ARKANA Forum GmbH

What ARKANA Forum GmbH does

ARKANA Forum GmbH is a German medical education center and conference venue headquartered in Emmendingen, Baden-Württemberg. Founded in 2010 by Lisa Disch and operating as a subsidiary of the inomed Group, the company delivers accredited continuing medical education in three specialty areas: intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM), functional neurosurgery, and minimally invasive pain therapy. Its offerings span self-study e-learning modules, online courses, live surgery hospitation courses hosted at partner university hospitals (Mainz, Amsterdam UMC, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Zurich), and a structured three-year Academy cycle for Functional Neurosurgery, with course directors who are credentialed clinicians at these institutions. Revenue is generated primarily through per-participant course fees (€159–€860 + 19% VAT depending on format) and a secondary stream from conference room rental (VisionsRaum, IdeenRaum, ZeitRaum, up to 150 persons) bundled with catering from the adjacent Restaurant & Café Ombrella.

The company's technology stack centers on a Moodle-based learning management system (courses.arkana-forum.com) hosting video tutorials, live surgery broadcasts, webinars, and self-paced content, augmented by an AI-powered chatbot built on OpenAI models and operated by equeo health GmbH as data processor. Supporting infrastructure includes Vimeo for video embedding, Mittwald for web hosting, and DigitalOcean (Equinix Frankfurt) for cloud services, with Fathom Analytics for privacy-conscious traffic analysis. CME/CPD accreditation (UEMS-EACCME and German medical associations) is granted to qualifying courses — for example, 2 CME points per 90-minute e-learning module — anchoring demand to physicians' continuing education obligations. A network of 30+ internationally recognized expert faculty and named Scientific and Medical Directors delivers content alongside rotating art exhibitions that differentiate the Emmendingen venue as a cultural-medical hybrid.

Distribution is direct via website e-commerce checkout (SumUp payment gateway) for individual course bookings and on-site at partner hospitals for face-to-face cohorts. Go-to-market is event-driven: medical symposiums, LinkedIn, newsletters, and the Arkana Connect referral program (20% discount for referred participants, free e-learning for referrer). The headcount is approximately 12 employees, with leadership including Managing Director Dr.-Ing. Thilo Krüger. Operating geographies span Germany (primary), the Netherlands (Amsterdam UMC partner), and Switzerland (University Hospital Zurich faculty contributor), with e-learning and online course delivery extending reach globally.

Name

ARKANA Forum GmbH

Legal name

ARKANA Forum GmbH

Website

https://arkana-forum.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ARKANA Forum GmbH is a German medical education center and conference venue delivering CME-accredited training in intraoperative neuromonitoring, functional neurosurgery, and pain therapy to neurosurgeons, neurologists, and OR staff via e-learning, live surgery courses, and a multi-year Academy program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Education and Training

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management (THAHACAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Virtual Training, Workshops & Masterclasses (Interactive Sessions) (MPAGAOAJ), Medical/Healthcare Conference Hotels (THAGALAI)

Keywords

• Medical education services
• Intraoperative neuromonitoring training
• Functional neurosurgery courses
• Continuing medical education
• Live surgery workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Emmendingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Course Fees (Medical Education): Revenue generated from registration fees for e-learning courses, live surgery courses, webinars, and hybrid training programs in IONM, Functional Neurosurgery, and Pain Therapy. Fees vary by format (self-study, online, face-to-face) and are charged per participant with VAT added.
2. Event Space Rental: Rental of conference and meeting rooms (VisionsRaum, IdeenRaum, ZeitRaum) to external parties for events, seminars, and conferences. Rooms are available with configurable seating and optional catering through the adjacent Ombrella restaurant.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ARKANA Forum GmbH is a medical education and conference center that delivers CME/CPD-accredited training programs in intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM), functional neurosurgery, and minimally invasive pain therapy through a blended learning model. The offering combines self-study e-learning modules, online courses, face-to-face workshops, and live surgery hospitation courses at partner university hospitals, hosted on a Moodle-based learning platform with an AI-powered chatbot. The company also rents three on-site conference rooms (VisionsRaum, IdeenRaum, ZeitRaum) for external events, with catering provided by the adjacent Restaurant Ombrella.

Product overview

ARKANA Forum GmbH is a medical education and conference center offering a blended learning platform plus in-person services. The core product is a Moodle-based Learning Management System (ARKANA Forum Learning Platform) delivering e-learnings, video trainings, self-study modules, and live course materials. Educational offerings span three specialty areas: Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM), Functional Neurosurgery (FNS), and Minimally Invasive Pain Therapy. Named products include live surgery hospitation courses (cIONM in Thyroid Surgery), the Functional Neurosurgery Academy 3-year cycle, the IONM in Neurosurgery hybrid course, and a suite of e-learning modules (Anatomy Basics, Modalities SEP/EMG/MEP, Modalities EEG/AEPs/CbMEPs/Mapping, Technical Principles I). Video training products cover Anaesthesia & IONM, Safety in IONM, EMG interpretation, and Technical Principles II. The company also operates a conference venue (VisionsRaum, IdeenRaum, ZeitRaum) for rental, and hosts rotating art exhibitions as a corporate cultural initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• cIONM in Thyroid Surgery – Live Surgery Course Hospitation course combining self-study video tutorials with observation of live surgeries at University Medical Center Mainz. Covers continuous intermittent and continuous neuromonitoring (cIONM) in thyroid surgery and autofluorescence imaging of parathyroid glands. Available in English (September 2026) and Dutch (Winter 2026/Spring 2027 at Amsterdam UMC).
• Functional Neurosurgery – Academy Course (3-Year Cycle) A three-year hybrid academy cycle of face-to-face and online courses covering basics and advanced methods of functional neurosurgery. Module 3 (2026) focuses on Epilepsy – Diagnosis and Therapy; prior years covered DBS (2024) and Lesion methods (2025). Held at ARKANA Forum Emmendingen with CME accreditation.
• IONM in Neurosurgery – Live/Hybrid Course Hybrid course covering the latest intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) techniques for neurosurgical procedures, including spinal, supratentorial, and infratentorial cases. Includes hands-on workshops, case discussions, and CME/CP accreditation. Scheduled for first half of 2027 at ARKANA Forum Emmendingen.
• E-Learning | Anatomy Basics Self-study e-learning introducing anatomical foundations for intraoperative neuromonitoring. Covers anatomical planes, musculoskeletal anatomy, neuroanatomy, cranial nerves, and peripheral nervous system. Duration 90 minutes, awarded 2 CME Points.
• E-Learning | Modalities – SEP, EMG, MEP Self-study e-learning introducing core IONM modalities: Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SEP), Electromyography (EMG), and Motor Evoked Potentials (MEP). Covers electrode placement, signal pathways, device settings, and signal interpretation. Price €159 (excl. VAT).
• E-Learning | Technical Principles I Self-study e-learning introducing technical foundations of intraoperative neuromonitoring. Covers electrical engineering concepts, signal acquisition, amplification, stimulation, signal analysis, and troubleshooting in the operating room.
• E-Learning | Modalities – EEG, AEPs, CbMEPs, Mapping Self-study e-learning covering advanced IONM modalities including electroencephalography (EEG), auditory evoked potentials (AEPs), corticobulbar motor evoked potentials (CbMEPs), and sensory and motor mapping. Duration 90 minutes.
• Video Training – Anaesthesia & IONM (EN) Online video training on anaesthesia considerations related to intraoperative neuromonitoring. Duration approximately 35 minutes. Language: English.
• Video Training – Safety in IONM (EN) Online video training on safety protocols in intraoperative neuromonitoring. Duration 90 minutes. Language: English.
• Video Training – EMG Modality and Its Interpretation in IONM Online video training covering EMG modality and its interpretation in intraoperative neuromonitoring. Duration 150 minutes. Language: English.
• Video Training – Technical Principles II Online video training covering technical principles of intraoperative neuromonitoring (second module). Language: English.
• Book: Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (EN) Book-based training on intraoperative neuromonitoring. Language: English.
• Conference Room Rental – VisionsRaum, IdeenRaum, ZeitRaum Rental of air-conditioned conference rooms (VisionsRaum, IdeenRaum, ZeitRaum) for events, seminars, and conferences. Accommodates up to 150 persons, with options for block, U-form, rows, parliamentary, and circle seating configurations. Includes technology (beamer, WiFi, digital whiteboard) and optional catering through Restaurant Ombrella.

Quantifiable outcome

• CME accreditation (2 CME Points per 90-min e-learning module; CME and CP points for live courses)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• inomed Medizintechnik GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2026Medical technology sponsor for cIONM courses in thyroid surgery. Provides equipment and support valued at €1,600 (excl. VAT) per course. ARKANA Forum is part of the inomed Group, which includes inomed Medizintechnik GmbH, indicating a parent-subsidiary relationship.
• CinVivo Europe GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor for cIONM courses, providing support valued at €1,000 (excl. VAT).
• PlantTec Medical GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor for cIONM courses, providing support valued at €1,300 (excl. VAT).
• Medizinelektronik Kuttner GmbH & Co. KGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor for cIONM courses, providing support valued at €400 (excl. VAT).
• equeo health GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationExternal service provider for the technical operation, infrastructure, and processing of user inputs for the AI-powered chatbot within the ARKANA learning platform. Acts as a processor under Art. 28 GDPR.
• OpenAI, L.L.C.coreTechnology or IntegrationAI model provider used by the ARKANA chatbot to generate responses. User inputs may be transmitted to OpenAI servers for processing. Data transfers to the US are based on Standard Contractual Clauses.
• Mittwald CM Service GmbH & Co. KGcoreTechnology or IntegrationWeb hosting provider for the ARKANA Forum website. Based in Espelkamp, Germany. A Data Processing Agreement (DPA) is in place.
• Digital Ocean (Data Center: Equinix Frankfurt)coreTechnology or IntegrationCloud infrastructure provider for AI functionalities and the learning platform. Data center located in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Part of the server infrastructure for the LMS.
• Restaurant & Café OmbrellacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCatering partner for conference room events at the ARKANA Forum. Provides full-board, half-board, and drinks packages for events. Located adjacent to the ARKANA Forum premises.
• University Medical Center MainzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hospital venue for cIONM in thyroid surgery live surgery courses. Hosted at the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.
• Amsterdam UMCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hospital venue for nervemonitoring and autofluorescence imaging in thyroid surgery courses (Winter 2026/Spring 2027). Course director based at Amsterdam UMC.
• University Hospital FreiburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for the Functional Neurosurgery course (November 2026). Medical Director Prof. Johannes Sarnthein is affiliated with the Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at University Hospital Freiburg.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• NuVasive (Globus Medical): Spine surgery technology company (now part of Globus Medical) with extensive surgeon-education programs and IONM-related offerings. Comparable as a broader incumbent that trains spine and neurosurgeons, with overlapping procedural domains (e.g., spinal IONM courses ARKANA runs).
• Brainlab: Digital surgery and radiotherapy technology company with deep neurosurgery and functional-neurosurgery applications and surgeon-training programs. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving functional neurosurgery and intraoperative imaging users that ARKANA's faculty and learner base overlap with.
• Medtronic: Global medical device leader with significant neuromodulation, DBS, and neurosurgery franchises and large medical-education programs. Comparable as a broad incumbent that trains neurosurgeons and OR staff, including in functional neurosurgery topics overlapping with ARKANA's Academy curriculum.
• inomed Medizintechnik GmbH: Parent/affiliated company and leading European manufacturer of IONM equipment used in the very procedures ARKANA teaches. Comparable as the equipment-and-solutions incumbent in the same IONM ecosystem, with overlapping clinical customer base and complementary training offerings.
• Boston Scientific: Global medical device company with neuromodulation and pain-therapy franchises that trains implanting physicians and OR staff. Comparable as a broad incumbent addressing overlapping pain-therapy and neuromodulation training needs that overlap with ARKANA's Pain Therapy track.
• Abbott: Diversified medical device company with a strong neuromodulation and DBS business and accompanying clinician education. Comparable as a broad incumbent running medical-education programs targeted at the same functional-neurosurgery and neuromonitoring practitioners that ARKANA serves.
• Informa (Informa Connect / Life Sciences): Large conference and exhibition organizer with healthcare and life-sciences events. Comparable as a broad incumbent operating medical conferences and CME-style events that compete for the same medical-professional audiences and sponsorship budgets as ARKANA's hybrid conferences.

Direct peers

• SpecialtyCare: US-based intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) services company that also trains and certifies neurophysiologists and surgical staff. Directly comparable as a specialty IONM training and clinical-services provider serving the same end users (neurosurgeons and OR teams) as ARKANA.

Emerging players

• PRIME Education: Independent medical-education company delivering CME-accredited live and online programming for clinicians. Comparable as a specialist medical-education provider using accredited, blended learning approaches to reach specialty physician audiences, paralleling ARKANA's model for IONM and neurosurgery training.
• CME Outfitters: Specialized CME/CPD provider for healthcare professionals across therapeutic areas, with hybrid digital and live programs. Comparable as a specialist CME provider using accredited, blended learning models targeting medical professionals, similar to ARKANA's CME-accredited hybrid course architecture.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ARKANAForum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arkana-forum-gmbh

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 ARKANA Forum GmbH