DOBA Business School
DOBA Fakulteta is a private Slovenian online higher education institution offering accredited undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs. It serves working professionals aged 25-45 across 46 countries and holds Slovenia's only international accreditations for online study.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersMaribor, Slovenia
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What DOBA Business School does
DOBA Fakulteta (DOBA Business School) is a private online higher education institution headquartered in Maribor, Slovenia, founded in 2003 and operating with 155 employees. It is the only internationally accredited online study program in Slovenia, holding two international accreditations and serving students from 46 countries. The institution offers accredited undergraduate (six programs including Management, Applied Psychology, Marketing and Digital Communication, and the new Informatics and Management launching in 2026), master's (five programs covering International Innovative Business, Psychology, Smart Cities Management, and others), and one doctoral program in Innovation and Sustainable Business in the Digital Society. All programs are delivered entirely online through a proprietary digital learning environment with structured deadlines, continuous mentor support, and AI-supported learning features, including VR/360° simulations and an AI chatbot for student support (developed under the STEP+ Erasmus+ project).
The business model is tuition-based with subscription/recurring revenue streams, comprising accredited degree program fees, short certified executive programs through the DOBA Executive Academy (Psychology for Leaders, AI and Digitalization for Managers, Programs for Educational Environment), and professional/business education services through the Competence Center and Center for Business Coaching. The go-to-market is purely direct-to-consumer via the institution's own website, enrollment portals (Vpis), informational days, and webinars. Marketing is driven through the DOBA Znanja content platform, the annual GLOBEX scientific conference, the multi-day Online Summit event, email newsletters, and social media channels. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is available only upon inquiry through the informational registration process.
The institution is part of the Poslovna skupina DOBA (DOBA Business Group) alongside DOBA EPIS d.o.o., Mednarodna poslovna akademija, and Višja strokovna šola, with Jasna Dominko Baloh as founder and director and Izr. prof. dr. Gorazd Justinek as Dean. DOBA holds a strong market position as the first choice for online study in management, psychology, and informatics among employed adults aged 25-45 (per Mediana research), with 90% of graduates reporting career advancement and an average rating of 9.0. It is also the publisher of the DOBA AI Maturity Index, the first regional benchmark for AI readiness across Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia, and an active participant in five concurrent Erasmus+ projects and the UP University European Universities Alliance spanning 10+ European countries.
DOBA Business School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DOBA Business School
- Legal name
- DOBA Fakulteta za uporabne poslovne in družbene študije
- Website
- https://fakulteta.doba.si
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- DOBA Fakulteta is a private Slovenian online higher education institution offering accredited undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs. It serves working professionals aged 25-45 across 46 countries and holds Slovenia's only international accreditations for online study.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DOBA Business School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Business and Secretarial Schools (611410)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- MBA & Executive MBA Programs (EDAHAHAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Online Professional Schools (MBA/MPA/MPH/Etc.) (EDAHALAE), Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs) (EDAHAHAA), Project, Quality & Operations (PMP PDUs, Six Sigma, Quality CE) (EDAAALAM)
Keywords
Where DOBA Business School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Maribor
- HQ country
- Slovenia
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
DOBA Business School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Accredited Degree Programs (Undergraduate, Master's, Doctoral): Tuition fees from accredited undergraduate (VS), master's, and doctoral degree programs including Management, Applied Psychology, Marketing and Digital Communication, Smart City Management, International Innovative Business, and more.
- DOBA Executive Academy — Short Certified Programs: Revenue from short certified executive programs including Psychology for Leaders (Basic and Advanced), UI and Digitalization for Managers, and programs for the educational environment.
- Professional and Business Education Services: Short-term business education programs, seminars, and workshops offered through the Competence Center and Center for Business Coaching.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Degree program tuition — not publicly disclosed |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
DOBA Business School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DOBA Business School is a private Slovenian higher-education institution that delivers accredited online undergraduate (VS/UN), master's, and doctoral degree programs entirely through online learning. It complements its degree portfolio with an Executive Academy offering short, non-degree programs in leadership psychology, AI/digitalization for managers, and educational environment leadership.
Product overview
DOBA Fakulteta is a modern online higher education institution offering accredited undergraduate (6 programs), master's (5 programs), and doctoral (1 program) study programs entirely online with international accreditation. The portfolio includes programs in Management, Applied Psychology, Marketing and Digital Communication, Informatics and Management, Smart Cities Management, and Innovation and Sustainable Business. The institution provides supplementary offerings including the DOBA Executive Academy with certified professional development programs, DOBA Znanja knowledge platform with articles and webinars, the annual GLOBEX scientific conference, the DOBA AI Maturity Index research initiative, Alumni Club, and Career Center services. All programs feature AI-supported learning, structured online study with clear deadlines, continuous mentoring support, and digital learning environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- DOBA Executive Akademija: Executive education programs including Psychology for Leaders and UI and Digitalization for Managers.
- DOBA AI Maturity Index
- FEM-Up Akademija
- DOBA Znanja
- GLOBEX
Products and services
- Undergraduate Management (VS) program Online vocational undergraduate (VS) program providing foundational business and management education for working adults, delivered entirely online and accredited under Slovenian higher-education requirements.
- Undergraduate Applied Psychology (VS) program Online vocational undergraduate program focused on applied psychology for working learners, integrating psychology theory with practical applications suitable for HR, coaching, and organizational contexts.
- Undergraduate Applied Psychology (UN) program Online academic undergraduate (UN) program providing a broader theoretical grounding in applied psychology than the vocational track, delivered entirely online.
- Undergraduate Marketing and Digital Communication program Online undergraduate program combining traditional marketing foundations with digital communication channels, audience analytics, and content strategy.
- Undergraduate Informatics and Management program Newly introduced online undergraduate program combining informatics, data-driven management, and information systems for business decision-making, identified as a 2026 offering.
- Undergraduate Management in Social and Education program Online undergraduate program preparing professionals for managerial roles in social services, NGOs, and educational institutions, delivered fully online.
- Master's in International Innovative Business Online master's program focused on international business, innovation management, and entrepreneurship, delivered fully online to working professionals.
- Master's in Psychology Online master's program in psychology providing advanced training for working professionals seeking careers in organizational psychology, coaching, or further doctoral study.
- Master's in Marketing and Sales Management Online master's program covering advanced marketing strategy, sales management, and digital commercial growth, designed for working managers.
- Master's in Smart Cities Management Online master's program addressing the management of smart-city initiatives, urban digitalization, and sustainable urban development.
- Master's in Innovative Management in Social and Education Online master's program for managers in social and educational institutions, focused on innovative approaches to leadership, pedagogy, and organizational change.
- Doctoral program in Innovations and Sustainable Business in Digital Society Online doctoral program providing advanced research training in sustainable business models, digital transformation, and innovation management within the digital society.
- Executive Academy: Psychology for Leaders Basic Short, modular executive program introducing psychological concepts and tools relevant to managers and team leaders, delivered online through the Executive Academy.
- Executive Academy: Psychology for Leaders Advanced Advanced short executive program building on the basic psychology-for-leaders curriculum with deeper applied psychological tools for managers, coaches, and executives.
- Executive Academy: AI and Digitalization for Managers Short executive program equipping managers with foundational knowledge of artificial intelligence, digitalization strategy, and the AI Maturity Index framework for assessing organizational readiness.
- Executive Academy: Programs for Educational Environment Short executive program for principals, school leaders, and administrators working in educational institutions, covering leadership, innovation, and management of educational environments.
- DOBA AI Maturity Index (corporate service) Bespoke corporate offering that applies DOBA's proprietary AI Maturity Index to assess a company's AI readiness and supports tailored AI and digitalization training interventions for employers and HR/L&D teams.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90% of graduates advance in their careers after completing DOBA programs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use DOBA Business School
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
DOBA Business School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature4 records
DOBA Business School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
45 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Arteveldehogeschool (Belgija)corePartner in the STEP+ Erasmus+ project (Empowering HEI Staff and Students on Mobility with Positive Psychology Interventions and VR). Also a key partner in the UP University European Universities Alliance. Contributes expertise in positive psychology, VR, and international mobility support. Project value: 400,000 EUR.
- FH Münster University of Applied Sciences (Nemčija)corePartner in the STEP+ Erasmus+ project and member of the UP University European Universities Alliance. Contributes to international mobility, resilience, and well-being research within the STEP+ project (400,000 EUR total value).
- Fundació Universitària Balmes – UVic-UCC (Španija)corePartner in the STEP+ Erasmus+ project and member of the UP University European Universities Alliance. Contributes expertise in higher education innovation, international mobility, and student well-being to collaborative projects.
- Universitatea Vasile Alecsandri din Bacău (Romunija)coreLead partner in the CERAS project (Advancing Circular Economy and Sustainability in Rural Business Activities) with 10 partners across 5 countries. Also a partner in STEP+ and UP University. Project CERAS value: 400,000 EUR. Contributes expertise in circular economy and rural business sustainability.
- Društvo za komunikacijsku i medijsku kulturu (Hrvaška)majorCroatian partner in the SELF-ID project (My Digital Self: Shaping Identity in the Digital Age), a 250,000 EUR Erasmus+ initiative led by DOBA Fakulteta targeting digital identity and resilience in adolescents aged 10-14.
- Associazione Le Nius (Italija)majorItalian partner in SELF-ID project, contributing media literacy expertise and innovation to the development of educational materials and the SELF-ID Escape Room game.
- Spielmacher (Avstrija)majorAustrian partner in SELF-ID project, contributing expertise in gamification and educational game design for the development of the SELF-ID Escape Room tabletop game.
- Istituto Comprensivo Rinnovata Pizzigoni (Italija)majorItalian school partner in SELF-ID project, serving as a testing ground for the digital identity intervention and educational escape room game targeting adolescents.
- Osnovna šola Janka Padežnika Maribor (Slovenija)majorSlovenian primary school partner in SELF-ID project, providing testing environment for the digital identity and media literacy intervention among adolescents aged 10-14.
- Osnovna škola Ivana Kukuljevića Sakcinskog Ivanec (Hrvaška)majorCroatian school partner in SELF-ID project, contributing to the cross-country testing and validation of the digital identity intervention and escape room game.
- Dimokritio Panepistimio Thrakis (Grčija)majorPartner in the CERAS project (Advancing Circular Economy and Sustainability in Rural Business Activities) focused on circular economy applications in rural business and higher education across Greece, Slovenia, Spain, Albania, and Romania.
- Universiteti 'Fan S. Noli' Korçë (Albanija)majorPartner in the CERAS project contributing to circular economy education development and rural business sustainability initiatives within the multi-country partnership.
- SC Almera International SRL (Romunija)minorRomuanian private sector partner in the CERAS project, contributing practical business perspective on circular economy applications in rural areas.
- Agrotikos Synetairismos Agiou Athanasiou Dramas – ASOP (Grčija)minorAgricultural cooperative partner in the CERAS project, providing on-the-ground perspective on circular economy applications for rural and agricultural businesses.
- ITC – Inovacijsko tehnološki grozd Murska Sobota (Slovenija)minorInnovation technology cluster from Slovenia participating in the CERAS project, contributing expertise in technological innovation for sustainable rural business development.
- KREAS – Fundació per a la Formació Integral en Indústries Càrniques i Agroalimentàries (Španija)minorSpanish partner in the CERAS project focused on comprehensive training for meat and agri-food industries, contributing expertise in sustainable food sector practices.
- FIX PRO Sh.p.k (Albanija)minorAlbanian partner in the CERAS project contributing to rural business development and circular economy training initiatives.
- FH Joanneum Graz (Avstrija)coreLead coordinator of the GenESG project (Microlearning on Sustainable Finance with Generative AI), a 250,000 EUR Erasmus+ initiative developing AI chatbot-based ESG microlearning courses. DOBA Fakulteta is a partner contributing to competency card development and educational content.
- University of National and World Economy (Bolgarija)majorPartner in the GenESG project (Microlearning on Sustainable Finance with Generative AI), contributing to AI-based ESG education development across Austria, Netherlands, Slovenia, Poland, and Bulgaria.
- Krakow University of Economics (Poljska)majorPartner in the GenESG project contributing to sustainable finance microlearning content and AI chatbot development for ESG competency education.
- The Hague University of Applied Sciences (Nizozemska)majorPartner in the GenESG project contributing to sustainable finance education development and microlearning framework design within the international consortium.
- Visioom X (Slovenija)minorSlovenian technology partner in the GenESG project, contributing technical expertise in AI chatbot development for sustainable finance education.
- Artevelde University of Applied Sciences (Belgija)coreLead coordinator of UP University, the European Universities Alliance comprising 10 European universities and 31 associate partners. DOBA Fakulteta is one of 10 full partners. The alliance aims to become a leading inter-university campus by 2035, focused on responsible living for next generations, health and well-being, sustainable communities, and responsible production and consumption (UN SDGs 3, 11, 12). Programs offered in 14 languages.
- Oulu University of Applied Sciences (Finska)coreCore partner in UP University European Universities Alliance covering all four corners of Europe. Contributes expertise in applied sciences, regional development, and sustainable communities.
- University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (Španija)coreCore partner in UP University European Universities Alliance, contributing to the consortium's broad and complementary expertise in business and social studies education across Europe.
- University Del Piemonte Orientale (Italija)coreCore partner in UP University European Universities Alliance, contributing to the consortium's mission of creating a joint European university campus focused on responsible living.
- KROK University (Ukrajina)minorAssociate partner in UP University European Universities Alliance, contributing to the consortium's Eastern European representation and cross-border educational cooperation.
- JO Consulting SRL (Italija)majorItalian partner in the FEM-Up project (Level Up Female Entrepreneurship and STEM Skills to Foster Women Empowerment), a 250,000 EUR Erasmus+ initiative led by DOBA Fakulteta. Provided visual identity consulting as a prize for Maruša Weitzer, the competition winner.
- Fundacion Centro Europeo de Empresas e Innovacion de Murcia – CEEIM (Španija)majorSpanish partner in FEM-Up contributing to the FEM-Up Academy for women's entrepreneurship across 6 countries. Contributed to event organization including the Jobs of the Future webinar with entrepreneurs from 6 countries.
- Institute of Entrepreneurship Development – iED (Grčija)majorGreek partner in FEM-Up, contributing expertise in entrepreneurship development and women's empowerment. Provided free business plan consulting as a prize for the FEM-Up Academy competition winner.
- Istanbul Universitesi (Turčija)majorTurkish partner in FEM-Up project, contributing to women's entrepreneurship and STEM skills development across the 6-country partnership implementing the FEM-Up Academy program.
- Skills Zone Malta Co. Limited (Malta)majorMaltese partner in FEM-Up project, contributing to women's entrepreneurship education and STEM skills development within the 6-country consortium implementing the FEM-Up Academy.
- Štajerska gospodarska zbornica (Slovenia)minorChamber of Commerce and Industry of Štajerska (Styria), Slovenia. DOBA Fakulteta holds institutional membership, supporting industry-academia cooperation and regional business engagement.
- Združenje Manager (Slovenia)minorSlovenian Managers Association. DOBA holds institutional membership, facilitating collaboration between management education and practicing business leaders.
- AmCham – American Chamber of Commerce in SloveniaminorAmerican Chamber of Commerce in Slovenia. DOBA Fakulteta holds institutional membership, supporting international business connections and transatlantic cooperation in education.
- GZS – Gospodarska zbornica Slovenije (Slovenia)minorChamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (GZS). DOBA Fakulteta holds institutional membership, supporting national-level industry-academia collaboration.
- Združenje delodajalcev Slovenije – ZDS (Slovenia)minorEmployers' Association of Slovenia. DOBA Fakulteta holds institutional membership, facilitating dialogue between business/employers and higher education.
- IRDO – Inštitut za razvoj družbenih odgovornih (Slovenia)minorInstitute for Social Responsibility Development. DOBA Fakulteta holds institutional membership, supporting CSR and sustainable development research and education.
- AHK/HRV – Deutsch-Kroatische Industrie- und HandelskammerminorGerman-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. DOBA Fakulteta holds institutional membership, supporting cross-border business and educational cooperation between Germany and Croatia.
- Slovenački poslovni klub (Croatia)minorSlovenian Business Club in Croatia. DOBA Fakulteta holds institutional membership, supporting business networking and cooperation in the broader regional market.
- EDEN – European Distance and E-Learning NetworkminorEuropean Distance and E-Learning Network. DOBA Fakulteta holds institutional membership, demonstrating its commitment to excellence in distance and e-learning across Europe.
- VTIS – Verbund der Translationshochschulen in Südosteuropa / VTIS SEEminorNetwork of Translation Higher Education Institutions in Southeast Europe. DOBA Fakulteta holds institutional membership, supporting regional academic cooperation in translation and language studies.
- Businet – European Business Schools NetworkminorEuropean network of business schools. DOBA Fakulteta holds institutional membership, facilitating exchange of best practices and international cooperation among European business schools.
- SRIP – SRIP Inkluzivna družba / SRIP Inclusive Society (Slovenia)minorStrategic Research and Innovation Partnership for Inclusive Society (Slovenia). DOBA Fakulteta holds institutional membership, supporting research cooperation on social inclusion and inclusive education.
- IZUM – Institut informacijskih znanosti Maribor (Slovenia)minorInstitute of Information Science in Maribor. DOBA Fakulteta holds institutional membership, supporting information science research and digital library cooperation.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DOBA Business School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Coursera: Global online learning platform offering degrees, certificates, and courses from top universities. Broad incumbent in the online education space competing for the same working-professional learner, though degree offerings are credited through partner institutions.
- University of Ljubljana - School of Economics and Business (FELU): Slovenia's largest public business school offering AACSB-accredited undergraduate and graduate programs. Traditional incumbent in the same geography competing for management students, though primarily on-campus.
- University of Maribor - Faculty of Economics and Business: Public business school in Maribor, the same city as DOBA's headquarters. Overlaps in undergraduate and master's management programs but offers traditional on-campus delivery.
Direct peers
- Open University (UK): The UK's foremost distance-learning university offering accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degrees online. Same direct-to-consumer online higher education model with similar target audience of working professionals.
- FernUniversität in Hagen: Germany's distance-learning university offering accredited online business and social science degrees. Closest continental European analog to DOBA's accredited online model.
- IU International University of Applied Sciences: A large German private university delivering fully online and flexible undergraduate, master's, and MBA programs across Europe. Closest direct competitor in the accredited online business education model targeting working professionals.
- IEDC Bled School of Management: A premium Slovenian business school offering MBA and executive education programs. Direct peer in the same Slovenian business school market, with overlapping executive and master's offerings, though IEDC is more campus/residential focused.
- UNED (Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia): Spain's national distance university, one of the largest in Europe, offering accredited online degrees. Comparable in the accredited online higher education model across the European region.
Regional players
- Bled School of Management (formerly DOBA predecessor institutions): Regional competitor in Slovenia offering management and executive education formats. Comparable in geographic market and target student profile, though more event-based than fully online.
- ZSEM (Zagreb School of Economics and Management): Leading private business school in Croatia offering AACSB-accredited undergraduate and graduate programs. Regional peer in the broader Central/Southeast European private higher education market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DOBA Business School social profiles
Digital presenceDOBA Business School compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
DOBA Business School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DOBA Business School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
DOBA Business School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DOBA Business School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DOBA Business School
What does DOBA Business School do?
DOBA Business School is a private Slovenian higher-education institution that delivers accredited online undergraduate (VS/UN), master's, and doctoral degree programs entirely through online learning. It complements its degree portfolio with an Executive Academy offering short, non-degree programs in leadership psychology, AI/digitalization for managers, and educational environment leadership.
Is DOBA Business School a public or private company?
DOBA Business School is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was DOBA Business School founded?
DOBA Business School was founded in -1. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is DOBA Business School based?
DOBA Business School is headquartered in Maribor, Slovenia, in the Europe region.
How does DOBA Business School make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Accredited Degree Programs (Undergraduate, Master's, Doctoral) is the primary driver. The others are DOBA Executive Academy — Short Certified Programs and professional and Business Education Services.
Who are DOBA Business School's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Coursera, University of Ljubljana - School of Economics and Business (FELU) and University of Maribor - Faculty of Economics and Business. Direct peers are Open University (UK), FernUniversität in Hagen, IU International University of Applied Sciences, IEDC Bled School of Management and UNED (Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia). Regional players are Bled School of Management (formerly DOBA predecessor institutions) and ZSEM (Zagreb School of Economics and Management).
Does DOBA Business School have an API?
No public API is recorded for DOBA Business School.
What industry is DOBA Business School in?
DOBA Business School's product category is Online Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAHAB, MBA & Executive MBA Programs, with a secondary code of EDAHALAE, Online Professional Schools (MBA/MPA/MPH/Etc.). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.