HFU Akademie der Hochschule Furtwangen

What HFU Akademie der Hochschule Furtwangen does

HFU Akademie is the central institution for scientific continuing education at Hochschule Furtwangen, a public university in Baden-Württemberg, Germany owned by the state (Land Baden-Württemberg). The academy coordinates a catalog of 45+ continuing education offerings aimed primarily at working professionals and career advancers, with secondary audiences of corporate clients (for in-house training) and individuals re-entering the workforce or academic system.

Its product portfolio spans Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) and Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) programs, part-time Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Science, Master of Arts, and multiple MBA programs. Disciplinary coverage includes artificial intelligence and data science, medical technology and regulatory affairs, health promotion, energy storage systems, engineering and business management, security, and leadership. Programs are delivered across three HFU campuses (Furtwangen, Villingen-Schwenningen, Tuttlingen) and additional regional locations (Freiburg, Rottweil), in in-person, blended-learning, and online formats, in German, English, or bilingual instruction. Customized corporate AI training is offered via the "KI Inhouse-Schulung" product line.

The business model combines tuition-based enrollment for individual learners (direct enrollment through the university website and campus, supported by individualized advisory services) with B2B in-house training commissioned by companies and industry associations. Distribution is direct — no intermediaries or resellers are used. Marketing relies on the university's own website and organic social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram). Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, and the operation is funded within the public university system rather than by venture capital or private equity. HFU Akademie ranked among Germany's "Top Hochschulen" per the "Ausgezeichnete Weiterbildung" publication, reinforcing the brand position of the parent institution.

Name

HFU Akademie der Hochschule Furtwangen

Legal name

Hochschule Furtwangen

Website

https://hfu-akademie.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HFU Akademie is the continuing education division of Hochschule Furtwangen, a German public university, offering 45+ certificate, bachelor, master, MBA, and in-house corporate training programs to working professionals, companies, and re-entrants across multiple campuses in Baden-Württemberg.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Continuing Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Health, Wellness & Lifestyle Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAH)

Keywords

• Continuing higher education
• Part-time master programs
• University certificate programs
• Professional development courses
• Corporate training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Furtwangen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HFU Akademie is the central continuing education institution of Hochschule Furtwangen University, delivering more than 45 part-time degree programs (Bachelor, Master, MBA), Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) and Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) credentials, seminars, workshops, and online courses for working professionals and organizations. Programs span technology, health, business, digital media, and education, with delivery available in German, English, or bilingual formats across HFU's three campuses and online.

Product overview

The HFU Akademie (Hochschule Furtwangen University's Academy for Continuing Education) offers a comprehensive portfolio of continuing education programs designed for working professionals. The portfolio comprises multiple product categories: (1) Certificate programs (CAS - Certificate of Advanced Studies, DAS - Diploma of Advanced Studies) in areas such as Advanced Service Management, Generative AI in Automotive, Generative AI in Medicine, Health Promotion, Medical Technology, and IT Security; (2) Master of Science programs including Artificial Intelligence and Data Science for Digital Business Management, Engineering and Business Management, and Precision Manufacturing and Management; (3) MBA programs including Executive Master of International Business Management, International Business Management MBA, Medical Devices & Healthcare Management MBA, and Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen Sales & Service Engineering; (4) Master of Arts programs in International Economics/Business/Cultural Diplomacy and International Relations; (5) Bachelor of Engineering in Technical Management; (6) Inhouse AI training services for companies; (7) Individual seminars, workshops, and expert sessions. Programs are offered in various formats including in-person, blended learning, and online, across multiple locations (Furtwangen, Freiburg, Villingen-Schwenningen, Tuttlingen, Rottweil) and in German, English, or bilingual formats. The offering spans diverse disciplines including AI/data science, health promotion, medical technology, engineering, business management, and professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Part-time Bachelor degree programs Part-time Bachelor degree programs designed for working professionals who want to complete an undergraduate degree while remaining employed, delivered by Hochschule Furtwangen University.
• Part-time Master degree programs Part-time Master degree programs for graduates and working professionals seeking advanced academic specialization in fields taught at HFU.
• Part-time MBA programs Part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs aimed at professionals with management experience seeking graduate business credentials.
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) University-issued Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) credentials awarded upon completion of a defined module of continuing education coursework.
• Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) University-issued Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) credentials awarded upon completion of an extended series of continuing education modules.
• Individual course modules (Einzelne Module) Individual course modules that can be taken standalone without enrolling in a full degree program, allowing professionals to upskill in specific topics.
• In-house training programs for organizations Customized continuing education training programs delivered in-house for companies and organizations, tailored to their workforce development needs.
• Seminars and workshops Short-format seminars and workshops offered across multiple topics for professionals seeking focused continuing education.
• Online courses Online-format continuing education courses offered by HFU Akademie for remote learners.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin (HWR Berlin): Public Berlin university of applied sciences with an active continuing education arm offering part-time Bachelor, Master, MBA, and certificate programs — closely comparable public Hochschule continuing education structure.
• FOM Hochschule: Germany's largest private university with a continuing education portfolio spanning Bachelor, Master, MBA, and certificate programs for working professionals — directly comparable academic continuing education model targeting similar employed-adult learners.
• Steinbeis University (Steinbeis-Hochschule): German university with a project-based continuing education model serving working professionals and corporate clients — comparable in combining academic credentials with application-focused programs for adults.
• Frankfurt School of Finance & Management: German private university with extensive executive education and continuing education programs in management, finance, and technology — comparable in providing certificate and MBA pathways aimed at working professionals.
• SRH Hochschule Heidelberg: Private German university with strong continuing education offerings including part-time Master, MBA, and certificate programs in technology, health, and business — overlapping target market and program structure with HFU Akademie.
• Hochschule München: Large public German university of applied sciences operating its own continuing education division with part-time degree and certificate programs — comparable public-sector academic continuing education model with multiple program areas.

Broad incumbents

• RWTH Aachen: Major German technical university with a broad executive education and continuing education portfolio in engineering and technology — overlapping technology-program focus but operating at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
• Coursera: Global online education platform offering professional certificates, specializations, and degree pathways — competes with HFU Akademie for the same working-professional learner in topics like AI, data science, and business, though at lower price points and on-demand formats.

Regional players

• ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences: Swiss university of applied sciences with a dedicated continuing education division offering CAS/DAS, Master, and MBA programs — structurally similar model to HFU Akademie (public HAW continuing education), though operating in Switzerland rather than Germany.

Emerging players

• IHK (Industrie- und Handelskammer) Continuing Education: German chambers of commerce and industry operating a network of continuing education programs and certifications for professionals — competing adjacent provider in the same upskilling/reskilling market, particularly for industry-specific credentials.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBj-vOyXyOKVbIBMj3oBGZg
• Facebookfacebook.com/HochschuleFurtwangen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hfu-akademie-der-hochschule-furtwangen
• Instagraminstagram.com/hs.furtwangen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HFU Akademie der Hochschule Furtwangen