ESERO Germany

What ESERO Germany does

ESERO Germany is a publicly funded, non-profit educational initiative that has operated since 2006 as a joint project of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). It is hosted at the Geographical Institute of Ruhr-Universität Bochum, specifically within the AG Interdisziplinäre Geoinformationswissenschaften working group, and is delivered through a consortium of more than ten North Rhine-Westphalia research and education institutions including the University of Cologne, the University of Bonn, Planetarium Bochum, Sternenwarte Bochum, and MINT.BOchum. The organization serves German primary and secondary school teachers and students by developing curriculum-aligned MINT (STEM) educational resources on space topics such as Earth observation, remote sensing, navigation, communication, and space exploration.

Its product portfolio is organized into three pillars. First, Unterrichtsmaterialien comprise freely downloadable, interactive learning units including worksheets (Arbeitsblätter), educational videos (Lernfilme / Mini-MOOC), the Columbus Eye augmented reality app available on Google Play and the Apple App Store, ESA mission explainers (Rosetta, Philae, CHEOPS, BepiColombo), and the Paxi mascot video series for children aged 6–12. Second, Fortbildungen provide teacher professional development through in-person sessions at venues such as Planetarium Bochum and Ruhr-Universität Bochum, plus asynchronous online Mini-MOOC courses covering remote sensing fundamentals and Earth observation applications; these are recognized as continuing education. Third, Schulprojekte coordinate five ESA school competitions — CanSat (mini-satellite build-and-launch), Astro Pi (ISS-based coding), Mission X (astronaut fitness, age 8–12), Moon Camp (lunar/Martian habitat design), and Climate Detectives (local climate investigations using satellite data).

The business model is government grant-funded with no commercial pricing; all teaching materials, teacher training, and school projects are provided free of charge, and no revenue, ARR, or pricing tiers are disclosed. Distribution combines self-serve website downloads, online self-paced learning, in-person teacher training, and direct school engagement via competition registration. Marketing is conducted through a website (esero.de), an email newsletter, Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook, a bilingual YouTube channel, and participation in events such as IdeenExpo and Ruhr University Teachers Day. The organization operates under GDPR (DSGVO/BDSG) compliance and uses Airtable for newsletter and Mission X registration data.

Name

ESERO Germany

Legal name

ESERO Germany

Website

https://esero.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ESERO Germany is a publicly funded, non-profit ESA and DLR initiative hosted at Ruhr-Universität Bochum since 2006, providing free MINT-aligned space teaching materials, teacher training, and school competitions (CanSat, Astro Pi, Mission X, Moon Camp, Climate Detectives) for German primary and secondary schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bochum

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Funding (ESA and DLR): ESERO Germany is a publicly funded educational initiative. As a joint project of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), it receives government funding. Educational materials are provided free of charge to teachers and students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ESERO Germany develops freely available curriculum-aligned teaching materials on space topics (Earth observation, navigation, communication, space exploration), provides recognized teacher professional development through in-person sessions and online Mini-MOOC courses, and coordinates student participation in five ESA school competitions (CanSat, Astro Pi, Mission X, Moon Camp, Climate Detectives). All resources target German primary and secondary STEM (MINT) education and are provided free of charge as a publicly funded initiative jointly operated by ESA and DLR.

Product overview

ESERO Germany offers a comprehensive educational portfolio centered around space and Earth observation themes for German schools. The core offerings consist of three interconnected pillars: (1) Unterrichtsmaterialien — freely downloadable teaching materials including worksheets, educational videos (Lernfilme), augmented reality apps (Columbus Eye), ESA mission resources, and the Paxi mascot series; (2) Fortbildungen — professional development for teachers through in-person sessions and online Mini-MOOC courses on remote sensing; and (3) Schulprojekte — five ESA school competitions including CanSat (mini-satellite building), Astro Pi (ISS experiments), Mission X (astronaut fitness), Moon Camp (space habitat design), and Climate Detectives. All offerings target MINT (STEM) education and are aligned with German school curricula, operated as a joint project of ESA and DLR at Ruhr-Universität Bochum.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Columbus Eye: Augmented Reality app developed by ESERO Germany for educational purposes
• Paxi

Products and services

• Unterrichtsmaterialien (Teaching Materials) Freely available, curriculum-aligned interactive learning units covering space themes (Earth observation, navigation, communication, space exploration) for German primary and secondary school classrooms. Includes supporting materials such as worksheets, educational videos, AR apps, and ESA mission resources distributed under the ESERO Germany umbrella.
• Fortbildungen (Teacher Training) Regular professional development training for primary and secondary school teachers in space and Earth observation topics, delivered in-person at partner locations and online as Mini-MOOC self-paced courses. Recognized as part of berufliche Weiterbildung (continuing professional education) and Zusatzqualifikation (additional qualification) for teachers.
• Schulprojekte (School Projects and Competitions) ESA-led school competitions and projects that give students hands-on experience with satellite technology, space science, and Earth observation. Coordinated nationally by ESERO Germany and including CanSat (mini-satellite building), Astro Pi (ISS code experiments), Mission X (astronaut fitness for ages 8-12), Moon Camp (space habitat design), and Climate Detectives (local climate measurement projects).
• ESERO Germany Newsletter Email newsletter service informing teachers and other subscribers about new teaching materials, upcoming training sessions, competitions, events, and other ESERO Germany news.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESA is the founding partner of ESERO Germany. As the European Space Agency, ESA establishes and funds ESERO offices across Europe to promote space education. ESERO Germany serves as ESA's space education office in Germany, coordinating ESA school projects and programs.
• German Aerospace Center (DLR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt) is the co-founding partner alongside ESA. DLR contributes aerospace expertise and supports the educational mission of ESERO Germany in Germany.
• Ruhr-Universität BochumcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe host institution for ESERO Germany. Ruhr-Universität Bochum won the competitive bid to establish ESERO Germany with a consortium of ten institutions from North Rhine-Westphalia. The Geographical Institute's working group on Interdisciplinary Geoinformation Science hosts the office.
• Geographisches Institut der Ruhr-Universität BochumcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe Geographical Institute of Ruhr-Universität Bochum, specifically the AG Interdisziplinäre Geoinformationswissenschaften (working group for Interdisciplinary Geoinformation Science) hosts ESERO Germany.
• Astronomisches Institut der Ruhr-Universität BochumcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPart of the consortium providing astronomical expertise and support to ESERO Germany's educational programs.
• Sternenwarte Bochum (Bochum Observatory)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBochum Observatory (Sternenwarte Bochum) participates in the ESERO Germany consortium, providing astronomical education support.
• Planetarium BochumminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPlanetarium Bochum is a consortium partner providing space education facilities and programs for ESERO Germany activities.
• Universität zu Köln (University of Cologne)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUniversity of Cologne participates in the ESERO Germany consortium, contributing to the educational network.
• ZDI Schülerlabor der Universität zu KölnminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerZDI (Zukunft durch Innovation) student laboratory at University of Cologne supports ESERO Germany's hands-on educational activities.
• Geographisches Institut der Universität BonnminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeographical Institute of University of Bonn contributes to the consortium with geoinformation science expertise.
• Physikalisches Institut der Universität BonnminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPhysics Institute of University of Bonn provides physics education support to ESERO Germany programs.
• Argelander-Institut für Astronomie (University of Bonn)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArgelander Institute for Astronomy at University of Bonn contributes astronomical expertise to the consortium.
• MINT.BOchumminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMINT.BOchum (STEM education initiative) participates in the consortium supporting ESERO Germany's STEM education mission.
• Hochschule Bochum (University of Applied Sciences Bochum)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBochum University of Applied Sciences, Department of Geodesy, supports ESERO Germany with geodetic and satellite expertise.
• Ignite EducationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIgnite Education supports ESERO Germany's educational mission.
• Hochschule BremenminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBremen University of Applied Sciences supports the CanSat competition as a consortium partner, contributing technical expertise and hosting competition events.
• ZARM (Zentrum für Angewandte Raumfahrttechnologie und Mikrogravitation, Bremen)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerZARM at University of Bremen supports the CanSat competition with space technology expertise.
• OHBminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOHB, a German aerospace company, participates in the CanSat competition as an industry partner, providing real-world aerospace expertise and mentorship.
• ArianeGroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArianeGroup, European aerospace company, supports the CanSat competition as an industry partner.
• CGI DeutschlandminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCGI Deutschland (IT and consulting services company) supports the CanSat competition as a technology partner.
• Airbus FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirbus Foundation is the partner for the Moon Camp program, collaborating with ESA to enable students to design space habitats. The foundation provides support and resources for the educational program.
• Raspberry Pi FoundationcoreTechnology or IntegrationThe Raspberry Pi Foundation collaborates with ESA on the Astro Pi Challenge, providing the Astro Pi hardware (special Raspberry Pi computers) that run on the International Space Station.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ESA Education: The European Space Agency's overarching education program, which established the ESERO network. ESERO Germany operates as part of this broader program, sharing resources, competitions, and curriculum frameworks across the ESERO network.
• NASA Office of STEM Engagement: NASA's umbrella program for K-12 STEM outreach in the US. Much broader in geographic scope and budget than ESERO Germany, but serves the same function of connecting national space agency capabilities with classroom STEM education across multiple formats.

Direct peers

• ESERO Belgium: The Belgian ESERO office operating under ESA and Science Office (Belgium). Provides the same combination of teaching materials, teacher CPD, and school competitions focused on space education in Belgium.
• ESERO France: The French ESERO office delivering the same combination of space-themed teaching materials, teacher training, and school competitions to French schools through the ESERO network.
• ESERO Italy: The Italian ESERO office delivering the same ESERO model (teaching materials, teacher training, school competitions on space themes) to Italian schools through ASI and ESA partnership.
• ESERO Netherlands: The Dutch ESERO office providing parallel space education programming to Dutch primary and secondary schools within the ESERO network, with the same model of free materials, teacher training, and competitions.
• DLR School Lab (DLR_School_Lab): The German Aerospace Center's hands-on school lab program, with locations across Germany. Comparable because it is co-funded by DLR (one of ESERO Germany's parent funders), targets similar age groups with STEM experiments, and operates under the same aerospace education umbrella.
• ESERO UK: The UK ESERO office operating under the UK Space Agency with an identical operating model: free teaching materials, teacher training, and school competitions on space themes. Comparable because it serves the same primary/secondary teacher and student segments with the same value proposition, just in the UK market.
• ESERO Ireland: The Irish ESERO office providing parallel space-themed STEM education resources, teacher training, and ESA school projects to Irish schools. Directly comparable because it replicates ESERO Germany's delivery model for a national audience within the ESERO network.

Emerging players

• Stiftung Kinder forschen: German foundation focused on early STEM education (ages 3-10). Comparable target audience of German teachers and students, similar not-for-profit structure with public and private funding, but focused on early childhood rather than primary/secondary space themes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/esero_germany
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@eserogermany6821
• Facebookfacebook.com/eserogermany
• Instagraminstagram.com/esero_germany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/esero-germany

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ESERO Germany