Steinbeis Transfer GmbH

What Steinbeis Transfer GmbH does

Steinbeis Transfer GmbH is a privately held German GmbH (HRB 25312, Stuttgart) that serves as the central entity of the Steinbeis network of over 1,600 companies. Its operating subsidiary Design + Systeme (Forschungszentrum Design und Systeme), headquartered at Friedenstrasse 5, 97072 Würzburg, is an applied research institute focused on interdisciplinary R&D in digital information and communication media, combining computer science and communication design to make complex industrial, scientific, medical, and cultural information understandable through interactive digital experiences.

The institute's productized technology platforms include Kyana (an AI voice- and gesture-controlled companion for Koenig & Bauer AlphaJET printers), Kyana Dashboard (predictive-maintenance monitoring), Digitale Avatare (modular conversational AI avatars in 3D with Basic and Custom subscription tiers), MDSim (AI-based spinal-surgery planning UI with spontech), Vertaplan (digital spinal-operation planning), Notasys Portfolio Viewer (security-printing project management), and a WebGL-based Showcase product viewer for Coperion. Underlying technical capabilities span augmented reality, virtual reality, real-time 3D visualization, gesture- and gaze-controlled interfaces, face tracking (co-developed with Fraunhofer IIS and Fraunhofer IGD), WebGL browser applications, AI dialogue systems, and parametric design algorithms, with projects deployed via Meta 2 AR glasses, Leap Motion hand tracking, LED walls, and trade-fair installations.

Revenue is generated primarily through bespoke, project-based professional services contracts commissioned directly by enterprise, government, and cultural clients, supplemented by a newly introduced multi-year subscription model for Digitale Avatare. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales driven by direct inquiry via the institute website and the personal networks of the three co-directors (Prof. Erich Schöls, Sebastian Gläser M.A., Manuel Michel M.A.), with major recurring client relationships in industrial manufacturing (Coperion, Koenig & Bauer, Viessmann), automotive (Mercedes-Benz, Daimler), medical technology (Bracco, Biotronik, Zeiss Meditec, spontech), cultural institutions (Kloster Heidenheim, Vineum Meersburg), and German federal and municipal government (BMBF, Gemeinde Zell am Main, Gemeinde Thüngersheim). Marketing relies on a project-portfolio website, recurring trade-fair presence (K-Messe, Powtech, Interpack, Fachpack, Living Kitchen), and credibility conferred by Fraunhofer research collaborations and Steinbeis network affiliation.

Name

Steinbeis Transfer GmbH

Legal name

Steinbeis Transfer GmbH

Website

https://designandsystems.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Steinbeis Transfer GmbH, headquartered in Stuttgart, is the central entity of the Steinbeis network of over 1,600 companies; its Design + Systeme subsidiary in Würzburg is an applied research institute developing AR/VR, AI avatar, predictive-maintenance, and 3D visualization solutions for industrial, automotive, medical, and government clients across Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Digital Media Research and Development

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid/Virtual Meetings Production & AV Services (THACAFAM)

Keywords

• Applied digital research
• Interactive AR/VR systems
• AI conversational avatars
• Immersive exhibition design
• Interactive media development

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Research and Development Services: Applied interdisciplinary R&D services in digital information and communication media, commissioned by enterprise clients, government institutions, and cultural organizations. Projects are bespoke and contracted on a per-engagement basis.
2. Prototype and Exhibition Development: Design, development, and realization of interactive prototypes, digital exhibitions, AR/VR applications, and custom interfaces for trade fairs and public institutions.
3. Digital Avatar Software (Basic & Custom Packages): Modular avatar software packages — Basic (pre-fabricated avatars, standard dialogue, few days deployment) and Custom (individual avatar design, extended dialogue, system integration, project-dependent delivery) — suggesting a productized professional services model.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Steinbeis Transfer GmbH operates as the central holding entity of the Steinbeis network (1,600+ companies) and houses the Design + Systeme research institute in Würzburg. The institute delivers applied, interdisciplinary research and development in digital information and communication media, including AR/VR applications, AI-driven conversational avatars, gesture- and gaze-controlled interactive exhibits, WebGL-based 3D viewers, and bespoke digital exhibition and trade fair installations for enterprise, government, and cultural clients.

Product overview

Steinbeis Transfer GmbH's Design + Systeme research institute operates as part of the Steinbeis network of over 1,600 companies, specializing in applied research and development in digital media. The institute offers a portfolio of products and services including Digitale Avatare (conversational AI avatars in 3D), Kyana (AI voice-controlled printing companion), MDSim (AI-based spinal surgery planning interface), Notasys Portfolio Viewer (security printing project management), Showcase (WebGL 3D product viewer), Vertaplan (digital spinal operation planning), and various AR/VR experiences. The core offerings span from AI-powered conversational systems and predictive analytics tools to immersive visualization platforms, all focused on making complex information accessible through digital media design.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Digitale Avatare (Digital Avatars) Conversational AI avatars in 3D developed for specific customer applications and embedded in their systems, providing human-like digital conversation partners through voice, facial expression, and contextual responses with multilingual support and integrations with databases, calendars, and IoT.
• Kyana AI Printing Companion AI-based voice- and text-controlled companion for Koenig & Bauer AlphaJET product labelling printers that illustrates functions, operation, and maintenance via natural voice output, AR overlay through a see-through headset, and gesture control.
• Kyana Dashboard Interactive dashboard for remote printer monitoring with real-time performance analytics, predictive maintenance calculation, and AI-supported failure detection.
• MDSim AI-based user interface for spinal surgery planning that creates digital 3D patient twin models from medical imaging data for preoperative planning and implant specification, developed in cooperation with spontech spine intelligence AG.
• Notasys Portfolio Viewer Specialized software tool for Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions to manage and analyze security printing projects through print sample display, color analyses, quality controls, and production process documentation.
• Coperion Showcase (WebGL 3D Product Viewer) WebGL-based interactive 3D product viewer for Coperion that enables detailed component exploration in the browser without plugins and supports text-to-speech audio presentation.
• Vertaplan Digital planning software for spinal operations that supports software-assisted surgical planning, precise spinal geometry adjustment, and restoration of individual movement profiles.
• VR Plant Simulation (Virtual Reality Experience) Virtual reality plant simulation that uses VR goggles to provide detailed insights into control and process flows, maintenance planning, and raw material traceability for industrial facilities.
• Interactive Panorama Wall (Multi-User Face Tracking System) Multi-user interactive panorama wall controlled via face tracking that lets visitors freely interact with panoramic content through head position detection, developed in collaboration with Fraunhofer IIS and Fraunhofer IGD for nature park and museum contexts.
• Gaze-Controlled Interactive Vitrine Interactive museum display case controlled by eye gaze featuring a translucid screen and a turntable of original objects that respond to visitor gaze selection.
• Trade Fair Installations and AR/VR Exhibits Bespoke AR/VR trade fair exhibits and installations including 4K LED walls, interactive 360° installations, LED-cube displays, and AI dialogue systems for major industry trade fairs such as K Messe, Powtech, Interpack, and Fachpack.
• Applied Research and Development Services Applied interdisciplinary research and development services in digital information and communication media, including development of knowledge tools, conception of interaction scenarios, prototype development, strategic consulting, and planning of sustainable exhibition concepts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Extended Paper project for Coperion combined printed catalogues with AR functionality, allowing 3D component visualization and interactive process simulation directly from the printed medium.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability12 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Missionsärztliches Institut (Medmissio)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Development of the 'Blickwechsel' VR application conveying mother-child health topics, first presented at Katholikentag 2014 in Regensburg.
• Steinbeis Transfer GmbHcoreOthersDesign + Systeme is explicitly 'Ein Unternehmen im Verbund der Steinbeis Transfer GmbH' (A company within the Steinbeis Transfer GmbH network). Steinbeis is a network of over 1,600 companies providing the institutional framework for the institute's research activities. The central office is located at Adornostraße 8, 70599 Stuttgart.
• Fraunhofer IIS (Erlangen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative technology development partner for the Interactive Panorama Wall project. Fraunhofer IIS contributed face tracking technology that was integrated into the multi-user interactive display for the Altmühltal Nature Park information centre.
• Fraunhofer IGD (Darmstadt)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative technology development partner for the Interactive Panorama Wall project. Fraunhofer IGD contributed spatial computing and visualization expertise for the face-tracking-based multi-user interaction system.
• Prof. Uli BraunminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaboration for the parametric wine label generator installation at Vineum Meersburg, applying algorithmic design principles to create personalized wine labels.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Accenture Song: Global digital experience and design transformation arm of Accenture, delivering AR/VR, AI, and interactive digital experience services to enterprise clients across automotive, industrial, and consumer verticals — directly overlapping Design + Systeme's enterprise AR/VR and AI avatar offerings at significantly larger scale.
• Deloitte Digital: Big Four digital transformation practice combining strategy, design, and technology to deliver immersive experiences, AR/VR applications, and AI-driven interfaces for enterprise clients in automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, and public sector.
• PTC (Vuforia / Creo): Enterprise software vendor offering Vuforia AR platform and digital-twin/CAD tools for industrial product visualization, AR-guided operations, and training — a comparable AR-for-industry stack to Design + Systeme's industrial plant visualization and AR maintenance solutions.
• Frog (Capgemini Invent): Global design and innovation consultancy within Capgemini Invent that delivers applied digital product design, AR/VR prototyping, and experience strategy for enterprise clients in healthcare, mobility, and industrial sectors.
• Publicis Sapient: Digital transformation consultancy within Publicis Groupe, offering strategy, design, and engineering services including AR/VR, 3D visualization, and AI-powered customer experiences to large enterprise clients.

Direct peers

• IDEO: Pioneer design and innovation consultancy operating at the intersection of human-centered design, technology research, and prototyping, with comparable interdisciplinary model and enterprise clients in consumer, healthcare, and industrial sectors.
• Unity Industrial (Unity Software): Provider of real-time 3D development platforms (Unity engine) and AR/VR solutions widely used for industrial visualization, training simulations, and digital twin experiences — overlapping Design + Systeme's VR plant simulation, AR interfaces, and real-time 3D product viewers.

Emerging players

• Replica (by Universal Robots / Teradyne): Industrial 3D simulation and digital twin platform serving factory automation and manufacturing clients — overlapping Design + Systeme's VR plant simulation and industrial visualization capabilities within manufacturing verticals.
• DoubleMe (HoloLive): Emerging player building holographic and metaverse-style avatar/3D capture experiences for enterprise communications and events, representing a more venture-backed counterpart in the conversational 3D avatar and immersive collaboration space.

Others

• Fraunhofer IAO / IGD: German applied research institute (and Design + Systeme's named co-development partner) that performs AR/VR, human-computer interaction, and digital media research, often publishing prototypes and collaborating with industrial partners — a structural peer in applied research model and German industrial client base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/steinbeis-transfer-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Steinbeis Transfer GmbH