What DHBW Heilbronn does

DHBW Heilbronn (Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg Heilbronn) is a public state-funded dual university located on the Bildungscampus in Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, established in 2010 and operating as the ninth independent Studienakademie of the DHBW system since 1 July 2014. The institution delivers bachelor's degree programs that combine academic instruction with paid practical work, with students alternating every three months between theory phases on campus and practice phases at a dual partner company. The portfolio spans 11 bachelor's programs across business administration (Food Management, Handel/Trade, Dienstleistungsmanagement/Services, Digital Commerce Management, Technical Management), computer science and AI (Wirtschaftsinformatik, Data Science und KI), wine technology (Wein-Technologie-Management in cooperation with LVWO Weinsberg), personalized nutrition (Personalisierte Ernährung), and forthcoming programs in medical technology and social work.

Its core technological infrastructure centers on the DHBW Sensoricum, a multi-disciplinary laboratory complex comprising culinary, sensory, food science, hygiene, and media labs opened in May 2014 with Prof. Dr. h.c. Eckart Witzigmann; this facility is unique among DHBW campuses and supports the food and consumer-science research focus. Supporting infrastructure includes the Bibliothek LIV, a joint library shared with Hochschule Heilbronn, German Graduate School of Management and Law, and TUM Campus Heilbronn (170,000 physical media units, 140,000 e-books, 50,000 e-journals), and the Moodle learning management system. Research areas span personalized nutrition, AI competencies, EU educational research, and urban development (Schwarmstadt).

The institution is financed primarily through state budget allocations from the Ministry for Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Württemberg, supplemented by applied research and transfer revenues from industry and EU educational research projects. Students pay only a semester contribution rather than tuition, while dual partner companies pay salaries directly to students during practical phases. DHBW Heilbronn partners with over 750 dual partner companies and serves approximately 1,400–1,500 students, supported by 34 full-time professors and 490+ lecturers, and led by Rektorin Prof. Dr. Nicole Graf.

Name

DHBW Heilbronn

Legal name

Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg

Website

https://heilbronn.dhbw.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

DHBW Heilbronn is a public dual university in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, offering bachelor's programs that combine academic study with paid practical work at 750+ partner companies. It serves approximately 1,500 students across 11 programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Heilbronn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Higher Education Funding: DHBW Heilbronn is a public university (Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts) funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg. Core operations (teaching, research, administration) are financed through public budgets allocated by the Ministry for Science, Research and Kunst Baden-Württemberg.
2. Student Contributions and Dual Partner Salary Model: Students pay a semester contribution fee (Studiengebühren) and receive a salary from their Duale Partner company during the three-month practical phases. The salary is paid directly by the partner company to the student — DHBW Heilbronn does not receive these funds, but the arrangement is central to the dual model and the institution's attractiveness.
3. Applied Research and Transfer Projects: DHBW Heilbronn generates revenue through applied research collaborations with industry partners, EU educational research projects, and transfer activities in areas such as food science, AI, personalized nutrition, and urban development (Schwarmstadt). Research is application-oriented and serves regional, national, and international stakeholders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DHBW Heilbronn is a public dual university offering bachelor's degree programs that combine theoretical academic study with paid practical work experience at partner companies. Students alternate every three months between campus-based learning and practical phases at one of 750+ dual partner companies, earning a salary while completing a three-year degree. Programs span business administration, food management, retail, services, wine technology, business informatics, data science/AI, personalized nutrition, and medical technology.

Product overview

DHBW Heilbronn is a dual university offering a portfolio of Bachelor study programs combining theoretical academic learning with practical industry experience through dual partner companies. The core products are 11 distinct study programs across business, technology, health, and social sciences: BWL Food Management, BWL Handel, BWL Dienstleistungsmanagement, Wein-Technologie-Management, Wirtschaftsinformatik, Digital Commerce Management, Technical Management, Personalisierte Ernährung, Data Science und KI, Medizintechnische Wissenschaften, and Soziale Arbeit. Supporting infrastructure includes the DHBW Sensoricum research laboratory center and the Bibliothek LIV shared library. The dual model requires students to alternate between theoretical study at the university and practical phases at dual partner companies every three months over a three-year program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BWL Food Management (Bachelor) Bachelor program in Business Administration with specialization in food management, covering food industry operations, food safety, and culinary innovation. Targeted at students seeking careers in the food industry with practice-based learning alternating between university and partner companies.
• BWL Handel - Handelsmanagement (Bachelor) Bachelor program in Business Administration focusing on retail management and trading operations. Designed for students pursuing careers in the retail and trade sector with hands-on practice at partner companies.
• BWL Dienstleistungsmanagement (Bachelor) Bachelor program in Business Administration with specialization in service management, including media, consulting, sports, HR, and NGO sectors. Targeted at students interested in service industry careers.
• Wein-Technologie-Management (B.Sc.) Bachelor of Science program in cooperation with LVWO Weinsberg, qualifying students for technical and business challenges in the wine industry along the entire value chain. Unique in Germany.
• Wirtschaftsinformatik (B.Sc.) Bachelor program combining business administration with computer science and information systems. For students seeking careers at the intersection of business and IT.
• BWL Digital Commerce Management (Bachelor) Bachelor program focusing on digital business models, e-commerce, and online retail operations. Designed for students pursuing careers in digital commerce.
• BWL Technical Management (Bachelor) Bachelor program in business administration with technical focus, including specializations in value resource management, recycling, and now technical purchasing (Technischer Einkauf).
• Data Science und Künstliche Intelligenz - Smart Operations Management (B.Sc.) Bachelor of Science program focusing on Data Science, AI, logistics, Supply Chain Management, and process optimization using artificial intelligence. Specialization in Smart Operations Management.
• Personalisierte Ernährung (B.Sc.) Interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science program unique in Germany, combining nutritional science, individualized medicine, and digital health technologies. Launched Fall 2025.
• Medizintechnische Wissenschaften (Bachelor) New study program in the health sector focusing on medical technology and healthcare sciences. Launching Fall 2026.
• Soziale Arbeit (Bachelor) Bachelor program in Social Work offering part-time study or Social Management tracks, focusing on digitalization and AI applications. Launching Fall 2026.
• DHBW Sensoricum Laboratory Center State-of-the-art laboratory center featuring Food and Media Laboratory, Culinary Lab, Sensory Lab, Service Lab, and Hygiene Lab for applied research in food and consumer sciences. Used for study programs and external research collaborations.
• Bibliothek LIV (Lernen. Informieren. Vernetzen.) Joint university library offering integrated print and e-media collection: 170,000 physical media units, 140,000 e-books, 50,000 e-journals, with flexible learning and working spaces and an E-Medienlabor for digital learning and research support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89.3% of all students would choose DHBW Heilbronn again (internal evaluation 2016); BWL-Handel satisfaction reaches 94.8%
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Staatliche Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt für Wein- und Obstbau (LVWO) WeinsbergcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The state teaching and research institute for wine and fruit growing in Weinsberg cooperates with DHBW Heilbronn on the unique Wein – Technologie – Management (B.Sc.) program, qualifying students for technical and business challenges in the wine industry along the entire value chain. The first cohort of 21 students started in 2019.
• EU4DUAL — European University ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019DHBW joined a consortium of nine dual universities across Europe to establish 'EU4DUAL — the first Dual European University,' successfully securing EU 'European University' funding in 2022. The consortium aims to create integrated European dual study pathways and mobility programs.
• Wissensstadt Heilbronn e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Thirteen Heilbronn institutions dedicated to knowledge transfer, study conditions, research, and communication have united in the Wissensstadt Heilbronn e.V. association. DHBW Heilbronn is an active member and serves as a driver of the 'Wissensstadt' (Knowledge City) initiative, contributing to regional knowledge economy development.
• Hochschule HeilbronncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019DHBW Heilbronn co-operates the LIV joint university library (Lernen. Informieren. Vernetzen.) with Hochschule Heilbronn, German Graduate School of Management and Law, and TUM Campus Heilbronn. This joint facility provides integrated print and e-media resources for all institutions' students and researchers.
• German Graduate School of Management and Law (GGS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partner in the joint LIV university library. Contributes to the shared higher education ecosystem on the Heilbronn Bildungscampus, alongside DHBW Heilbronn, Hochschule Heilbronn, and TUM Campus Heilbronn.
• TUM Campus Heilbronn gGmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partner in the joint LIV university library. TUM Campus Heilbronn is part of the Technische Universität München group, offering advanced studies in Heilbronn alongside DHBW Heilbronn and other campus institutions.
• Studierendenwerk HeidelbergminorOthers · 1 January 2019Studierendenwerk Heidelberg provides student services to DHBW Heilbronn, including the Mensa for Kids program (free lunches for children of students up to age 10), dining hall operations (award-winning Mensa), and BAföG counseling through their office at Heilbronner Europaplatz.
• Berufundfamilie Service GmbHminorOthers · 1 January 2019The berufundfamilie Service GmbH certifies DHBW Heilbronn as a family-friendly university through the 'audit familiengerechte hochschule' process. DHBW first received certification in 2015 and the Goldene Schärpe (Golden Ribbon) in 2021.
• Familie in der Hochschule e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2018DHBW became a founding member of the association 'Familie in der Hochschule' (Family in Higher Education) in March 2018. The association, based on the earlier network, aims to anchor family compatibility in study, career, and science in the German-speaking higher education space. DHBW has been part of the network since 2015.
• DHBW Sensoricum — Prof. Dr. h.c. Eckart WitzigmanncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2014The renowned chef Prof. Dr. h.c. Eckart Witzigmann ('Jahrhundertkoch' / Gault Millau) opened the DHBW Sensoricum Food and Media Laboratory Center in May 2014, lending his culinary expertise and reputation to the establishment of DHBW Heilbronn's unique lab infrastructure for food science and sensory analysis.
• Dieter Schwarz Stiftung (Dieter Schwarz Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2010DHBW Heilbronn is located on the Bildungscampus, a modern campus built and funded by the Dieter Schwarz Stiftung. The campus features award-winning architecture, a Mensa (award-winning dining hall), CampusStores (shop.box and collect.box), café, library, sports facilities, and the Campusbrücke connecting East and Central campus areas. The foundation's vision created the infrastructure that enabled DHBW Heilbronn's establishment and growth.
• 750+ Duale Partner (Dual Partner Companies)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2010Over 750 companies and organizations serve as dual partner companies (Duale Partner) providing practical training placements for DHBW Heilbronn students. Students alternate between three-month theory phases at DHBW and three-month practical phases at their partner company, receiving a salary. Partners range from large retail chains (e.g., in BWL-Handel) and food producers to service companies and wine industry players. The dual partner network is the foundational element of the DHBW model.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves18 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW): Parent system and other DHBW campuses (e.g., Mosbach, Mannheim, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe) operate the same dual study model with three-month theory/practice alternation, state accreditation, and shared branding. DHBW Heilbronn is one of nine independent Studienakademien within this system, making the broader DHBW the closest operational and structural peer.
• Hochschule Heilbronn: Applied sciences university co-located on the same Bildungscampus in Heilbronn, sharing the LIV joint library and overlapping student services ecosystem. Operates traditional (non-dual) bachelor and master programs in similar business, engineering, and IT fields, competing for the same regional applicant pool.
• Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt (HfWU): Applied sciences university in Nürtingen-Geislingen (near Heilbronn/Stuttgart) offering business and environmental programs. Comparable in scale, geographic focus on Baden-Württemberg, and applied-research orientation, competing for the same regional dual-study employer partners and applicant pool.
• DHBW Mosbach: Sister DHBW Studienakademie in Baden-Württemberg offering dual bachelor's programs in business, engineering, and social sciences under the same state accreditation and dual-partner model. Operates with comparable scale and curriculum structure, competing for both students and dual partner companies within the same state.
• TUM Campus Heilbronn: Branch campus of the Technical University of Munich co-located on the Heilbronn Bildungscampus and sharing the LIV library with DHBW Heilbronn. Offers master's-level management and technology programs, representing an adjacent higher-education peer within the same regional ecosystem competing for the same advanced student segment.
• German Graduate School of Management and Law (GGS): Private management school co-located on the Heilbronn Bildungscampus and partner in the LIV joint library. Offers master's programs in business and law to a similar postgraduate audience, competing for regional talent and applied research partnerships in the Heilbronn-Franken economy.

Emerging players

• SRH Hochschule Heidelberg: Private university in the Upper Rhine region offering applied bachelor and master programs with employer-integrated study models. Smaller than IU/FOM but competes in the same private-sector dual-study space as DHBW, particularly for working professionals and employer-sponsored students in business, therapy, and engineering.

Regional players

• Hochschule Pforzheim: Applied sciences university in nearby Pforzheim with strong design, business, and engineering programs serving the same Baden-Württemberg regional economy. Comparable in scale and public funding model, and competes for dual-partner companies and student applicants across the Stuttgart-Heilbronn corridor.

Broad incumbents

• FOM Hochschule: Large private university specializing in part-time and dual study programs for working professionals, with a strong employer-partnership model analogous to DHBW's. Operates across Germany in business, IT, engineering, and health fields, providing a private-sector parallel to DHBW's state-funded dual study approach.
• IU Internationale Hochschule: Germany's largest private university with extensive online and on-campus programs in business, IT, health, and social sciences. Competes for the same Abiturienten and working-professional applicant pool nationally, including through dual-study-adjacent cooperative education formats, but at much broader scale and with private rather than state funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/dhbwheilbronn
• Facebookfacebook.com/dhbwheilbronn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/dhbw-heilbronn
• Instagraminstagram.com/dhbwheilbronn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about DHBW Heilbronn