a publicly mandated student services organization that operates subsidized dining facilities (Mensen, Cafeterias, Cafés) and student housing (25+ dormitories) across five partner universities in the Frankfurt/Rhein-Main region. It also administers BAföG/AFBG education funding, delivers psychosocial, social, financial, and legal counseling, offers childcare services, and provides a student loan (MainSWerk-Studiendarlehen) through its subsidiary MainSWerk Service GmbH. All services are delivered at partially subsidized rates to enrolled students of Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt UAS, HfMDK, HfG, Hochschule RheinMain, and Hochschule Geisenheim.

Product overview

Studierendenwerk Frankfurt am Main is a public service organization (Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts) providing comprehensive student services across multiple German universities. The organization operates a platform-plus-services model offering dining facilities (Mensen, Cafeterias, Cafés with cashless payment systems), student housing (dormitories, Hostel HOME, MainTutor), education funding administration (BAföG/AFBG), and diverse counseling services (psychosocial, social/financial, legal). Additional offerings include childcare support, a student job board, tenant management portal (Mieterportal), and the MainSWerk-Studiendarlehen loan product. Services are delivered through mensaVital branded healthy eating programs and cater to students across Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst, Hochschule für Gestaltung, Hochschule RheinMain, and Hochschule Geisenheim.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MainTutor: Student tutoring program offered by the organization
• mensaVital
• MainSWerk-Studiendarlehen
• Hostel HOME
• FamilyCard

Products and services

• Essen & Trinken (Mensen & Cafeterias) Subsidized food and dining services for students at partner universities, including canteens (Mensen), cafeterias, cafes, and coffee bars, with cashless payment via the Hochschulkarte/Mensacard, the mensaVital healthy eating initiative, environmental scoring (Umweltscore), reusable container programs, allergen labeling, and catering.
• Wohnen (Student Housing) Affordable student housing across 25+ dormitories (Wohnheime) in Frankfurt am Main, Rüsselsheim, Wiesbaden, and Geisenheim, including the Hostel HOME flexible housing option (from 630 EUR/month) and MainTutor managed housing. Rentals are managed through an online application portal (Mieterportal) for tenants.
• BAföG & AFBG (Education Funding Administration) Counseling and administration of BAföG (federal training assistance) and AFBG/Aufstiegs-BAföG (advancement training assistance) for students, including application support and designated office hours.
• Psychosozialberatung (Psychosocial Counseling) Psychological and social counseling services for students, including scheduled appointments, open consultation hours, workshops, crisis intervention, and informational materials.
• Sozial- und Finanzierungsberatung (Social and Financial Counseling) Social and financial advisory services for students covering study financing, scholarship information, state aid, emergency financial assistance, education loans, and student job listings.
• Studieren mit Kind (Studying with Children / Childcare) Support services for student parents, including regular childcare, supervised playrooms, parent-child rooms, emergency childcare, and the FamilyCard program providing discounts and benefits.
• Rechtsberatung (Legal Counseling) Legal advice and counseling services for students on matters related to their studies and student life.
• MainSWerk-Studiendarlehen (Student Loan) Proprietary student loan product offered by the subsidiary MainSWerk Service GmbH to help students finance their studies, with FAQ support available.
• Mieterportal (Tenant Portal) Online tenant management portal enabling residents to manage move-in/move-out dates, report damages, upload enrollment certificates, and access LAN administrator support.
• Catering Catering services for events and functions, with inquiry submission available through the Cateringanfrage system on the website, serving university departments and external organizations.
• mensaVital (Healthy Eating Initiative) Healthy eating initiative and brand within the dining services, offering nutritious meal options with recipes for home cooking and the Vitaly concept.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MainSWerk Service GmbHcoreOthersSubsidiary company of Studentenwerk Frankfurt providing student loan services (MainSWerk-Studiendarlehen) and potentially other commercial services. Operates as an affiliated service entity of the parent organization.
• Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am MaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary university partner serving as the main host for dining facilities. Studentenwerk operates over 15 canteens and cafeterias across Goethe's campuses (Bockenheim, Westend, Riedberg, Niederrad) providing food services to approximately 50,000+ students.
• Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Frankfurt UAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university where Studentenwerk operates Mensa essWERK and KOSTBAR dining facilities for approximately 10,000+ students.
• Hochschule RheinMainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Applied Sciences in Rüsselsheim with Studentenwerk operating Mensa accent, Café THINK, Mensa POINT, Restaurant Camera, and Mensa Rüsselsheim facilities.
• Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am MainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic and performing arts university with a Mensa dining facility operated by Studentenwerk Frankfurt.
• Hochschule GeisenheimminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity with Mensa dining facility and student housing (Eibinger Weg 1b) operated by Studentenwerk Frankfurt.
• Hochschule für Gestaltung OffenbachminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign university with a cafeteria operated by Studentenwerk Frankfurt serving design students.
• Verfasste Studierendenschaft (Student Governments)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent representative bodies at partner universities who participate in governance through the administrative council (Verwaltungsrat). Student representatives initiated initiatives such as the pilot vegan meal program.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Studentenwerk München: Public Studierendenwerk serving Munich universities with similar comprehensive student services including dormitories, Mensen, and BAföG administration. Operates under the same legal framework in Bavaria with comparable scale and service breadth.
• Studierendenwerk Berlin: Public Studierendenwerk serving Berlin universities with student housing, canteens, and counseling services. Directly comparable as a German student services organization with the same mandate, funding model, and service mix operating under identical state regulations.
• Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe: Public Studierendenwerk for Karlsruhe universities operating canteens, dormitories, and BAföG administration. Directly comparable in scope and mission as a Baden-Württemberg state institution.
• Studentenwerk Dresden: Public Studierendenwerk serving Dresden universities. Comparable German student services organization with the same housing, dining, and counseling mandate under Saxon state oversight.
• Studentenwerk Tübingen-Hohenheim: Public Studierendenwerk serving Tübingen and Hohenheim universities. Directly comparable as a smaller German Studierendenwerk with the same statutory mandate and service offerings.
• Kölner Studierendenwerk: Public Studierendenwerk for Cologne universities with parallel housing, dining, and counseling service offerings. Comparable mandate and operational model as a North Rhine-Westphalia state institution.
• Studierendenwerk Hamburg: Public Studierendenwerk serving Hamburg universities with equivalent student services portfolio. Directly comparable in scope and regulatory environment as a Hamburg state institution.
• Studentenwerk Erlangen-Nürnberg: Public Studierendenwerk for Erlangen-Nürnberg universities with comprehensive student services. Comparable in mandate and operational model as a Bavarian state institution.

Broad incumbents

• Sodexo (Germany): International facilities and food service management company with German university dining operations. Comparable in dining service delivery and scale, though competes in different segments (e.g., corporate, healthcare) and does not hold the same public mandate.
• Aramark: Global food service and facilities management company operating in Germany including university and corporate dining. Comparable as a managed food service provider in the education segment, though operates as a private for-profit rather than a public-mandated institution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/studiwerk_ffm
• Facebookfacebook.com/studentenwerkfrankfurt
• Instagraminstagram.com/studiwerk_ffm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Studentenwerk Frankfurt am Main