Studierendenwerk Bremen

What Studierendenwerk Bremen does

Studierendenwerk Bremen is an independent public-law institution (Anstalt des öffentlichen Rechts) established in 1972 and supervised by the Senator for Environment, Climate and Science of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen. Its statutory mandate is to provide economic, social, health, and cultural support services to students enrolled at the four public universities in Bremen and Bremerhaven — University of Bremen, Hochschule Bremen, Hochschule für Künste Bremen, and Hochschule Bremerhaven — a catchment of more than 30,000 students. Operations are delivered through 340+ employees and span five service lines: campus dining (12 canteens and cafeterias), student housing (11 residences and two cooperation projects totaling 2,245+ places), BAföG administration (~14,000 applications per year), psychological and social counseling, and cultural/project funding including the Cultural Semester Ticket.

The institution runs on standard enterprise systems rather than proprietary technology. The 2025 website relaunch automated meal-plan generation from the inventory management system; digital service delivery is supported by the federal BAföG portal (bafoeg-digital.de), an in-house housing application portal (wohnraumvermittlung.stw-bremen.de), and Friendly Captcha for spam protection. No AI/ML, public API, or developer platform is offered. Sustainability infrastructure is a notable operational asset: BIO-certified canteens, KlimaTeller labeling, Zero-Waste-Teller food recovery, 29 kWp PV at the Emmy complex, and district-heating conversion at Vorstrasse.

Revenue is generated through four streams: transaction-based catering sales, recurring housing rentals (€275–€418/month all-inclusive), mandatory semester contributions (€130/semester at most universities, €105 at HfK Bremen), and recurring state subsidies from the Land Bremen within the state budget framework. Distribution is direct-to-institution: students access services automatically through university enrollment, physical campus locations, and dedicated web portals, with no traditional sales motion. Marketing is limited to the institutional website, newsletters, university/AStA channels, and press relations.

Name

Studierendenwerk Bremen

Legal name

Studierendenwerk Bremen

Website

https://stw-bremen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Welfare Services

NAICS

Rooming and Boarding Houses, Dormitories, and Workers' Camps (72131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

University Dorms & Affiliated Summer Housing (THAMAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Off-Campus Housing Support & Landlord Relations (EDALACAJ), Guest, Visitor & Conference Housing Services (Summer/Break Housing) (EDAEAFAN), Student/Academic Serviced Residences (THAGAEAF)

Keywords

• Student housing services
• Campus dining services
• Student grants administration
• Psychological counseling services
• Cultural project funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Bremen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Catering sales: Sales proceeds from canteens and cafeterias operated at universities in Bremen and Bremerhaven
2. Student housing rentals: Rental income from student residences in Bremen and Bremerhaven; all-inclusive rents ranging from €275-418 per month depending on location and accommodation type
3. Semester fees: Mandatory semester contributions collected from enrolled students: €130 per semester for University of Bremen, Hochschule Bremen, Hochschule Bremerhaven; €105 for HfK Bremen students
4. State subsidies: State subsidies from the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (Land Bremen) provided within the framework of the state budget

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Studierendenwerk Bremen is a public-law institution that provides comprehensive student welfare services across four public universities in Bremen and Bremerhaven. Its core offerings include student housing (2,245+ residential places), campus dining through 12 canteens and cafeterias, BAföG (federal student grants) administration processing around 14,000 applications annually, psychological and social counseling, and cultural project funding including a cultural semester ticket.

Product overview

Studierendenwerk Bremen is a public-law institution providing comprehensive student services across four public universities in Bremen and Bremerhaven. The service portfolio includes: (1) Student Housing in 11 residences offering 2,245 total places (2,139 Bremen + 106 Bremerhaven), with online application via wohnraumvermittlung.stw-bremen.de; (2) Campus Dining through 10+ canteens and cafeterias including Uni-Mensa, Café Central, Mensa NW1, and Bremerhaven locations, with real-time meal plans; (3) BAföG administration via the BAföG digital portal (bafoeg-digital.de) handling student and pupil grants; (4) Psychological and Social Counseling services; (5) Culture & Project Funding including the Cultural Semester Ticket (€1.85/student), free city library access, and Kunsthalle Bremen partnership. Sustainability initiatives include KlimaTeller climate labeling, Zero-Waste-Teller food recovery, BIO-certified canteens, PV installations, and district heating conversions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Student Housing (Studentisches Wohnen) Rental housing in student residences across Bremen and Bremerhaven. Offers furnished apartments and rooms with all-inclusive rents covering utilities and internet. Total capacity: 2,139 places in 11 residences in Bremen and 106 places in Bremerhaven, with all-inclusive rents ranging from €275-418 per month depending on location and accommodation type.
• Campus Dining (Mensen und Cafeterien) Catering services through university canteens (Uni-Mensa, Mensa NW1, Mensa Domshof, Mensa Neustadtswall, Mensa Werderstraße, Mensa Airport, Interimsmensa HfK, Mensa13, Mensa Bremerhaven), Café Central, Cafeteria GW2, and Bremerhaven Cafeteria. Serves over 30,000 students with balanced, affordable, and BIO-certified meal options.
• BAföG (Student Grants) Administration of German Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) for students at public universities in Bremen and Bremerhaven. Includes student BAföG (domestic and abroad) and pupil BAföG. Handles applications, processing, and disbursement of education funding; receives approximately 14,000 applications annually.
• Psychological Counseling (Psychologische Beratung) Psychological counseling services for students experiencing mental health challenges, crisis situations, or personal difficulties during their studies. Located at Mensasee near the campus lake.
• Social Counseling (Sozialberatung) Social counseling services addressing financial concerns, housing issues, and other social matters affecting students' academic success.
• Culture & Project Funding (Kultur & Projektförderung) Financial and organizational support for student cultural and sustainability projects. Includes the Cultural Semester Ticket (€1.85/student per semester) providing free/discounted access to theaters, museums, and stages in Bremen.
• BAföG Digital Portal Online portal for BAföG applications and document submissions (bafoeg-digital.de). Central email address: [email protected]. Email attachments limited to 15MB total, 10MB per file, in PDF/JPEG/PNG formats only.
• Online Housing Application Portal Online platform (wohnraumvermittlung.stw-bremen.de) for student housing applications. Students can apply for accommodation in student residences across Bremen and Bremerhaven.
• Zero-Waste-Teller (Zero-Waste Plate) Food waste reduction initiative offering leftover food from daily specials at reduced prices. Available at Uni-Mensa (2:15-2:30 PM) and Mensa Neustadtswall (2:00-2:15 PM). Plate meals from €2.00 for students; small bowls €0.50; dessert cups €0.80.
• KlimaTeller (ClimatePlate) Labeling program highlighting particularly climate-friendly dishes in canteens with the KlimaTeller logo. These dishes cause at least 50% less greenhouse gas emissions than comparable average dishes. Part of the climate protection and sustainability initiative funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection.
• Cultural Semester Ticket Student benefit providing free or discounted admission to theaters, museums, and independent stages in Bremen. Funded by semester fees (€1.85/student per semester) and available to approximately 28,000 students.
• Free City Library Pass (Stadtbibliothek Bremen/Bremerhaven) Free library cards for students at the Bremen City Library and Bremerhaven City Library. Available upon presentation of student ID at all 9 library locations and library bus. Students receive BIBCARD for unlimited access.

Quantifiable outcome

• €278-394/month all-inclusive housing rents (subsidized rates)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KlimaTellercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Germany-wide climate-friendly dish labeling initiative (KlimaTeller logo) highlighting particularly climate-friendly dishes in canteens that cause at least 50% less greenhouse gas emissions than comparable average dishes. Funded by Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection.
• KlimAktiv gemeinnützige Gesellschaft zur Förderung des Klimaschutzes mbHcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Provided CO₂ calculator and methodology for greenhouse gas accounting according to Greenhouse Gas Protocol specifications. Used for annual greenhouse gas balance preparation.
• Stadtbibliothek BremencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation enabling all students at University of Bremen, Bremen University of Applied Sciences, and Bremen University of the Arts to obtain free library cards for the Bremen City Library. Students receive BIBCARD upon presentation of student ID at all 9 city library locations.
• Stadtbibliothek BremerhavencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree library card program extended to students at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences through cooperation with Bremerhaven City Library.
• Kunsthalle BremenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwice-yearly poster promotions in university canteens highlighting current exhibitions at Kunsthalle Bremen. Annual display of DSW poster competition winners.
• Bremer HeimstiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation project Ellener Hof providing 66 student residential places at €350/month in the Ellener Hof climate quarter with community gardens, common rooms, and shared amenities.
• Städtische Wohnungsgesellschaft Bremerhaven mbH (STÄWOG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation project #H34 providing 26 student residential units (€321/month for 2-3 person shared flats) at Heinrichstraße 34, Bremerhaven.
• AStA University of BremencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint sponsors of cultural semester ticket providing free/reduced admission to theaters, museums, and cultural venues for approximately 28,000 students.
• AStA Bremen University of Applied SciencescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint sponsors of cultural semester ticket program.
• AStA University of the Arts BremencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint sponsors of cultural semester ticket program.
• AStA University of the Arts OttersbergcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint sponsor of cultural semester ticket program for students.
• too good to gominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApp-based platform for saving unsold baked goods and snacks from cafeterias shortly after closing time, reducing food waste.
• Climate Fund and KlimaInvest Green Concepts GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners for offsetting greenhouse gas emissions from business trips. Project portfolio certified by Verified Carbon Standard Association (VCS).
• BIO certification body (DE-ÖKO-039)coreOthersCanteens are BIO-certified and use 100% fairly traded organic coffee/tea, organic milk/dairy products, organic durum wheat semolina, and prefer regional organic produce.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Studentenwerk München: Munich's public-law student services organization operating canteens, dormitories, and BAföG offices for Munich's universities and Hochschulen. Directly comparable statutory mandate, service portfolio, and revenue model.
• Kölner Studierendenwerk: Cologne's statutory student welfare institution offering housing, dining, BAföG, and counseling to students at University of Cologne and other Cologne-area higher education institutions. Same legal form and service scope as Studierendenwerk Bremen.
• Studierendenwerk Berlin: Berlin's statutory student services institution offering housing, dining, BAföG processing, and counseling across Berlin's public universities. Closest comparable in terms of multi-university mandate and full-service student welfare scope.
• Studentenwerk Karlsruhe: Karlsruhe's public-law student services organization (Studierendenwerk) providing dining, housing, BAföG, and counseling to KIT and other Karlsruhe universities. Operates under the same legal mandate and business model as Studierendenwerk Bremen.
• Studierendenwerk Stuttgart: Stuttgart region's statutory student services institution providing housing, dining, BAföG, and counseling to University of Stuttgart, HdM, and other regional higher education institutions. Closely analogous mandate and operating model.
• Studierendenwerk Hannover: Hannover's statutory student welfare institution serving Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover Medical School, and other regional universities. Comparable institutional structure, service mix, and statutory mandate.
• Studentenwerk Frankfurt am Main: Statutory student services provider for Goethe University Frankfurt and Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences. Direct peer operating canteens, housing, BAföG, and counseling under the same federal Studierendenwerke framework.
• Studierendenwerk Hamburg: Hamburg's statutory student services organization providing dining, housing, BAföG administration, and counseling to ~70,000 students. Direct functional equivalent of Studierendenwerk Bremen within the same German legal framework of Studierendenwerke.
• Studierendenwerk Göttingen: Statutory student services institution serving the University of Göttingen and HAWK. Comparable in scale and structure to Studierendenwerk Bremen, with similar housing, catering, BAföG, and counseling operations.
• Studentenwerk Darmstadt: Darmstadt's statutory student services organization serving TU Darmstadt and h_da. Provides the same combination of housing, dining, BAföG, and counseling services under the German Studierendenwerke legal framework.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/studierendenwerk-bremen

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Studierendenwerk Bremen