ifapp - Institut für angewandte Positive Psychologie

What ifapp - Institut für angewandte Positive Psychologie does

ifapp (Institut für angewandte Positive Psychologie) is a Berlin-based training institute founded in 1998 by Ralf Giesen, specializing in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), The Work of Byron Katie, and Applied Positive Psychology. The company operates from a single physical site at Belziger Str. 7 in Berlin-Schöneberg and delivers an in-person, instructor-led curriculum organized as a tiered certification pathway: NLP-Practitioner, NLP-Master, (Master-)Coach, and Trainer certifications, each aligned with Deutscher Verband für NLP (DVNLP) standards. Adjacent offerings include short workshops (breathwork, psychodrama, improvisation, provocative coaching, stress management), one-on-one coaching, and recurring group supervision for alumni.

The core "technology" is a curated curriculum of NLP techniques (VAKOG sensory perception, anchoring, Meta-Model/Milton-Model language patterns, reframing, Walt-Disney Strategy, well-formed goals), Byron Katie's four-question inquiry method, and Positive Psychology applications, delivered by six DVNLP-credentialed core trainers (Sascha Neumann as Managing Director, Ralf Giesen as founder-owner, plus Bärbel Befort, Djuke Nickelsen, Dennis Meyerhoff, Sertaç Şahin) with one guest trainer (Patricia Dichtl) leading alumni supervision. The institute has trained approximately 1,500 participants over 25 years and holds no software, app, or API product; all delivery is synchronous and in-person, supplemented by a monthly email newsletter and organic social presence.

Revenue is generated exclusively through professional-services fees: full certification programs priced €2,580-€3,500 for private individuals (€2,890 NLP-Master, €3,500 Coach/Trainer, up to €4,200 for entrepreneurs), individual workshops from €36 to €583, and supervision at €350 for 15 hours. Distribution is primarily direct enrollment at the Berlin site, with a low-cost top-of-funnel channel through introductory seminars placed at four Berliner Volkshochschulen (Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Neukölln, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Spandau). The company also participates in the KOMPASS state subsidy program (up to €4,500 for solo self-employed), holds Bildungsurlaub recognition from the Berliner Senat, and runs the Trainertraining program in both Berlin and Cologne. Ownership remains entirely with founder Ralf Giesen, with no external investment or institutional capital disclosed.

Name

ifapp - Institut für angewandte Positive Psychologie

Legal name

ifapp – Institut für angewandte Positive Psychologie

Website

https://ifapp.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ifapp is a Berlin-based NLP, The Work, and Positive Psychology training institute founded in 1998, delivering DVNLP-certified Practitioner, Master, Coach, and Trainer programs plus workshops and coaching to individuals, professionals, and solo self-employed clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Coaching and NLP Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDABAMAM

Coaching, Feedback & Mentoring Skills

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Soft Skills Development

SECONDARYEDABAOAL

Onboarding Program Design, Enablement & Train-the-Trainer

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Onboarding and New Hire Training

SECONDARYBPAEANAL

Train-the-Trainer & Instructor Enablement Services

Business & Public Services/IT & Digital Services (Managed Services, Systems Integration)/IT Training & Technical Enablement Services

Keywords

• NLP training programs
• Positive Psychology coaching
• Professional coaching certification
• Personal development workshops
• DVNLP NLP practitioner

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. NLP Training Programs: Structured NLP certification programs (Practitioner, Master, Trainer, Coach) with multi-day formats ranging from €2,580 to €3,500 for private individuals. Programs include seminars, camps, and supervision sessions.
2. Workshops and Short Seminars: Individual workshops (e.g., breathwork, psychodrama, improvisation) and introductory seminars at VHS locations ranging from €36 to €583.
3. Coaching Services: Individual coaching sessions provided by the team members.
4. Supervision Services: Group supervision sessions for coaches, priced at €350 total for 15 hours.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ifapp delivers in-person, DVNLP-certified NLP training programs (Practitioner, Master, Coach, Trainer) in Berlin, supplemented by topical workshops (breathwork, psychodrama, improvisation, provocative coaching, stress management), one-on-one coaching, and group supervision for alumni. The institute integrates NLP, The Work of Byron Katie, and Applied Positive Psychology as its core methodology stack, targeting individuals and professionals seeking personal development and recognized coaching credentials.

Product overview

ifapp is a coaching and training institute offering a structured portfolio of NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming) education programs certified by DVNLP. The core offerings include NLP-Practitioner, NLP-Master, (Master-)Coach-Ausbildung, and Trainertraining certifications, along with introductory seminars, workshops (Breathwork, Psychodrama, Impro-Theater, Provokatives Coaching), and one-on-one coaching services. The institute also supports participants through the KOMPASS state funding program (up to 4,500 EUR subsidy), ongoing supervision services, and a monthly newsletter. Located in Berlin-Schöneberg since 1998, ifapp integrates methods including NLP, The Work of Byron Katie, wingwave, and Positive Psychology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NLP-Practitioner Ausbildung Entry-level DVNLP-certified NLP training program teaching foundational NLP techniques and principles for personal development and coaching. Priced from €2,580 (KOMPASS-funded) to €3,500 (private installment) or €4,200 (entrepreneur).
• NLP-Master Ausbildung Advanced NLP training for practitioners seeking deeper expertise in NLP methods and personal transformation. Priced at €2,890 per participant.
• (Master-)Coach-Ausbildung Professional coaching certification program aligned with DVNLP standards, including 19 seminar days plus 15 hours of case supervision and a 5-day seminar camp in Abano Terme, Italy. Priced at €3,500 (€3,150 reduced for students/unemployed).
• Trainertraining - Ausbildung Trainer certification program covering pedagogical and communicative competence for seminar and group leadership, including 20 training days with supervision. Priced at €3,500 (€3,150 reduced for students/unemployed, €4,200 for entrepreneurs). Modules delivered in Berlin and Cologne.
• NLP-Einführungsseminar Introductory NLP seminar offered through partner VHS institutions across Berlin, providing foundational knowledge before pursuing full certification. Priced from €53.88 to €73.52 depending on VHS location.
• Workshops (Breathwork, Psychodrama, Impro-Theater, Provokatives Coaching, Stressmanagement) Single and multi-day topical workshops including Breathwork (Holotropes Atmen, €270), Psychodrama (Schnupperabend €36), Impro-Theater (Impro-Werkstatt €360), Provokatives Coaching (€583), and stress management. Targeted at adult learners seeking focused personal development experiences.
• Coaching Services One-on-one coaching sessions for personal development using NLP, The Work of Byron Katie, wingwave, and other positive psychology methods. Delivered by ifapp team members.
• Supervision Services Ongoing group supervision sessions for coaching alumni, organized by Patricia Dichtl approximately every six weeks to support continued professional development. Priced at €350 total for 15 hours.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DVNLP (Deutscher Verband für NLP)coreOthersDVNLP is the German NLP certification body. ifapp's NLP programs are designed and conducted according to DVNLP guidelines. Successful completion results in DVNLP certification which is internationally recognized. The DVNLP also sets requirements for certification fees (26€).
• Berliner SenatminorOthersThe Berliner Senate recognizes ifapp's NLP programs as Bildungsveranstaltung (educational events), which allows participants to claim Bildungsurlaub (educational leave) under Berlin's educational leave law.
• VHS Berlin (Volkshochschulen)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with multiple Berliner Volkshochschulen (Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Neukölln, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Spandau) to offer NLP introductory seminars at VHS locations. These serve as customer acquisition channels for ifapp's main programs.
• KOMPASS Förderprogramm (ESF)minorOthersKOMPASS is a state funding program (ESF-Plus 2021-2027) administered by BMAS that supports solo-self-employed individuals with up to 4,500€ subsidies for professional development. ifapp offers eligible programs under this scheme.
• External Trainers (Tom Andreas, Jutta Weimar, Eike Reinhardt, Daniel Götz)minorOthersFor specific programs like Trainertraining, ifapp collaborates with external trainers who conduct modules in Cologne (Tom Andreas) and Berlin (Jutta Weimar, Eike Reinhardt, Daniel Götz).

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Coachingplus (Dr. Christina Härle): German coaching training and certification institute offering DVNLP-aligned coach and NLP practitioner programs with a focus on professional coaching practice. Comparable on coaching certification pathway and target segment of professionals seeking credentialed coaching expertise.
• Institut für NLP (ifNLP): German NLP training institute offering DVNLP-aligned certifications and practitioner training. Directly comparable to ifapp in scope (NLP certification ladder), DVNLP affiliation, and target audience of professionals and personal-development participants.
• Landsiedel NLP Training: Established German NLP and coaching school founded by Bernhard Landsiedel, offering DVNLP-certified NLP programs and applied coaching training. Comparable on methodology (NLP), certification tier structure, and target segments (professionals and personal-development seekers).
• NLP-Akademie München: One of the larger German NLP training institutes, offering DVNLP-aligned Practitioner, Master, Coach, and Trainer certifications plus coaching programs. Most directly comparable to ifapp on curriculum structure, DVNLP certification pathway, and target audience of professionals seeking NLP credentials.
• Tobias & Tobias NLP Training: Mid-sized German NLP training school run by Tobias and offering DVNLP-certified practitioner and master training with strong focus on communication and coaching applications. Comparable as a DVNLP-affiliated NLP school serving professionals and individuals seeking NLP certification.
• NLP Rheinland: Regional German NLP training provider offering DVNLP-aligned Practitioner, Master, and Coach certifications with adjunct coaching programs. Comparable on certification ladder, DVNLP affiliation, and emphasis on applied coaching skills.
• Metaforum Sommerakademie: Long-standing German personal development and NLP training organization running summer academy programs and ongoing practitioner trainings. Comparable as a German institute offering multi-method personal development training including NLP, with a similar workshop-plus-certification model.

Emerging players

• Positive Psychology Center (PPC Europe): European training provider focused specifically on Positive Psychology certification programs (CIPPP-aligned) for professionals. Comparable as a DACH-region professional development training institute in an adjacent methodology that ifapp also incorporates, with partial overlap in target audience (professionals seeking credentialed personal-development expertise).

Others

• DVNLP (Deutscher Verband für NLP): The German NLP professional association that sets certification standards and issues DVNLP credentials to graduates of member institutes including ifapp. While not a direct competitor (it is a standards body), it shapes the competitive landscape and curriculum requirements that all German NLP training providers must align to.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ifapp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ifapp-berlin

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 ifapp - Institut für angewandte Positive Psychologie