Hochschule der Bayerischen Wirtschaft

What Hochschule der Bayerischen Wirtschaft does

Hochschule der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (HDBW) is a private, state-recognized University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften) headquartered at the Wappenhalle in Munich-Riem, Germany. Founded around 2014 and wholly owned by the bbw-Gruppe (Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft), HDBW delivers accredited Bachelor's, Master's, and MBA programs that explicitly integrate business, technology, and digitalization disciplines across three departments: Business Administration (BWL), Industrial Engineering (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen), and Business Informatics (Wirtschaftsinformatik / Business Intelligence). The institution teaches roughly 500 students via three study models — full-time, part-time (berufsbegleitend), and a practice-integrated dual study model (Studium mit vertiefter Praxis) — with class sizes capped at 40 and admissions based on personal interview rather than a Numerus Clausus threshold.

The core operating platform is conventional higher-ed infrastructure: TYPO3 for the public website, Microsoft Office 365 for staff/student productivity, Moodle as the learning management system, CAS Campus as the campus management system, and self-hosted Matomo for privacy-compliant web analytics. The only AI surface is a third-party chatbot (KI Rise, built by Schwinnen Digital UG on Chatbase) used for prospective-student inquiries. Dual-study delivery — alternating multi-month theory blocks at HDBW with extended practical blocks at the partner company under a formal training plan (Ausbildungsplan) — is the structural backbone of the curriculum.

HDBW's revenue model is B2C tuition plus a substantial B2B element. Students in full-time/part-time tracks pay tuition billed monthly (e.g., €590/month for dual Business Informatics), while in dual-study arrangements the partner company typically pays the student a training allowance and remits HDBW tuition to the university. The institution monetises its degree portfolio to school-leavers, Bachelor's graduates, and working professionals, and adds a fee-based continuing-education layer (e.g., the Startup-CFO certificate launching October 2026). Practice-partner companies (55+, including Infineon, BDO, Baker Tilly, Rödl & Partner, E.ON Grid Solutions, GKN Aerospace, and TDK) operate as both talent pipeline and de facto distribution channel. HDBW holds Bavarian state recognition, Wissenschaftsrat institutional re-accreditation through September 30, 2033, and program-level accreditations from ACQUIN, FIBAA, and the Akkreditierungsrat.

Name

Hochschule der Bayerischen Wirtschaft

Legal name

Hochschule der Bayerischen Wirtschaft gGmbH

Website

https://hdbw-hochschule.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Short description

HDBW is a private, state-recognized University of Applied Sciences in Munich offering accredited Bachelor's, Master's, and MBA programs that integrate business, technology, and digitalization. It serves around 500 students via full-time, part-time, and practice-integrated dual study models in partnership with 55+ Bavarian companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Higher Education

akta.pro primary industry

Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs) (EDAHAHAA)

Keywords

• Private higher education
• Dual study programs
• Business informatics degrees
• Industrial engineering degrees
• Digital business education

Headquarters

HQ city

München

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees (Private Higher Education): HDBW is a private university that charges tuition fees for its Bachelor, Master, and MBA programs. Fees are charged on a monthly basis (e.g., 590 EUR/month for dual study programs). The dual study model does not require students to pay tuition to HDBW in addition to their company training compensation — the company typically pays the student a monthly salary/stipend while HDBW charges its fees to the company or student. For full-time and part-time programs, tuition details are listed but not fully disclosed in public sources. Revenue is recurring on a per-student, per-semester basis. The legal entity is HDBW gGmbH, part of the bbw-Gruppe (bbw Group), a vocational and educational training organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HDBW is a private, state-recognized University of Applied Sciences offering accredited Bachelor's, Master's, and MBA degree programs in Business Administration (BWL), Industrial Engineering (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen), Business Informatics (Wirtschaftsinformatik / Business Intelligence), Digital Business Modelling & Entrepreneurship, Digital Factory & Operational Excellence, and Cyber Security. Programs are offered as full-time, part-time, and practice-integrated dual study formats (Studium mit vertiefter Praxis). The dual model alternates multi-month theory phases at HDBW with extended practical phases at one of 55+ partner companies, producing graduates with approximately 1.5 years of work experience.

Product overview

HDBW (Hochschule der Bayerischen Wirtschaft) is a private, state-recognized University of Applied Sciences offering a portfolio of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The core offerings include Bachelor Programs in Business Administration (BWL), Industrial Engineering (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen), and Business Informatics (Wirtschaftsinformatik/Business Intelligence); Master Programs in Digital Business Modelling and Entrepreneurship, Digital Factory and Operational Excellence, and Cyber Security; and an MBA Program. Programs are available in full-time, dual (practice-integrated), and part-time study models. The university also offers continuing education through certificate programs like the Startup-CFO program. Student services include study consulting, a Career Center, International Exchange Programs, and the Business Bridge corporate network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor Programs Seven-semester undergraduate degree programs (Bachelor of Arts B.A., Bachelor of Engineering B.Eng., Bachelor of Science B.Sc.) covering Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, and Business Informatics / Business Intelligence, available in full-time, dual (practice-integrated), and part-time formats with multiple specializations. Designed for prospective Bachelor's students with Abitur/Fachhochschulreife.
• Master Programs English-language graduate degree programs (Master of Science, M.Sc.) in Digital Business Modelling & Entrepreneurship, Digital Factory & Operational Excellence, and Cyber Security, available full-time or part-time with a focus on digital business processes and AI. Designed for Bachelor's graduates seeking advanced digital and management skills.
• MBA Program One-year MBA program preparing participants for management roles in the digital economy. Available in German or English and in full-time or part-time formats. Targeted at working professionals with practical experience seeking a formal management qualification.
• Dual Study Programs (Studium mit vertiefter Praxis) Practice-integrated dual bachelor's degree model in which multi-month theory phases at HDBW alternate with extended practical phases at one of 55+ partner companies (e.g., adesso, Infineon, E.ON Grid Solutions, Rödl & Partner, Baker Tilly, BDO, Grant Thornton, Körber, NTT Data, GKN Aerospace). Recurring monthly tuition (e.g., 590 EUR/month for Wirtschaftsinformatik). Recognized in Bavaria as 'Studium mit vertiefter Praxis'.
• Startup-CFO Certificate Program Part-time certificate program for finance professionals in growth companies, launching October 2026, providing practical training in startup finance management under HDBW's Weiterbildung & Zertifizierung offering.
• HDBW Career Center Career services for HDBW students connecting them with practical opportunities through the practice partner network, including job listings, internships, company contacts, and career advice.
• HDBW Study Counseling (Studienberatung) Personal advisory services for prospective students covering admission requirements, tuition fees, application processes, and individual concerns, provided by the Studienberatung team via phone, WhatsApp, email, and in-person sessions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates of the dual study program complete with approximately 1.5 years of full-time practical work experience at their partner company, giving them a significant head start in the job market compared to graduates of traditional universities.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

53 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• adessocoreStrategic or Co-development Partneradesso is a dual study practice partner for the Business Informatics / Business Intelligence program at HDBW, providing practice phases for dual students. The company specializes in eCommerce consulting and development and co-designs the practical training curriculum with HDBW.
• AlightcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlight is a practice partner for dual Business Informatics students at HDBW, offering IT consulting and development practice phases. The partnership provides students with real-world exposure in IT consulting and development environments.
• InfineonflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerInfineon, a leading global semiconductor technology company headquartered in Neubiberg near Munich, partners with HDBW as a dual study practice partner. The partnership provides HDBW students with technology-focused practical experience in a global industrial setting.
• NTT DatacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNTT Data, a global IT services provider, is a practice partner for dual study students at HDBW, offering consulting and development roles in IT services projects.
• E.ON Grid SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerE.ON Grid Solutions, an energy technology company, partners with HDBW as a dual study practice partner, providing practical phases in the energy sector for dual students.
• MeierhoferminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeierhofer is a practice partner providing dual study positions focused on IT for digital patient care (digitale Patientenversorgung), offering students exposure to healthcare IT systems.
• Körber (Pharma)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKörber Pharma is a practice partner for dual Industrial Engineering students, offering practical phases in pharmaceutical production and inspection technology environments.
• AndritzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAndritz is a practice partner for dual Industrial Engineering students, providing industrial plant, product, and process engineering practice phases.
• Baker TillycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaker Tilly, an international audit and tax advisory firm, is a practice partner for dual BWL students with a focus on auditing and taxes (Wirtschaftsprüfung & Steuern). Students gain practical experience in financial auditing, tax advisory, and business consulting.
• BDOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBDO, a global accounting and advisory network, partners with HDBW as a practice partner for dual BWL students, offering practical phases in auditing, tax, and advisory services.
• Grant ThorntoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant Thornton, an international audit and advisory firm, is a dual study practice partner for BWL students at HDBW, providing experience in auditing, tax, and consulting.
• Rödl & PartnerflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRödl & Partner, a major German auditing and consulting firm headquartered in Nuremberg, is a practice partner for dual BWL students at HDBW. The partnership covers auditing, tax, legal, and management consulting practice phases.
• WTScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWTS, a tax advisory and consulting firm, partners with HDBW as a dual study practice partner for BWL students specializing in tax and advisory services.
• ABG-PartnerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerABG-Partner is a practice partner for dual BWL students at HDBW, offering practical phases in tax consulting, auditing, and business services.
• EcoviscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcovis is a mid-sized auditing and consulting firm that partners with HDBW as a dual study practice partner for BWL students with tax and audit specializations.
• ambrightminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerambright is a technology company (Technologieunternehmen) acting as a practice partner for dual Business Informatics students, providing hands-on experience in technology development.
• AximprominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAximpro is an IT consulting and product company that partners with HDBW as a practice partner for dual Business Informatics students.
• ConsiliominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsilio is an IT consulting firm that serves as a practice partner for dual Business Informatics students at HDBW.
• C Pro IndustrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerC Pro Industry is an SAP consulting firm acting as a practice partner for dual Business Informatics students, providing SAP implementation and consulting experience.
• cxomniminorStrategic or Co-development Partnercxomni is a customer experience management company serving as a practice partner for dual Business Informatics students, focusing on CX and digital customer solutions.
• Die RadiologieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDie Radiologie is a radiology diagnostic and therapy practice that serves as a practice partner for dual Business Informatics students, offering exposure to healthcare IT systems.
• FOXiTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFOXiT is an IT services company (IT-Leistungen) serving as a practice partner for dual Business Informatics students.
• humanusminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerhumanus is a staffing and personnel services company (Personalservice) serving as a practice partner for dual Business Informatics students, providing HR and staffing industry experience.
• H&Z.digitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerH&Z.digital is an IT services and consulting firm (IT-Dienstleistungen und IT-Beratung) serving as a practice partner for dual Business Informatics students.
• IntargiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntargia is an IT and digitalization concepts company (IT & Digitalisierungskonzepte) acting as a practice partner for dual Business Informatics students.
• link protectminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerlink protect is an IT security company (IT-Security) serving as a practice partner for dual Business Informatics students, providing cybersecurity practice experience.
• Munich Institute for IT Service Management (mITSM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Munich Institute for IT Service Management (mITSM) provides IT training (IT-Schulungen) and serves as a practice partner for dual Business Informatics students.
• Senti ViniminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenti Vini is a wine trading company (Weinhandel) acting as a practice partner for dual Business Informatics students, providing experience in trade and eCommerce operations.
• TDKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTDK, a global electronics and technology components company (TDK Electronics AG), serves as a practice partner for dual Business Informatics students, providing technology industry experience.
• ZwingelBookminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZwingelBook is an auditing and tax advisory firm (Wirtschaftsprüfung & Steuerberatung) serving as a practice partner for dual Business Informatics students.
• ArrowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArrow is an online electronics company (Online-Elektronikunternehmen) serving as a practice partner for dual Industrial Engineering students.
• betsaminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerbetsa is a construction company (Bauunternehmen) serving as a practice partner for dual Industrial Engineering students.
• BürklinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBürklin is an electronics shop (Elektronik-Shop) serving as a practice partner for dual Industrial Engineering students.
• GKN AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGKN Aerospace is a global aerospace technology company serving as a practice partner for dual Industrial Engineering students, providing advanced manufacturing and aerospace engineering experience.
• Global Bearing Solutions (GLT-LHG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Bearing Solutions (GLT-LHG) serves as a practice partner for dual Industrial Engineering students, providing mechanical engineering and bearing technology experience.
• Huber + SuhnerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuber + Suhner is a technology company specializing in electrical and optical connectivity solutions, serving as a practice partner for dual Industrial Engineering students.
• KlarxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKlarx is a construction machinery rental company (Vermietung Baumaschinen) serving as a practice partner for dual Industrial Engineering students.
• Klüber LubricationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKlüber Lubrication is a specialty lubricants company serving as a practice partner for dual Industrial Engineering students, providing industrial engineering and manufacturing experience.
• MD ElektronikminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMD Elektronik specializes in data transmission solutions for mobility applications and serves as a practice partner for dual Industrial Engineering students.
• nLineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnernLine is a KI software and hardware development company (KI Soft- und Hardwareentwickler) serving as a practice partner for dual Industrial Engineering students.
• R&S ImmobilienmanagementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerR&S Immobilienmanagement is a real estate services company (Immobiliendienstleistungen) serving as a practice partner for dual Industrial Engineering students.
• Hawle ArmaturenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHawle Armaturen is an industrial valve manufacturer serving as a practice partner for dual BWL students at HDBW.
• KleebergminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKleeberg is an auditing and tax advisory firm (Wirtschaftsprüfung & Steuerberatung) serving as a practice partner for dual BWL students.
• LKCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLKC is an auditing and tax advisory firm serving as a practice partner for dual BWL students at HDBW.
• PSP (Munich)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSP (Munich) is an auditing and consulting firm serving as a practice partner for dual BWL students.
• TreuhandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTreuhand is an auditing and tax firm serving as a practice partner for dual BWL students at HDBW.
• W & P Treuhand GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerW & P Treuhand GmbH is an auditing firm (Wirtschaftsprüfung) serving as a practice partner for dual BWL students.
• Fixit GruppeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFixit Gruppe is a building materials company (Baustoffe) serving as a practice partner for dual BWL students.
• Fast LaneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFast Lane is an IT training and consulting firm serving as a practice partner for dual BWL students at HDBW.
• bbw-Gruppe (Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe HDBW gGmbH is a wholly-owned company of the bbw-Gruppe (Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft), one of Bavaria's largest vocational and educational training organizations. The parent group provides institutional backing, network access, and cross-selling opportunities across the broader bbw education ecosystem.
• Studierendenwerk München OberbayerncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHDBW is a member of the Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern, which provides student services including subsidized meals (HDBW students receive a 1 EUR per-day subsidy on food at the Leonardi restaurant in the Konrad building), reduced-cost Germany Ticket, student housing assistance, and access to all Studierendenwerk facilities including mensa and student housing.
• Wissenschaftsrat (German Science Council)flagshipOthersThe Wissenschaftsrat conducted HDBW's institutional accreditation review in 2025, resulting in re-accreditation for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2033. This accreditation is mandatory for HDBW to operate as a recognized private university.
• Süddeutsche Zeitung / SZ-Institut (SZI)minorOthersThe SZ-Institut (SZI) conducted a ranking study of German private universities, published in April 2026, placing HDBW among the top private universities in Germany. The study was based on evaluations from HR decision-makers and (prospective) students.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• IU Internationale Hochschule: Germany's largest private university with ~100,000+ students across dual, part-time, and distance-learning models nationwide. Comparable as a private, accredited competitor targeting working learners and dual-study cohorts in business, technology, and digital disciplines — HDBW competes for the same Munich-based dual-study talent. IU is far larger but operates a similar vocational/private model with strong practice-partner orientation.

Emerging players

• GISMA Business School: Berlin-based private business school (part of Global University Systems) offering English-language MBA, Bachelor, and Master programs with practice orientation and corporate partnerships. Partial overlap with HDBW's English-language Master's and MBA programs targeting international and career-changer segments.

Direct peers

• Hochschule Fresenius: Private, state-recognized university of applied sciences with multiple German campuses and a portfolio combining business, technology, and digitalization degrees — directly mirroring HDBW's interdisciplinary positioning. Both target school-leavers and career-changers via practice-integrated models in the same metropolitan markets.
• SRH Hochschule (SRH Universities): Group of private, state-recognized German universities (including Heidelberg, Berlin, Hamm) offering practice-integrated Bachelor and Master programs in business, engineering, and computer science with strong partner-company networks. Direct comparison to HDBW on private UAS positioning, dual-study variants, and applied curriculum design.
• FOM Hochschule: Germany's largest private university for working professionals, headquartered in Essen with numerous campus locations including Munich. FOM operates a parallel berufsbegleitend/part-time model in BWL, Wirtschaftsinformatik, and Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen — directly overlapping HDBW's part-time/dual portfolio and competing head-to-head for the same Munich working-learner and dual-study segments.
• Hochschule Macromedia: Private, state-recognized German university of applied sciences focused on business, digital media, and management with multiple campuses including Munich. Comparable private UAS targeting school-leavers and working professionals in business-adjacent fields with practice orientation.
• accadis Hochschule Bad Homburg: Private, state-recognized German business school offering Bachelor and Master programs in business administration, business informatics, and management with a strong dual-study model and practice-partner network. Directly comparable to HDBW on small-cohort, practice-integrated positioning in business education.
• WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management: Germany's leading private business school offering BSc, MSc, and MBA programs with strong corporate partnerships. While WHU occupies an elite tier above HDBW, both compete for high-achieving German school-leavers seeking private business education with practice integration and corporate network access.
• EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht: Private, state-recognized German university focused on business law and management (BSC/MSC/MBA) with practice-integrated dual-study tracks and corporate partnerships. Comparable to HDBW on private business-school positioning, dual-study variant, and corporate network — though EBS targets a more elite/traditional student segment.

Others

• bbw-Gruppe (Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft): The parent organization of HDBW gGmbH and Bavaria's largest vocational and educational training group. Connected rather than competitive — HDBW draws brand credibility, network access, and cross-selling opportunities from being the bbw-Gruppe's higher-education flagship, while sibling entities handle vocational training and continuing education.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hdbw_hochschule
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@hdbw_hochschule
• Facebookfacebook.com/hochschulederbayerischenwirtschaft
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/hdbw
• Instagraminstagram.com/hdbw_hochschule

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Hochschule der Bayerischen Wirtschaft