Studentenwerk Osnabrück

What Studentenwerk Osnabrück does

Studentenwerk Osnabrück is a public-law institution (Anstalt des öffentlichen Rechts) founded on 13 November 1973 and supervised by the Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture (Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur). It provides social, dining, housing, financial, and counseling services to approximately 32,000 enrolled students at four partner institutions: Universität Osnabrück, Hochschule Osnabrück (Osnabrück and Lingen campuses), Universität Vechta, and PHWT Diepholz. The organization operates 5 Mensen (Mensa Schlossgarten, Westerberg, Vechta, Haste, Lingen) plus additional cafeterias and bistros serving roughly 8,000 meals daily across three cities, and manages more than 20 student residential complexes with rents starting at €245 per month. Beyond dining and housing, the portfolio includes BAföG administration, psychosocial counseling, social counseling, childcare coordination with four partner Kitas, and a family-friendly housing program.

The digital product stack comprises the SWOSY 2.0 mobile app for menu access, Mensa To Go ordering, and cashless payment via CampusCard/UniCard; an online housing application portal; a Mieterportal (tenant portal); and digital annual and sustainability reports. Web infrastructure is built on standard third-party tools (Matomo analytics, Jitsi Meet, embedded YouTube and Google Maps, consent-based cookie management). The organization has no API, SDK, or partner-facing developer platform. Payment is processed through the university-issued CampusCard/UniCard infrastructure across all dining locations. Sustainability features include the automated KlimaTeller CO2e meal certification (launched August 2024), straw-free dining operations, and a formal Sustainability Manager role (Merle Dickopp). The organization holds recognized industry awards including the Internorga Zukunftspreis 2022 and the GV-Team des Jahres 2021, and maintains recurring certifications such as audit berufundfamilie and quality management.

The business model is a hybrid public-funding-plus-fee structure. Revenue is sourced from state funding (Lower Saxony plus federal BMBF bridging aid flows), mandatory student semester contributions collected with tuition, dining hall and cafeteria sales at student-affordable prices, student housing rental income, and external catering. Services are distributed direct-to-consumer through physical locations and the SWOSY app, with no third-party resellers. Go-to-market relies on campus presence, partnerships with university International Offices and AStAs, Instagram, and the organizational website. The managing director is Stefan Kobilke, and the Head of Hochschulgastronomie since 1 September 2025 is Daniel Sutthoff. A planned legal name change to Studierendenwerk Osnabrück follows a Lower Saxony state law update.

Name

Studentenwerk Osnabrück

Legal name

Studentenwerk Osnabrück

Website

https://sw-os.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Studentenwerk Osnabrück is a public-law institution serving approximately 32,000 students at four partner universities in Lower Saxony, operating 5 dining halls serving 8,000 meals daily, over 20 housing complexes from €245/month, plus BAföG administration, psychosocial counseling, and childcare coordination.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Student Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

University Dorms & Affiliated Summer Housing (THAMAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student/Academic Serviced Residences (THAGAEAF), Nutrition, Dietary Management & Allergen/Accommodation Services (EDALADAJ)

Keywords

• Student services
• University dining
• Student housing
• Student financial aid
• Psychosocial counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Osnabrück

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Student Semester Contributions: Students pay semester contributions as part of their university enrollment, which partially fund Studentenwerk operations. These contributions are collected together with university tuition fees.
2. State/Government Funding: Public funding from the state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) and the Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur. The organization is an Anstalt des öffentlichen Rechts (public law institution).
3. Dining Hall and Cafeteria Revenue: Revenue from food and beverage sales at 5 dining halls, multiple cafeterias, cafés, and bistros serving approximately 8,000 meals daily. Prices are kept affordable for students.
4. Student Housing Rental Income: Rental income from student dormitories and apartments across multiple housing complexes in Osnabrück, Vechta, and Lingen. Prices start at 245 euros for student housing.
5. Catering Services: Revenue from catering services for university events, conferences, and external clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Studentenwerk Osnabrück is a public law institution that provides comprehensive student social services at universities in Osnabrück, Vechta, and Lingen. Its core offerings include affordable university dining (5 Mensen and multiple cafeterias serving ~8,000 meals daily), student housing (20+ residential complexes starting at €245/month), BAföG financial aid administration, psychosocial and social counseling, childcare support, and catering for university events. The organization is funded through student semester contributions, state subsidies, and operating revenue.

Product overview

Studentenwerk Osnabrück is a public-law institution providing comprehensive student services across three university locations (Osnabrück, Vechta, Lingen) in Lower Saxony, Germany. The organization operates a portfolio of student-focused services including Hochschulgastronomie (university dining) through 5 Mensen and multiple Cafeterias serving approximately 8,000 meals daily, with menu lines MENSA GLOBAL, MENSA ACTIVE, and MENSA CLASSIC; student housing through 20+ residence complexes offering affordable apartments; childcare services supporting student parents; BAföG administration and financial guidance; and psychosocial counselling. The digital product ecosystem comprises the SWOSY mobile app for food ordering and menu access, an online housing application portal, a tenant management portal, and digital publication platforms for annual and sustainability reports. Payment infrastructure is centered on the CampusCard/UniCard system for cashless transactions across all dining locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hochschulgastronomie (University Dining Services) Dining services operating 5 Mensen and multiple cafeterias across Osnabrück, Vechta, Haste, and Lingen campuses, serving approximately 8,000 meals daily. Menu lines include MENSA GLOBAL (international, plant-based), MENSA ACTIVE, and MENSA CLASSIC. Pricing is structured to be affordable for students.
• Studentisches Wohnen (Student Housing) Student residence complexes offering affordable housing options starting from €245/month. Multiple complexes are located near university campuses in Osnabrück, Vechta, and Lingen, including accessible apartments, furnished and unfurnished units, and family housing.
• Kinderbetreuung (Childcare Services) Support services for student parents including sponsored Kita facilities (CampusKita, Die kleinen Strolche, Kindervilla, Spatzennest), free children's meals (Kinderteller kostenlos), and baby lounges in dining halls.
• BAföG & Studienfinanzierung (Student Financial Aid) Government student financial aid administration (BAföG), including online application capabilities, along with information on scholarships and student loans.
• Psychosoziale Beratung (Psychosocial Counselling) Psychological counselling (PSB) offering individual sessions, workshops, crisis support, and group counselling for students. Services extend to all enrolled students at universities in Osnabrück, Vechta, and Lingen. Available in-person, via video call, and telephone.
• Sozialberatung (Social Counselling) Social counselling services addressing financial concerns, housing issues, work-life balance, and support for students with children or disabilities.
• Catering Services
• SWOSY App (Mobile Application)

Quantifiable outcome

• 8,000 meals served daily across dining facilities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Klimabotschafter der Ursulaschule OsnabrückminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Awarded recognition for straw-free practices in dining facilities, demonstrating environmental leadership in campus sustainability.
• Global Belongings Swap ShopminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Pop-up store on university campus providing free everyday items for international students. Partnership between Studentenwerk and university sustainability initiatives.
• Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und KulturcoreOthers · 1 January 2020State supervisory authority for Studentenwerk Osnabrück. As Anstalt des öffentlichen Rechts, the organization is under official state oversight and receives government funding through this ministry.
• CampusKita (Day Nursery operated by external organization)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Supported daycare facility for children of students, operated by external provider with Studentenwerk support. Located near campus for convenience.
• Die kleinen Strolche OS (Kita)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Supported daycare facility for student parents in Osnabrück, operated independently with Studentenwerk endorsement and support for student access.
• Kindervilla OScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Supported daycare facility for student parents in Osnabrück, providing childcare options for studying parents.
• Spatzennest VechtacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Supported daycare facility serving students at University of Vechta location, part of childcare network for student parents.
• Deutsches Studentenwerk (DSW) (German National Association of Student Services)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Umbrella organization connecting all German Studentenwerke. Publishes handbook on Study and Disability, coordinates nationwide initiatives, and sets standards for student services across Germany.
• Universität Osnabrück (Osnabrück University)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 1973Long-standing partnership with Osnabrück University for providing comprehensive student services including dining halls, housing, counseling, and BAföG administration. The university provides physical campus space while Studentenwerk operates service facilities.
• Hochschule Osnabrück (Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 1973Partnership covering both Osnabrück and Lingen campuses for student services delivery. Coordinates with university's International Office for international student support.
• Universität VechtacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 1973Partnership for student services at University of Vechta, including dedicated dining hall (Mensa Vechta), housing complexes, and counseling services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Deutsches Studentenwerk (DSW): National umbrella organization of all German Studentenwerke. Listed as a major partner of Studentenwerk Osnabrück; not a direct service competitor but the central coordination, advocacy, and standards body governing the entire Studentenwerk system.

Direct peers

• Studierendenwerk Düsseldorf: Public-law student services organization serving Düsseldorf universities with the same integrated service model. Direct peer under the German Studentenwerk framework.
• Studentenwerk München: Public-law student services organization serving universities in Munich and Upper Bavaria. Operates the same integrated model of dining halls, student housing, BAföG administration, and psychosocial counseling - the closest structural analog to Studentenwerk Osnabrück, just at significantly larger scale.
• Studentenwerk Frankfurt am Main: Public-law student services provider for Frankfurt universities with the same Anstalt des öffentlichen Rechts structure, offering dining halls, student housing, and psychosocial counseling. Comparable mandate and product mix to Studentenwerk Osnabrück.
• Studentenwerk Hamburg: Public-law student services organization for Hamburg universities providing the same menu of dining, housing, BAföG, and counselling services. Direct structural peer under the same federal/state legal framework.
• Studentenwerk Berlin: Public-law student services provider for Berlin's universities, operating Mensen, dormitories, and counseling under the same federal Studentenwerk framework. Comparable operating model, regulatory status, and service mix, though serving a much larger and more urban student population.
• Studentenwerk Köln: Public-law student services organization for Cologne universities, providing integrated dining, housing, and counseling services. Comparable peer at a different scale (larger) and in a different region.

Broad incumbents

• Aramark Deutschland: Large contract foodservice and facility management provider operating colleges, universities, hospitals, and corporate cafeterias across Germany. While not a direct competitor in the public-law Studentenwerk framework, it represents the type of private outsourced foodservice provider that the regulatory monopoly protects Studentenwerk Osnabrück from.

Regional players

• Studentenwerk Hannover: Public-law student services provider for Hannover and other Lower Saxony universities - a direct regional peer under the same state ministry oversight. Operates the same model of dining, housing, and counseling services for partner universities.
• Studentenwerk Göttingen: Public-law student services organization for universities in the Göttingen/Südniedersachsen region. Particularly relevant regional peer since it operates in the same German state (Lower Saxony) - a sister organization within the Lower Saxony Studierendenwerk ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/tutoren_osnabrueck
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCAj_a0dXISS7aG1qgdRFr7g/videos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/studentenwerk-osnabr%C3%BCck

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 →

Frequently asked questions about Studentenwerk Osnabrück