What Schülerhilfe does

Schülerhilfe is a privately-held tutoring services provider founded in 1974 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and operating across the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) through a hybrid physical-and-digital model. The company serves primarily K-12 students (Volksschule through Matura) and, increasingly, vocational apprentices and adult learners; its Austrian subsidiary Schülerhilfe Österreich GmbH reports approximately 479 employees and operates about 99 physical tutoring locations across all nine Austrian states, with 300+ franchise partners contributing to a DACH-wide network of roughly 1,100 locations serving 125,000–140,000 students annually.

The service offering combines in-person small-group tutoring (groups of 3–5 students) with live online video tutoring and the Online-LernCenter — a self-serve digital learning platform with over 232,000 worksheets, 2,000+ learning videos, webinars, and the Kira AI learning assistant — sold on a €9–19/month subscription tier with a 30-day free trial. Proprietary assets include the Schülerhilfe book series, pocket guides, learning posters, the Lernbox, a math formula collection, and the Notenstatistik grade tracking tool. The ISO 9001-certified quality management system, audited by TÜV NORD, is the first such certification in the DACH tutoring sector.

Schülerhilfe generates revenue through three primary streams: (1) subscription-based tutoring fees starting at €12 per lesson hour across in-person and online sessions, with flexible contract terms and a one-time registration fee up to €69; (2) tiered Online-LernCenter digital subscriptions (Basic €9/month, Premium €19/month); and (3) B2B franchise fees from ~700 franchisees across DACH with a €5,000–€10,000 entry capital requirement. The company also runs short-term intensive exam preparation (Prüfungsvorbereitung, Zentral-Matura) and holiday courses (Ferienkurs at €199/10 hours). The Schülerhilfe Group is currently owned by Levine Leichtman Capital Partners following the 2024 acquisition, the fourth PE ownership transition since 2009; the Austrian subsidiary has been operationally active since 1988, and the group expanded into Switzerland and adult education under the IQ-Lingua sub-brand in 2023.

Name

Schülerhilfe

Legal name

ZGS Bildungs-GmbH

Website

https://schuelerhilfe.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Schülerhilfe is a privately-held DACH tutoring provider founded in 1974, serving 125,000–140,000 K-12 students annually across ~1,100 physical and online locations through small-group in-person tutoring, live video tutoring, and a subscription digital learning platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tutoring Services

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Core Curriculum Small-Group Tutoring Centers (Math/ELA/Science/Social Studies) (EDANAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Integrated Tutoring + Learning Content Platforms (Curriculum + Tutors) (EDANAGAL), Foreign Language Subject Tutoring (School Coursework) (EDANAAAF), Homework Tutoring & Academic Support (Subject Tutoring) (HSAAAHAC)

Keywords

• Tutoring services
• K-12 education
• Online learning platform
• Exam preparation
• Private tutoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Gelsenkirchen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. In-Person Tutoring Sessions: Face-to-face tutoring sessions at ~100 physical locations across Austria, delivered in small groups of 3-5 students or one-on-one. Revenue is generated through weekly session fees based on contract duration and frequency. Individual pricing varies by location, with packages starting from €12 per lesson hour. Contracts are offered with and without minimum terms, with flexibility to adjust frequency and subject.
2. Online Video Tutoring: Live video tutoring sessions via PC, tablet, or smartphone using a web conferencing link. Offered as an alternative or complement to in-person sessions. Same pricing structure as in-person tutoring, starting from €12 per lesson hour, available at participating locations.
3. Online-LernCenter Subscription (Digital Learning Platform): Monthly subscription for access to the digital learning platform with tiered plans: Basic (€9/month) and Premium (€19/month). Premium includes AI tutor Kira, webinars, learning videos, practice tasks, and worksheets. Free 30-day trial drives conversion. Subscription is fully self-serve digital.
4. Franchise Fees (B2B): Revenue from franchise partners who pay to operate Schülerhilfe locations. Franchise investment requires €5,000–€10,000 own capital. The company operates ~600 owned locations and ~700 franchise locations across Germany and Austria, with franchise fees forming a B2B revenue stream.
5. Exam Preparation & Intensive Holiday Courses: Short-term intensive tutoring packages such as exam preparation courses and holiday courses (Ferienkurse). Holiday courses are priced at €199 for 10 lesson hours (5 double sessions), with a €100 discount when bundled with a long-term contract.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Schülerhilfe is Austria's largest tutoring institute, providing in-person tutoring in small groups of 3-5 students at ~99 physical locations across all nine Austrian states, live online video tutoring via video chat, and a self-serve digital learning platform (Online-LernCenter) with subscription tiers. The company also sells proprietary learning materials (book series, pocket guides, learning posters) and offers supplementary courses including exam preparation, Zentral-Matura preparation, primary school support, apprentice training, holiday courses, and one-on-one instruction.

Product overview

Schülerhilfe operates a comprehensive tutoring platform consisting of in-person tutoring at approximately 100 physical locations across Austria (franchise and company-owned), live online video tutoring via video chat, and a digital learning platform (Online-LernCenter) available by subscription. The core tutoring product is offered in small groups of 3-5 students, with subjects including mathematics, German, English, French, Spanish, Latin, Italian, natural sciences (biology, physics, chemistry), computer science, and business subjects (accounting, mechanics). Supplementary offerings include exam preparation courses (Prüfungsvorbereitung, Zentral-Matura), primary school support (Volksschulförderung), apprentice training (Lehrlings-Training), holiday courses (Ferienkurse), and one-on-one instruction (Einzelunterricht). The digital ecosystem includes the Online-LernCenter with Premium (€19/month) and Basic (€9/month) tiers, featuring over 232,000 worksheets, learning videos, webinars, and the AI-powered learning assistant Kira. Physical learning materials include the Schülerhilfe book series, pocket guides, learning posters, learning box, and mathematics formula collection. The company also offers the Eltern-App for parent communication and operates IQ-Lingua for adult education under a separate brand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IQ-Lingua: Weiterbildungsangebote für Erwachsene
• Online-LernCenter
• Online Nachhilfe

Products and services

• Nachhilfe vor Ort (In-Person Tutoring) Traditional tutoring at physical locations across Austria. Individual tutoring in small groups of 3-5 students, covering subjects including mathematics, German, English, foreign languages, natural sciences, and business subjects. Offered in all Austrian federal states.
• Online Nachhilfe (Online Video Tutoring) Live video-based tutoring via video chat with personal tutors. Students connect via smartphone, tablet, or PC and receive real-time instruction with screen sharing and interactive collaboration. Same pricing as in-person tutoring starting from €12 per lesson hour.
• Online-LernCenter (Online Learning Platform) Digital learning platform providing access to over 232,000 worksheets, interactive tests, explanations, videos, and webinars. Available as Premium (€19/month with AI assistant Kira and webinars) or Basic (€9/month) subscription tiers. Accessible 24/7 with a 30-day free trial.
• Kira (AI Learning Assistant) AI-powered learning assistant providing 24/7 individual support for students in mathematics, German, English, French, and Latin. Included in Premium Online-LernCenter subscription and provides intelligent, subject-specific tutoring assistance.
• Prüfungsvorbereitung (Exam Preparation) Professional exam preparation courses for written and oral exams. Combines in-person instruction with online learning tools, providing intensive review of examination-relevant material across all major subjects.
• Zentral-Matura Preparation Intensive preparation courses for the Austrian central graduation exams (Matura) in mathematics, German, English, and additional subjects. Refreshes foundational knowledge and trains content from previous school years.
• Volksschulförderung (Primary School Support) Tutoring support for primary school students to prevent learning gaps from forming early and prepare children optimally for their academic future. Covers all core primary school subjects.
• Lehrlings-Training (Apprentice Training) Support during vocational education and training. Addresses missing foundational knowledge in accounting, mathematics, English, or German to achieve best grades in vocational school alongside apprenticeship work.
• Ferienkurse (Holiday Courses) Vacation courses allowing students to catch up on missed material and close knowledge gaps during school holidays without sacrificing the entire break. Priced at €199 for 10 lesson hours with €100 discount when bundled with a 12-month contract.
• Einzelunterricht (One-on-One Instruction) Individual tutoring for students with significant knowledge gaps and special needs. Focuses on targeted and intensive content delivery, offering more personalized attention than group tutoring.
• IQ-Lingua (Adult Education Brand) Adult continuing education brand offering language courses and professional development. Expanded from core tutoring services into lifelong learning market in Switzerland under a separate brand.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% of students improve by at least one grade within 6–12 months
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Sylvan Learning Systems Inc. (now Educate Inc.)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1998Schülerhilfe merged with Sylvan Learning Systems Inc. (now Educate Inc., Baltimore, USA) in 1998, combining two major tutoring brands and enabling international best practice exchange in the tutoring industry.
• TutorSpace GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTutorSpace GmbH provides lead/referral data (phone number, contact person, child's name, tutoring needs) to Schülerhilfe with customer consent, helping match prospective students with appropriate tutoring offerings. Schülerhilfe processes this data to initiate contact and offer tutoring solutions.
• LehrerselbstverlagminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLehrerselbstverlag ('Teachers' Self-Publishing House') is a publisher operated by teachers for teachers. Schülerhilfe cooperates with this partner for informational, knowledge, and experience exchange purposes, as part of its commitment to educational quality and content development.
• Novalnet AGminorOthersNovalnet AG is a payment service provider (Zahlungsinstitut) that handles automated payment processing for SEPA direct debit and credit card transactions for online course bookings. Located in Unterföhring, Germany.
• PayPal (Europe) S.à.r.l. & Cie. S.C.A.minorOthersPayPal is offered as an online payment option for course bookings, enabling customers to pay for tutoring services and subscriptions via their PayPal account.
• Sofort GmbH (Klarna)minorOthersSofort GmbH (now part of Klarna) provides the 'Sofortüberweisung' online payment method, enabling direct bank transfers for course booking payments in Austria.
• IQ-Lingua SprachschuleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIQ-Lingua is a language school brand under the Schülerhilfe umbrella, expanding into adult education and language training. Schülerhilfe has been developing continuing education offerings for adults under this brand since 2023.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves18 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• GoStudent: Venture-backed Austrian-founded online tutoring marketplace operating across DACH and beyond. Directly comparable to Schülerhilfe on K-12 academic tutoring but competing on a digital-first, on-demand, video-tutoring model rather than physical-center franchise model.
• Studienkreis: One of the largest tutoring institute chains in Germany with a similar in-person + online hybrid model and franchise-style structure. Directly comparable to Schülerhilfe in terms of product (small-group K-12 tutoring), DACH footprint, and target customer (parents of school-age children).
• Superprof: Global tutoring and lesson marketplace with strong DACH presence. Competes with Schülerhilfe for parent-driven tutoring demand via a wider tutor pool and marketplace pricing, though it is less brand-led and lacks integrated content/IP.

Broad incumbents

• Sylvan Learning: US-based tutoring franchise chain that merged with Schülerhilfe in 1998 (then Sylvan Learning Systems Inc., now Educate Inc.). Comparable on K-12 tutoring franchise model and curriculum-based instruction, though operates in North America rather than DACH.
• Mathnasium: Global franchise specializing in math-only tutoring. Comparable to Schülerhilfe on the franchise-driven tutoring model and parent-decision-maker segment, though narrower in subject focus and operating primarily in North America/UK.
• Khan Academy: Global free online learning platform covering math, science, and humanities with a growing international footprint. Comparable to Schülerhilfe on subject breadth and self-directed K-12 learning, but free and digital-only with no paid tutoring layer.

Emerging players

• Bettermarks: German adaptive online math learning platform for K-12 students. Comparable to Schülerhilfe's Online-LernCenter on subject-specific digital learning and AI-assisted practice, though narrower in subject scope and German-focused.
• Preply: Online language tutoring marketplace with a strong presence in European markets. Comparable to Schülerhilfe's foreign-language tutoring offering (French, Spanish, Latin) but competes via on-demand tutor matching rather than integrated curriculum.

Others

• Babbel: Berlin-based subscription language learning platform. Comparable to Schülerhilfe's foreign-language tutoring and IQ-Lingua adult-language brand on the European self-serve language learning customer, though a pure digital consumer product with no live tutoring.

Regional players

• TutorSpace / Tutor24: Austrian/German regional tutoring providers offering in-person and online tutoring. Directly comparable on regional DACH tutoring services though typically smaller scale and less content-integrated than Schülerhilfe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/schuelerhilfechannel
• Facebookfacebook.com/Schuelerhilfe.Oesterreich
• Instagraminstagram.com/schuelerhilfe_oesterreich
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schuelerhilfe

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Schülerhilfe