What MINT-EC does

MINT-EC is a German non-profit association (Verein mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlicher Excellence-Center an Schulen e.V.) founded in 2000 and headquartered in Berlin. It operates the national excellence network for STEM-certified secondary schools (Gymnasien/Sekundarstufe II) in Germany, formally endorsed by the Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK). The organization serves certified member schools, their students (ages ~14-19), teachers, school administrators, and an alumni community, connecting them with a partner ecosystem that includes Siemens, Deutsche Bahn, the Dr. Hans Riegel-Stiftung, Boeing, Mennekes, and multiple German universities (TU Dresden, JLU Gießen, Fraunhofer IME, FH Südwestfalen, Uni Mainz, Uni Ilmenau).

Name

MINT-EC

Legal name

Verein mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlicher Excellence-Center an Schulen e.V.

Website

https://mint-ec.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MINT-EC is a Berlin-based non-profit association operating Germany's national excellence network for STEM-certified secondary schools, certifying member schools and connecting students, teachers, and administrators with universities and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education Network Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

akta.pro primary industry

Credentialing, Digital Badges & Micro-Credential Platforms (EDAFADAF)

Keywords

• STEM education network
• School certification program
• STEM enrichment programs
• Teacher professional development
• Non-profit education association

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Association Membership and Sponsorship: MINT-EC is a registered non-profit association (Verein mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlicher Excellence-Center an Schulen e.V.). Revenue is generated through a combination of membership fees from affiliated schools, public funding, and sponsorship from corporate partners including Siemens, the Dr. Hans Riegel-Stiftung, and others.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MINT-EC operates a national excellence network that certifies German secondary schools with outstanding STEM (MINT) profiles and delivers a portfolio of programs, events, and credentials to students, teachers, and school administrators at member schools. The flagship offering is the MINT-EC-Zertifikat awarded to graduating students, alongside an events calendar (camps, Zukunftsforum, Digital Insights, Schulleitungstagung), teacher professional development clusters, an alumni network, and senior-expert mentorship programs.

Product overview

MINT-EC operates as a national excellence network for STEM (MINT) schools in Germany, functioning as a platform connecting certified schools, students, teachers, and school administrators through a portfolio of programs and events. The core offerings include the school network and certification program (MINT-EC-Schulen, MINT-EC-Zertifikat), event-based programs (MINT-EC-Camps, MINT-EC-Zukunftsforum, MINT-EC-Schulleitungstagung), digital offerings (Digital Insights), ongoing networks (MINT-EC-Alumni, Senior Experts), professional development (MINT-EC-Themencluster, MINT-EC-Schriftenreihe), and student publication opportunities (MINT-ECho). The network is coordinated by a Berlin-based association (Verein MINT-EC) and supported by partners including think ING., Dr. Hans Riegel-Stiftung, and Siemens.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MINT-EC School Network Membership and Certification (MINT-EC-Schulen) National excellence network membership for German secondary schools (Gymnasium / Sekundarstufe II) with outstanding STEM (MINT) profiles. Schools apply, undergo a certification review, and are re-certified every five years to maintain network status and access to programs, events, and partnerships.
• MINT-EC-Zertifikat (Certificate Program) Nationally recognized certificate awarded to graduating students of MINT-EC member schools who meet defined STEM engagement criteria. Available at three performance tiers: 'mit Erfolg', 'mit besonderem Erfolg', and 'mit Auszeichnung'. Recognized by German universities and scholarship providers.
• MINT-EC-Camps Residential and day camps for students hosted at universities and research institutions across Germany, covering topics such as particle physics, sustainable construction, steel industry transformation, and robotics. Open to students at MINT-EC member schools.
• Digital Insights Digital program offerings including 'Digital Insights. Zusammen für deine Zukunft' for students and 'Digital Insights. Lounge' for teachers, providing online events, workshops, and career guidance delivered via the MINT-EC network platform.
• MINT-EC-Zukunftsforum Annual flagship career-orientation event for MINT students, featuring university visits, workshops, and networking opportunities with industry partners. Most recent edition held at TU Dresden in March 2026.
• MINT-EC-Alumni Network Alumni network for former MINT-EC students who have earned the MINT-EC certificate, offering continued engagement with the MINT community through events, insights, mentoring current students, and serving as camp escorts.
• Senior Experts Program Program connecting experienced STEM professionals with MINT-EC schools to provide mentorship, real-world industry perspective, and guidance to students and teachers at member schools.
• MINT-EC-Themencluster (Teacher Topic Clusters) Topic-based clusters organizing professional development and knowledge exchange for STEM teachers at MINT-EC member schools in specific focus areas.
• MINT-ECho (Student Publication Program) Program enabling students at MINT-EC member schools to publish scientific texts, interviews, comics, podcasts, or videos, sharing their research and reflections with the broader MINT-EC community.
• MINT-EC-Schulleitungstagung (School Leadership Conference) Annual conference for school principals and leadership at MINT-EC member schools to discuss STEM education strategy, network with peers, and learn about new developments in the MINT-EC network.
• MINT-EC Schulwettbewerb 'Schule schafft Zukunft' (School Competition) Annual school competition organized by the Dr. Hans Riegel-Stiftung, awarding top-performing MINT-EC member schools for sustainability and STEM project work.
• MINT-EC-Akademie (e.g., CAMMP week) Academy programs providing intensive research experiences where students work on real scientific problems using computational methods (e.g., CAMMP week — Computational and Mathematical Modeling Program).

Quantifiable outcome

• Awarded to graduating students; eases access to scholarships and university programs in Germany.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SiemenscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSiemens is a key corporate partner of MINT-EC, collaborating on Digital Insights events and other STEM programs. Siemens provides industry expertise, content, and event sponsorship to the network.
• Dr. Hans Riegel-StiftungcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Dr. Hans Riegel-Stiftung operates the annual MINT-EC school competition 'Schule schafft Zukunft' and sponsors the TouchTomorrow mobile tech truck. The foundation also funds the MINT-EC certificate program and student awards.
• Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKMK is the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany. It officially endorses and supports the MINT-EC network as the national excellence school network for STEM education.
• think ING.minorGTM or Marketing Partnerthink ING. is part of the employer federation and provides MINT career orientation programs and resources for students within the MINT-EC network.
• GESA (Gewerblich-Technische Schulen Ausbildungsförderungswerk)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGESA contributes offerings for MINT-EC students related to technical education and vocational training pathways.
• Fraunhofer Institut IME (Schmallenberg)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Fraunhofer Institute IME in Schmallenberg hosts student excursions from MINT-EC schools (e.g., Gymnasium Maria Königin and Gymnasium der Stadt Lennestadt) with a focus on promoting women in STEM careers.
• Universität SiegenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Siegen collaborates with MINT-EC member schools (Gymnasium der Stadt Lennestadt, Gymnasium Maria Königin) on student labs, MINT on Tour programs, and subject-specific projects.
• Universität Gießen (JLU / Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJLU Gießen partners with MINT-EC schools (Goetheschule Wetzlar, Liebigschule) on projects including the 'Gießener Jugendliche forschen' (GiJufo) science festival, biology research programs, and the MILeNa teacher training initiative.
• Fachhochschule Südwestfalen (FH Südwestfalen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFH Südwestfalen hosts MINT-EC camps and lab days for students from member schools, providing hands-on engineering and technology workshops.
• ViegaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerViega, a regional industrial company, partners with MINT-EC schools in the Sauerland region (Gymnasium der Stadt Lennestadt, Gymnasium Maria Königin) to sponsor and co-host MINT camps.
• Hochschule Rhein-MainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Rhein-Main University of Applied Sciences collaborates with MINT-EC schools (Max-Planck-Schule Rüsselsheim) on joint MINT camps, student workshops, and career orientation programs.
• TRACTO-Technik GmbH & Co. KGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTRACTO-Technik sponsors MINT camps at Gymnasium der Stadt Lennestadt and contributes to engineering and technology-focused student programs.
• MennekesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMennekes, an electrical engineering company, contributes to MINT camps at Gymnasium der Stadt Lennestadt with workshops on e-mobility and electrical technology.
• Deutsche Bahn (DB)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDeutsche Bahn partners with MINT-EC schools (Anna-Schmidt-Schule Frankfurt) on summer school programs and dual study pathway information for students.
• Air LiquideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAir Liquide provides chemical research insight workshops for students at MINT-EC schools (Gymnasium Riedberg) as part of the Rhein-Main school partnership.
• BoeingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoeing collaborates with MINT-EC schools (Martin-Niemöller-Schule Wiesbaden) on an aerospace-related program as part of the Rhein-Main school partnership.
• VDI (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDI supports MINT-EC schools (Max-Planck-Schule Rüsselsheim) with professional expertise, engineering-related programs, and student excursions.
• Stiftung FIT (Stiftung für angewandte Forschung, Innovation und Transfer)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerStiftung FIT, funded by entrepreneur Dr. Wolfgang Lust, provides annual scholarships (12,000 EUR total) to academically outstanding MINT-interested Abiturienten from Goetheschule Wetzlar and Liebigschule Gießen.
• ZFC / Zentrum für ChemieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center for Chemistry (ZFC), supported by LEA Hessen, runs the 'Erfinderlabor' (Inventors' Laboratory) for upper secondary students at Philipps-Universität Marburg and CSL Innovation GmbH, involving MINT-EC schools across Hesse.
• Unternehmerverbände Südhessen / HessenmetallminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Southern Hesse Employers' Associations and Hessenmetall support MINT-EC schools (Max-Planck-Schule Rüsselsheim) with the 'MINTerleben' event, connecting students with companies and universities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Joachim Herz Stiftung: German foundation funding STEM education, teacher training, and youth talent development programs. Comparable as a complementary funder and operator of MINT-related school and teacher programs in Germany.
• Stifterverband: Joint association of German industry foundations funding education, science, and innovation, including MINT-related programs. Comparable as an adjacent STEM education funder and policy shaper in the same ecosystem.
• Wissenschaft im Dialog: German non-profit promoting dialogue between science and society, running student competitions and science communication programs. Comparable as a STEM-outreach organization engaging schools, students, and teachers in Germany.
• Siemens Stiftung: Education-focused foundation of Siemens AG operating international STEM school programs (e.g., Experimento). Comparable as a corporate-foundation STEM education initiative with school partnerships in Germany.

Direct peers

• Haus der kleinen Forscher: Germany-wide foundation supporting STEM education in early childhood and primary schools with certified programs for educators. Comparable as a STEM school/educator network in the German ecosystem, though focused on younger age groups than MINT-EC.
• MINT Zukunft schaffen: National German initiative that certifies schools as 'MINT-freundliche Schule' and 'Digitale Schule' in cooperation with industry and KMK. Most directly comparable because both organizations run tiered, Germany-wide STEM school certification schemes backed by corporate partners.
• Science on Stage Deutschland: European/German STEM teacher network producing teaching materials, peer-exchange events, and an annual festival. Comparable because it targets the same teacher and school audience and offers professional development resources in MINT subjects.
• Lernort Labor: Germany-wide network of school labs at universities and research institutes that host STEM student experiments and teacher PD. Comparable in offering out-of-classroom STEM enrichment and acting as the connective tissue between schools and research institutions.

Broad incumbents

• think ING. VDMA-led career orientation program for engineering and technology professions, already a MINT-EC partner. Comparable as it overlaps with MINT-EC's career-orientation mission for secondary students and uses school-channel distribution.

Regional players

• STEM Learning UK: UK national STEM education charity supporting teachers, schools, and student enrichment programs. Comparable as a national STEM school/teacher network in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/VereinMINTEC
• Facebookfacebook.com/MINTECnetzwerk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mint-ec
• Instagraminstagram.com/mint_ec_netzwerk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 MINT-EC