ISBW gGmbH

What ISBW gGmbH does

ISBW gGmbH (Institut für Sozialforschung und berufliche Weiterbildung gGmbH) is a German non-profit limited liability company headquartered in Neustrelitz, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, operating as a state-recognized continuing education institution (Staatlich anerkannte Einrichtung der Weiterbildung) and free youth welfare provider (freier Träger der Jugendhilfe). Founded in 1991 as a branch of Berliner ISB e.V. and established as an independent entity on October 26, 1996, ISBW serves a multi-segment audience across Mecklenburg-Vorpommern including vocational trainees in nursing and education, working social-sector professionals, regional employers, families, children (via two kindergartens), people with disabilities (via EUTB counseling), and civic volunteers.

The organization delivers an integrated portfolio spanning state-recognized vocational training (Pflegefachfrau/-mann, educator preparation, retraining programs), continuing education specializations (Palliative Care, Praxisanleitung, Verantwortliche Pflegefachkraft), corporate consulting including its proprietary AUDiT work-life balance certification (offered at four quality levels), Positive Leadership workshops, organizational development, and change management. Family services are delivered through Familienhafen centers in Waren, Neubrandenburg, and Greifswald, alongside the state-level FamiliesInfo MV information portal. ISBW also operates Kita SpielZeiT in Neustrelitz and is developing Kita Wiesenkind in Wesenberg. Its technology infrastructure is a standard WordPress CMS with Elementor page builder and Koko Analytics — no proprietary technology stack.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model: tuition from vocational and continuing education courses (state-recognized qualifications), project-based consulting fees for AUDiT certifications and corporate leadership programs, kindergarten parent fees, and a substantial portion from publicly funded projects under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), state ministry budgets (Ministerium für Soziales, Gesundheit und Sport MV), and federal programs (BMAS, including the rückenwind+ program). Go-to-market is primarily community-led and event-driven — five regional offices host in-person training, workshops, and coaching; ISBW participates in regional career fairs (Berufsmesse), volunteer fairs (Ehrenamtsmessen), and professional conferences, with supplementary digital presence on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. The organization is led by Managing Director Grit Thiede-Reichel and is privately held under German non-profit (gemeinnützig) status with no parent company, venture capital, or external investor ownership identified.

Name

ISBW gGmbH

Legal name

Institut für Sozialforschung und berufliche Weiterbildung gGmbH

Website

https://isbw.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ISBW gGmbH is a German non-profit social research and continuing education institute headquartered in Neustrelitz, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, delivering state-recognized vocational training, corporate consulting, family services, and kindergarten operations across five regional offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Neustrelitz

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vocational Education and Training: State-recognized vocational training programs in nursing and child education, including initial training and retraining programs leading to state- recognized qualifications.
2. Professional Continuing Education: Practical further education and specializations for professionals in social occupations, including courses in care assistance, practice supervision, palliative care, and responsible nursing management.
3. Organizational Consulting Services: Consulting for companies on employer attractiveness, employee retention, leadership, organizational development, and change management. Includes AUDiT certification process for work-life balance.
4. Family Education and Support Services: Family education programs, counseling, and support services for families, children, and individuals in challenging life situations through Familienhafen locations.
5. EU/Government Funded Projects: European Social Fund (ESF) and state-funded projects including 'Stark. Für Familien.', 'Positive Leadership', 'BELL', 'SilverSurfer', 'MitMachZentrale', and other social programs.
6. Kita Operations: Operation of kindergartens (Kita SpielZeiT, Kita Wiesenkind) providing childcare services for families in Neustrelitz and Wesenberg regions.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ISBW gGmbH is a non-profit social research and professional development institute that delivers state-recognized vocational training and continuing education for nursing, child education, and social professions; organizational and leadership consulting (including AUDiT work-life balance certification) for companies; family education programs through Familienhafen centers; participation counseling (EUTB) for people with disabilities; volunteer coordination; senior digital education (SilverSurfer); and operating kindergartens in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.

Product overview

ISBW gGmbH is a multi-service social research and professional development institute operating as a unified organization rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Its portfolio spans continuing education (Weiterbildung) and vocational training (Ausbildung) for nursing and education professions, corporate consulting solutions including AUDiT certification and Positive Leadership programs, kindergarten advisory services (Kita-Fachberatung), family education centers (Familienhafen), integration and participation counseling (EUTB), volunteer coordination (MitMachZentrale), and senior digital education (SilverSurfer). The organization also operates two kindergartens (Kita SpielZeiT and Kita Wiesenkind) and runs numerous ESF-funded projects addressing work-life balance, burnout prevention, digital transformation, and lifelong learning. The various products and services share a common focus on social welfare, education, and community support across the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Familienhafen: Family education centers providing educational programs, counseling, and community activities for families in Neustrelitz, Waren, and Neubrandenburg locations.
• MitMachZentrale MSE
• EUTB am ISBW
• Positive Leadership (PoLe)
• Kita SpielZeiT
• Kita Wiesenkind
• DigiLAB
• SilverSurfer

Products and services

• Vocational Training (Ausbildung)
• Continuing Education (Weiterbildung)
• Corporate Solutions (Unternehmenslösungen)
• AUDiT Certification (Audit Erwerbs- und Privatleben)
• Positive Leadership (PoLe)
• Kita-Fachberatung (Daycare Advisory)
• Familienhafen (Family Harbor)
• Stark. Für Familien. (Integration Project)
• EUTB (Ergänzende unabhängige Teilhabeberatung)
• MitMachZentrale MSE (Volunteer Center)
• SilverSurfer Program
• Kita SpielZeiT
• Kita Wiesenkind
• BurnOn-Quartett
• DigiLAB
• Toolbox Unternehmenserfolg MV

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 35 years of service to the community since founding
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Maxi – Beratungsstelle für sexualisierte Gewalt (Quo Vadis e. V.)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Collaboration on project day 'Mein Körper – meine Liebe – meine Rechte' for employees of Lebenshilfswerk Waren workshop for people with disabilities.
• Präventionsberatung HIV/STI des GesundheitsamtesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Collaboration partner in the project day on self-determination and sexual health for people with disabilities, alongside ISBW's EUTB consulting center.
• Beauftragte für die Belange behinderter MenschenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Collaboration partner in the project day on self-determination and sexual health for people with disabilities, alongside ISBW's EUTB consulting center.
• Verband der Bildungsunternehmen MV e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024ISBW is a founding member of the Association of Educational Companies Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Verband der Bildungsunternehmen MV e.V.), established in January 2024. The association advocates for the interests of educational companies, addresses bureaucratic hurdles, and promotes recognition of vocational education as essential for the future of the federal state.
• AWO (Arbeiterwohlfahrt) Mecklenburg-VorpommernminorOthersAWO volunteer coordinators participated in the Ehrenamtskonferenz (volunteer conference) MV alongside ISBW and other organizations to discuss strategies for strengthening volunteer engagement in the district.
• DRK (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz) Mecklenburg-VorpommernminorOthersDRK volunteer coordinators participated in the Ehrenamtskonferenz (volunteer conference) MV alongside ISBW and other organizations to discuss strategies for strengthening volunteer engagement in the district.
• Hochschule NeubrandenburgminorOthersHochschule Neubrandenburg participated in the Ehrenamtskonferenz MV. Also hosting venue for the Fachtag 'Engagementförderung & Ehrenamt MSE' on October 29, 2026.
• Schenkladen Penzlin (Allerhand in alle Hände)minorOthersSustainability-oriented partner where Akti(F)plus project participants visit to find and donate used items. Supports the project's goals of resource conservation and social engagement.
• Ausbildungsverbund Generalistische PflegeminorOthersISBW participates in the training association for generalist nursing education, meeting regularly with partner institutions to discuss current training status.
• Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband Mecklenburg-Vorpommern e. V.minorOthersISBW's managing director Grit Thiede-Reichel serves on the advisory board of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband MV, which focuses on volunteer issues.
• FamiliesInfo MV / FamilienInfo MVminorOthersISBW operates the FamiliesInfo MV portal as part of its family support services, providing statewide information about family support services.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BBQ Berufliche Bildung gGmbH: Non-profit provider of vocational retraining, continuing education and corporate upskilling with a focus on Pflege, social occupations and integration; comparable to ISBW's Ausbildung, Weiterbildung and Stark. Für Familien integration work.
• Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband Mecklenburg-Vorpommern e.V. Umbrella welfare association with member organisations in MV delivering family education, volunteer coordination, participation counseling and youth welfare services; ISBW's managing director sits on its advisory board and the bodies overlap heavily in service scope.
• DAA Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie: Major German education non-profit delivering state-recognised vocational training, retraining, and continuing education in social and healthcare occupations; directly comparable peer in Pflege Ausbildung and Weiterbildung for social occupations.
• AWO Soziale Dienste Bezirk Neubrandenburg/Mecklenburg-Strelitz: Regional welfare provider operating youth welfare, family support, Kita and volunteer coordination services across MV; directly comparable to ISBW's freier Träger der Jugendhilfe scope, Familienhafen and Kita operations.
• bfz (Berufliche Fortbildungszentren der Bayerischen Wirtschaft): Non-profit vocational education and training provider under the Bavarian employers' associations, offering state-recognised vocational retraining, continuing education and corporate consulting across Germany; directly comparable to ISBW's state-recognised Pflege Ausbildung, Umschulung, and betriebliche Weiterbildung offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Caritas Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: Large Catholic welfare organisation delivering family support, nursing-related vocational training, and social-occupation Weiterbildung across MV; a broader incumbent that overlaps with ISBW's Ausbildung, family education and corporate AUDiT advocacy.
• DEKRA Akademie: Large nationwide operator of vocational retraining, Pflege and continuing education programs with state recognition; overlaps with ISBW's vocational nursing training and career-changer Umschulung portfolio at far greater national scale.

Regional players

• Volkshochschulen (e.g., Volkshochschule Mecklenburgische Seenplatte): Public adult education centres (Volkshochschulen) deliver state-recognised continuing education and family-orientated programs; the VHS Mecklenburgische Seenplatte operates in the same geography as ISBW with overlapping family education and adult Weiterbildung services.

Others

• Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Rostock: Federally funded digital transformation centre partnering with ISBW on the Toolbox Unternehmenserfolg MV SME-support tools; comparable as a publicly funded SME advisory and digital-upskilling infrastructure provider with overlap to ISBW's corporate consulting.
• Ausbildungsverbund Pflege Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: Training association for generalist nursing education in MV in which ISBW is a participant; relevant ecosystem partner that convenes competing and complementary Pflege Ausbildung providers across the state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/isbwggmbh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/isbw-ggmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/isbw_neustrelitz

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries6 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 ISBW gGmbH