VDI-GaraGe gGmbH

What VDI-GaraGe gGmbH does

VDI-GaraGe gGmbH is a non-profit (gemeinnützige GmbH) STEM learning factory located in a 2,500 m² historic factory building in Leipzig-Plagwitz, Germany. Founded in 2000 and wholly owned by the Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (VDI) since 2005, the organization delivers hands-on MINT (mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, technology) education to children and youth aged 7-18, families, schools, and educators through workshops, courses, and special programs. Core offerings include the Porsche Erlebniswerkstatt (Porsche Experience Workshop), Siemens Lernwerkstatt, holiday workshops, weekly afternoon courses, family workshops, children's birthday parties, school programs, the proTechnicale Sachsen girls-in-STEM program, and free professional development for pedagogical staff funded by TÜV SÜD Stiftung. The facility houses specialized workshops covering robotics, 3D printing, wood/metalworking, electrical engineering, energy and environment, media/IT, and a teaching kitchen, plus event spaces available for rental.

The business model combines fee-based individual programs (afternoon courses at 30-40 EUR/month; one-off workshops priced 8-225 EUR), corporate team events and room rental, fully sponsor-funded programs (TÜV SÜD Stiftung for educator training; Stiftung Leipzig hilft Kindern for disadvantaged youth), and co-branded industrial partnerships. Customers book through the website and are also acquired via school partnerships, word-of-mouth, and community channels; the organization maintains a regional focus in Saxony with no disclosed geographic expansion. The current managing director is Friderike Birenheide, succeeding founder Dr. Angelika Träger-Nestler. Operating with approximately 7 employees and no external funding rounds or patents, the organization is structurally a mission-driven education provider rather than a venture-scale business.

Name

VDI-GaraGe gGmbH

Legal name

VDI-GaraGe gGmbH

Website

https://vdi-garage.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

VDI-GaraGe gGmbH is a non-profit VDI-owned STEM learning factory in Leipzig operating across 2,500 m² of workshops, delivering hands-on MINT education to children, youth, families, schools, and educators through co-branded programs with Porsche, Siemens, and other partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education and Youth Enrichment Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

akta.pro primary industry

Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios) (EDAMADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms) (EDAJAMAG), STEM & Maker Education (Makerspaces, Coding Clubs, Robotics) (EDAAAFAL)

Keywords

• STEM education
• Youth workshops
• Hands-on learning
• MINT Bildung
• Learning factory

Headquarters

HQ city

Leipzig

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Course Fees: Revenue generated from various educational courses including afternoon courses (monthly subscription), holiday workshops, family workshops, and children's birthday parties. Pricing varies by course type and duration.
2. Room Rental: Rental of workshop and event spaces for seminars, conferences, workshops, and other events. Spaces include Forum I (up to 200 seats), Forum II, various workshops, and conference rooms.
3. Funded Programs: Free professional development courses for educators funded by TÜV SÜD Stiftung and other sponsors. Additional funding from foundations including Stiftung Leipzig hilft Kindern for MINT education for socially disadvantaged children.
4. Membership/Subscription: Monthly subscription model for regular afternoon courses with 4-week termination notice. Courses for children ages 7-9, 10-12, and youth ages 13-16.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

VDI-GaraGe gGmbH is a non-profit learning factory operating hands-on STEM (MINT) educational programs for children, youth, families, schools, and educators. It delivers its offerings through themed workshops and laboratories covering robotics, 3D printing, programming, electrical engineering, media, wood/metal work, energy/environment, and nutrition. Programs include afternoon courses, holiday workshops, family workshops, children's birthday parties, school class visits, corporate team events, room rental, and signature co-branded programs such as the Porsche Erlebniswerkstatt and Siemens Lernwerkstatt.

Product overview

VDI-GaraGe is an innovative learning factory for science and technology offering a diversified portfolio of educational programs and workshop services across multiple formats. The core offerings include the Porsche Erlebniswerkstatt (in partnership with Porsche Leipzig), Ferienworkshops (holiday programs), Nachmittagskurse (weekly afternoon courses for children and teens), Familienwerkstätten (family workshops), Kindergeburtstage (birthday parties), Schulangebote (school programs), proTechnicale Sachsen (girls' tech career program), Fortbildung (professional development for educators), Teamevents (corporate events), and Raumvermietung (room rental). These are delivered across specialized themed workshops and laboratories including Robotik & Bionik, 3D-Druck, Holz & Metall, Energie & Umwelt, Programmierung, Medien & IT, and Ernährung & Gesundheit, plus public event spaces available for rental. The facility spans approximately 2,500 m² in a historic Leipzig-Plagwitz factory building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Porsche Erlebniswerkstatt Interactive educational workshop operated in partnership with Porsche Leipzig GmbH covering automotive production, future mobility, and drive technologies. Features hands-on courses with original Porsche parts, insights into the Leipzig factory, and instruction from Porsche-trained instructors. Includes Porsche Camps (1 and 2), Porsche Discovery courses, and Porsche Drive Lab programs for children and youth.
• Ferienworkshops (Holiday Workshops) School holiday programs for children and teenagers covering topics such as robotics, programming, 3D printing, bionics, soldering and creative tech, and automotive engineering. Includes a 25% summer holiday discount when booked by July 4th.
• Nachmittagskurse (Afternoon Courses) Weekly recurring afternoon courses for children aged 7-16 and teenagers, covering robotics, coding, 3D printing, media, stop motion filmmaking, and hands-on technical skills in modern workshops. Subscription-based monthly model with trial lessons available (EUR 10).
• Familienwerkstätten (Family Workshops) Family-oriented workshops where children and parents explore MINT topics together through hands-on activities and experiments. Includes seasonal events such as Christmas workshops priced at EUR 8 per child / EUR 10 per adult.
• Kindergeburtstage (Children's Birthday Parties) Celebration events with technical and creative activities for children's birthdays held in the VDI-GaraGe workshops, combining party hosting with hands-on STEM activities.
• Schulangebote (School Programs) Supplementary educational programs for school classes conducted in VDI-GaraGe workshops or on-site at schools, aligned with curriculum standards. Includes project days, class trips, and curriculum supplements.
• proTechnicale Sachsen Girls' technical career exploration project for grades 9-11, featuring weekly online events, monthly visits to tech sites, a 4-day camp, and workshops on 3D printing, robotics, and environmental technology. Designed to promote girls in STEM fields.
• Fortbildung für Eltern & Pädagogen (Professional Development for Educators) Free professional development series for pedagogical staff (Tech4Kids for Kita, Tech2Teach for primary school, Tech4Vision for secondary school) covering robotics, 3D printing, AI, and digital education. 100% free of charge through TÜV SÜD Stiftung funding.
• Teamevents (Team Events) Events and workshops for corporate groups and teams held in the unique industrial atmosphere of the VDI-GaraGe facility, combining team building with hands-on STEM activities.
• Raumvermietung (Room and Space Rental) Rental of workshops and event spaces for seminars, conferences, workshops, and other events in the historic industrial building. Spaces include Forum I (up to 200 seats), Forum II, Workshop HTWK, Workshop Industriekultur, Workshop Roundtable, Workshop Medien, Workshop Werkstoffprüfung, Workshop Wasser, and Conference Rooms.

Quantifiable outcome

• VDI-GaraGe is the #1 learning factory in Saxony according to self-description
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Siemens LeipzigcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 August 2025Partnership with Siemens Niederlassung Leipzig to establish the Siemens Lernwerkstatt at VDI-GaraGe. The workshop offers courses on electrical engineering topics including renewable energy and Micro:bit programming for youth ages 10-18. Siemens provided 2,000 EUR donation to support educational work. The partnership was formalized with a cooperation contract.
• Porsche Leipzig GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong strategic partnership with Porsche Leipzig GmbH featuring the Porsche Erlebniswerkstatt (Porsche Experience Workshop) on-site. Porsche provides two trained instructors for courses covering automotive production, smart manufacturing, and drive technologies. Programs include Porsche Camps (1 and 2), Porsche Discovery courses, and Porsche Drive Lab. The partnership supports Porsche's youth career outreach and STEM education initiatives. Porsche also provides original parts for hands-on learning.
• Leipziger WasserwerkeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner supporting VDI-GaraGe's mission to promote STEM education. Contributes to the Energy and Environment Laboratory focusing on water resources, water treatment, and sustainability education.
• IKK classicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting nutrition and health education programs including the Escape Room on nutrition and food hygiene (developed with TU Dresden) and the teaching kitchen program.
• HTWK Leipzig (Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with HTWK Leipzig's robotics group (RoboCreators). HTWK operates the Automatikmuseum (Automation Museum) housed at VDI-GaraGe, the only specialized museum of its kind in Germany covering measurement and automation technology history.
• LaSuB Leipzig (Landesamt für Schule und Bildung)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with LaSuB Leipzig on the WTH (Wirtschafts Technologie Haushalt) Regional Competition, hosting annual competitions for students in grades 8-9.
• IHK zu Leipzig (Chamber of Industry and Commerce)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHK Leipzig sponsors prizes for the WTH Regional Competition, providing participation awards for all contestants.
• TU Dresden (Technische Universität Dresden)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership contributing to the Escape Room on nutrition and food hygiene, developed by researchers from TU Dresden. Also hosts the state-level WTH competition.
• VDI (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDI-GaraGe is a wholly-owned subsidiary of VDI GmbH, part of the VDI Group. This parent relationship provides institutional backing, access to the VDI network, and alignment with VDI's mission for technical education. The organization operates under the VDI family concept including VDIni clubs and Zukunftspiloten programs.
• Verein für Industriekultur LeipzigminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to preserve and share the significant history of the VDI-GaraGe site, formerly home to the Rudolph Sack agricultural machinery factory. The association provides historical context and supports heritage tours during Industry Culture Days.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum: One of Germany's largest computer and technology museums, located in Paderborn, with strong educational programming for schools and youth. Comparable in combining industrial-heritage setting, tech focus, and educational mission — anchored in a major regional engineering/Nexans-style partnership context.
• Mathematikum e.V. Non-profit 'math adventure museum' in Gießen offering interactive math/STEM exhibits and school workshops. Closely comparable in non-profit structure and educational-mission focus on hands-on STEM for youth.
• Futurium gGmbH: Berlin-based science center operated by a non-profit focused on future-oriented themes including technology, sustainability, and innovation. Comparable as a modern German science/learning center offering hands-on experiences for schools, families, and youth.
• PHÄNO gGmbH: Science center in Wolfsburg operated by a non-profit, offering interactive STEM exhibits and educational workshops for schools and families. Closely comparable as a German non-profit science-education destination with hands-on programming for K-12 audiences.
• experimenta gGmbH: Germany's largest science center, headquartered in Heilbronn. Operates large-scale hands-on STEM exhibits and educational programming for schools, families, and youth — directly comparable in mission (STEM learning factory) and target audience (children, families, schools) to VDI-GaraGe, but at much larger scale.

Regional players

• Universum Bremen: Science center in Bremen combining a museum, outdoor park, and school programming around STEM topics. Comparable in model (science center + educational programming) but serves Northwestern Germany rather than Saxony.
• Odysseum Science Park: Science center/adventure park in Cologne with hands-on STEM exhibits and school programming. Comparable in interactive STEM focus and family/school audience, but serving western Germany rather than Saxony.

Broad incumbents

• Deutsches Technikmuseum: Major Berlin-based technology museum with extensive educational programming and workshop offerings for school groups. Comparable mission and target audience, but operates at city-scale and as part of Berlin's broader museum infrastructure rather than as a specialized learning factory.

Others

• VDIni Club / VDI Zukunftspiloten (VDI e.V.): VDI's own youth programs (VDIni clubs for younger children, Zukunftspiloten for older youth) directly overlap with VDI-GaraGe's mission and target audience. Sister-program relationship under the same parent organization makes them ecosystem peers rather than competitors, but useful for benchmarking program design and reach.

Emerging players

• Fab Lab Berlin: Berlin-based community makerspace offering access to digital fabrication tools (3D printing, laser cutting, electronics) and workshops. Comparable as a makerspace/fab lab concept with STEM education programming, but serves a broader community rather than a youth-only audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vdi_garage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vdi-garage-ggmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 VDI-GaraGe gGmbH