PIKSL Labor

What PIKSL Labor does

PIKSL Labor is a non-profit digital inclusion network operated by In der Gemeinde leben gGmbH, a charitable gGmbH headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany. Founded in 2010 and beginning operations in 2011 with its first lab in Düsseldorf, PIKSL runs a nationwide franchise of 13 open, accessible digital laboratories across seven German states, each operated by a regional disability service organization (including v. Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel, Vitos Teilhabe, Diakonie Himmelsthür, DIAKOVERE, Bathildisheim, Hoffnungstaler Stiftung Lobetal, and others). The network provides free access to computers, tablets, VR headsets, 3D printers, and digital literacy training to people with and without disabilities, with inclusive teams — staffed by employees both with and without disabilities — delivering peer-to-peer support. Services are entirely free to end users; the organization is funded through charitable foundations (notably Aktion Mensch Stiftung), donations, and subsidies routed through partner welfare organizations.

The portfolio extends beyond physical labs into specialized service lines. PIKSL VR (Dortmund) produces 360° video and immersive VR experiences for care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and social institutions. The K.I.T.T. (Künstliche Intelligenz Teilhabe Trickbox) project, funded by Aktion Mensch Stiftung and presented at re:publica 2026, is developing personalized AI assistants with and for people with disabilities in collaboration with 14 project partners. Ancillary programs include PIKSL Talk discussion series, Digi-Club seminars, Digitaler Freitag lectures, Repair-Café workshops, and the downloadable PIKSL Passwortbuch. The go-to-market is community-led and event-based: open lab hours, workshops, social media presence (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok), and word-of-mouth through partner organizations. Primary customer segments are people with disabilities (primary), senior citizens, and care facility staff/organizations. Operational governance is exercised by a central team of 7 employees led by Tobias Marczinzik (Leitung PIKSL), with the central entity co-owned by Diakonie Düsseldorf and v. Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel. Recognition includes the Bundesteilhabepreis 2025 (Federal Ministry for Social Affairs), Zero Project Award 2020, and Deutschland Land der Ideen 2012.

Name

PIKSL Labor

Legal name

In der Gemeinde leben gGmbH

Website

https://piksl.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PIKSL Labor is a German non-profit operating a nationwide franchise of 13 free digital inclusion labs, where people with and without disabilities access technology, training, and peer support, funded primarily by charitable foundations including Aktion Mensch Stiftung.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Inclusion Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technology Assistance & Digital Support for Seniors (HSABAAAH)

Keywords

• Digital inclusion labs
• Assistive technology services
• Accessible VR production
• Digital literacy training
• Inclusive lab network

Headquarters

HQ city

Düsseldorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Charitable Funding & Donations: PIKSL operates as a non-profit organization (gGmbH - gemeinnützige GmbH) funded primarily through charitable foundations (Aktion Mensch Stiftung), donations, and subsidies. Services are provided free of charge to end users. Parent organizations include In der Gemeinde leben gGmbH, v. Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel, and other regional disability service organizations that fund local labs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PIKSL Labor operates a network of 13 free, accessible digital laboratories across Germany where people with and without disabilities can use computers, tablets, VR headsets, and 3D printers, and receive digital literacy training and peer support. The organization also delivers specialized Virtual Reality production services (PIKSL VR) for care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and social institutions, and develops AI assistants (K.I.T.T.) to support people with disabilities in everyday life. All end-user services are provided at no charge.

Product overview

PIKSL Labor is a network of 12 digital inclusion laboratories across Germany operated by various charitable organizations. The core offering consists of physical PIKSL Labore where people with and without disabilities can access digital technologies freely, receive training, and participate in inclusive education programs. Key products and services include PIKSL VR – specialized virtual reality production services from the Dortmund laboratory for creating immersive 360° content, 3D animations, and VR experiences for social care, education, and marketing; the KITT AI project developing personalized AI assistants for people with disabilities; and various educational programs including PIKSL Talk discussion series, Digi-Club sessions, Digitaler Freitag lectures, and Repair-Café workshops. The PIKSL Plattform (plattform.piksl.net) provides an online platform component.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PIKSL VR: Virtual Reality division of PIKSL Labor Dortmund specializing in VR production for social and care sectors
• PIKSL Plattform
• K.I.T.T.

Products and services

• PIKSL Labore (Digital Inclusion Lab Network)

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Diakonie Düsseldorf - Gemeindedienst der evangelischen Kirchengemeinden e.V.coreOthersOne of the shareholders of In der Gemeinde leben gGmbH, providing organizational support and connection to the Protestant church network.
• v. Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen BethelcoreOthersMajor shareholder and partner operating PIKSL labs in Bielefeld, Dortmund, and Berlin through their various subsidiaries.
• Diakonisches Werk im KK RecklinghausenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the K.I.T.T. project ecosystem presenting K.A.P.I.E.R.T. project for AI-based translation of bureaucratic language to simple language.
• KOPF, HAND und FUSS GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner presenting the Verainfacher application for text simplification through interactive Q&A, part of the K.I.T.T. project ecosystem.
• Vitos TeilhabecoreOthersTrustee organization operating PIKSL Labor Groß-Gerau since April 2021.
• Diakonie Himmelsthür e.V.coreOthersTrustee organization operating PIKSL Labor Hildesheim opened August 2022.
• Bathildisheim e.V.coreOthersTrustee organization operating PIKSL Labor Kassel opened October 2019.
• Heilpädagogische Hilfen OsnabrückcoreOthersTrustee organization operating PIKSL Labor Osnabrück opened February 2020.
• Hoffnungstaler Stiftung LobetalcoreOthersTrustee organization operating PIKSL Labor Berlin opened January 2022.
• Barmherzige Brüder SaffigcoreOthersTrustee organization operating PIKSL Labor Andernach opened April 2023.
• Liebenau Teilhabe gGmbHcoreOthersTrustee organization operating PIKSL Team Teilhabe (formerly Friedrichshafen).
• DIAKOVERE Annastift Leben und Lernen gGmbHcoreOthersTrustee organization operating PIKSL Labor Hannover opened April 2023, funded by Aktion Mensch e.V.
• forum e.V. / proviel GmbHcoreOthersJoint trustees operating PIKSL Labor Wuppertal opened October 2023.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Direct peers

• AbilityNet: UK-based charity providing free digital accessibility support, advice, and training for people with disabilities. Closest direct comparable: similar mission, free services, in-person and remote support model, and emphasis on inclusive design.
• LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired: San Francisco-based nonprofit offering technology training, VR accessibility experiences, and adaptive device programs for blind and visually impaired users. Comparable as a digital inclusion and accessibility training provider with similar VR initiatives.
• Knowbility: US non-profit focused on digital accessibility education and community programs for people with disabilities, including an accessibility internship program. Comparable mission of building digital literacy and accessible technology capacity within the disability community.
• Sozialhelden e.V. German non-profit creating social-impact tech projects for inclusion, including Wheelmap.org (accessible map of wheelchair-friendly places). Comparable as a fellow German social-impact organization using technology to advance disability inclusion.

Broad incumbents

• Aktion Mensch Stiftung: Germany's largest private social funder for disability inclusion, with extensive grant programs across accessibility, education, and participation. Comparable as a major disability-inclusion funding and program organization in Germany.
• Perkins School for the Blind: US-based institution serving blind and visually impaired individuals with educational, assistive technology, and accessibility services. Comparable as an established disability-services organization with technology and digital literacy offerings.
• Lebenshilfe (Bundesvereinigung Lebenshilfe): Germany's largest advocacy and service organization for people with intellectual disabilities, operating thousands of local facilities. Comparable as a broad German disability-services incumbent that increasingly invests in digital inclusion programming.
• CBM (Christoffel-Blindenmission): International disability-inclusive development organization with German HQ, working on inclusive employment, education, and accessibility in low-income countries. Comparable as a German-headquartered disability inclusion organization with broader international reach.

Regional players

• Internetstiftelsen (Internet Foundation in Sweden): Swedish foundation promoting internet development and digital inclusion, operating education programs and access initiatives. Comparable regional peer focused on digital literacy and inclusion through community programs.

Emerging players

• Fachhochschule des Mittelstands (FHM) - Digital Agency & Inklupreneur programs: German initiatives supporting social entrepreneurs and startups focused on inclusion and accessibility, often in partnership with welfare organizations. Comparable as an emerging ecosystem player developing digital inclusion ventures in Germany.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PIKSLTEAM
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@piksllabordusseldorf5185
• Facebookfacebook.com/PIKSLDuesseldorf
• Instagraminstagram.com/piksl_labor_duesseldorf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/piksl-labor

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PIKSL Labor