Digitale Drehtür

What Digitale Drehtür does

Digitale Drehtür is a non-profit digital learning initiative for K-12 talent development and gifted education, operated under the Landesinstitut für Schule Bremen (the state education institute of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen). Founded in 2020-2021 and active in 12 German federal states under a 2023-2027 cooperation agreement, it serves students in grades 2-13 at more than 3,000 partner schools across Germany, Austria (417 schools in all nine federal states), and 17+ additional countries. Its pedagogical model is anchored in Joseph Renzulli's Drehtür (revolving door) gifted-education framework, emphasizing interest-driven, individualized learning beyond the standard curriculum.

The core product is the Digitale Drehtür Campus platform, which combines three learning formats: weekly expert-led Live-Kurse delivered via BigBlueButton video conferencing (25-35 courses per week, small groups of 3-20 participants), over 500 Selbstlernkurse (self-paced courses covering topics such as AI, creative writing, finance, mathematics, graphic design, and sustainability), and more than 15 Projekt-Werkstätten (multi-session project workshops with partners including the DESY research center and Hacker School). Supporting infrastructure includes a teacher dashboard, a participation certificate system, a teacher handbook, and a network of 20+ universities and universities of applied sciences that contribute instructors and teacher training.

Digitale Drehtür does not generate commercial revenue. The primary funding mechanism is the inter-state cooperation of 12 Bundesländer covering 2023-2027, supplemented by foundation grants from Karg-Stiftung, Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Stiftung, and Schütting-Stiftung der IHK Bremen. Schools in the 12 cooperating states participate free of charge; schools in non-cooperating German states (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Niedersachsen, Thüringen) and international schools can purchase annual or multi-year licenses. Distribution runs exclusively through partner schools, promoted via state education ministry channels, the institution's own website, social media, and an annual program of network conferences and teacher qualification workshops. A Förderverein (support association) was established in October 2024 to broaden the funding base.

Name

Digitale Drehtür

Legal name

Freie Hansestadt Bremen, Landesinstitut für Schule (LIS), Abteilung Schulentwicklung – Fortbildung, Referat Potenzialentfaltende Schulentwicklung

Website

https://digitale-drehtuer.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Non-profit digital learning initiative for K-12 talent development, operated by the Landesinstitut für Schule Bremen under a 12-state German cooperation. It serves 3,000+ partner schools and 17+ countries with free live courses, 500+ self-paced modules, and project workshops via its Campus platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Education Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Virtual & Blended Learning Programs (District-Run) (EDAJAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Learning Management Systems (LMS) & Digital Classrooms (EDAJAMAA), Interactive Multimedia Learning Content (Video, Audio, Interactive Lessons) (EDAFACAG), Teacher-Led Digital Lesson Packages & Instructional Resources (EDAFACAL), Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD), K–12 Digital Curriculum & Interactive Lessons (EDAGAEAA)

Keywords

• Gifted education
• Online learning platform
• Talent development
• Virtual classroom courses
• School enrichment programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Bremen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. State Government Funding: The primary funding source is a cooperation of twelve German federal states (Bundesländer) from 2023 to 2027, covering a large portion of operational costs. States include Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, and Schleswig-Holstein.
2. Foundation Grants: Funding from the Karg-Stiftung and Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Stiftung for pilot development (2021-2023) and continued support. Additional funding from Schütting-Stiftung der IHK Bremen and other foundations.
3. School Licenses (Non-Participating States): Schools from German states not in the cooperation (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Niedersachsen, Thüringen) and international schools can purchase annual licenses to access the platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Digitale Drehtür operates an online learning platform called the Digital Drehtür Campus that delivers talent development and gifted education to students in grades 2-13. The platform offers three primary learning formats: weekly interactive live courses (25-35 per week) via BigBlueButton video conferencing, over 500 self-paced online courses, and more than 15 project workshops. It is free for students at partner schools in 12 cooperating German federal states and aligned with Joseph Renzulli's Drehtür (revolving door) gifted education model.

Product overview

Digitale Drehtür is a multi-format digital learning platform for talent development and gifted education, operated by the Landesinstitut für Schule Bremen. The platform operates as a unified ecosystem centered on the Campus der Digitalen Drehtür, which serves as the main access point for all offerings. The portfolio includes three primary learning formats: Live-Kurse (interactive live video courses conducted via BigBlueButton), Selbstlernkurse (self-paced online courses), and Projekt-Werkstätten (extended project-based workshops). Supporting infrastructure includes a Teacher Dashboard for tracking student participation and a certificate system for documenting completion. The platform targets students in grades 2-13 across partner schools in 12 German federal states, with additional presence in Austria and other countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Digitale Drehtür Campus: The online learning platform offering live courses, self-paced learning modules, and project spaces for students.

Products and services

• Campus der Digitalen Drehtür The central online learning platform providing access to all courses, projects, and self-paced learning content for students in grades 2-13. Available at digitale-drehtuer-campus.de.
• Live-Kurse Interactive live online courses conducted via video conference with expert instructors. 25-35 courses offered weekly across grades 2-13 covering diverse topics such as AI, languages, physics, and creative writing, with small groups of 3-20 participants per course.
• Selbstlernkurse Self-paced online courses for independent learning. Over 500 courses covering topics including AI, creative writing, finance, mathematics, graphic design, and sustainability, with interactive content such as videos, games, presentations, and digital books.
• Projekt-Werkstätten Project-based learning workshops where students work on extended projects across multiple sessions to develop creative products. Over 15 thematic workshops including Physics (with DESY), Languages, Art, Computer Science, and Business.
• Fach-Werkstätten Subject-specific workshops covering German (Deutsch), Mathematics (Mathe), Biology (Bio), Computer Science (Informatik), Languages (Sprachen), Physics (Physik), and Art (Kunst/KuKo).

Quantifiable outcome

• 25-35 live courses conducted and evaluated weekly
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cooperation of Twelve German Federal States (2023-2027)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe core funding and operational backbone: twelve German states (Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein) fund and support the initiative from 2023 to 2027. Each state has designated contact persons for school coordination.
• Landesinstitut für Schule Bremen (LIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe coordinating institution (Koordinierungsstelle) responsible for running the Digitale Drehtür initiative. Hosts the program within Referat Potenzialentfaltende Schulentwicklung.
• Karg-Stiftung (Expanded Cooperation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince end of 2023, a formal cooperation to develop additional support offerings for teachers and schools, including qualification programs, information materials, and an online counseling service for gifted education questions. Working groups of experts from the participating states, the Digitale Drehtür team, and the Karg-Stiftung collaborate on these initiatives.
• DESY-Forschungszentrum (German Electron Synchrotron)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for the Physics Workshop (Physik-Werkstatt), providing access to cutting-edge physics research content and expertise for student projects.
• Hacker SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for programming learning opportunities for students through Hacker School workshops.
• Codetekt e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew cooperation announced August 2025 focused on trust checking and misinformation recognition, integrated into the learning offerings.
• University and Research NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA network of over 20 universities and universities of applied sciences contribute to teacher training, provide expert instructors for live courses, and participate in research collaboration on gifted education and digital learning.
• MENSAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation agreement with MENSA for potential participation pathways for students identified through MENSA.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bettermarks: German adaptive learning platform focused on K-12 mathematics, used by individual students and schools across Germany. Directly comparable as a Germany-based K-12 digital learning platform targeting the same school market, though commercial and narrower in subject coverage.
• Antolin: German K-12 reading promotion and quiz platform widely used in German schools, accessible via school licenses. Comparable in being a German school-licensed digital learning tool with deep institutional penetration, though focused on reading rather than talent development.
• Sofatutor: German K-12 video-based digital learning platform covering core subjects with subscription pricing for schools and families. Comparable as a German K-12 learning platform with school-focused distribution and structured course content.
• Scoyo: German K-12 digital learning platform with curated content across multiple subjects, marketed to schools and families via subscription. Comparable in target audience (German K-12 students), product format (curated digital courses), and distribution model (school partnerships).
• Khan Academy: US-based non-profit K-12 digital learning platform offering free self-paced courses, instructional videos, and live tutoring across core subjects. Comparable model combining free access, large content library, and broad school adoption, though operating at global scale rather than state-coordinated.
• Outschool: US-based marketplace for live online classes for K-12 students, with small-group format led by expert instructors. Closely comparable to Digitale Drehtür's Live-Kurse format (small groups of 3-20 participants, expert-led, on diverse topics), though commercial and broader in subject breadth.
• Anton (anton.app): German free K-12 learning app covering core subjects (math, German, science, English) widely used in German schools. Directly comparable as a free, German K-12 digital learning platform with school adoption, though focused on remediation of core subjects rather than talent enrichment.
• Serlo Education: German non-profit open-source K-12 learning platform offering free, collaboratively created educational content. Comparable mission and free-access model, with similar focus on serving German K-12 students through open educational resources.

Others

• Deutsche Gesellschaft für das hochbegabte Kind (DGhK): German advocacy and support organization for gifted children and their families, providing counseling, networks, and educational resources. Comparable mission in K-12 talent development and gifted education advocacy, though not a digital learning platform itself.

Broad incumbents

• Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY): Established US-based talent development program for academically gifted K-12 students, offering summer programs, online courses, and talent identification services. Comparable mission around K-12 talent development and enrichment, but operates more established in-person programs and selective admissions rather than free open access.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@digitaledrehtur1997/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/digitaledrehtuer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/digitale-drehtuer
• Instagraminstagram.com/digitale_drehtuer

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Digitale Drehtür