ifib - Institut für Informationsmanagement Bremen

What ifib - Institut für Informationsmanagement Bremen does

ifib - Institut für Informationsmanagement Bremen GmbH is a non-profit research institute founded in 2002, formally recognized as an An-Institut of the University of Bremen and registered as a private limited company (GmbH) under HRA 21271 at Amtsgericht Bremen. The institute operates at the intersection of informatics and social sciences, conducting applied research on digital transformation in education and public administration. Its thematic areas span data science, machine learning and AI; datafication; media and IT literacy; and participation and inclusion. The team of approximately 27 researchers has completed over 250 projects and produced over 600 publications over the institute's history.

ifib's core technology portfolio consists of research prototypes and evaluation tools rather than a unified commercial product. Notable technical components include the MuDiKo Musik-Hub (a privacy-compliant platform tracking digital learning traces in music education), the Musicalytics learning analytics system (processing mobile screen recordings into log files for longitudinal analysis), the DiSiKit app (algorithmically guided reflection prompts for early childhood educators), and chatbot-based research instruments used in data collection. The institute applies methods including NLP, predictive analytics, recommendation systems research, multimodal analysis, and knowledge retrieval frameworks. AI/ML is used as both a research subject and a methodological tool, with projects evaluating generative AI in education, LLM use in public administration, and predictive dashboards in learning management systems.

The business model is grant-funded applied research. The primary revenue stream is competitive public-sector research grants from German federal ministries (BMBF, BMFTR), state governments (e.g., Bremen, Hesse, NRW), the IT-Planungsrat, and EU frameworks, covering personnel, infrastructure, and project delivery. A wholly-owned subsidiary, ifib consult GmbH, provides fee-based advisory services to public sector clients (administrations, school operators, universities) on digital transformation, organizational development, and strategic IT planning. Named clients include the Senatorin für Kinder und Bildung of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, the Landesanstalt für Medien NRW, the IT-Planungsrat, the Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, and the Deutsche Telekom Stiftung. The institute does not operate commercial distribution channels; demand is generated through academic publications, conference participation, and grant-application track record.

Name

ifib - Institut für Informationsmanagement Bremen

Legal name

Institut für Informationsmanagement Bremen GmbH

Website

https://ifib.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ifib is a non-profit German research institute affiliated with the University of Bremen that conducts applied research on digital transformation in education and public administration, funded primarily by federal and state research grants and serving government, school operators, higher education institutions, and NGOs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Research and Consulting Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Research Administration & Compliance (Sponsored Programs, IRB/REB) (EDADAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technical Assistance, Policy Lending & Capacity Building Programs (BPADACAN)

Keywords

• Digital transformation research
• Education research consulting
• Public administration advisory
• Learning analytics research
• Program evaluation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bremen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Publicly Funded Research Grants: Primary revenue stream from competitive research grants awarded by German federal ministries (BMBF, BMFTR), state governments, and EU frameworks. Projects are won through tender processes and grant applications, with funding covering personnel, infrastructure, and project delivery.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ifib is a non-profit research institute that conducts applied interdisciplinary research and consulting on digital transformation in education and public administration. Its deliverables include scientific evaluations of public programs, strategic consulting for school operators and government agencies, research-based tool prototypes (e.g., the MuDiKo Musik-Hub, DiSiKit app), and over 600 publications produced across 250+ projects since 2002.

Product overview

ifib (Institut für Informationsmanagement Bremen GmbH) is a non-profit research institute affiliated with the University of Bremen that conducts applied research on digital transformation in education and public administration. Rather than a unified commercial software product, ifib operates a portfolio of research projects and a consulting subsidiary (ifib consult). Research outputs include prototypes and tools such as the MuDiKo Musik-Hub for music education, the DiSiKit app for diversity-reflexive pedagogy in Kitas, and the Musicalytics learning analytics platform. The institute also provides evaluation and consulting services (e.g., DigitalPakt Schule Bremen support, Qualifica Digitalis), and has published extensively (600+ publications, 250+ projects since 2002). The portfolio spans four thematic areas: Data Science/ML/AI, Datafication, Media Education, and Participation & Inclusion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ifib research: The research division of the institute focusing on digital transformation research in education and public administration.

Quantifiable outcome

• 250+ research projects completed since 2002
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Save the Children Deutschland e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026In the MakerLabs III project (June 2026 – May 2027), ifib collaborates with Save the Children Deutschland e.V. to evaluate creative digital education offerings for children and youth. ifib conducts scientific accompanying research on learning and educational processes, while Save the Children provides program implementation and reach into disadvantaged communities.
• Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik (BIBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn the KLAWEST project (Competency development, learning support, and work cultures for responsive dynamic value creation structures), ifib partners with BIBA and Fraunhofer IAO. The project explores future competency requirements and training strategies for industrial production and logistics sectors using scenario-based research methods.
• Fraunhofer IAOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with ifib and BIBA in the KLAWEST project to research competency development, learning conditions, and work cultures for dynamic value creation in industrial production and logistics.
• Fraunhofer FOKUScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn Qualifica Digitalis (Jan 2020 – Sep 2022), Fraunhofer FOKUS served as project lead alongside ifib and FÖV Speyer. The consortium identified digital competencies needed by public sector employees and developed strategies and recommendations for qualification, funded by the IT-Planungsrat.
• Deutsches Forschungsinstitut für öffentliche Verwaltung Speyer (FÖV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Qualifica Digitalis consortium alongside Fraunhofer FOKUS and ifib, contributing expertise in public administration research to map changing work practices and competency needs in German public administration.
• IT-PlanungsratmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe IT-Planungsrat initiated and funded the Qualifica Digitalis project to develop strategies for digital qualification of German public sector employees, commissioning a consortium led by Fraunhofer FOKUS including ifib and FÖV Speyer.
• Universität BielefeldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeads the LFB-Labs-digital consortium (Apr 2023 – Sep 2025), a joint project funded by BMBF to transform MINT (STEM) student laboratories into in-service teacher training venues. ifib contributes analysis and development of digital learning infrastructure. Partners include Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, WWU Münster, Universität Paderborn, Universität Oldenburg, TU Dresden, and RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau.
• Leuphana Universität LüneburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the LFB-Labs-digital consortium (BMBF-funded) alongside Universität Bielefeld, WWU Münster, Universität Paderborn, Universität Oldenburg, TU Dresden, and RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau. Focus on transforming MINT student labs into teacher training environments.
• WWU MünsterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the LFB-Labs-digital consortium (BMBF-funded) for teacher training via MINT student labs. ifib develops and analyzes digital infrastructure for the labs.
• Universität PaderbornminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in LFB-Labs-digital consortium. Part of the network of MINT student labs being developed into teacher training environments.
• Carl von Ossietzky-Universität OldenburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in LFB-Labs-digital consortium. Contributes to the development of MINT student labs for in-service teacher professional development.
• TU DresdenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in LFB-Labs-digital consortium, contributing to the network of MINT student labs developed for digital teacher training.
• RPTU Kaiserslautern-LandauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in LFB-Labs-digital consortium. Contributes expertise on digital learning infrastructure for MINT student labs.
• Universität HildesheimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn DiSiKit (Oct 2024 – Sep 2027), funded by BMBF and ESF+, Universität Hildesheim leads DiSiKit Research sub-project on diversity-reflexive professionalization via play materials in day-care centers. ifib leads DiSiKit Develop (app development for practice accompaniment). Also partners with Universität Kassel and PARITÄTISCHE Hamburg.
• Universität KasselminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DiSiKit project (BMBF/ESF+ funded), focusing on diversity-reflexive professionalization of early childhood educators through play materials and app-supported practice accompaniment.
• Der PARITÄTISCHE Hamburg e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DiSiKit project, contributing practice expertise on diversity-reflexive approaches in early childhood education settings in Hamburg.
• Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am MaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned ifib to conduct scientific evaluation of ELLVIS (Erfolgreich Lehren und Lernen – Vielfalt und Internationales im Studium), a university-wide project on student success, diversity, and teaching quality funded by the State of Hesse.
• FernUniversität in HagencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn the All is data project (May 2020 – Oct 2023), funded by BMBF, FernUniversität in Hagen focused on organizational pedagogical perspectives on data education. ifib examined everyday data practices of educators. Partners also included RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau.
• Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in All is data project, focusing on data education as part of pedagogical practices. ifib and FernUniversität in Hagen formed the three-subproject consortium alongside RPTU.
• M2C Institut für angewandte Medienforschung GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn DILABoration (Nov 2021 – Jan 2025), ifib partnered with M2C (developer of Digital Impact Labs) and Universität zu Köln to evaluate how community-based digital education labs enable participation for disadvantaged youth. ifib holds the consortium coordination role.
• Universität zu KölnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DILABoration, contributing expertise on organizational conditions for digital education in youth social work alongside M2C and ifib.
• Center for Media, Communication and Information Research (ZeMKI), University of BremencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding research partner. Co-developed the Tinder die Stadt project (2017–2021) to create a local news app using Tinder-style swipe mechanics, in partnership with the Hans-Bredow-Institute Hamburg. ZeMKI is also a DataNord partner.
• Hans-Bredow-Institute HamburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with ifib and ZeMKI in Tinder die Stadt project (2017–2021), a BMBF-funded initiative developing a co-created news and information app for the Bremen region to address declining local journalism engagement.
• DataNord (Interdisciplinary Data Competence Center for the Bremen Region)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDataNord is an interdisciplinary data competence center for the Bremen region — a hub for data science learning, research, and networking across institutional and disciplinary boundaries. ifib contributes through the We The (Social) Media subproject, enabling exchange of data and analysis competencies between informatics, political science, and communication studies.
• Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung (AWI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the DataNord consortium, contributing to interdisciplinary data competency development in the Bremen region through the We The (Social) Media subproject.
• Leibniz-Institut für Präventionsforschung und Epidemiologie – BIPSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the DataNord consortium, contributing epidemiological and public health data research expertise to the interdisciplinary data competence center.
• Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz Bremen (DFKI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the DataNord consortium, contributing AI research expertise to the Bremen region's interdisciplinary data science network.
• U Bremen Research Alliance e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the DataNord consortium, supporting cross-institutional research collaboration in the Bremen research ecosystem.
• Hochschule BremenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the DataNord consortium, contributing applied sciences expertise to interdisciplinary data research and education in the Bremen region.
• BIBA – Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributing to the DataNord consortium with expertise in production and logistics research, expanding interdisciplinary reach within the Bremen research network.
• ifib consult GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerifib's commercial consulting subsidiary (wholly owned). ifib consult provides fee-based advisory services to public sector clients (government agencies, school operators, universities) on digital transformation, organizational development, and strategic IT planning. Works in close coordination with ifib research.
• Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek BremenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DataNord consortium, contributing library and information science expertise to the interdisciplinary data competence center in Bremen.
• Digital Hub Industry Bremen e.V.majorStrategic or Co-development Partnerifib is a founding member of the Digital Hub Industry Bremen e.V. (founded December 2020), a platform for digital industry collaboration in Bremen, bringing together research, industry, and public sector stakeholders.
• Hanover University of Music, Drama and MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn the Musicalytics project (Oct 2017 – Mar 2021), funded by BMBF, this university cooperated with ifib to study informal music learning in digital environments, using learning analytics methods to track and evaluate music learning pathways.
• Deutsche Telekom StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded and accompanied the Berufsschule digital project (Apr 2018 – Jan 2020), supporting ten German vocational schools in digital transformation. ifib provided scientific monitoring and evaluation. The foundation also supported dissemination of findings beyond the network schools.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DIPF Leibniz-Institut für Bildungsforschung und Bildungsinformation: DIPF is a major Leibniz institute for education research and information. It is a broader incumbent in the same education research funding landscape as ifib, with overlapping interests in digital education, learning analytics, and educational assessment.
• WZB Berlin Social Science Center: WZB is a Leibniz social science research center addressing digitalization, participation, and education policy. It is a broader incumbent in Germany's applied social science research landscape where ifib also competes for funding.
• BIBB – Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung: BIBB is the German federal institute for vocational education and training. It is a broader incumbent that funds and conducts research overlapping with ifib's Berufsschule digital and LFB-Labs-digital work on vocational and STEM education.
• Bertelsmann Stiftung: Bertelsmann Stiftung conducts and funds large-scale research on education digitalization and public sector reform in Germany. It is a broader incumbent operating in the same digital education policy space as ifib.

Direct peers

• Fraunhofer FOKUS: Fraunhofer FOKUS researches digital public administration and e-government. It co-led the Qualifica Digitalis consortium with ifib and addresses the same BMBF/IT-Planungsrat-funded topics in digital transformation of public services.
• Fraunhofer IAO: Fraunhofer IAO is a German applied research institute working on digital transformation in work, production, and learning. It directly partners with ifib in the KLAWEST project and competes for the same BMBF tenders on digital competency and learning research.
• Hans-Bredow-Institut für Medienforschung Hamburg: Hans-Bredow-Institut is a Leibniz institute for media and communication research that partnered with ifib on the Tinder die Stadt project. It addresses adjacent BMBF-funded media research and competes for similar project grants.
• Deutsches Forschungsinstitut für öffentliche Verwaltung (FÖV Speyer): FÖV Speyer is a German research institute specializing in public administration. It was a Qualifica Digitalis consortium partner alongside ifib and targets the same BMBF/public-sector digital transformation research funding.
• BIDT – Bayerisches Forschungsinstitut für Digitale Transformation: BIDT is a Munich-based research institute dedicated to digital transformation across society, work, and education. It is a direct peer applying social science methods to digital transformation, competing for similar BMBF/EU research funding.

Emerging players

• mmb Institut – Gesellschaft für Medien- und Kompetenzforschung: mmb Institut is a smaller German research institute focused on digital media competence and learning. It is an emerging player that addresses adjacent topics to ifib's media education research with a more private-sector research focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ifib-bremen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ifib - Institut für Informationsmanagement Bremen