Digital Urban Center for Aging & Health I DUCAH

What Digital Urban Center for Aging & Health I DUCAH does

DUCAH – Digital Urban Center for Aging and Health eG is a registered cooperative (eingetragene Genossenschaft, GnR 985 B) founded in Berlin in 2022 that operates as a human-centered research and consulting center for Germany's health, social care, and nursing sectors. The organization serves four primary customer segments: health, social care, and nursing organizations seeking digital transformation support; health tech and age tech startups requiring market access to the German care sector; academic and research institutions pursuing science-practice transfer; and policy makers and public sector bodies working on aging and digital health strategy. Its service offering is organized into four pillars — Formats & Projects (including the 3-month Besser Leben Lösungen tandem accelerator, Learning Journeys, GETA International, Digitale Roadmap, Felderprobungen, and Marktzugänge), Research, Consulting, and Marketplace — built on the foundational Forum event series and Cooperative membership model.

The underlying "technology" is primarily methodological rather than software-based: a structured innovation process, facilitated networking formats, and a community ecosystem rather than a proprietary platform. Digital infrastructure includes a website with integrated event registration (Eventbrite integration), a marketplace that is transitioning from physical Forum sessions to a digital platform, Google Forms-based data collection for surveys and feedback, and digital event recordings (YouTube) and a podcast (InnoBytes). There are no proprietary software products, no published APIs or SDKs, and no AI/ML models disclosed.

The business model combines five revenue streams: (1) recurring cooperative membership fees (annual subscription); (2) modular consulting engagements billed as person-days or project packages (professional services); (3) Forum and event participation fees, including paid Learning Journeys; (4) Marketplace and Besser Leben Lösungen program fees (professional services); and (5) publicly funded research and research transfer projects, including the EU-funded GETA International program. Pricing is explicitly aligned to the financial constraints of the social economy and to TVöD public-sector compensation standards. GTM motion is community-led, event-driven, and supplemented by direct sales for consulting. The cooperative's 50+ members span healthcare providers (Charité, Vivantes, DRK Kliniken), social services (Diakonie, Graf Recke Stiftung), financial institutions (Evangelische Bank, Sozialbank), academic institutions (TU Berlin, FU Berlin, HU Berlin, WZB, ECDF), and international partners (CITRIS UC Berkeley, Enterprise Singapore, DWIH San Francisco).

Name

Digital Urban Center for Aging & Health I DUCAH

Legal name

DUCAH – Digital Urban Center for Aging and Health eG

Website

https://ducah.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DUCAH is a Berlin-based registered cooperative founded in 2022 that supports Germany's health, social care, and nursing sectors through a four-pillar model: community Forums and innovation programs, applied research, modular consulting, and a startup-to-care-organization marketplace, serving 50+ members and partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Innovation Consulting

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLADAEAH

Continuing Care at Home (CCaH) / Virtual CCRC Programs

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Elder Care & Long-Term Care/Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)

Keywords

• Healthcare consulting services
• Digital health innovation
• Cooperative research services
• Care sector transformation
• Social economy consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees (Genossenschaft): Organizations join the DUCAH cooperative as members (Genossenschaftsmitglieder), paying membership fees. Members receive preferential access to DUCAH services, networking opportunities, and advisory support. The cooperative structure is a foundational revenue and governance model.
2. Consulting Services (DUCAH Beratung): Customized consulting engagements for health, social care, and nursing organizations covering digital strategies, organizational development, change management, and science-practice transfer. Services are priced fairly for the social economy and offered as modular packages or person-days.
3. Forum & Event Participation Fees: Revenue generated from DUCAH Forum events, impulse team meetings, and learning journeys (e.g., delegation trips to Toronto and Singapore). Forum membership provides free access to impulse team meetings.
4. Marketplace & Innovation Programs: The DUCAH Marketplace connects startups, solution providers, and care organizations. The Besser Leben Lösung program facilitates innovation matching between companies and startups, generating value for all participants. The marketplace is being digitized for broader accessibility.
5. Research & Research Transfer: DUCAH conducts and supports research projects in collaboration with universities, government bodies, and institutional partners. This includes White Papers, field studies, and participation in internationally funded projects (e.g., GETA International).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

DUCAH is a registered cooperative (eG) that operates a four-pillar service model — Formats & Projects, Research, Consulting, and Marketplace — to drive digital and social innovation in the health, social care, and nursing sectors. It pairs care organizations with startups and solution providers through structured programs (Besser Leben Lösungen, Felderprobungen, Lernreisen), delivers bespoke consulting and digital roadmaps, and runs a marketplace plus quarterly Forum events to accelerate the practical implementation of digital solutions for an aging society.

Product overview

DUCAH is a human-centered research and consulting cooperative (eG) for the social economy, organized around a four-pillar service structure built on the foundational Forum and Cooperative membership model. The four pillars are: (1) DUCAH Formats & Projects — encompassing the Besser Leben Lösungen accelerator program, Digitale Roadmap, DUCAH Lernreisen, and GETA International; (2) DUCAH Forschung — connecting science and practice through its scientific network; (3) DUCAH Beratung — individualized consulting services; and (4) DUCAH Marktplatz — a marketplace connecting innovators with buyers. The Besser Leben Lösungen program forms a key differentiator, pairing companies with startups over 3 months to develop immediate-use solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 50 cooperative members and partners working toward shared digital transformation goals since 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• CITRIS Health (University of California)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCITRIS Health is an interdisciplinary research center at the University of California that develops technological solutions for improving healthcare and healthy aging. DUCAH collaborates with CITRIS Health as a key international partner in the GETA International program, facilitating transatlantic knowledge exchange and joint innovation projects between Berlin and California.
• DWIH San Francisco (German House of Innovation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe DWIH San Francisco promotes transatlantic exchange in science, research, and innovation, connecting German actors with partners on the US West Coast. DWIH is a key partner in the GETA International program, facilitating German-American collaboration in age tech and digital health.
• Enterprise SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnterprise Singapore is the government development agency supporting companies in international growth, strengthening innovation, and building global partnerships for sustainable economic development. In healthcare, Enterprise Singapore promotes digital health solutions, precision medicine, and translational research. Partner in GETA International for Singapore market access.
• Messe Berlin Asia PacificsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMesse Berlin Asia Pacific organizes trade fairs in Southeast Asia and creates platforms for knowledge transfer, product and solution presentations, and cross-border cooperation through events like Smart Health Asia.
• Ageing Asia / World Ageing FestivalsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAgeing Asia, in collaboration with Singapore Management University, organizes the World Ageing Festival, bringing together global leaders and innovators for evidence-based dialogue on the future of aging and the Silver Economy.
• INCH e.V. (Initiative for Innovation and Collaboration in Healthcare)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerINCH brings together clinical practice, industry, and patient representatives through the Patient Monitoring Roundtable to advance digital health thinking and shape the future of patient care.
• Weizenbaum-InstitutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Weizenbaum Institute for the Networked Society is a leading research institute in Berlin studying digital transformation. DUCAH collaborates on data competency and digital society research, including joint publications.
• HIIG (Alexander von Humboldt Institut für Internet und Gesellschaft)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHIIG is a research institute focused on the internet and society. Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Schildhauer serves as Research Director at HIIG. The institute collaborates with DUCAH on digital health research, data governance, and innovation studies.
• Fraunhofer GesellschaftsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer is Europe's leading application-oriented research organization. As a network partner of DUCAH, Fraunhofer contributes expertise in technology transfer and applied research in health and care technology.
• VivantescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVivantes is one of the largest hospital groups in Germany, operating numerous healthcare facilities in Berlin. It supports the DUCAH research center as a founding partner and collaborates on digital health innovation projects.
• TU BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTU Berlin is a key academic partner in the DUCAH scientific network, contributing expertise in technology, engineering, and innovation research related to digital health and aging.
• FU Berlin (Freie Universität Berlin)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreie Universität Berlin is part of the DUCAH scientific network, contributing social science and life science research expertise to collaborative projects on aging and digital society.
• HU Berlin (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumboldt-Universität zu Berlin participates in the DUCAH scientific network, contributing research expertise in medicine, life sciences, and social sciences.
• Charité Universitätsmedizin BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharité is one of Europe's leading university hospitals. It supports the DUCAH research center and participates in the Data Trust Center Challenge, contributing clinical expertise and research capabilities to digital health projects.
• Diakonie DeutschlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDiakonie Deutschland is the federal association of the Protestant church's welfare organization. As a cooperative member and network partner, Diakonie brings extensive social service expertise and a nationwide network of care facilities to DUCAH.
• DRK Berlin (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDRK Berlin is a major humanitarian organization operating hospitals and social services. As a cooperative member, DRK contributes operational expertise in emergency care, nursing, and social services.
• Genoverband e.V.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGenoverband is the authorized audit association for cooperatives under §54 GenG and serves as DUCAH's statutory auditor. It ensures compliance and governance standards for the cooperative.
• Change Hub (Evangelische Bank)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Change Hub, operated by Evangelische Bank in Berlin, serves as a venue for DUCAH events and forums, facilitating networking between finance, technology, and social economy professionals.
• Smart Living & Health Center e.V. (SLHC)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSLHC is a venue partner for DUCAH Impuls events, bringing together stakeholders from smart living and health technology sectors.
• Equeo Health GmbHsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEqueo is a health tech startup and Besser Leben Lösung Tandem partner working with care organizations to develop and test digital health solutions in real care settings.
• TÜV RheinlandsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTÜV Rheinland participates in the Data Trust Center Challenge at DUCAH Forum, presenting solutions on data-based innovation and digital sovereignty in healthcare.
• HealthCapital Berlin-BrandenburgsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthCapital is a Berlin-Brandenburg healthcare cluster supported by the Federal Ministry, connecting DUCAH with the broader regional health economy ecosystem.
• CBS Copenhagen Business SchoolsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBS is a Danish business school participating in the DUCAH scientific network, contributing international academic perspectives on management, innovation, and digital transformation in healthcare.
• WZB Berlin (Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWZB is a leading social science research institute in Berlin, contributing sociological research expertise on aging, digital society, and social innovation to DUCAH's scientific network.
• ECDF (Einstein Center Digital Future)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerECDF is a Berlin-based digital research center hosting DUCAH Forum events and supporting interdisciplinary research on digital transformation in society.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• AgeTech Capital / AgeTech Network: Investment and network platform focused specifically on age-tech and longevity innovation. Comparable at the network/intermediary layer where DUCAH curates startups, providers, and care organizations, though with a venture/investor lens versus DUCAH's cooperative mission.
• AGE Platform Europe: European network of organizations representing older people, influencing EU policy on aging and digital inclusion. Adjacent as a multi-stakeholder aging intermediary but oriented to policy advocacy and older people's voice rather than innovation matching.
• Fraunhofer Gesellschaft — Health/Pomeranian & IAIS divisions: Europe's leading applied-research organization with applied innovation programs in health, care, and aging technologies. Comparable as a publicly funded research-and-innovation partner in DUCAH's scientific network, though at much larger scale and with a research-grant rather than cooperative business model.

Direct peers

• Active Assisted Living (AAL) Programme: European funding programme supporting ICT-based solutions for healthy aging, with a pan-European partnership network across research, industry, and end-user organizations. Comparable to DUCAH as an EU-level aging-tech intermediary with science-driven project portfolio and member-based governance.
• Health Innovation Hub (hih): German government-backed digital health innovation hub interfacing between the Federal Ministry of Health and the digital health ecosystem. Comparable to DUCAH as a public-sector-aligned intermediary translating healthcare innovation into practice in Germany.
• EIT Health: EU-backed partnership (one of the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities) accelerating innovation in healthy living, active ageing, and digital health across Europe. Most directly comparable to DUCAH as a multi-stakeholder innovation intermediary spanning research, industry, healthcare providers, and public sector.
• Aging2.0 (now 'Aging'): Global community-led platform connecting innovators, care providers, and investors around aging and senior care innovation. Closely mirrors DUCAH's community- and event-driven GTM in the same problem space.
• Berlin Health Innovations (BHI): The joint technology-transfer unit of Charité and Berlin Institute of Health, translating academic and clinical innovation in Berlin into startup and industry partnerships. Direct regional peer given shared Berlin ecosystem, academic-clinical anchoring, and innovation-transfer mandate.
• Center for Innovation (Einstein Center / ECDF): Berlin-based digital research and innovation consortium hosting interdisciplinary research projects and forums. Direct peer given DUCAH's collaboration relationship, shared location, and overlapping mission of integrating digital transformation across disciplines.

Regional players

• INCH e.V. (Initiative for Innovation and Collaboration in Healthcare): German healthcare-innovation initiative convening clinical practice, industry, and patient representatives through formats like the Patient Monitoring Roundtable. Comparable as a German multi-stakeholder healthcare innovation intermediary; regional peer given its primary focus on Germany.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLNnAVDnZAjrY7VsrwDvnOPgXu1iXxbgjh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ducah

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 Digital Urban Center for Aging & Health I DUCAH