What Hochschule Kempten does

Hochschule Kempten is a state university of applied sciences (Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften) located in Kempten, Bavaria, operating under the Free State of Bavaria. Founded in 1977, it is the only state HAW in the Allgäu region and serves approximately 6,000 students across six faculties: Business Administration, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Social Sciences and Health, and Tourism Management. The university offers 54 degree programs at the Bachelor's, Master's, dual-study (Verbundstudium / Studium mit vertiefter Praxis), and continuing education levels, delivered on a 53,000 m² campus plus satellite research sites in Füssen (INIT – sustainable tourism) and Marktoberdorf (IKR – applied AI and robotics).

The university's applied research is organized under the Forschungszentrum Allgäu (FZA), which coordinates more than 20 institutes covering energy, mobility, AI/robotics, digital care, machine vision, and sustainable tourism. Technology and digital infrastructure include Moodle-based e-learning, Zoom for online teaching, Vimp video portal, and AI tools for faculty supported through the BayZiel partnership. Notable 2026 outputs include the MAHALO research project with MAHA SE (~160,000 EUR) for AI-based vehicle measurement, the PIO Oberallgäu digital care platform, and the EUSALP Alpine AI Hackathon. The StartUp Center provides entrepreneurship support, and the International Office coordinates Erasmus+ and bilateral agreements with over 110 partner universities worldwide.

As a public institution, Hochschule Kempten is primarily funded through Bavarian state budget allocations, supplemented by student semester fees, third-party research grants (e.g., MAHALO), and practice partner contributions in dual study programs. Customer segments are prospective and current students as primary users, with regional companies acting as practice partners and talent pipeline customers. The institution holds multiple certifications supporting its positioning: HRK Audit Internationalisierung, audit familiengerechte Hochschule, Charta der Vielfalt, and Partnerhochschule des Spitzensports.

Name

Hochschule Kempten

Legal name

Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Kempten

Website

https://hochschule-kempten.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Hochschule Kempten is a Bavarian state university of applied sciences serving ~6,000 students across six faculties (business, engineering, computer science, social sciences, tourism) with 54 degree programs, dual-study options, and 20+ applied research institutes under the Forschungszentrum Allgäu.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Universities with Specialized Engineering Domains (EDAHAEAI), Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus (EDAHAEAL)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Applied sciences research
• Dual study programs
• University degree programs
• Interdisciplinary research institutes

Headquarters

HQ city

Kempten

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hochschule Kempten delivers publicly funded higher education and applied research across six faculties (Business, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Social Sciences & Health, Tourism Management), offering 54 Bachelor, Master, dual study, and continuing education programs to approximately 6,000 students. The university operates 20+ interdisciplinary research institutes under the Forschungszentrum Allgäu, addressing regional industry needs in AI, robotics, mobility, digital care, energy, and sustainable tourism.

Product overview

Hochschule Kempten is a state university of applied sciences (Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften) in Kempten, Allgäu, Germany, founded in 1977. Its product portfolio spans six faculties — Betriebswirtschaft (Business), Elektrotechnik (Electrical Engineering), Informatik (Computer Science), Maschinenbau (Mechanical Engineering), Soziales und Gesundheit (Social Sciences & Health), and Tourismus-Management — offering a comprehensive range of academic programs. The university operates a multi-layer offering structure: (1) Core academic degree products — Bachelor and Master programs across all faculties, plus continuing education (Weiterbildung) and a dual study model (Duales Studium / Studium mit vertiefter Praxis) that integrates theory with practical industry experience at partner companies. (2) A network of 20+ research institutes organized under the Forschungszentrum Allgäu (FZA), covering specialized applied research areas including data-optimized manufacturing (IDF), digital healthcare (BZPD with FiPtec), applied AI and robotics (IKR), machine vision (IMS), driver assistance and connected mobility (IFM), energy systems (IEAT, IEES, ILE), sustainable tourism (INIT with AI-based recommender), and production informatics (IPI). (3) Support services including the StartUp Center for entrepreneurship, the Promotionszentrum for doctoral studies, the International Office and Erasmus+ programs with 110+ partner universities, the children's university (Kinder-Uni), and the Schülerlabor for school outreach. The Kempten Business School serves as an additional business-oriented brand. The university serves approximately 53,000 m² of campus space with 54 study programs and positions itself on practical orientation, personal support, and regional anchoring in the Allgäu.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor Degree Programs (Bachelorstudiengänge) Undergraduate degree programs across six faculties (Business, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Social Sciences & Health, Tourism Management) leading to a Bachelor's degree, serving school leavers and prospective students.
• Master Degree Programs (Masterstudiengänge) Graduate degree programs at Master's level across multiple faculties, including specialized programs in engineering, business, and applied sciences, intended for graduates seeking advanced qualifications.
• Continuing Education (Weiterbildung) Continuing education offerings including professional development courses, certificate programs, and part-time study options for working professionals.
• Dual Study Programs (Duales Studium / Studium mit vertiefter Praxis / Verbundstudium) Dual study model combining academic coursework with practical training at partner companies, including Verbundstudium (dual vocational), Studium mit vertiefter Praxis Bachelor, and Studium mit vertiefter Praxis Master programs, enabling students to gain industry experience while studying and earning income.
• Gaststudium (Visiting Student Program) Visiting student program allowing non-degree students to attend individual lectures and courses at Hochschule Kempten.
• Forschungszentrum Allgäu (FZA) Research Network Cross-faculty research coordination center managing interdisciplinary R&D projects through institutes including IDF (data-optimized manufacturing), BZPD (digital care), IKR (applied AI & robotics), IMS (machine vision), IFM (driver assistance), IEAT (energy & drive technology), INIT (sustainable tourism), and others, addressing regional industry challenges.
• IKR – Institut für angewandte Künstliche Intelligenz und Robotik Applied AI and robotics institute located in Marktoberdorf, conducting research in machine learning, robotics systems, and AI applications across multiple subject areas and professor-led focus fields.
• IDT – Institut für digitale Transformation in Arbeit, Bildung und Gesellschaft Institute for digital transformation covering digital tools for teaching, e-learning infrastructure (Moodle), AI tools for instruction, online meeting (Zoom), and video portal (Vimp), and providing professional development courses for teachers through BayZiel.
• IMS – Institut für Maschinelles Sehen Machine vision institute conducting research in computer vision, image processing, and related AI applications, hosting the annual Machine Vision Day event and maintaining specialized laboratory facilities.
• BZPD – Bayerisches Zentrum Pflege Digital Bavarian Center for Digital Care, a research center focused on digital solutions for elderly care and nursing, including the FiPtec (Bayerische Forschungsinitiative Pflegetechnik) initiative.
• IFM – Institut für Fahrerassistenz und vernetzte Mobilität Institute for driver assistance and connected mobility, conducting research on advanced driver assistance systems through projects including HERMES, SensIndex, VIRTABS-ADSIS, and METAVI.
• INIT – Institut für Nachhaltige und Innovative Tourismusentwicklung Institute for sustainable and innovative tourism development based in Füssen, operating multiple projects including AIR (AI-based recommender for sustainable tourism), FEB-NAFV (flexible experience bus), POKITE, and the Allgäuer Tourismusgespräche series.
• StartUp Center Startup incubator and support center providing founders with a network of experts, funding guidance, and startup-related services to commercialize research and innovations.
• International Programs (Internationale Programme) International program offerings including Erasmus+ mobility, international weeks, double degree programs, and partnerships with over 110 partner universities worldwide, covering exchange study, internships abroad, and staff mobility.
• Promotionszentrum (Doctoral Center) Doctoral program center offering PhD opportunities through the university's own doctoral center or in cooperation with partner universities, supporting junior researcher development.
• Kinder-Uni Kempten (Children's University) Children's university program inviting children to attend university lectures delivered by professors in age-appropriate format, held every semester.
• Schülerlabor Sinneswahrnehmungen Student laboratory for school classes focusing on sensory perception, offering hands-on science education experiences for school groups.
• Frühstudium (Early Studies Program) Early studies program enabling school students before their Abitur to attend university courses and gain first insights into academic study at Hochschule Kempten.

Quantifiable outcome

• MAHA research project developing vehicle measurement technologies for next-generation testing equipment
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MAHA SE & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Strategic research partnership for vehicle measurement technologies. MAHALO project (September 2026 – August 2027) valued at ~160,000 EUR developing new methods for vehicle localization and positioning, building on MAHA's MAIA prototype for automated vehicle measurement.
• Over 110 Partner Universities WorldwidecoreOthersInternational network enabling student and faculty exchange, double degree programs, and collaborative research across Europe and beyond through Erasmus+ and bilateral agreements.
• Forschungszentrum Allgäu (FZA)coreTechnology or IntegrationCross-faculty research coordination center managing interdisciplinary R&D projects connecting university expertise with regional industry needs.
• Practice Partner Companies (Dual Study)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional companies providing practice placements for students in dual study programs, including Studium mit vertiefter Praxis and Verbundstudium models.
• EUSALP Alpine RegionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Strategy for the Alpine Region enabling cross-border cooperation on innovation, sustainability, and digital solutions through initiatives like the Alpine AI Hackathon.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg (OTH Regensburg): Bavarian university of applied sciences with comparable engineering, business, and computer science programs. Similar state funding model, applied sciences orientation, and regional industry integration strategy.
• Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes (htw saar): Mid-sized German university of applied sciences with engineering, business, and applied social sciences programs. Comparable in scale, state funding model, and applied research orientation across multiple faculties.
• Hochschule Aalen: Baden-Württemberg university of applied sciences with strong engineering, business, and optical/mechanical engineering programs. Comparable in applied sciences focus, scale, and reliance on regional industry partnerships.
• Technische Hochschule Deggendorf (THD): Bavarian university of applied sciences with parallel applied sciences profile spanning engineering, business, and computer science. Comparable in serving a rural Bavarian region with strong industry linkage and dual study options.
• Hochschule Augsburg: Bavarian university of applied sciences with a similar portfolio of engineering, business, and design programs. Comparable in scale, governance (state-funded), and applied sciences orientation, making it a near-direct peer within the Bavarian Hochschule landscape.
• Hochschule München: Largest university of applied sciences in Bavaria, with a similar range of engineering, business, social sciences, and applied programs. Operates under the same state funding model and serves as a metropolitan counterpart to Hochschule Kempten's regional positioning.

Regional players

• Hochschule Konstanz (HTWG Konstanz): Baden-Württemberg university of applied sciences with comparable engineering, business, and computer science programs. Operates in a similar mid-sized German town context but in a different state, making it a regional rather than direct competitor.
• Hochschule Neu-Ulm: Neighboring Bavarian university of applied sciences in the Schwaben/Allgäu region with overlapping business and applied sciences programs. Directly competes for regional students and practice partners in adjacent geography.

Broad incumbents

• Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW): Germany's premier dual study model operator with extensive practice-partner network. Highly comparable on the dual study (Studium mit vertiefter Praxis / Verbundstudium) offering, though broader in scale and focused on Baden-Württemberg rather than Bavaria.
• Fachhochschule Aachen (FH Aachen): Larger German university of applied sciences with comparable engineering, business, and design programs. Broader in scope and scale but structurally similar as a state-funded Hochschule for applied sciences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hs.kempten
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hochschule-kempten
• Instagraminstagram.com/hskempten
• Xx.com/hskempten

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Hochschule Kempten