isb GmbH Systemische Professionalität

What isb GmbH Systemische Professionalität does

isb GmbH Systemische Professionalität, founded in 1984 by Dr. Bernd Schmid and headquartered in Heidelberg since relocating from Wiesloch in 2024, is a German private limited company (GmbH) specializing in systemic consulting, coaching, and organizational development training. The institute operates multi-day professional development curricula — Basis-Curriculum and Fortgeschrittenen-Curriculum at €10,800+VAT per 18-day program, with Selbsterfahrung modules at €1,600+VAT per 4-day session — serving internal consultants, HR and OD professionals, external coaches, executives, and young professionals across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Its core technology stack consists of proprietary systemic frameworks (Antreiber, Dreiecksvertrag, Drei-Welten-Modell, Perspektive-Ereignis-Modell) developed by Dr. Bernd Schmid, the isb campus digital learning platform containing 40+ years of accumulated content, and AI-augmented products including isbGPT (a custom ChatGPT sparring partner with a "Rollenkompass" feature) and nodium.ai (an AI-supported consultant-client matching platform launched in 2025 by Thorsten Veith and Ludwig Kannicht).

The revenue model is primarily based on tuition for multi-day curricula sold through direct enrollment via the isb-w.eu website and a customer service team, supplemented by InhouseCurricula contracts to large enterprises and mid-market organizations, paid workshops and short seminars (KurzCurricula, ExecutiveCircle, MasterClass), and participation fees for community events including PionierLabor, Symposium isb Nord, OpenInnovation, and KI-Forum. A lifelong network membership for ~6,000 alumni creates durable community-driven word-of-mouth referral dynamics. Curricula are accredited by both the Deutscher Bundesverband Coaching (DBVC) and the International Organization for Business Coaching (IOBC), and in 2025 the institute earned the Gütesiegel der Weiterbildung Hessen e.V., unlocking Bildungsurlaub (state-funded educational leave) eligibility. Leadership comprises Dr. Bernd Schmid (Managing Shareholder) and Thorsten Veith (Head); the company is privately held without external funding, employs approximately 30 people, and runs an associated Schmid Stiftung for pro bono work alongside partners including pro bono Allianz Deutschland and the gws Forum.

Name

isb GmbH Systemische Professionalität

Legal name

isb GmbH Systemische Professionalität

Website

https://isb-w.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

isb GmbH Systemische Professionalität is a 40-year-old German systemic consulting institute founded by Dr. Bernd Schmid, offering accredited curricula, coaching certification, and AI-augmented professional development to internal consultants, HR/OD professionals, coaches, and executives across the DACH region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Development & Systemic Consulting Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Foundational PM & Delivery Methods (Waterfall/Agile/Hybrid) (EDABAHAA)

Keywords

• Systemic consulting training
• Professional development curricula
• Organizational development coaching
• Leadership education programs
• Executive coaching certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Heidelberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Development Curricula: Multi-day professional training programs (Basis-Curriculum and Fortgeschrittenen-Curriculum) offered at €10,800 + VAT each for 18 days of instruction. Selbsterfahrung (self-experience seminars) at €1,600 + VAT per 4-day session. Payments typically split between first and fourth module.
2. Young Professionals Programs: Reduced pricing for young professionals at €7,650 + VAT (full position) or €5,100 + VAT (self-payers without full position). Selbsterfahrung for this segment priced at €1,100 + VAT or €770 + VAT for self-payers.
3. Single Seminars and Workshops: Individual seminars, orientation days, and short curricula (KurzCurricula) offered as standalone offerings. ExecutiveCircle and MasterClass programs for specialized professional development.
4. InhouseCurricula: Customized training programs delivered within client organizations. Tailored professional development for teams and organizational capacity building.
5. Event Participation: Revenue from network events including PionierLabor, Symposium isb Nord, OpenInnovation, and KI-Forum which attract alumni and external professionals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

isb GmbH Systemische Professionalität is a professional development institute that delivers multi-day systemic consulting, coaching, organizational development, and leadership curricula to professionals and organizations in the DACH region. Its core offerings are the Basis-Curriculum and Fortgeschrittenen-Curriculum (each 18 days across 6 modules), complemented by Selbsterfahrung self-experience seminars, KurzCurricula short programs, ExecutiveCircle and MasterClass tracks, and customized InhouseCurricula delivered inside client organizations. The institute also operates the isb campus digital learning platform, the isb Netzwerk lifelong alumni community of approximately 6,000 members, and AI tools isbGPT and nodium.ai for systemic consulting support and professional matching.

Product overview

isb GmbH Systemische Professionalität is a systemic consulting and professional development institute offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services. The core offering consists of multiple Curricula programs (Basis and Fortgeschrittenen levels) spanning systemic consulting, coaching, organizational development, and leadership — including named programs like Systemische Beratung und Leadership (SB), Systemische Organisationsentwicklung (SOE), Systemisches Coaching (CO), and Systemische Kompetenz für Young Professionals (YP). The ecosystem includes: isb campus (digital learning platform and knowledge archive with 40+ years of content), isb Netzwerk (professional network of ~6000 alumni), and isbGPT/nodium.ai (AI-powered tools for consulting support and professional matching). Add-on offerings include Selbsterfahrung seminars, ExecutiveCircle, MasterClass, InhouseCurricula, various short curricula (KurzCurricula), and specialized events (PionierLabor, Symposium isb Nord, OpenInnovation, KI-Forum). The institute operates from Heidelberg with a teaching/training focus on systemic consulting approaches.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• isbGPT: AI-powered sparring partner for systemic-integrative reflection, development and consulting, launched in summer 2023
• isb campus
• nodium.ai

Products and services

• Basis-Curriculum and Fortgeschrittenen-Curriculum Multi-day systemic consulting and professional development programs at €10,800 + VAT each, spanning 18 days (6 three-day modules) per curriculum. Includes named programs Systemische Beratung und Leadership (SB), Systemische Organisationsentwicklung/Change & Transformation (SOE), Systemisches Coaching und Teamentwicklung (CO), and Systemische Kompetenz für Young Professionals (YP). Certification levels run from Basis to Qualifiziert to Master; designed for HR professionals, internal consultants, OD specialists, and self-employed coaches/consultants seeking DBVC- and IOBC-recognized certification.
• Selbsterfahrung (Self-Experience Seminars) 4-day personal development seminars offered alongside the curricula at €1,600 + VAT per session (€1,100 + VAT or €770 + VAT for Young Professionals). Topics include Leadership Dynamics, Team Dynamics, Integration und persönliche Reifung, Professionalität und Persönlichkeit, and Träume/Visionen und Lebensskript. Recommended to be taken alongside curricula.
• isb campus Digital learning platform and archive containing over 40 years of isb knowledge, including writings (Schriften), audio, video, event recordings, didactic materials, and curriculum companion materials. Features an open-source policy with access for alumni and registered users.
• isb Netzwerk & Netzwerkforum Professional network of approximately 6,000 isb alumni providing lifelong access to the networking platform, events, and peer groups. Includes a moderated Netzwerkforum for professional exchange and ongoing networking opportunities.
• InhouseCurricula Customized in-house training programs and team qualification delivered within client organizations under their own organizational roof, tailored for organizational development, change management, and leadership development initiatives.
• ExecutiveCircle Specialized program format for entrepreneurs, executives, and top management focused on company development. Next start April 2025.
• KurzCurricula (Short Curricula) Short programs including 'Teams 3x3' for systemic team work (starting November 2025), plus specialized seminars on topics such as succession, resistance in transformation, and career/life transitions.
• MasterClass Advanced program requiring 2 years of prior experience and personal interview; part of the Master certificate pathway for senior practitioners.
• Digitale Learning Sessions Digital learning sessions offered as a complement to in-person seminars in isb's curriculum programs.
• isbGPT AI chatbot and sparring partner for systemic-integrative reflection, development and consulting. Available via OpenAI ChatGPT as a custom GPT, featuring a 'Rollenkompass' (roles compass) for modular role architecture in dialogue.
• nodium.ai AI-supported platform for matching professional consultants with clients. Developed by Thorsten Veith and Ludwig Kannicht. Implements the 'Partners in Prime' concept for finding fitting professional support for consulting projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• Dual certification through DBVC and IOBC provides professional credential recognized internationally

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Deutscher Bundesverband Coaching e.V. (DBVC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerisb curricula are officially recognized by DBVC, Germany's leading coaching association. This recognition provides graduates with professional credentials valued in the German coaching market.
• International Organization for Business Coaching e.V. (IOBC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerisb curricula are additionally certified by IOBC, providing international professional recognition alongside DBVC certification.
• nodium.aicoreTechnology or IntegrationAI-powered platform developed by isb leaders Thorsten Veith and Ludwig Kannicht for matching clients with appropriate consultants and coaching professionals. Represents isb's innovation in AI applications for professional services.
• Schmid StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation associated with Dr. Bernd Schmid, focused on societal contribution and pro bono work. Active in regional transformation initiatives including participation in Darmstädter Tage der Transformation and pro bono Allianz Deutschland.
• Schrader StiftungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Darmstädter Tage der Transformation (Darmstadt Days of Transformation), a multi-year collaboration focused on sustainable development topics.
• pro bono Allianz DeutschlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of pro bono providers initiated by Deutsche Stiftung für Ehrenamt und Engagement (DSEE) and implemented through Unternehmensnetzwerk UPJ. Schmid Stiftung is a member.
• gws ForumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual forum addressing topics like polarization, dialogue, and organizational transformation. Serves as platform for thought leadership and professional networking.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• osb International: Berlin-based systemic management consulting firm founded by Fritz B. Simon. Directly comparable to isb in the systemic consulting/OD space, offering training, coaching and organisational development for corporate clients across Europe.
• INEA: German institute for systemic consulting and training offering curricula in coaching, supervision and organisational development. Closely comparable to isb in audience (coaches, HR, OD professionals) and certification pathways.
• Metaplan: German systemic strategy and innovation consultancy founded in the 1980s and historically based in Wiesloch. Comparable to isb in systemic methodology, corporate clientele, and DACH focus, with overlapping practices in organisational strategy and consulting training.
• Trigon Entwicklungsberatung: Austrian systemic organisational development consulting firm serving DACH enterprises. Comparable to isb in systemic methodology, leadership and team development offerings, and corporate training focus.

Regional players

• SGMI Management Institut St. Gallen: Swiss management education institute offering executive programs in leadership, strategy and organisational transformation. Comparable to isb in executive-level professional development and systemic leadership training, but based in Switzerland rather than Germany.
• WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management: Top-ranked German business school offering executive education, MBA and customised corporate programs. Comparable to isb in serving enterprise L&D and leadership development needs, but WHU operates as an academic institution with a broader portfolio.
• Tavistock Consulting: UK-headquartered systemic and psychodynamic consultancy serving international corporate clients. Comparable methodology (systems-psychodynamic) and consulting/coaching training, though primarily serves a different geography than isb.

Broad incumbents

• Steinbeis: German education and consulting organisation with a broad network of Steinbeis Centres focused on knowledge transfer between academia and business. Overlaps with isb in corporate training and consulting, but on a much larger and more diversified scale.
• Haufe Akademie: Large German corporate training provider offering a broad catalogue of professional development, HR and leadership programs. Overlaps with isb in corporate L&D and certification, but covers a much wider portfolio of topics rather than specialising in systemic methodology.
• Kienbaum: Established German leadership and HR consulting firm offering executive development, coaching and organisational consulting. Comparable to isb in leadership development and HR audience, though Kienbaum operates as a broader management consultancy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ISBlearning
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/isb-gmbh-systemische-professionalit%C3%A4t

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 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 isb GmbH Systemische Professionalität