University of Applied Sciences Kempten

What University of Applied Sciences Kempten does

University of Applied Sciences Kempten (Hochschule Kempten) is a public state university (Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts) located in Kempten, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1977 and operating under the supervisory authority of the Bavarian State Ministry for Science and the Arts. It is the only state Fachhochschule in the Allgäu region, delivering practice-oriented higher education across 6 faculties (Business Administration, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Social and Health Studies, Tourism Management) and 54 degree programs, with a primary student base in domestic undergraduates and additional international and graduate cohorts.

The university's technology and research footprint is organized through the Forschungszentrum Allgäu (FZA), which coordinates 18 specialized institutes including IMS (Machine Vision), ILE (Power Electronics for Renewable Energy in Benningen), IKR (Applied AI and Robotics in Marktoberdorf), IFA (Innovative Vehicle Drives), IEAT (Energy and Propulsion Technologies), IDT (Digital Transformation), IPI (Production and Informatics in Sonthofen), INIT (Sustainable Tourism in Füssen), and ICAAR (Agricultural Robotics), plus the 3Dvisionlab for optical 3D metrology and computer vision. Teaching and research combine classroom instruction, dual study programs with regional industry partners, and applied research projects such as the MAHALO partnership with MAHA SE & Co. KG for vehicle measurement technology.

The business model is anchored on recurring Bavarian state appropriations, supplemented by third-party research funding (public agencies, industry, EU programs), semester contribution fees from students, and fees from regional companies for dual study partnerships. Distribution is primarily on-campus education, with international student mobility through 110+ partner universities and Erasmus+, and research services delivered via the ILE Benningen and IKR Marktoberdorf sites to mid-market regional companies. The GTM motion relies on community outreach (Children's University, school partnerships, Schnupperstudium) and event-driven recruitment (Allgäuer Hochschulmesse, Study Talks), positioning the institution as a regional monopoly with a national and international research reach.

Name

University of Applied Sciences Kempten

Legal name

Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Kempten

Website

https://hs-kempten.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Public state university of applied sciences in Kempten, Bavaria, offering 54 practice-oriented degree programs across 6 faculties and operating 18 applied research institutes in AI/robotics, machine vision, power electronics, energy, mobility, and digital care for the Allgäu region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Universities with Strong Industry Partnerships (EDAHAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA), Technical Universities with Specialized Engineering Domains (EDAHAEAI)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Applied research institutes
• Dual study programs
• Engineering degree programs
• Technology transfer

Headquarters

HQ city

Kempten

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Funding: As a state university (Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts), the primary revenue comes from government funding from the Bavarian State Ministry for Science and the Arts.
2. Research Funding and Third-Party Projects: Revenue from research projects funded by government agencies, industry partners, and EU programs. The MAHALO project with MAHA represents a 160,000 EUR research contract.
3. Tuition and Fees: Semester fees charged to students for enrollment, with tuition generally free for domestic students under German law.
4. Dual Study Partnership Fees: Companies pay for the dual study program partnerships where students combine academic study with practical company experience.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

University of Applied Sciences Kempten is a public state university delivering practice-oriented bachelor's and master's degree programs across six faculties, including Business Administration, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Social and Health Studies, and Tourism Management. In parallel, it operates 18 specialized research institutes under the Forschungszentrum Allgäu conducting applied research in machine vision, AI and robotics, power electronics, renewable energy, digital manufacturing, sustainable tourism, and digital healthcare, with industry-funded research projects and dual study programs tightly integrated with regional companies.

Product overview

University of Applied Sciences Kempten is a higher education institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across six faculties (Business Administration, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Social and Health Studies, Tourism Management). The university's research portfolio centers on applied research institutes focused on digital transformation, including the Institute for Digital Transformation (IDT), Institute for Data-Optimized Manufacturing (IOM), Institute for Digital Nursing (IBN), and Institute for Sustainable Tourism (IWFT), complemented by specialized centers in energy technology (ZET), automotive research (ZAM), and agricultural robotics (ICAAR). The institution also operates dedicated laboratories for machine vision and 3D vision research, serving as the primary mechanism for technology transfer and industry collaboration. The product portfolio is organized around academic education delivery combined with applied research services, where degree programs and research institutes function as complementary offerings—students benefit from research-backed curricula while industry partners access expertise through collaborative research projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kempten Business School: Business and technology professional school offering continuing education and executive programmes.
• Forschungszentrum Allgäu (FZA)
• StartUp Center
• Allgäuer Hochschulmesse
• Kinder-Uni Kempten

Products and services

• Bachelor's Degree Programs Under bachelor's programs include Applied AI and Robotics, Power Electronics, Computer Science, and other practice-oriented degrees offered across six faculties for prospective students seeking practice-oriented higher education.
• Master's Degree Programs Master's degree programs with specializations in energy, mobility, production, AI, and social innovations offered for graduate students seeking research-focused education.
• Dual Study Programs (Verbundstudium and Studium mit vertiefter Praxis) Practice-integrated degree programs combining academic study with extended practical experience at partner companies. Available for both Bachelor's and Master's levels, enabling early career entry and financial independence.
• Continuing Education / Executive Programs (Kempten Business School) Professional and continuing education programs offered through Kempten Business School for working professionals and executives seeking further qualifications.
• Applied Research Services (Forschungszentrum Allgäu) Commissioned applied research and development services delivered through 18 specialized research institutes covering energy, mobility, production, digital transformation, healthcare, and tourism. Services are offered to industry partners and public sector clients.
• Applied AI and Robotics Research (IKR) Applied research services in autonomous navigation, mobile robotics, and humanoid robots with applications in forestry and industrial settings, delivered from the Marktoberdorf site.
• Power Electronics Research (ILE) Research and development services on power electronics solutions for renewable energy systems, electromobility, and efficient energy conversion including PV inverters and chargers, based at the Benningen site.
• Machine Vision and 3D Metrology Research (IMS / 3Dvisionlab) Research services in optical systems design, computer vision, optical 3D measurement, and X-ray imaging analysis for industrial automation, safety research, and non-destructive testing applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 110+ international partner universities enabling global student mobility
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MAHA SE & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Strategic research partnership for developing vehicle measurement technologies. The MAHALO project (September 2026 - August 2027, ~160,000 EUR) focuses on developing new methods for localization and positioning for next-generation vehicle testing and measurement equipment. Prof. Dr. Bernd Pinzer from IMS leads the university research team.
• 110+ International Partner UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network of over 110 partner universities across multiple countries enabling student exchanges, staff mobility, and joint research through Erasmus+ and bilateral agreements.
• Erasmus+ Programme PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Union education program enabling student and staff mobility, including Erasmus+ Green for sustainable travel and Blended Intensive Programs for virtual exchange.
• Allgäu Region Companies (Dual Study Partners)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional companies in Allgäu serving as practice partners for dual study programs, providing students with practical experience while creating talent pipelines for regional employment.
• Bayerisches Zentrum Pflege DigitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBavarian Center for Digital Care - collaborative research initiative addressing digital transformation in healthcare and nursing.
• Forschungszentrum Allgäu (FZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Allgäu Research Center coordinates interdisciplinary research and development projects across all faculties, serving as the umbrella organization for 18 specialized research institutes.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hochschule Darmstadt: Large German state university of applied sciences with engineering, computer science, business, and social sciences faculties and applied research institutes. Comparable Fachhochschule profile outside Bavaria, often used as a national benchmark for applied research output.
• Hochschule Aalen: Baden-Württemberg Fachhochschule with strong focus on engineering, computer science, and optics/photonics research. Direct peer in applied technical research and industry partnerships in a comparable mid-sized German city setting.
• Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt: Bavarian state university of applied sciences known for its automotive and engineering research and tight industry ties (especially with Audi and regional automotive supply chain). Direct peer in the Fachhochschule applied research and dual-study model.
• Hochschule Augsburg: Bavarian state university of applied sciences in nearby Augsburg, covering engineering, business, computer science, and design faculties. Directly comparable in faculty mix, dual-study offerings, and applied research profile.
• Hochschule München: One of the largest Bavarian Fachhochschulen, with similar engineering, business, and applied science faculties plus an extensive dual-study and industry-research footprint. Direct peer, but operates at substantially greater scale in metropolitan Munich.
• Technische Hochschule Rosenheim: Closest direct peer: another Bavarian Fachhochschule with strong applied sciences focus in engineering, business, and design, plus a comparable industry-partnered dual study model. Operates in a neighboring region of Upper Bavaria with similar faculty structure and applied research orientation.
• Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg: Bavarian state university of applied sciences covering engineering, business, computer science, and social work faculties. Comparable public Fachhochschule with broad applied research portfolio and industry partnerships across eastern Bavaria.
• Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Neu-Ulm: Small Bavarian Fachhochschule immediately adjacent to Kempten (Neu-Ulm/Ulm area) with a strong business and information-management orientation and industry partnership focus. Comparable in size, applied-research emphasis, and regional employer network.

Emerging players

• Fraunhofer Society (e.g., Fraunhofer IOSB-AST): Germany's leading applied research organization with institutes overlapping Kempten's machine vision, AI, and energy research areas. Functions as a partial competitor for industry research contracts and as a partner/employer competing for regional academic talent.

Broad incumbents

• Technische Universität München (TUM): Large Bavarian research and technical university with overlapping engineering, computer science, and energy research domains. Functions as a broad incumbent that competes for talent, grants, and industry research funding across the same industrial thematic areas as Kempten's institutes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about University of Applied Sciences Kempten