MOBA

What MOBA does

MOBA (Modellbahnverband in Deutschland e.V.) is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1994 and headquartered in Wallenhorst, Germany, that serves as the national umbrella body for the German model railway hobby community. The organization originates from a federation of ten founding member clubs and now spans model railway clubs (Vereine), individual enthusiasts, family members, and youth participants, plus a corporate sponsor tier (Fördermitglieder) that includes leading industry manufacturers such as Piko, Busch, NOCH, Faller, Herpa, and Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg.

Its core service bundle to members consists of group liability and legal protection insurance (delivered in partnership with LVM and, more recently, ARTIMA / Mannheimer Versicherung AG), publication of the MOBA-FORUM magazine, exclusive annual collectible products via the 'Jahreswagen' (year car) program, regional representation across German states, trade fair representation for member clubs, and direct member events including the 'DIE MODELLBAHN und mehr' exhibition scheduled for Münster in September 2026. The association does not manufacture or sell model railway products; its commercial role is purely organizational, intermediating between hobbyists, clubs, and industry partners.

Revenue is generated on a recurring basis through four membership fee categories defined in the Beitragsordnung (clubs, individuals, families, and corporate sponsors), supplemented by event-related and merchandise activity. Governance rests with an elected executive board led by Chairman Jürgen Wiethäuper, regional state representatives, and an annual general meeting (Jahreshauptversammlung). MOBA maintains presence via its website (moba-deutschland.de), Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram channels.

Name

MOBA

Legal name

Modellbahnverband in Deutschland e.V.

Website

https://moba-deutschland.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MOBA (Modellbahnverband in Deutschland e.V.) is a German non-profit federation founded in 1994 that represents model railway clubs, individual enthusiasts, families, and industry sponsors across Germany, providing group insurance, legal advice, publications, and exhibitions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Wallenhorst

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: MOBA generates revenue through annual membership fees from club members, individual members, family members, and sponsor members (Fördermitglieder). The association provides various membership categories including Vereine (clubs), Einzelmitglieder (individual members), Familienmitglieder (family members), and Fördermitglieder (sponsor members from the model railway industry).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MOBA is a non-profit membership association that organizes and represents the German model railway hobby community. It delivers services such as group liability and legal-protection insurance for clubs, legal advice, an exclusive members' publication (MOBA-FORUM), an annual model railway event ('DIE MODELLBAHN und mehr'), regional Stammtische (meet-ups), a youth engagement program, and an annual collectible 'Jahreswagen' (year car) program. It does not manufacture or sell model railway products itself; instead it acts as the umbrella body connecting member clubs, individual hobbyists, and industry sponsor members (Fördermitglieder).

Product overview

MOBA (Modellbahnverband in Deutschland e.V.) is a German model railway association founded in 1994, serving as a membership organization for model railway clubs, individual members, family members, and corporate sustaining members (Fördermitglieder). The association does not manufacture or sell model railway products; instead, it provides organizational services including insurance coverage (liability and legal protection included in membership fees), exhibition insurance, legal advice, youth programs, a members-only area with exclusive content, and publishes information about member companies' product releases. MOBA also organizes the 'DIE MODELLBAHN und mehr' model railway event and facilitates networking among the model railway community in Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MOBA-FORUM publication Official association publication distributed to members, featuring articles about model railway layouts, techniques, club activities, and industry news from Fördermitglieder (sponsor members). Includes a parallel online presence with selected articles.
• DIE MODELLBAHN und mehr — model railway event MOBA's annual model railway exhibition and event 'DIE MODELLBAHN und mehr' (The Model Railway and more), held in Münster/Westphalia, covering tracks, roads, and landscapes for model railway clubs and enthusiasts.
• Jahreswagen (annual year car) program An exclusive annual model railway vehicle collectible ('Jahreswagen' / year car) produced for MOBA members as part of their membership benefits.
• Group insurance program for members Group insurance coverage for MOBA members including liability insurance and legal protection insurance (via long-standing partner LVM), exhibition insurance, and specialized model railway all-risk insurance with special member-negotiated conditions (via ARTIMA / Mannheimer Versicherung AG). Coverage is available for clubs, individual members, and family members.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Piko Spielwaren GmbHcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPiko is a sponsor member (Fördermitglied) of MOBA, sharing product information and new releases through the MOBA platform. Piko is a model railway manufacturer based in Sonneberg, Germany, producing H0, TT, and N gauge products.
• BuschcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBusch is a sponsor member of MOBA, regularly sharing their model releases and product information including auto models and accessories through the MOBA website.
• NOCH GmbH & Co. KGcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNOCH is a sponsor member celebrating 115 years of company history and 65 years at the Wangen location in 2026. The company produces model railway scenery, figures, and accessories.
• FallerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFaller is listed as a sponsor member sharing product information through the MOBA platform. Faller produces model railway buildings and accessories.
• HerpaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHerpa is listed as a sponsor member sharing product information through the MOBA platform. Herpa specializes in model railway vehicles and aircraft models.
• Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg GmbHcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMiniatur Wunderland, the world's largest model railway exhibition in Hamburg, is a sponsor member of MOBA. The company operates an accessibility initiative offering free entry to those who cannot afford admission.
• LVM (Landesversicherungsanstalt Münster)coreOthersLVM is a long-standing insurance partner of MOBA, providing liability insurance and legal protection insurance for clubs as part of membership fees, as well as exhibition insurance and legal advice services.
• ARTIMA (Mannheimer Versicherung AG)coreOthersARTIMA is a new insurance partner offering specialized model railway insurance with all-risk coverage for collections and layouts. Special conditions have been negotiated for MOBA members including individual members, family members, and clubs.
• Modellbahn Bw Ottbergen GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerModellbahn Bw Ottbergen GmbH (Modellbundesbahn) is a sponsor member operating a large model railway exhibition in Brakel that is scheduled to close in May 2026 after over 20 years of operation.
• ARTIMA ModellbahnversicherungcoreOthersARTIMA provides specialized model railway insurance through the Mannheimer Versicherung AG with all-risk coverage, negotiated as special conditions exclusively for MOBA members.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• MOROP (Union Européenne des Modélistes Ferroviaires): European federation of model railway clubs and associations, covering standards and inter-club cooperation across multiple countries. Directly comparable as a membership organization serving the model railway hobby community in Europe, though broader in geographic scope than MOBA.

Regional players

• Bundesverband Museumsbahnen e.V. German umbrella association for heritage railway operators, focused on full-scale rather than model railways. Comparable as a German e.V. membership body serving railway enthusiasts with insurance, advocacy, and networking services.
• Verband Deutscher Freilichtbühnen: German association for open-air theater groups, similarly structured as a national e.V. serving amateur clubs with regional representatives, events, and member services. Useful analogue for the operational model of a national hobby-association structure in Germany.

Emerging players

• Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg GmbH: Operator of the world's largest model railway exhibition and a MOBA Fördermitglied. Comparable as a model railway community hub, though structured as a commercial attraction rather than a membership association.

Direct peers

• National Model Railroad Association (NMRA): The largest national model railway membership association in the US, serving individual hobbyists and affiliated clubs with similar services (conventions, publications, standards). Closest functional analogue to MOBA outside Germany.

Others

• Deutscher Verband der Spielwarenindustrie (DVSI): German toy industry trade association representing manufacturers including model railway brands like Piko, Busch, and Faller. Comparable as the industry-side counterpart that interfaces with MOBA's Fördermitglieder network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DeutschlandMoba
• Facebookfacebook.com/mobadeutschland
• Instagraminstagram.com/mobadeutschland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/befo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 MOBA