EB Zürich, Kantonale Schule für Berufsbildung

What EB Zürich, Kantonale Schule für Berufsbildung does

EB Zürich, Kantonale Schule für Berufsbildung is a public cantonal vocational and continuing education institution founded in 1973 and operating under the Bildungsdirektion des Kantons Zürich. It delivers adult education programs across basic skills (Grundkompetenzen), vocational preparation (including START! Berufsbildung and the federal Integration Internship INVOL), professional certification and Berufsmaturität (BMS) preparation, vocational educator training (Berufsbildnerkurse), and adult education credentials (SVEB and eidgenössischer Fachausweis Ausbilder/in). The institution serves learners across the Canton of Zurich through two primary facilities — the Riesbachstrasse headquarters and the BiZE Altstetten campus, the latter comprising approximately 80 course rooms across more than 12,000 m².

The technology backbone is a Moodle-based Learning Management System (lms.eb-zuerich.ch) used across all programs, complemented by the Makerspace 3D laboratory featuring VR/AR/MR hardware (Oculus Quest headsets, iPads, 5G routers) and AI-powered platforms such as VirtualSpeech for communication training. The Digital Learning division packages and delivers AI training (introductory AI, generative AI for KMU, Vibe Coding workshops using Lovable and Claude) and runs the biennial eduPromptathon AI hackathon.

Revenue is generated through three streams: course fees set by the Bildungsdirektion des Kantons Zürich (ranging from CHF 50 for one Lektion to CHF 2,000+ for corporate Makerspace workshops), customized B2B corporate and institutional training delivered through EB Connect, and federal subsidies administered to participants of federal professional examination preparation (up to 50% reimbursement, capped at CHF 9,500 per eidgenössischer Fachausweis). Distribution combines direct enrollment via website and campus with referral pipelines from the Mittelschul- und Berufsbildungsamt, biz vocational counseling centers, and migration offices, alongside B2B field sales to firms, associations, and schools.

Name

EB Zürich, Kantonale Schule für Berufsbildung

Legal name

Kantonale Schule für Berufsbildung

Website

https://eb-zuerich.ch

Company type

Public

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

EB Zürich is a public cantonal vocational and continuing education institution in Canton Zurich offering basic skills, vocational preparation, professional certification, and digital learning programs to adult learners, employers, and educators across Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich, Kanton Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Course Fee Revenue: EB Zürich generates revenue primarily through course fees charged to participants. Fees are set according to the directives of the Bildungsdirektion des Kantons Zürich. The website publishes all course prices; individual reductions are possible upon application.
2. Federal Financial Support for Higher Vocational Education: The Swiss Confederation provides direct financial support to participants of federal examinations leading to a Swiss professional certificate (eidgenössischer Fachausweis). EB Zürich issues payment confirmations to course graduates, who then claim up to 50% reimbursement (max CHF 9,500) of eligible costs directly from the federal government.
3. Corporate and Institutional Training: EB Zürich develops and delivers customized vocational training programs for firms, associations, and schools (Firmen und Organisationen), generating revenue through dedicated B2B engagements beyond standard open enrollment courses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

EB Zürich, Kantonale Schule für Berufsbildung, is a public cantonal vocational and continuing education institution offering foundational skills training (reading, writing, arithmetic, computer literacy), vocational preparation programs (including START! Berufsbildung and Integrationsvorlehre/INVOL for refugees), Berufsabschluss and Berufsmaturität preparation, trainer certification (Berufsbildnerkurse, SVEB, eidg. Fachausweis Ausbilder/in), and a Digital Learning division covering Moodle LMS training, the Makerspace 3D VR/AR laboratory, AI courses for educators and SMEs, and the eduPromptathon AI hackathon. Customized corporate training, coaching, and consulting are delivered through its EB Connect division to firms, associations, and schools.

Product overview

EB Zürich operates as a comprehensive adult and vocational education institution offering multiple interconnected programs. The core portfolio spans foundational skills training (Grundkompetenzen), vocational preparation (Berufsvorbereitung including INVOL), professional certification (Berufsabschluss/BMS), vocational educator training (Berufsbildung), adult education credentials, and specialized Digital Learning services. The Digital Learning division represents a distinct technology-forward strand encompassing Moodle LMS training, the Makerspace 3D VR/XR laboratory with AI-powered communication training, AI courses for educators and KMU, the annual eduPromptathon hackathon, and Vibe Coding workshops. These educational offerings are delivered through various modalities including in-person instruction, online courses via their LMS, and immersive VR experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• eduPromptathon: An educational hackathon event organized by EB Zürich focusing on artificial intelligence applications in education, held annually in September.
• Makerspace 3D
• EB Connect
• EB Digital

Products and services

• Grundkompetenzen (Basic Skills Training) Basic skills training programs (reading/writing courses, numeracy, computer literacy, Schreibkurse Deutsch, Abklärungen) for adults seeking to improve foundational competencies for work or further training, including healthcare workers with EBA qualifications.
• Integrationsvorlehre (INVOL) One-year integration pre-apprenticeship program for recognized refugees, temporary residents, late immigrants from EU/EFTA and third countries, and persons without Swiss primary school education. Delivered across 10 vocational-specific classes (Automobile, Building maintenance, Gardening, Gastronomy, Building technology, Building cleaning, Track construction, Hotel/housekeeping, Logistics, Masonry) combining 1.5 days per week of vocational training with practical work at a host company.
• START! Berufsbildung Vocational preparation program that prepares migrants and refugees for professional education pathways through career counseling, admission interviews, and tailored support.
• Berufsabschluss und Berufsmaturität (BMS) Preparation Professional certification and Berufsmaturität (BMS) preparation courses enabling adults to complete Swiss vocational qualifications and pursue higher education pathways. Includes Vorbereitung Berufsmaturität BM and Allgemeinbildung (ABU) courses covering Swiss law, economics, and political participation.
• Berufsbildnerkurse (Trainer Courses) Training courses for in-company vocational trainers and mentors, including a marketplace connecting trainers with support services, delivered through EB Connect.
• Berufsbildungsfachfrau/-fachmann mit eidgenössischem Fachausweis Federal professional certificate (eidgenössischer Fachausweis) preparation program for vocational education specialists, including Portfolio-Atelier support for participants.
• SVEB-Zertifikat – Einstieg in die Erwachsenenbildung Adult education certification program providing the SVEB-Zertifikat as an entry point for individuals entering the adult education profession.
• Eidgenössischer Fachausweis Ausbilder/-in Federal certificate preparation program for professional trainers (Berufsprüfung), leading to the eidgenössischer Fachausweis Ausbilder/in. Eligible for federal subsidies of up to 50% of course costs (max CHF 9,500).
• Firmen und Organisationen (Corporate Training & Consulting) Customized corporate training, coaching, and consulting services delivered by EB Connect to firms, associations, and schools in Canton Zurich. Includes exam redesign (e.g., Notariatsinspektorat KV reform coaching), regulatory compliance support, and staff development.
• Digital Learning Programs Digital education services covering online learning, VR/XR technologies, AI in education, and LMS administration, including specialized programs for SMEs and educational institutions. Encompasses Moodle training, Makerspace 3D, Vibe Coding courses, AI courses (Künstliche Intelligenz in Bildungsinstitutionen und KMU), and generative AI workshops.
• Makerspace 3D (VR/AR Immersive Learning Lab) Immersive learning laboratory offering VR/AR/MR scenarios — including immersive learning, presentation skills training (Lernszenario Auftrittskompetenz), and conversation training (Lernszenario Gesprächsführung) using Oculus Quest VR headsets, iPads, KI-gestützte Kommunikationsplattform (VirtualSpeech), and AI-powered feedback. Offered as self-learning sessions (from CHF 200) up to on-site workshops (from CHF 2,000).
• Moodle für Lehrpersonen (Moodle Training for Educators) Structured Moodle LMS training programs for teachers and trainers covering introduction, advanced administration, and pedagogical integration of the Learning Management System. Includes the Moodle-Coach model that was successfully scaled from EB Zürich to all Mittelschulen in Canton Luzern.
• eduPromptathon (AI in Education Hackathon) Two-day educational hackathon format where participants work in teams on curated challenges under the guidance of EB Zürich Digital Learning experts to develop AI-powered solutions for real-world teaching challenges. Registration CHF 85 per participant.
• Vibe Coding mit Lovable und Claude (AI-Assisted App Development) Hands-on workshop teaching AI-assisted app development using natural language input, leveraging generative AI tools (Lovable, Claude, ChatGPT) to enable non-programmers to create functional software prototypes.
• Coaching und Beratung (Educational Coaching & Consulting) Educational coaching and consulting services for companies and organizations, providing pedagogical expertise for redesigning training programs, examination formats, and competency frameworks (e.g., KV reform coaching for the Notariatsinspektorat des Kantons Zürich).

Quantifiable outcome

• INVOL participants improve their chances of obtaining a vocational apprenticeship
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mittelschul- und Berufsbildungsamt (MBA) des Kantons ZürichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Mittelschul- und Berufsbildungsamt (MBA) is the governing authority overseeing EB Zürich as a cantonal school. The MBA sets policy direction, approves programs, and coordinates vocational education initiatives including the INVOL (Integration Internship) program across Canton Zurich. This is the foundational institutional partnership.
• Bundesamt für Migration (SEM) – Pilotprogramm INVOLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) runs a four-year federal pilot program for the Integration Internship (INVOL). EB Zürich delivers vocational-specific INVOL training under this federal program, which is co-funded and overseen by SEM.
• Kantonale Maturitätsschule für Erwachsene (KME)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEB Zürich co-founded the Digital Learning Hub Sek II (DLH) with KME in 2019. The DLH has grown to approximately 2,000 members and serves as a platform for networking, project collaboration, and knowledge sharing among digital learning professionals in secondary schools across Switzerland.
• UBS, Sunrise, Siemens, Swisscom, Zürcher Kantonalbank ZKB, Kanton ZürichminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSix major employers in Canton Zurich (UBS, Sunrise, Siemens, Swisscom, Zürcher Kantonalbank ZKB, and Kanton Zürich) collaboratively organize the annual IT Skills Battle for apprentices. EB Zürich participates by sending apprentices; Nicola Looser won 1st place in Mediamatik in 2026.
• www.zh.ch/integrationsvorlehre (Kanton Zürich INVOL portal)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe official Canton Zurich INVOL portal directs potential training companies and INVOL participants to EB Zürich's vocational-specific INVOL programs. This is a government-managed channel that funnels participants to EB Zürich's offerings.
• Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSRF hosted a group of INVOL (Integration Internship) participants from EB Zürich for an educational visit to its studios in Zürich/Leutschenbach, including the Sportpanorama studio, the 1 gegen 100 studio, the News and Sports Center (NSC), and the Arena studio.
• Eidgenössische Hochschule für Berufsbildung (EHB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGaby Walker, researcher at the EHB (Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training), served on the jury for the 2025 eduPromptathon. The EHB represents the highest federal authority in Swiss vocational education.
• Berufsfachschule BBB BadenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichel Schlatter, Head of KI-LAB and lecturer in software development at BBB Baden, served on the eduPromptathon 2025 jury. The institution represents a peer vocational school engaged in AI education.
• Careum VerlagminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarion Leu, Managing Director of Careum Verlag, served on the eduPromptathon 2025 jury. Careum Verlag is a publishing house focused on health and social care education in Switzerland.
• Gesellschaft zur Förderung der grenzüberschreitenden Zusammenarbeit (GFGZ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGFGZ (a think tank and NGO) co-sponsored the ABU class trip to Geneva, which included visits to the UN, the Ökumenischer Rat der Kirchen (World Council of Churches), and the Ständige Mission der Schweiz bei der UNO. Florian Schmid, ABU teacher at EB Zürich, is President of GFGZ.
• Restaurant JohanniterminorOthersRestaurant Johanniter co-sponsored the ABU political education trip to Geneva, supporting the participation of financially constrained students.
• Notariatsinspektorat des Kantons ZürichminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEB Zürich (specifically Eveline Bosshard, Leiterin Kurse EB Connect) provided coaching to Martin Holliger, Leiter Grundbildung at the Notary Inspection Office of Canton Zurich, to redesign the practical final examination (QV) for commercial apprentices in notary offices following the 2023 KV reform.
• Ökumenischer Rat der Kirchen (ÖRK)minorOthersABU students from EB Zürich visited the ÖRK (World Council of Churches) in Geneva, meeting with Dinesh Suna, Head of the Land, Water and Food department, as part of political education programming.
• Vereinte Nationen (UNO) – Palais des Nations, GenfminorOthersABU classes from EB Zürich visited the Palais des Nations in Geneva, the seat of the UN in Europe, as part of a political education field trip to observe international diplomacy.
• Ständige Mission der Schweiz bei der UNO, GenfminorOthersThe Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN in Geneva hosted EB Zürich ABU students, with press spokesperson Paola Ceresetti explaining how Switzerland represents its interests in international organizations.
• Europäisches Parlament, StrassburgminorOthersABU classes from EB Zürich regularly visit the European Parliament in Strasbourg. In November 2023, they met with MEP Viola von Cramon-Taubadel (Greens/Germany) and observed parliamentary voting sessions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BVS Business School: Swiss private business and vocational education provider offering commercial training and continuing education. Competes for adult learners seeking business credentials and corporate training clients across Switzerland.
• Kantonale Maturitätsschule für Erwachsene (KME): Partner cantonal institution in Zurich focused on adult Matura preparation. Co-founder of the Digital Learning Hub Sek II with EB Zürich; shares the same core audience of adult learners seeking federal credentials within Canton Zurich.
• Berufsfachschule BBB Baden: Cantonal vocational school in Baden (Aargau) offering Berufsbildung, BMS, and adult education programs. Direct peer — their KI-LAB instructor served on EB Zürich's eduPromptathon jury, confirming overlapping focus on AI in vocational training and a similar institutional model in a neighboring canton.
• Volkshochschule Zürich: Municipal adult education provider offering general continuing education courses to the Zurich population. Direct competitor for adult learner enrollments in foundational and personal development courses within the same geography.
• KV Bildungsgruppe Zürich: Commercial vocational training provider focused on business/office (kaufmännisch) professions and BMS pathways in the Zurich region. Direct competitor for commercial vocational learners and Berufsmaturität candidates.

Broad incumbents

• Migros Klubschule: Largest private adult education provider in Switzerland, offering thousands of courses across language, business, IT, and creative subjects. Competes with EB Zürich for adult learners but operates at much larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• ZHAW (Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften): Major cantonal university of applied sciences in Zurich offering Bachelor, Master, and continuing education across multiple disciplines. Overlaps with EB Zürich's adult continuing education audience at a higher credential level and broader scale.
• Kalaidos Fachhochschule: Swiss private university of applied sciences offering Bachelor and Master programs in economics, IT, health, and music. Competes for adult learners seeking advanced credentials, though at a different credential level than EB Zürich's vocational focus.
• Fernfachhochschule Schweiz (FFHS): Swiss distance-learning university offering flexible Bachelor, Master, and continuing education programs. Targets working adults seeking credentials — same core audience as EB Zürich but at higher academic level and via fully online delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/results?search_query=EB+Z%C3%BCrich
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/ebzuerich

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 EB Zürich, Kantonale Schule für Berufsbildung