Heliocentris
Heliocentris Academia International GmbH, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Berlin, designs and manufactures renewable energy and hydrogen/fuel cell training systems, complete labs, and metal hydride hydrogen storage products for universities, research institutions, and industrial clients worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Heliocentris does
Heliocentris Academia International GmbH is a Berlin-based technology company founded in 1995 that designs, engineers, and manufactures renewable energy training systems, complete laboratory setups, and hydrogen storage solutions for educational, research, and industrial customers. Its core product portfolio spans Education Products, Training Systems, Renewable Energy Labs, and Hydrogen Storage (anchored by proprietary metal hydride storage canister technology), with OEM customized design services offered as a configurable add-on for partners requiring bespoke specifications. The company positions itself as a 'world-leading OEM' in hydrogen and fuel cell training equipment and cites global project impact across educational and research communities.
The company's revenue model combines one-time equipment sales (training systems, labs, hydrogen storage units) with professional training services delivered through the Training Heliocentris Partners network and licensing/royalty arrangements for OEM-customized designs. Go-to-market is primarily direct enterprise field sales via phone and email to universities, technical schools, research institutions, and industrial clients, supplemented by a reseller/channel partner network targeting professional fuel cell training markets. Three customer segments are designated as primary: Research and Education, Reseller, and Industry. The company markets through its website, YouTube (@HeliocentrisAcademia), LinkedIn, email newsletter, and a blog covering hydrogen and renewable energy topics.
Corporate structure is that of a German private limited company (GmbH) operating from Rudower Chaussee 30, Berlin (ZIP 12489), with 51–100 employees. Historical strategic actions include a 2009 funding round involving Conduit Ventures, a December 2014 funding round of approximately $5.24M, and acquisitions of P21 (June 2011) and FutureE Fuel Cell Solutions GmbH (June 2014). Leadership comprises CEO Ayad Abul-Ella and CFO & Board Member Sabine Kauper.
Heliocentris firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Heliocentris
- Legal name
- Heliocentris Academia International GmbH
- Website
- https://heliocentris.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Heliocentris Academia International GmbH, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Berlin, designs and manufactures renewable energy and hydrogen/fuel cell training systems, complete labs, and metal hydride hydrogen storage products for universities, research institutions, and industrial clients worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Heliocentris industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Renewable Energy Training Equipment
- NAICS
- Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (3353)
- SIC
- Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Renewable Energy Electrical (Solar PV, Wind, Storage) (EDAOABAI), Hydrogen Energy Storage & Power-to-X Equipment (electrolyzers, storage, fuel cell systems) (IMAGAHAM)
Keywords
Where Heliocentris is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Heliocentris business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Education Products and Training Systems: Sale of renewable energy training systems, educational products, and complete labs for integrated renewable energy systems. Products include fuel cell training systems, hydrogen storage equipment, and comprehensive lab solutions.
- Professional Training Services: Fuel cell training services delivered through Heliocentris Partners network for professional skill development in hydrogen technologies
- OEM and Custom Design Services: Customized design and configuration services for OEM partners requiring tailored hydrogen and fuel cell solutions
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Heliocentris product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Heliocentris designs, engineers, and manufactures renewable energy training systems, complete renewable energy labs, fuel cell education equipment, and hydrogen storage solutions (including proprietary Metal Hydride Storage Canisters) for universities, technical schools, research institutions, and industrial clients. The company also delivers OEM customized designs configurable to meet partner specifications and supports a network of Training Heliocentris Partners delivering professional fuel cell training services.
Product overview
Heliocentris Academia offers a unified portfolio of renewable energy training and education solutions. The core product line consists of Education Products, Training Systems, and Renewable Energy Labs, which work together as complete hands-on learning systems. Hydrogen Storage solutions, including Metal Hydride Storage Canisters, complement the portfolio by enabling practical instruction on energy storage. The company also provides OEM customized designs as a configurable add-on for partners requiring bespoke specifications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Companies that use Heliocentris
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Heliocentris technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Heliocentris partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Training Heliocentris PartnerscoreNetwork of training partners who deliver fuel cell training systems designed to meet all professional needs. Partners have access to Heliocentris product portfolio for resale and distribution to end-user markets.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Heliocentris competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Horizon Educational: Horizon Educational designs and markets hydrogen fuel cell science kits, robotics, and renewable energy STEM learning products used in classrooms worldwide. It overlaps directly with Heliocentris's education products and training systems portfolios, particularly for secondary and tertiary hydrogen curricula.
- h-tec Wasserstoff-Energie-Systeme: h-tec is a German-based developer and manufacturer of fuel cell and hydrogen educational and demonstration systems for schools and universities. It competes head-to-head with Heliocentris in the same STEM/hydrogen training equipment category and serves the same research and education customer base.
- FuelCellStore: FuelCellStore supplies fuel cell components, hydrogen handling equipment, and educational kits to researchers and educators. It is comparable to Heliocentris as a distributor and supplier into the fuel cell education and training market, though with a less integrated systems offering.
Broad incumbents
- Festo Didactic: Festo Didactic is a global leader in industrial and technical training equipment, with a broad portfolio that includes energy, automation, and process technology learning systems. It overlaps with Heliocentris in renewable energy and hydrogen training labs, but as part of a much wider didactic portfolio.
- Lucas-Nülle: Lucas-Nülle is a German manufacturer of technical training equipment covering electrical, renewable energy, and automation technologies for vocational schools and universities. It is highly comparable to Heliocentris on geographic footprint (Germany) and on renewable-energy training systems, but operates at significantly larger scale across more disciplines.
- Lab-Volt (Festo): Lab-Volt, part of the Festo group, provides hands-on training systems for technical and engineering education, including renewable energy and power systems. It is comparable to Heliocentris as a lab equipment supplier to technical schools, though with a much wider industrial training catalog.
- phyWE Systeme: phyWE is a German educational laboratory equipment manufacturer producing STEM lab systems including renewable energy and hydrogen training setups. It addresses the same research and education buyers as Heliocentris but with a broader science curriculum portfolio beyond energy.
- PASCO Scientific: PASCO Scientific is a US-based STEM education solutions provider offering lab equipment, sensors, and curriculum for science classrooms. It competes with Heliocentris in the broader science lab equipment category that universities and technical schools purchase, but lacks the dedicated hydrogen/fuel cell specialization.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Heliocentris social profiles
Digital presenceHeliocentris financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Heliocentris leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Heliocentris funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Heliocentris M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Heliocentris
What does Heliocentris do?
Heliocentris designs, engineers, and manufactures renewable energy training systems, complete renewable energy labs, fuel cell education equipment, and hydrogen storage solutions (including proprietary Metal Hydride Storage Canisters) for universities, technical schools, research institutions, and industrial clients. The company also delivers OEM customized designs configurable to meet partner specifications and supports a network of Training Heliocentris Partners delivering professional fuel cell training services.
Is Heliocentris a public or private company?
Heliocentris is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Heliocentris founded?
Heliocentris was founded in 1995. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Heliocentris based?
Heliocentris is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Heliocentris make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Education Products and Training Systems are the primary driver. The others are professional Training Services and OEM and Custom Design Services.
Who are Heliocentris's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Horizon Educational, h-tec Wasserstoff-Energie-Systeme and FuelCellStore. Broad incumbents are Festo Didactic, Lucas-Nülle, Lab-Volt (Festo), phyWE Systeme and PASCO Scientific.
Does Heliocentris have an API?
No public API is recorded for Heliocentris.
What industry is Heliocentris in?
Heliocentris's product category is Renewable Energy Training Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAIAC, Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces), with a secondary code of EDAOABAI, Renewable Energy Electrical (Solar PV, Wind, Storage). Its NAICS code is 334515 and its SIC code is 3821.