Akademie für Philosophische Bildung | gfi gGmbH

What Akademie für Philosophische Bildung | gfi gGmbH does

The Akademie für Philosophische Bildung und WerteDialog operates as a non-profit division of gfi gGmbH (Gesellschaft zur Förderung beruflicher und sozialer Integration), based at Baierbrunner Straße 27 in Munich-Obersendling. Founded in 2007 with approximately 8 employees, the academy specializes in philosophical dialogue facilitation — adapted from Philosophy for Children (P4C) methodology — as a culture technique, method, and educational principle. It serves children, youth, and adults across four verticals: early childhood and school education; career and life orientation; values and democracy education (including refugee integration); and Education for Sustainable Development (BNE).

The core product portfolio centers on a structured Basisausbildung (multi-module foundational training at €320 per module), complemented by modular add-ons such as Philosophieren im Kindergarten, Philosophieren im Ganztag, Wertereisekoffer training, Schnupperkurse (€45 introductory sessions), and the Trainer*innenausbildung certification. Beyond training, the academy operates community dialogue formats (Philosophieren am Abend, Philosophisches Café, Philonline online sessions since 2020) and a podcast (Letzte Fragen & Griechischer Salat). Its technology base is a human-facilitation methodology supported by proprietary aids (the Wertereisekoffer toolkit, the 'Wuschel' conversation ball) and the Fragensammler online platform.

Revenue is generated primarily through fee-based training and continuing education, supplemented by a small web shop for physical products (starter kits, books, toolkits). Significant operational capacity is funded via project grants from foundations such as Hans Lindner Stiftung and Karl-Schlecht-Stiftung, and EU programs such as AMIF. The go-to-market is community- and event-led, distributing through direct enrollment (in-person and online), institutional partnerships with schools and kindergartens across Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, and referral networks including Wertebündnis Bayern and the parent bbw-Gruppe.

Name

Akademie für Philosophische Bildung | gfi gGmbH

Legal name

Gesellschaft zur Förderung beruflicher und sozialen Integration (gfi) gGmbH

Website

https://philosophische-bildung.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Akademie für Philosophische Bildung und WerteDialog is a Munich-based non-profit division of gfi gGmbH that delivers P4C-adapted philosophical dialogue training and community programs to children, educators, refugees, and adults across Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Development and Educational Training Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Teacher/Coach Training & Curriculum for Speech & Debate (EDAMAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Electives & Enrichment Curriculum (Arts, Music, PE, CTE Exploratories) (EDAGAAAG)

Keywords

• Philosophical education
• Dialogue facilitation training
• Values education programs
• Professional development workshops
• Community dialogue facilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Training and Continuing Education: The academy generates revenue through fee-based training programs, workshops, and certification courses. Offerings include introductory sessions (Schnupperkurse, €45), multi-day modules (Basisausbildung modules, €320 each), specialized programs (Philosophieren im Kindergarten, Philosophieren im Ganztag), and professional development courses for educators and youth workers. Both in-person and online formats are available.
2. Online Shop: The academy operates a web shop selling physical products including starter kits for philosophical work with children (Starterpakete), books, and the 'Wertereisekoffer' (values journey toolkit). Revenue is generated through one-time product sales.
3. Project-Based Funding: Significant operational funding is received through project grants and public funding (e.g., ChancenGleich funded by Hans Lindner Stiftung and EU AMIF fund; project 'Philosophierende Schule Baden-Württemberg' funded by Karl-Schlecht-Stiftung). These are not direct revenue streams but support program delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Akademie für Philosophische Bildung und WerteDialog delivers philosophical dialogue facilitation as a culture technique, method, and educational principle. Its core offerings are fee-based multi-module training programs (Basisausbildung) and continuing education courses (Schnupperkurse, Philosophieren im Kindergarten, Philosophieren im Ganztag, Wertereisekoffer-Schulung) for educators and youth workers, alongside philosophical dialogue sessions for adults (Philosophieren am Abend, Philosophisches Café, Philonline) and embedded school projects (Philosophierende Schule Baden-Württemberg, OGTS Emmering). The academy also sells physical educational products (starter kits, books, Wertereisekoffer) through an online shop.

Product overview

The Akademie für Philosophische Bildung und WerteDialog operates as a multi-faceted educational institution offering philosophical dialogue facilitation as both a culture technique and educational principle. The core product portfolio centers on the Basisausbildung (basic training) program in philosophical conversation leadership, complemented by specialized continuing education modules including kindergarten philosophy, all-day care philosophy, evening philosophy sessions, and philosophical career orientation. The academy provides online offerings such as Philonline and hosts a podcast called 'Letzte Fragen & Griechischer Salat.' Beyond training, the organization manages several projects including ChancenGleich (integration through philosophy with refugees), the Philosophierende Schule Baden-Württemberg school development initiative, and the WerteDialog|Zukunft series. A Fragensammler platform serves as a knowledge-sharing resource. The product ecosystem combines in-person seminars, online sessions, school projects, and community dialogue events to serve children, youth, and adults across Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Basisausbildung Philosophieren in der Praxis

Quantifiable outcome

• Awarded Jurypreis des Münchner Schulpreises 2024 to SFZ München-West for philosophy program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wertebündnis BayerncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe academy is an active member of the Wertebündnis Bayern (Values Alliance Bavaria), participating in joint values dialogue events (WerteDialog.Zukunft), the #VERWIRUNG campaign for societal dialogue, and collaborative projects that bring together diverse stakeholders around shared values topics.
• bbw-Gruppe (Berufliche Bildungsstätten Württemberg)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe academy uses the bbw-Gruppe's whistleblower portal (Hinweisgeberportal) and falls under the bbw-group's data protection and organizational umbrella. The academy is affiliated with gfi gGmbH, which is part of the broader bbw-group network.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hochschule für Philosophie München: Jesuit-affiliated university in Munich offering philosophy degree programs, continuing education, and public philosophy events. Comparable as a Munich-based institution translating philosophical content into structured educational programming for adult learners.
• Akademie für Politische Bildung Tutzing: Bavarian state-funded academy for political education offering continuing education programs for educators, civic dialogue formats, and seminars on values and democracy. Operates a similar institutional model of fee-based seminars plus publicly funded programming in the same geographic and thematic space.
• Bildungswerk Irsee: Bavarian continuing education center delivering multi-module Fortbildung programs for educators and professionals. Operates a similar format of paid multi-day training modules plus public programming in the same regional market.

Broad incumbents

• Katholische Akademie in Bayern: Catholic academy in Munich providing continuing education, dialogue events, and values-oriented programming. Comparable institutional model for adult education on ethics and democratic values, with a broader thematic portfolio.
• Evangelische Akademie Tutzing: Protestant academy in Bavaria offering values-oriented events, Tagungen, and continuing education for educators and the public. Overlaps on democratic values education and facilitator-format dialogue events, but as a broader, faith-tied institution.

Regional players

• The Philosophy Foundation: UK charity delivering Philosophy for Children (P4C) training and facilitator certification to schools and educators. Closely comparable methodology and train-the-trainer model, but operating in the UK rather than Germany.
• SAPERE: UK-based P4C membership organization training teachers in philosophical enquiry. Mirrors the academy's P4C-rooted methodology and educator-certification approach but is focused on the UK market.

Others

• Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung (Bildungsprogramme): German political foundation running values, democracy, and political education programs for educators and youth. Adjacent rather than directly competitive — the academy is a Wertebündnis Bayern partner — but both compete for the same institutional foundation funding pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeopen.spotify.com/show/06EiJlqu1dsC2QcPHFJixB?si=db9f4c33667b48e9
• Facebookfacebook.com/akademiephilosophischebildung
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/philosophischebildung
• Instagraminstagram.com/philoakademie

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

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