F.A.Z. Institut

What F.A.Z. Institut does

F.A.Z. Institut GmbH is a Frankfurt am Main-based research institute and event organizer that operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (F.A.Z.), one of Germany's leading newspapers. Founded in 1993, the institute runs a multi-format portfolio that includes (i) annual executive conferences (Deutscher Marken-Summit, Responsible Leadership Conference, Innovative Leaders Konferenz, KI Innovation Summit, Corporate Diversity Summit); (ii) the 'kommunikationsmanager' magazine for communications and marketing decision-makers and the 'Verantwortung' magazine on corporate responsibility; (iii) commissioned and proprietary studies, including the Sopra Steria Managementkompass series and the BARMER-backed climate healthcare studies, distributed through its research portal; and (iv) a broad certificate and ranking program covering categories such as sustainability, quality, transparency, family-friendly employers, growth, and gold/precious metals dealers, alongside joint awards with Cision Germany (Deutscher Image Award, Sustainable Future Award), KI Bundesverband (KI Innovation Award), Genoverband e.V. (GenoAward), and QuantiQuest (TOP Anwalt).

The institute does not develop proprietary technology; its core capability is methodology-driven research, event production, and certificate/ranking administration, leveraging the credibility of the F.A.Z. brand and a network of enterprise partners and trade associations. Its go-to-market is primarily event-driven, with conferences and awards functioning as the principal lead-generation and engagement channels for follow-on commissioned studies, magazine subscriptions, and certificate applications. Pricing is quote-based rather than publicly disclosed, with revenue drawn from four streams: professional services for study projects, professional services for events and conferences, recurring magazine subscriptions, and professional services for certificate and award programs.

The institute is led by Managing Directors Gregor Vischer and Hannes Ludwig, supported by a small core team of approximately nine colleagues plus student workers and interns. It serves a horizontal segment of senior decision-makers across German-speaking Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), with named enterprise clients and partners spanning automotive (BMW, VW), financial services (Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank), technology (Bosch, Infineon), healthcare (BARMER, Fresenius, Siemens Healthineers), consulting (Deloitte), and consumer goods (Henkel, P&G).

Name

F.A.Z. Institut

Legal name

F.A.Z. Institut GmbH

Website

https://faz-institut.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

F.A.Z. Institut is a Frankfurt-based research institute and event organizer, wholly-owned by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, that produces executive conferences, commissioned studies, the 'kommunikationsmanager' magazine, and corporate certificates and awards for decision-makers across German-speaking Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Research & Executive Events

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Management Consulting Services (54161), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK), Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics) (MPAGAGAM), Quality, Process Improvement & Lean/Six Sigma Certifications (EDAAANAC)

Keywords

• Business research services
• Management conferences
• Corporate certification programs
• Industry rankings
• Executive networking events

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfurt am Main

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Study and Research Projects: Custom study projects based on over 20 years of experience in conception and execution. Provides comprehensive service from initial idea to publication, delivering deep insights on central topics of business and society for decision-makers.
2. Events and Conferences: Organization of exclusive events, roundtables, and conferences that bring together thought leaders and decision-makers. Major events include Deutscher Marken-Summit, Responsible Leadership Conference, Innovative Leaders Conference, Corporate Diversity Summit, and KI Innovation Summit.
3. Magazine and Publications: Publishing the 'kommunikationsmanager' magazine for decision-makers in communication and marketing, and the 'Verantwortung' magazine on corporate responsibility and sustainability.
4. Certificates and Rankings: Awarding certificates to outstanding companies and organizations across various competitions including Best Gold & Precious Metal Dealers, Family-Friendly Employer, High Transparency, Sustainability Pioneers, High-Growth Companies, Highest Quality, Best Insurers, and Most Recommended Asset Managers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

F.A.Z. Institut is a Frankfurt am Main–based research institute and event organizer that conducts business studies, publishes the kommunikationsmanager communications magazine, and runs executive conferences including the Deutscher Marken-Summit, Responsible Leadership Conference, KI Innovation Summit, Corporate Diversity Summit, and Innovative Leaders Konferenz. It also operates the Initiative Verantwortung program and awards company rankings and certificates such as the „Innovative Unternehmen" and „Deutschlands Beste Arbeitgeber – Beste Jobs" certifications.

Product overview

F.A.Z. Institut is a research institute and conference organizer (subsidiary of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) offering a multi-format portfolio centered on networks, studies, and certificates. The offering consists of: (1) event and conference series — Deutscher Marken-Summit, Responsible Leadership Conference, KI Innovation Summit, Corporate Diversity Summit, and Innovative Leaders Konferenz — which serve as networking platforms for thought leaders and decision-makers; (2) the magazine 'kommunikationsmanager' for communications and marketing professionals; (3) a studies and research program including the Sopra Steria-backed Managementkompass and Disruptive Potenziale series, BARMER-backed climate healthcare studies, and cybersecurity studies; (4) an extensive certificates/certifications program that evaluates companies across categories including family-friendliness, sustainability, quality, transparency, and growth; and (5) multiple awards including the Deutscher Image Award (with Cision), KI Innovation Award (with KI Bundesverband), Sustainable Future Award, Circularity Champion Award, Integrated Communication Award, DEI Corporate Excellence Award, GenoAward (with Genoverband), and the TOP Anwalt quality seal (with QuantiQuest). Together these products serve decision-makers in business, communications, marketing, sustainability, HR, and public affairs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kommunikationsmanager: Leading magazine for decision-makers in communication and marketing, offering practical insights, case studies, and expert analyses.
• Deutscher Marken-Summit
• Responsible Leadership Conference
• Innovative Leaders
• Corporate Diversity Summit
• KI Innovation Summit
• Initiative Verantwortung

Products and services

• Deutscher Marken-Summit
• Responsible Leadership Conference
• KI Innovation Summit
• Corporate Diversity Summit
• Innovative Leaders Konferenz
• kommunikationsmanager (Magazin)
• Initiative Verantwortung
• „Innovative Unternehmen" Certification
• „Deutschlands Beste Arbeitgeber – Beste Jobs" Certification
• Industry Studies / Research Reports

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• QuantiQuest Research & Consulting GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2025Strategic cooperation for the TOP Anwalt 2026 project, which identifies and awards outstanding lawyers and law firms. QuantiQuest contributes expertise in data-based market and reputation analyses while F.A.Z. Institut provides branding and communication reach.
• Genoverband e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Joint organizer of the GenoAward, which honors outstanding cooperatives that contribute to Germany's future viability. The partnership combines Genoverband's expertise in cooperative enterprises with F.A.Z. Institut's research and event capabilities.
• KI BundesverbandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Co-hosting partner for the KI Innovation Award, recognizing practical and forward-looking AI solutions in German business. The partnership leverages F.A.Z. Institut's research expertise with the KI Bundesverband's industry knowledge to evaluate AI innovation across companies of all sizes.
• Cision GermanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Long-standing partner for the Deutscher Image Award and Sustainable Future Award. Cision conducts scientific media content analysis while F.A.Z. Institut provides strategic direction and awards ceremony hosting. Partnership enables comprehensive evaluation of CEO communication and corporate reputation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• DIHK (Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag): Umbrella organization of the German Chambers of Commerce, hosting executive events, position papers, and certification-style recognition for member companies. Adjacent to F.A.Z. Institut in serving German enterprise decision-makers via events and recognition, though primarily public-institution rather than commercial.
• BDI (Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie): Federation of German Industries running high-profile conferences, position papers, and policy events for German business leaders. Comparable through its executive event/conference business serving decision-makers, though more policy- and association-oriented than F.A.Z. Institut's commercial research/awards mix.
• Bitkom: German digital industry association that runs large-scale summits, position papers, and certifications on AI, digital transformation, and tech policy. Comparable to F.A.Z. Institut through its combined trade-association events, studies, and certification-style recognition, though focused specifically on the digital economy.

Broad incumbents

• Süddeutsche Zeitung (conferences and research): SZ hosts executive conferences, forums, and corporate studies leveraging its premium newspaper brand. Broader media peer to F.A.Z. Institut in the German quality-press events and research market.
• Statista (awards and studies division): Statista produces Germany's most prominent corporate rankings and award programs (Germany's Best Employers, most innovative companies) backed by extensive data infrastructure. Broad incumbent peer to F.A.Z. Institut's certification business with deeper data and global distribution.

Others

• Cision Germany: Media intelligence and communications analytics provider, long-standing co-hosting partner of F.A.Z. Institut for the Deutscher Image Award and Sustainable Future Award. Indirectly adjacent through its role in media-content methodology underpinning awards rather than as a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• WirtschaftsWoche (Events/Studies): WirtschaftsWoche, the German business weekly, runs executive conferences, rankings, and studies targeting the same German C-suite audience as F.A.Z. Institut. Direct competitor in premium business-media events and corporate rankings.
• manager magazin / manager meetings: The events and conference arm of manager magazin (Spiegel group) organizes executive summits on leadership, strategy, and transformation topics for C-suite German audiences. Direct peer to F.A.Z. Institut in the executive conference and decision-maker media space.
• Handelsblatt Research Institute: A research and conference arm of the Handelsblatt/Diaphanes media group, it produces economic studies, executive briefings, and events for German business decision-makers. Direct peer to F.A.Z. Institut through its combination of economic research, executive events, and association with a premium business newspaper brand.
• Deutschland Test / ServiceValue: ServiceValue GmbH runs the Deutschland Test corporate rankings and customer/employee satisfaction studies producing seals for German companies. Direct peer to F.A.Z. Institut's certificate and rankings business, competing head-to-head in German corporate seal categories such as family-friendliness, sustainability, and service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@faz-institut1833
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/f.a.z.-institut

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 F.A.Z. Institut