What DASA does

DASA Arbeitswelt Ausstellung is Germany's largest permanent exhibition on the world of work, occupying approximately 13,000 square meters across 12 themed exhibition units at its Dortmund headquarters (Friedrich-Henkel-Weg 1-25) and serving over 5 million cumulative visitors since its full opening in 2000 as a global EXPO 2000 project. Operated as a permanent educational institution of the Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin (BAuA), a German federal agency under the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, DASA delivers interactive, hands-on exhibition experiences covering occupational safety and health across industries including media, factory labor, construction, transport, steel, energy, hazardous substances, healthcare, and the future of work. Core technology consists of participatory exhibition stations, a multilingual Multimedia Guide in tablet form (German, English, French, German Sign Language) with location tracking and themed tours, and specialty equipment such as the Space Curl 3D training device.

DASA's business model is a hybrid of federal funding and earned income from admissions (€6 adult / €3 reduced / free for under 18 and school groups), guided tours (€60-€115), workshops (€125/group), event venue rental, on-site gastronomy, and annual membership cards (€10 single / €18 family). Go-to-market is event-driven, anchored by rotating special exhibitions (e.g., 'Feuer' Oct 2025, 'Alles im Angebot' June 2026, 'Hochbau' July 2026), the Maker Faire Ruhr festival, the JobVille career orientation fair, the Szenografie-Kolloquium for museum professionals, and the annual DASA Award administered with the European Museum Academy. Distribution leverages partnerships with the RuhrTopCard (90+ attractions), Route der Industriekultur (25 anchor points), and curriculum-aligned school programs reaching 100,000+ students annually. Primary customer segments are schools, families and leisure visitors, youth career seekers, museum professionals, and media; the institution is currently undergoing entry-area renovation through end-2025 and a permanent exhibition refresh cycle extending into mid-2026.

Name

DASA

Legal name

DASA Arbeitswelt Ausstellung

Website

https://dasa-dortmund.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

DASA is Germany's largest permanent exhibition on the world of work, operating as a federally funded interactive museum in Dortmund under the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA). It serves schools, families, youth career seekers, and museum professionals through 12 themed exhibition units, guided tours, and educational programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dortmund

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Admission fees for individual visitors, groups, and school classes. Standard tickets, reduced rates, and free admission for children under 18 and school groups.
2. Annual Memberships (DASA Cards): Single and Family annual passes offering free unlimited entry for one year, priority access to exhibition openings, and free access to DASA children's construction site.
3. Event Space Rental: Rental of DASA spaces for events, conferences, and special occasions.
4. Guided Tours and Workshops: Fee-based guided tours (60-90 minutes), foreign language tours, and specialized workshops for schools and visitors.
5. Gastronomy Services: On-site restaurant operation offering freshly prepared meals, vegetarian options, salad and dessert bar, and beverages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

DASA is Germany's largest permanent exhibition on the world of work, spanning approximately 13,000 square meters across twelve themed exhibition units covering occupational safety, occupational health, factory labor, construction, transport, energy, hazardous substances, healthcare, and the future of work. It offers interactive, hands-on exhibits supplemented by rotating special exhibitions, guided tours, workshops, and the annual Maker Faire Ruhr. As the permanent educational institution of the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Occupational Medicine (BAuA), it combines authoritative research with public engagement.

Product overview

DASA is a physical museum/exhibition center operated by the Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin. The core offering is the permanent exhibition (Dauerausstellung) on approximately 13,000 square meters showcasing the world of work, occupational safety, and future of labor across twelve themed units. This is supplemented by rotating special exhibitions (Sonderausstellungen) on contemporary topics. Educational add-ons include guided tours, workshops, and the annual Maker Faire Ruhr. The institution also conducts research through projects on exhibition methodology and storytelling, with findings shared via the annual Szenografie Kolloquium. Digital offerings include a free Multimedia Guide tablet system available in multiple languages including German Sign Language. Ticketing is handled through an external online platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DASA Dauerausstellung (Permanent Exhibition) Germany's largest permanent exhibition on the world of work, spanning approximately 13,000 square meters on topics of occupational safety, health, and the future of work, organized into twelve themed exhibition units covering media, factory labor, construction, transport, energy, hazardous substances, healthcare, and future of work.
• Sonderausstellung "Feuer" (Fire Special Exhibition) Special exhibition on the topic of fire, exploring its fascination and dangers through interactive stations, hands-on activities, and historical objects, for general visitors and families.
• Sonderausstellung "Alles im Angebot" (Traveling Exhibition on Digital Culture) Traveling exhibition examining digital culture, how algorithms control attention, and how disinformation spreads, with interactive stations and installations. Developed by HateAid and neuland & gestalten; available in English and simple-language texts.
• Sonderausstellung "Hochbau" (High-rise Construction Exhibition) New permanent exhibition section on high-rise construction featuring an actual tower crane, walkable crane cabin, 3D-printed wall, house planning station with budget limits, and Playmobil diorama across approximately 1,000 newly covered square meters.
• Führungen (Guided Tours)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5 million total visitors since opening
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.

• Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin (BAuA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDASA is the permanent educational institution of the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Occupational Medicine. BAuA provides the research foundation and institutional backing for DASA's exhibitions and programs on occupational health and work environments.
• RuhrTopCardcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDASA is one of over 90 leisure attractions included in the RuhrTopCard, allowing cardholders free admission to the exhibition. The partnership promotes regional tourism and cultural activities.
• Route der IndustriekulturcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDASA is one of 25 anchor points of the Route Industriekultur, a project of the Regionalverband Ruhr that connects industrial heritage sites across the Ruhr area. The partnership positions DASA as a key destination in regional cultural tourism.
• TU DortmundmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerDASA and TU Dortmund engage in knowledge exchange and joint research initiatives. They collaborate on teaching assignments, promote scientific junior staff development, and facilitate mutual exchange of scientific personnel. The institutions are located in close proximity and collaborate on various research projects.
• ICOM (International Council of Museums)moderateGTM or Marketing PartnerDASA maintains membership in ICOM, the only international association for museums, exhibitions, and similar institutions. This membership supports international professional networking and standards.
• Deutscher MuseumsbundmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerDASA is an active member of the German Museum Association, the nationwide interest group for all museums and exhibitions. The association represents the interests of historical, cultural-historical, technical-historical, natural science, and art museums.
• Ecsite (European Collaborative of Science Centres and Museums)moderateGTM or Marketing PartnerDASA is a member of Ecsite, the European network of science centers and technology museums. DASA hosted the annual conference in 2010, welcoming 800 professionals from 40 countries.
• Jugend forschtmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerThe regional competition of 'Jugend forscht' (Youth Researches) takes place annually at DASA in February. Young participants from the region compete for positions to advance to the state competition. Paten companies include BAuA and Wilo.
• Martin-Luther-King-GesamtschuleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDASA and Martin-Luther-King-Gesamtschule from Dorstfeld are official education partners. Both institutions convey knowledge and education, with DASA offering original objects, exciting demonstrations, and curriculum-relevant content for career orientation.
• Heinrich-Böll-GesamtschuleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner for collaborative programs between schools and DASA, working together on educational initiatives.
• Anne-Frank-GesamtschuleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner for collaborative programs between schools and DASA, working together on educational initiatives.
• Reinoldus- und Schiller-GymnasiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThis gymnasium contributed to the new DASA exhibition 'Neue Arbeitswelten' and provided important input for the new 'Industrie 4.0' guided tour in German and English.
• Netzwerk Grüne ArbeitsweltminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDASA supports this network that shows young professionals how diverse the green work world is, strengthening career orientation for environmental and climate protection.
• Initiative KlischeefreiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThis initiative promotes nationwide gender-reflective career and study orientation to help young people find careers free from gender stereotypes.
• Zukunft durch Innovation.NRW (zdi)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDASA participates as an extracurricular learning location in this community initiative promoting STEM talent in North Rhine-Westphalia.
• KITZ.do (Kinder- und Jugendtechnologiezentrum)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth technology center in Dortmund enabling scientific experimentation for children and teenagers, helping remove barriers to math and science learning.
• Technikzentrum Minden-LübbeckeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides mobile offerings for career orientation, helping young people discover their talents through practical tasks. The 'Talentparcours' is permanently on display at DASA.
• Schule der ZukunftminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDASA is part of the 'School of the Future' family with 1,500 schools, 50 day-care centers, and 30 network partners working for a more ecological and socially acceptable future.
• KITA Friedrich-Henkel-WegminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDASA collaborates with this nearby daycare on projects such as creating illustrated books, introducing preschool children to books through printing techniques.
• Stadtfeuerwehrverband DortmundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDASA cooperates with this organization which includes the fire department, professional fire brigade, volunteer fire brigade, and industrial fire brigade.
• Verein der Freunde und Förderer der DASA e.V.moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe support association assists DASA with establishing contacts, forming information networks, special exhibitions, acquiring exhibits, publications, and public relations. Members receive benefits including access to events, expert communication, special tours, and current information.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Deutsches Technikmuseum: Berlin's technology museum covering industrial history, transport, and networked communication. Comparable to DASA in mission (interpreting the history and future of work/technology), audience (families, students), and as a federal-level German cultural/educational institution.
• Deutsches Museum: Germany's largest science and technology museum in Munich. Directly comparable to DASA as a major German interactive science/technology museum with hands-on exhibitions, though broader in scope (it covers all natural sciences and technology, not specifically the world of work).
• LWL-Industriemuseum: Westphalian industrial heritage museum network with eight sites across the Ruhr region. Direct peer due to overlapping industrial heritage theme, regional Ruhr-area positioning, and shared 'Route der Industriekultur' partnership with DASA.
• Phaeno: Interactive science centre in Wolfsburg designed by Zaha Hadid. Directly comparable to DASA as a hands-on, architecturally distinctive German science/technology experience center targeting families and school groups, with overlapping exhibition philosophy around engagement rather than passive viewing.
• Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum: Germany's largest computer museum, located in Paderborn. Comparable to DASA as an interactive German technology/work-and-information museum with hands-on exhibits, with significant overlap in audience (families, students) and an explicit focus on how technology shapes work and society.
• Experimentarium (Copenhagen): Leading Scandinavian hands-on science centre. Comparable to DASA in interactive, exhibition-driven public engagement model with strong school-group programs, European science-centre pedigree (Ecsite network member like DASA), and similar focus on workforce-relevant STEM topics.
• Zollverein School of Management and Design / Ruhr Museum: Located at the UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein site in Essen, the Ruhr Museum is a major Ruhr-area industrial and cultural heritage museum. Directly comparable as a regional peer in the same Route der Industriekultur network, sharing industrial heritage themes and overlapping school/family audience.

Broad incumbents

• Science Museum (London): Major UK science museum with similar hands-on, exhibition-driven public engagement model. Broader in scope (encompassing all science and technology) but directly comparable as a global benchmark for interactive science museums that, like DASA, focus on making industrial and technological history accessible.

Others

• Ecsite (European Collaborative of Science Centres and Museums): DASA is itself a member of Ecsite, the European network of science centres and technology museums. Included here as the institutional peer and ecosystem connector that benchmarks DASA against other European interactive science/work museums.

Emerging players

• Centre Pompidou-Metz: French cultural/educational institution focused on modern and contemporary culture. While not directly focused on work/technology like DASA, it is comparable as a European museum that uses scenography, hands-on installations, and signature architecture to drive attendance and educational impact.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/dasa_dortmund
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFtih86U1dYzuraFOChC5PQ
• Instagraminstagram.com/dasa_dortmund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dasa-arbeitswelt-ausstellung

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 DASA