TecLab

What TecLab does

TecLab is a non-profit STEM and sustainability education center, organized as the Verein Netzwerk TecLab association and founded on April 23, 2020, in Burgdorf, Canton of Bern, Switzerland. It operates from two repurposed classrooms at the Tiergarten site of Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) under a multi-stakeholder governance model that includes BFH, Technische Fachschule Bern (TF Bern), Pädagogische Hochschule Bern (PHBern), Stadt Burgdorf, Kanton Bern, and regional economic associations (HIV Bern, Berner KMU). The center's purpose is to deliver hands-on MINT (Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Sciences, Technology) programming for school classes from kindergarten through Sek II, extracurricular family programming, and applied continuing-education courses for companies and professionals on circular economy, energy, mobility, health and safety, and digitalization.

TecLab's product portfolio includes curriculum-aligned school workshops (e.g., 'Sammeln und Verteilen' on automation, 'Wie die Fledermaus Bäume hört' on sensor technology, 'Challenge Polarexpedition' prototyping with drones and 3D printing, renewable energy experiments with wind, water, and solar), robotics workshops using LEGO WeDo 2.0 and World Robot Olympiad preparation, the coders_lab for young women in collaboration with BFH, the Bildungszentrum Solartechnik (Solar Training Center) with a one-week Fachkurs Solarmontage in partnership with TF Bern, an Upskilling Instandhaltung maintenance program that uses augmented-reality welding simulation and VR welding headsets, and themed event weeks such as ENERGIE + MOBILITÄT. The facility also includes a Naturgarten (natural garden) and the planned MINT-Spielplatz outdoor learning area, with the CircularTower circular-construction real-laboratory initiative in development. Technology is largely pedagogical hardware rather than proprietary software.

The business model combines fee-based workshop and course delivery (quote-based, not publicly priced), event participation fees, venue/seminar-room rental to external organizations (e.g., Solafrica's 'Refugees go Solar' course), and tiered Verein Netzwerk TecLab membership fees ranging from CHF 50/year for private members to CHF 1,000/year for companies with 251+ employees. Distribution is direct, via the teclab.swiss website for booking, supplemented by institutional referrals through partner schools and universities, regional events such as Industry Night Burgdorf, and bilingual newsletters (TecLab Aktuell and TecLab MINT-Letter). The customer mix spans schools, families, regional SMEs and individual professionals, and association members, with named engagements including Spital Emmental, Giesserei Nottaris AG, Nottaris Bauguss AG, and Gymnasium Kirchenfeld. The team consists of approximately 12–15 individuals drawn from partner organizations, led by Roland Rohner as Geschäftsführer des Vereins Netzwerk TecLab.

Name

TecLab

Legal name

Verein Netzwerk TecLab

Website

https://teclab.swiss

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TecLab is a non-profit STEM and sustainability education center in Burgdorf, Switzerland, operated as Verein Netzwerk TecLab. It delivers hands-on MINT workshops for schools and families, professional upskilling courses in solar installation and maintenance, and regional networking events, serving regional schools, SMEs, and the Canton of Bern public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education and Continuing Education Services

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability Engagement, Training & Behavior Change Programs (On-site) (BPABALAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Student Safety, Wellbeing & SEL Technology (Monitoring, Reporting) (EDAJAMAJ)

Keywords

• STEM education
• Sustainability training
• Vocational upskilling
• Hands-on workshops
• Continuing education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Burgdorf

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Workshop and Course Fees: Revenue from conducting STEM workshops for school classes, continuing education courses for professionals, and training programs for companies. Includes offerings like the solar installation specialist course, upskilling maintenance courses (welding, metal/woodworking, electrical repairs), and MINT workshops for various age groups.
2. Event Venue Rental: Revenue from renting out seminar rooms, coworking spaces, and event facilities to companies and organizations for their own events, retreats, and seminars.
3. Verein Netzwerk TecLab Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from individuals, families, non-profit organizations, and companies supporting sustainable economics in Emmental and Oberaargau. Fees range from CHF 50 for private members to CHF 1,000 for companies with 251+ employees.
4. Event Participation Fees: Fees charged for participation in network events, specialized topic events, and public sustainability-themed events organized by the association.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

TecLab operates as a physical STEM (MINT) and sustainability education center at the Bern University of Applied Sciences Tiergarten site in Burgdorf, Switzerland. It delivers hands-on workshops for school classes (kindergarten through Sek II), continuing education courses for companies in circular economy, energy, mobility, and digitalization, vocational upskilling programs (welding, metalwork, electrical, solar installation), family/children programs, robotics workshops using LEGO and VR/AR simulators, and rents out seminar and coworking spaces. The facility operates under the Verein Netzwerk TecLab association, which manages membership, networking events, and partnerships with regional businesses.

Product overview

TecLab is an educational technology and continuing education center located in Burgdorf, Switzerland, offering a unified portfolio of MINT (STEM) programs and sustainability-focused services. The core offerings include hands-on MINT workshops for school classes (kindergarten through Sek II) and children/families, continuing education programs for companies and professionals in circular economy, energy, mobility, and digitalization, and event hosting services. Key named products include the MINT-Angebote for schools, Upskilling Instandhaltung (maintenance upskilling with VR/AR welding training), the Bildungszentrum Solartechnik (Solar Training Center), and the CircularTower initiative for circular construction. The facility also features a planned MINT-Spielplatz outdoor learning area and a Naturgarten. The offerings are coordinated through the Verein Netzwerk TecLab association, which provides networking and professional development services alongside the educational programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Netzwerk TecLab: The association component of TecLab focused on sustainable business networking for companies and individuals in Emmental and Oberaargau regions.

Products and services

• MINT-Angebote für Schulklassen Bookable hands-on STEM (MINT) workshops for school classes from kindergarten through secondary level II, covering topics such as aerodynamics, sensor technology, automation, robotics, and renewable energy experiments, delivered at the Burgdorf facility.
• MINT-Angebote für Kinder und Familien Extracurricular educational programs in STEM and sustainability for children and families, including workshops, holiday programs, and birthday parties with hands-on experiments and challenges.
• Weiterbildung für Unternehmen Continuing education programs for professionals and companies covering circular economy, energy, mobility, health and safety, and digitalization, delivered at TecLab's Burgdorf facility.
• Raummiete (Venue and Coworking Rental) Rental of seminar rooms, coworking spaces, and event facilities at the TecLab site in Burgdorf for company retreats, seminars, workshops, and external events.
• Bildungszentrum Solartechnik (Solar Installation Course) A one-week vocational course (Fachkurs Solarmontage) delivered with Technische Fachschule Bern, providing practical training in solar installation as entry-level or continuing education for solar industry professionals.
• Upskilling Instandhaltung (Maintenance Upskilling) Modular training program for maintenance professionals covering welding, metalworking, woodworking, and electrical repairs, using augmented reality welding simulators and VR headsets for practice; delivered in collaboration with Technische Fachschule Bern.
• Robotik-Workshops (Robotics Workshops) Workshops using LEGO robotics sets including WRO competition preparation, LEGO WeDo 2.0 for ages 8-10, and programming workshops for children.
• coders_lab Programming workshops aimed at young women, delivered in collaboration with BFH to lower barriers to entry in programming and ICT.
• Experimente mit erneuerbaren Energien (Renewable Energy Experiments) School workshop where students experiment with wind wheels, water wheels, and solar panels, optimizing settings to maximize energy collection; suitable for grades 5-9.
• Energiewoche / Mobilitätstage (Energy Week / Mobility Days)

Quantifiable outcome

• Since 2020, multiple MINT offerings have been solidified and regularly conducted including 'Sammeln und Verteilen' automation workshops and 'Wie die Fledermaus Bäne hört' mobility offerings
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Berner Fachhochschule (BFH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2020BFH is responsible for project implementation and operation of TecLab. Provides research access, expert networks, student involvement, and facilities at the Tiergarten site in Burgdorf. BFH collaborates on continuing education courses and research projects including the photovoltaics laboratory and sustainable business institute.
• Technische Fachschule Bern (TF Bern)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2020TF Bern collaborates on technical education and training programs. Provides facilities for courses such as welding training and solar installation courses. Partners on developing new sustainability competencies in vocational education.
• Pädagogische Hochschule Bern (PHBern)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2020PHBern collaborates on pedagogical approaches for MINT education and teacher training programs. Contributes expertise in educational methodology for developing school-oriented offerings.
• Stadt BurgdorfcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2020City of Burgdorf is a founding partner and supports TecLab through the project steering committee. Provides municipal support for sustainability initiatives including the Energiestadt Burgdorf platform and municipal fleet electrification.
• Kanton Bern (Bildungs- und Kulturdirektion)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2020Canton of Bern, represented by the Education and Culture Directorate under Director Christine Häsler, is a founding partner supporting TecLab through the project steering committee.
• Handels- und Industrieverein des Kantons Bern (HIV Bern)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2020Economic association representing commerce and industry in Canton Bern. Supports TecLab through the project steering committee and provides industry connections for company outreach and network events.
• Berner KMUcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2020Association representing small and medium-sized enterprises in the Bern region. Supports TecLab through the project steering committee and facilitates SME engagement with TecLab services.
• Energieberatungsstelle EmmentalsupportingTechnology or IntegrationEnergy consulting service for the Emmental region. Collaborates with TecLab on energy week events and provides expert presentations on topics including building energy efficiency and renewable energy.
• sun2wheelsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology company specializing in charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Collaborates with TecLab on mobility days and provides expert input on electromobility economics and charging infrastructure requirements for businesses.
• Verein Netzwerk TecLabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of member companies and supporters of TecLab organized for sustainable economics in Emmental and Oberaargau. Develops offerings in business services, continuing education, family/children events, and networking. Organizes network meetings, specialist events, and public events. Founded April 23, 2020.
• Elektromobilclub der Schweiz (ECS)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss electromobility club. Supports TecLab mobility events by providing guidance and safety supervision for electric vehicle test drives and contributing expert perspectives to panel discussions.
• World Robot Olympiad (WRO) SwitzerlandsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobotics competition organization for children and youth. TecLab served as local organizer for WRO WeDo 2.0 competitions and offered preparation workshops for participating teams.
• SolafricasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization promoting solar technology. Conducted the 'Refugees go Solar' basic solar technology course at TecLab facilities multiple times.
• energie-clustersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss energy cluster. Collaborated with TecLab on the Energy and Climate Talk 'Elektromobilität in meinem Gebäude?' as part of the ENERGIE + MOBILITÄT theme week.
• Photovoltaiklabor der BFHsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPhotovoltaics laboratory at Bern University of Applied Sciences. Collaborated with TecLab on the Fachtagung Netzanschluss (grid connection specialist conference) and provides expert knowledge on solar energy systems.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• myclimate: Swiss sustainability education and consulting organization offering corporate and public training on climate and sustainability. Comparable in B2B sustainability training and event-driven awareness programming to TecLab's continuing education business.
• Stiftung MINT (Swiss MINT Foundation): National foundation promoting MINT education in Switzerland. Operates broadly across all Swiss regions and age groups, comparable in STEM-promotion mission but at national scale versus TecLab's regional focus.
• EnergieSchweiz: Federal program under the Swiss Federal Office of Energy providing public education and professional training on energy topics. Overlaps with TecLab's energy/mobility week programming and Bildungszentrum Solartechnik at a national scale.
• SATW (Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences): National platform promoting STEM awareness and skilled-workforce development. Overlaps with TecLab's broader STEM talent-pipeline mission but operates as a national coordinating body rather than a hands-on workshop provider.

Direct peers

• Technorama: Swiss hands-on science and technology museum and workshop provider. Direct comparable in hands-on STEM educational offerings for school classes, families, and continuing-education audiences across Switzerland.
• Technische Fachschule Bern (TF Bern): Vocational-technical school in Bern and a core TecLab partner. TF Bern delivers overlapping technical training (welding, solar installation) used both as standalone courses and as input to TecLab's upskilling programs, making it the closest comparable in mission and content.
• Berner Fachhochschule (BFH): Parent host institution of TecLab. BFH's research and continuing-education portfolio overlaps directly with TecLab's sustainability, energy, and STEM offerings, and the two organizations share facilities, faculty, and program development.
• Pädagogische Hochschule Bern (PHBern): Teacher-training university that co-develops TecLab's MINT school offerings. PHBern provides pedagogical methodology and teacher-training programs comparable to TecLab's STEM-for-schools mission.
• Ökozentrum Langenbruck: Swiss sustainability education and demonstration center offering courses, workshops, and applied training in renewable energy and resource efficiency — directly comparable continuing-education focus on sustainability topics for professionals and companies.

Emerging players

• sun2wheel: Swiss e-mobility infrastructure partner of TecLab that participates in mobility-day events. Comparable as a regional emerging player intersecting electromobility with sustainability education and corporate events.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/teclabswiss
• Instagraminstagram.com/teclab.swiss

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 TecLab