INSIGHTS MDI® Akademie

What INSIGHTS MDI® Akademie does

INSIGHTS MDI® Akademie is a leadership development academy and operating division of INSIGHTS MDI International® Deutschland GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the family-owned SCHEELEN® Group headquartered in Waldshut-Tiengen, Germany. The academy was established in 2020 (with the brand previously operating as Führungsakademie Hochrhein) to make corporate leadership development tools previously accessible mainly to large corporations available to small and medium-sized enterprises (KMUs with 10–250 employees) in the German-speaking market. It targets German SMEs, HR departments, and individual consultants/coaches, addressing pain points such as the leadership skills gap when technical experts are promoted into management, talent identification and retention difficulties, and the fragmented, intransparent SME training market.

The company's core offering is built on four proprietary diagnostic instruments: INSIGHTS MDI® (a holistic diagnostic for behavior, motives, and emotional intelligence used in talent recognition and leadership identification), ASSESS by SCHEELEN® (competency measurement tools that map role requirements against employee or candidate profiles, also distributed via the OutMatch platform), RELIEF by SCHEELEN® (a stress prevention instrument for performance sustainability), and the Zenger | Folkman 16-competency leadership methodology, for which SCHEELEN® holds exclusive rights in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. These tools are bundled with a flagship 12-month, 12-module leadership training program ('Vom Vor-Gesetzten zur Führungskraft') covering self-management, communication, team leadership, decision-making, employee development, emotional leadership, corporate culture, healthy leadership, persuasion, goal-oriented leadership, innovation, and negotiation/conflict. Complementary offerings include sales training, communication/team training, executive coaching, personnel selection consulting, employer branding services, and free introductory impulse workshops.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model: licensing fees and royalties from independent license partners who operate 13+ regional academies across Germany and Switzerland under exclusive territorial rights; professional services revenue from direct delivery of in-house corporate training, public open seminars, and executive coaching; and corporate training programs delivered directly to SMEs via enterprise field sales and event-driven lead generation (impulse workshops, regional seminars). Pricing is quote-based and varies by region, participant count, and customization, with regional partners setting their own pricing within their territories. No public pricing or disclosed revenue figures are available.

Name

INSIGHTS MDI® Akademie

Legal name

INSIGHTS MDI International® Deutschland GmbH

Website

https://imdi-akademie.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

INSIGHTS MDI® Akademie is a German leadership development academy, part of the family-owned SCHEELEN® Group, that delivers proprietary diagnostic tools and a 12-module training program to SMEs and consultants across Germany and Switzerland via a license partner network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Waldshut-Tiengen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Leadership Training Programs: 12-month modular leadership training program consisting of 12 modules covering competencies such as planning & organization, communication, team leadership, decision-making, employee development, emotional leadership, corporate culture, healthy leadership, persuasion, goal-oriented leadership, innovation, and negotiation & conflict. Training is offered both in-house and publicly.
2. License Partnership Fees: Revenue generated from licensing the INSIGHTS MDI® Akademie brand, methodology, and profiling tools to regional partners who operate their own academies. Licensees receive exclusive rights to offer the 12-module training program, coaching, and profiling tools in their designated territories.
3. Executive Coaching: Individual and team coaching services for executives, management, project leaders, and team members, addressing professional personality development, leadership tasks, crisis and conflict analysis, and self-reflection. Often combined with Zenger-Folkman methodology.
4. Sales Training: Sales training programs for sales employees and executives, focusing on recognizing and utilizing personal sales potential, developing customer-tailored sales strategies, and achieving measurable improvements in sales results.
5. Communication and Team Training: Training programs focusing on emotional intelligence techniques, type-based customer and employee communication, and characteristics of top-performing teams.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

INSIGHTS MDI® Akademie delivers leadership development and competency diagnostics for small and medium-sized enterprises (KMUs) in the German-speaking market. Its core offering combines proprietary profiling tools (INSIGHTS MDI®, ASSESS by SCHEELEN®, RELIEF by SCHEELEN®, Zenger | Folkman) with a 12-month modular leadership training program, executive coaching, sales training, communication training, personnel selection, and employer branding services.

Product overview

INSIGHTS MDI® Akademie is a leadership academy offering a portfolio of diagnostic tools and training programs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The core platform consists of four proprietary diagnostic instruments: INSIGHTS MDI® (a holistic personality and talent assessment measuring behavior, motives, and emotional intelligence), ASSESS by SCHEELEN® (competency measurement tools for recruitment and leadership development), RELIEF by SCHEELEN® (stress prevention and performance sustainability analysis), and Zenger | Folkman (leadership competency analysis based on 360° feedback research). These diagnostic tools are bundled with a modular 12-module leadership training program that delivers competency development over 12 months based on individual analysis results. Additional offerings include sales training, communication and team training, executive coaching, personnel selection consulting, and employer branding services. The academy operates through a network of regional license partners across Germany and Switzerland, with the main headquarters in Waldshut-Tiengen. The company is part of the SCHEELEN® Group, which has over 30 years of experience in leadership development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• INSIGHTS MDI® A holistic diagnostic instrument for talent recognition and potential development. It measures behavior, motives, and emotional intelligence to provide a scientifically grounded basis for recruitment, talent management, and identification of leadership potential.
• ASSESS by SCHEELEN® Scientifically founded competency measurement tools that help companies define competencies required for their success, compare them with employee competencies and job applicants, and develop satisfied, effective teams.
• RELIEF by SCHEELEN® Stress prevention tool that supports people in maintaining their performance and enthusiasm for their job, locating health risks, and implementing meaningful stress prevention measures. Provides a clear picture of subjectively perceived stress sources and workplace-specific burdens.
• Zenger | Folkman Scientifically founded method that filters a set of 16 competencies that distinguish outstanding leaders from good ones and have a positive influence on important business parameters, based on hundreds of thousands of 360° feedback analyses.
• Führungskräfteausbildung (12-Module Leadership Training) 12-month leadership training program with 12 modules covering planning & organization/self-management, communication, team leadership, decision strength, employee development, emotional leadership, corporate culture, healthy leadership, persuasion, goal-oriented leadership, innovation, and negotiation & conflict. Based on INSIGHTS MDI® and ASSESS by SCHEELEN® competency analysis.
• Vertriebstrainings (Sales Training)

Quantifiable outcome

• Participants report improved delegation, employee leadership, and decision-making skills
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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.

• Zenger | FolkmancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCHEELEN® Group is the exclusive partner of Zenger | Folkman in the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). This partnership provides access to the scientifically grounded Zenger | Folkman methodology for leadership development, which filters a set of 16 competencies that distinguish outstanding leaders from good ones, based on hundreds of thousands of 360° feedback analyses.
• wispominorOthersCooperation partner listed on the 'Wie wir arbeiten' (How We Work) page. Nature of partnership not detailed in available sources.
• Unternehmer BeratungminorOthersCooperation partner listed on the 'Wie wir arbeiten' (How We Work) page. Nature of partnership not detailed in available sources.
• SchmidtcollegminorOthersCooperation partner listed on the 'Wie wir arbeiten' (How We Work) page. Nature of partnership not detailed in available sources.
• MSSGminorOthersCooperation partner listed on the 'Wie wir arbeiten' (How We Work) page. Nature of partnership not detailed in available sources.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Gallup: Global analytics and advisory firm whose CliftonStrengths and leadership assessment products are widely used in coaching and development programs — comparable on the assessment-led leadership development axis but broader in scope.
• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with leadership development, talent assessment, and executive coaching practices operating as part of a much broader portfolio — comparable on the leadership development and assessment dimensions, but with broader scope and global scale.

Direct peers

• Cegos: Global training and leadership development group offering open enrollment and customized leadership programs across multiple geographies — directly comparable in modular leadership curricula and SME/mid-market enterprise delivery.
• SHL: Psychometric assessment and talent measurement provider with a strong leadership development practice — comparable to IMDI's diagnostic-plus-coaching stack, particularly around competency measurement for selection and development.
• Dale Carnegie Training: Long-established leadership, communication, and sales training franchise with a global licensee network — closely comparable to IMDI's franchise-style delivery of proprietary leadership content to SMEs and individuals.
• Assessio: German-Scandinavian provider of competency-based assessment tools for recruitment and leadership development — closely comparable to IMDI's ASSESS by SCHEELEN® and INSIGHTS MDI® diagnostic instruments within the DACH market.
• Development Dimensions International (DDI): Leadership development and assessment firm offering competency-based diagnostics and leadership programs to mid-market and enterprise clients — highly comparable in combining proprietary assessment instruments with leadership training delivery.
• FranklinCovey: Global leadership and execution training provider with proprietary methodology-based programs (e.g., '7 Habits') sold through enterprise channels and licensed facilitators — directly comparable to IMDI's 12-module leadership curriculum and license partner model targeting SMEs.
• LHH (Lee Hecht Harrison): Talent development and outplacement firm offering leadership coaching, assessment, and career transition services — comparable to IMDI's coaching, personnel selection, and leadership development offerings for mid-market clients.

Regional players

• Haufe Akademie: Leading German training provider offering management, leadership, and HR development programs primarily to German-speaking SMEs and mid-market clients — directly comparable on curriculum, target market, and delivery model, though broader in topic coverage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/insights-mdi-akademie

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries4 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 INSIGHTS MDI® Akademie