Best Institut

What Best Institut does

Best Institut für berufsbezogene Weiterbildung und Personaltraining GmbH (BEST) is a privately held Austrian vocational training and HR consulting firm founded in 1990 and headquartered in Vienna. The company delivers a multi-segment service portfolio comprising (i) public and in-house corporate courses spanning languages, business/economics, pedagogy/train-the-trainer, and profession-specific vocational training; (ii) funded career development programs delivered under Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS), waff, and European Social Fund contracts targeting unemployed, youth, and migrant populations; (iii) HR consulting services including recruiting support, employee surveys, and performance/potential analysis; and (iv) international EU-funded projects (Erasmus+) such as Paint the Bit (cultural/creative sector MOOCs) and CATALYST (green transition vocational excellence).

The company distributes services through 12+ physical offices in Vienna and Lower Austria, plus direct in-house training delivery at enterprise client sites and digital channels (e.g., the Paint the Bit e-learning platform hosted at paintthebit.soluzioniopen.com). Its revenue is generated primarily through professional services fees — funded-program contracts from public-sector clients, enterprise training engagements, and ancillary seminar-room rental (€245/half-day, €385/full-day at Mariahilfer Straße 8). Customer segments include Austrian enterprises (ERSTE Bank, ASFINAG, Siemens, Andritz, Volkswagen Versicherungsdienst, MERKUR, Österreichisches Verkehrsbüro), government institutions (AMS, Federal Chancellery, Social Ministry), nonprofits (Diakonie refugee services), and education sector partners (Wiener Volkshochschulen).

The firm is founder/family-managed (Helmut Kronika as Managing Director; Mag.a Karin Kronika as Procurator and Head of International Projects), holds multiple quality certifications (EFQM, Ö-CERT, ICDL/ECDL test center status since 1998), and operates a sub-brand (BEST GASTRO) targeting the hospitality/tourism sector. International project activity spans Cyprus, France, Italy, and Spain via Erasmus+ partnerships, though Austria (Vienna and Lower Austria) remains the primary operating geography.

Name

Best Institut

Legal name

BEST Institut für berufsbezogene Weiterbildung und Personaltraining GmbH

Website

https://best.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Best Institut is a Vienna-based vocational training and HR consulting firm founded in 1990, delivering corporate training, AMS/EU-funded career programs, HR consulting, and international Erasmus+ projects to Austrian enterprises, government agencies, and individuals across 12+ locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training and HR Consulting Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Project, Process & Quality Certification Prep (PMP, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL) (EDANAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education Systems & Skills Technical Assistance (BPADAEAI)

Keywords

• Vocational training services
• Corporate training programs
• Human resources consulting
• Funded career development
• Language and IT courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Wien, Wien

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Training and Seminar Services: BEST generates revenue through providing vocational training courses, seminars, and coaching services to individuals and organizations. Course offerings span languages, business/economics, education/train-the-trainer, and industry-specific programs.
2. Funded Career Development Programs: The company delivers government and EU-funded career development programs (AMS Wien projects, European Social Fund initiatives) which provide subsidized or free training to target populations.
3. HR Consulting Services: Revenue from recruiting services, employee surveys, performance management consulting, and potential analysis for corporate clients.
4. Seminar Room Rental: BEST rents out seminar rooms at Mariahilfer Straße 8, 1070 Vienna at daily or half-day rates (€245 half-day, €385 full day).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BEST Institut delivers vocational and professional training courses (languages, business/economics, IT/ECDL, pedagogy/train-the-trainer) and HR consulting services (recruiting, employee surveys, performance and potential analysis) to individuals, enterprises, and government institutions across Austria. It also runs government- and EU-funded career development programs through the AMS and European Social Fund, and participates in international Erasmus+ projects such as Paint the Bit and CATALYST.

Product overview

BEST Institut offers a comprehensive vocational training and human resources portfolio consisting ofCourses & Trainings (covering languages, business, pedagogy, and IT), Funded Career Development Programs (subsidized initiatives for job seekers), Human Resources Consulting (recruiting, employee surveys, performance analysis), and the Paint the Bit e-learning platform (MOOCs for creative sector professionals). Additional offerings include the CATALYST sustainability training hub, seminar room rental, and various EU-funded international projects. The organization operates as a unified training institute with services ranging from individual courses to enterprise consulting engagements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BEST GASTRO: Project area specializing in personnel services for the gastronomy, hospitality, and tourism sector, providing training, qualification, and placement of qualified personnel.

Products and services

• Courses & Trainings Vocational training programs covering languages, business and economics, pedagogy/train-the-trainer, EDV/IT (including ICDL/ECDL), health, personality development, and coaching — offered to adult learners at BEST's Vienna and Lower Austria locations.
• Funded Career Development Programs Subsidized career development programs for unemployed persons, migrants, youth, and other priority groups, co-funded by AMS Wien, waff, and the European Social Fund, including BBE Deutsch, BBE Step2Job, #job.move Skill Base, Jugendcollege, Meine Chance, Neue Chance_Lehre, and New Skills secretarial courses.
• Human Resources Consulting HR consulting service for corporate clients covering recruiting support, employee surveys, and performance and potential analysis.
• Paint the Bit E-learning Platform Erasmus+ funded digital learning platform offering MOOCs for cultural and creative sector professionals on digital tools, marketing, project management, financial planning, and cybersecurity for artists.
• CATALYST Center of Vocational Excellence Austria Green transition and sustainability training hub offering access to 70+ courses, three specialization programs, and networking for HE students, VET learners, and business owners interested in the green economy.
• Corporate In-house Training (Firmeninterne Schulungen) Customized in-company training and coaching programs tailored to specific organizational needs and delivered at enterprise client sites across Austria.
• Seminar Room Rental Rental of a 110m² seminar room at Mariahilfer Straße 8, 1070 Vienna, for up to 30 persons, with equipment (flipchart, pin-board, adjustable lectern, TV, CD/DVD player, projector) and optional beverage catering at €15/person/day.

Named customers11 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

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BABE (Berufsvereinigung der ArbeitgeberInnen privater Bildungseinrichtungen)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005BEST has been a member since 2005 and holds a seat on the BABE management board, representing private educational institutions' employers' association.
• GCN General Consulting Network GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Vorarlberg management consulting firm partner since 2005, collaborating on consulting and training projects.
• Österreichische Computer Gesellschaft (Austrian Computer Society)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1998BEST serves as an ECDL (ICDL) test center since 1998, providing computer skills certification and testing services.
• Arbeitsmarktservice (AMS) - Austrian Public Employment ServicecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAMS has trusted BEST's quality for 30 years, referring clients to BEST's training programs and co-funding career development initiatives.
• Wiener ArbeitnehmerInnen Förderungsfonds (waff)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBEST is an accredited training institution with Vienna's employee promotion fund, enabling funded training programs for Viennese workers.
• Europäischer Sozialfonds (European Social Fund)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorESF promotes BEST's commitment to multiple qualification projects and European initiatives in education research and labor market policy.
• KPMG (Belgrade office)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKPMG cooperates with BEST through Belgrade office on innovative projects in vocational education, consulting, capacity building, and structural reform, mainly for non-EU countries.
• Arbeitsmarktservice der bosnischen FöderationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBosnian Federation labor market service cooperates with BEST on developing quality standards in vocational education and training.
• Fønix AS (Norway)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian organization, one of the largest in vocational education and rehabilitation, creates concepts and training models with BEST for basic skills and vocational training.
• Bochumer GEWERKSTATT gGmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman organization develops concepts with BEST for integration of migrants, asylum seekers, and recognized refugees focusing on workplace learning and integrated German language training.
• Hessisches Ministerium für Soziales und Integration (HSM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership with German Hessian state ministry to implement innovative concepts in labor market policy measures for various target groups.
• FH JoanneumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CATALYST Center of Vocational Excellence Austria project. FH Joanneum serves as HE expert and Quality leader in the green transition sustainability initiative.
• Apflbutzn Faires Gwand OGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CATALYST CoVE Austria project as SME representative in Green Business, contributing to sustainability-focused vocational education.
• E-juniorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench non-profit association founded by Monique Epstein, offering digital learning opportunities for youth, especially those facing e-exclusion. Partner in Paint the Bit project.
• Association Study Center City of FolignominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian training agency active since 2000 in the municipality of Foligno. Partner in Paint the Bit Erasmus+ project.
• Education In Progress (EiP Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish organization focused on lifelong learning perspective, active within Erasmus+ program. Partner in Paint the Bit project for creative sector training.
• Center for Social Innovation (CSI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and development organization focusing on social innovation for positive change at local, national, regional, and global levels. Partner in Paint the Bit project.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Udemy Business: Global online learning platform increasingly used by European enterprises for scalable corporate training. Not a direct substitute for BEST's instructor-led and funded programs, but represents the digital competitive pressure on traditional vocational training economics.
• Falck (formerly ASE) Denmark: Vocational education and rehabilitation provider with whom BEST has a strategic partnership. Comparable in workforce reintegration, vocational qualification programs, and government-funded training delivery, primarily in Nordic markets.

Direct peers

• SBIM Wiener Neustadt / BABE member institutions: BABE is the association of Austrian private educational institution employers; BEST holds a board seat. Member institutions like SBIM compete directly for AMS-funded training contracts in regional Austrian markets.
• WIFI Wien (Wirtschaftsförderungsinstitut der Wirtschaftskammer Wien): Austrian vocational and continuing education provider operated by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce. Directly comparable to BEST in offering corporate training, certification prep, and funded career development programs in the same Vienna market.
• Wiener Volkshochschulen (VHS Wien): Major adult education provider in Vienna offering languages, business courses, and professional training. Already named as a BEST partner, illustrating the closely overlapping adult-education segment in Vienna.
• BFI Berufsförderungsinstitut Wien: Austrian vocational training institute with a similar mix of government-funded labor-market programs, corporate training, and reskilling courses. Competes with BEST for AMS-funded contracts and enterprise training mandates in Vienna.

Broad incumbents

• SRH (SRH Holding): Large German private education group operating universities, vocational schools, and continuing education across multiple countries. Comparable in vocational/continuing education offering but at substantially greater scale and geographic breadth.
• ManpowerGroup Austria: Global staffing and workforce solutions provider with Austrian operations covering recruiting, training, and career development. Comparable HR consulting and workforce training services but at multinational scale and with a different primary focus on staffing.
• TÜV Austria Akademie: Austrian certification and training arm of the TÜV group, offering professional certifications, safety training, and management courses. Overlaps with BEST's ICDL/ECDL and certification-prep offerings, but as part of a broader testing/certification portfolio.

Regional players

• Die Berater (Unternehmensberatung): Austrian consulting and training firm offering HR, organizational development, and vocational training services. Overlaps with BEST's HR consulting and corporate training portfolio, primarily in the DACH region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Paintthebit
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/best-institut

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Best Institut