Volkshochschule Krems

What Volkshochschule Krems does

Volkshochschule Krems (VHS Krems) is a registered non-profit adult education association (Verein) headquartered in the Fellnerhof building in Krems an der Donau, Lower Austria, operating since 1949 with roots tracing back to an 1885 predecessor organization. The institution delivers approximately 450 courses and seminars annually across languages, professional development and IT, creative arts, health and lifestyle, sports and fitness, and yoga/relaxation, serving roughly 3,000 students per year through ~100 contracted course instructors and 2.5 FTE organizational staff. Specialized offerings include Berufsreifeprüfung preparation courses (vocational matriculation pathway), authorized ÖSD German language diploma examinations (A1–C1), the seasonal Talentesommer children's program, and a free Bildungsberatung counseling service.

The organization operates across 16+ venue locations in Krems and the Wachau region, including partner facilities such as BHAK Krems, Kunsthalle Krems, Stadtbücherei Krems, and Kremser Bank seminar rooms. Its technology stack is a standard WordPress + WooCommerce implementation with Stripe for course fee processing, Google Analytics for traffic measurement, and Borlabs Cookie for GDPR consent management.

Revenue is generated primarily through individual course fees (which cover more than 75% of operating costs), supplemented by an annual membership program (€20/year), government subsidies including NÖ Bildungsförderung and AK Bildungsbonus, and sponsorship from Kremser Bank. Course fees range from free lectures to €1,120 for BRP preparation (with 50% provincial subsidy) and €15–€178 for regular courses. VHS Krems is a member of the Verband Niederösterreichischer Volkshochschulen (since 1956) and the Verband Österreichischer Volkshochschulen, positioning it within the formal Austrian publicly funded adult education ecosystem.

Name

Volkshochschule Krems

Legal name

Österreichische Kulturvereinigung-Volkshochschule Krems

Website

https://vhs-krems.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Volkshochschule Krems is a non-profit adult education association in Krems, Lower Austria, delivering ~450 courses annually across languages, IT, creative arts, and fitness to ~3,000 students, including ÖSD-certified German language diplomas and Berufsreifeprüfung preparation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Krems an der Donau

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Course Fees and Admission Charges: More than three-quarters of the organization's costs are covered by revenue from course fees and entrance charges. Course fees vary by course type, ranging from free lectures to €1,120 for Berufsreifeprüfung preparation courses and €52–178 for regular courses. Fees cover instructor honoraria, administrative costs, and maintenance.
2. Annual Membership Fees: Members pay €20 per year (Partner Bonus €25). Members receive a 5% discount on every course booking, one free lecture per semester, and a free exclusive guided tour. The membership supports the association's mission.
3. Government Funding and Subsidies: Public funding is received to keep course fees socially acceptable. This includes NÖ Bildungsförderung subsidies for professional education and the AK Bildungsbonus (Workers' Chamber educational bonus) for eligible participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Volkshochschule Krems is a non-profit adult education institute delivering approximately 450 courses and seminars annually across languages, IT, professional development, creative arts, health and lifestyle, sports/fitness, and yoga/relaxation, serving about 3,000 students per year. Specialized offerings include Berufsreifeprüfung (vocational matriculation) preparation courses, authorized ÖSD state-recognized German language diploma examinations (A1-C2), and the Talentesommer youth summer holiday program.\n\n

Product overview

Volkshochschule Krems operates as a unified adult education platform centered on its course program (Kursprogramm) offering approximately 450 courses and seminars annually. The core educational offerings include language courses (Sprachkurse), professional development and IT courses (Berufliche Bildung und IT/EDV), creative arts (Kreatives, Kultur & Literatur), health and lifestyle courses (Gesundheit & Lifestyle), sports and fitness (Sport, Workout & Fitness), and yoga/relaxation courses. Specialized programs include Berufsreifeprüfung (BRP) preparation courses for vocational matriculation, ÖSD German language certification examinations, and the seasonal Talentesommer holiday program for youth. Supporting services include free educational counseling (Bildungsberatung), language placement tests (Einstufungstests), gift vouchers, and a membership program. The institution is organized as a non-profit association (Österreichische Kulturvereinigung – Volkshochschule Krems) and is an authorized ÖSD testing center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kursprogramm (Course Program)

Quantifiable outcome

• ~3,000 students per year served by ~100 course instructors across ~450 courses
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Verband Niederösterreichischer VolkshochschulencoreOthers · 1 January 1956The VHS Krems has been a member of the Association of Lower Austrian Adult Education Institutes since 1956. The association supports and coordinates adult education activities across Lower Austria.
• Verband Österreichischer VolkshochschulencoreOthersThe VHS Krems is affiliated with the Association of Austrian Adult Education Institutes, which represents and supports adult education institutions throughout Austria.
• Stadt Krems (Municipality of Krems)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe municipality of Krems is listed as a partner organization, indicating collaborative support for adult education and community programming in the city.
• ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVHS Krems is an authorized ÖSD examination center, offering state-recognized German language diploma examinations (A1 through C2) and integration exams (A2, B1). ÖSD is a state-recognized German language testing organization aligned with Europarat guidelines.
• Stadtbücherei und Mediathek KremsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity library and media library of Krems. VHS Krems conducts a Buchclub (book club) in cooperation with the city library, meeting monthly for literary discussions.
• IMC Fachhochschule KremsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Applied Sciences in Krems. Listed as a partner, suggesting potential collaboration on educational programs or cross-promotion.
• Kunsthalle KremsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt gallery in Krems. VHS Krems uses the Kunsthalle Krems as a course location and collaborates on cultural programming (e.g., Talentesommer art workshops).
• Kremser BankminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal bank providing seminar space for VHS courses (Kremser Bank-Seminarraum). VHS Krems receives financial sponsorship from Kremser Bank as indicated by their logo placement on the website. IBAN: AT52 2022 8000 0407 4001, BIC: SPKDAT21XXX.
• AK Niederösterreich (Arbeiterkammer NÖ)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorkers' Chamber of Lower Austria. Offers the AKplus-Bildungsbonus for VHS Krems courses — employees and members can receive 50–100% reimbursement of course fees up to €220 per calendar year. VHS courses eligible for AKplus bonus are marked with the AKplus logo.
• BHAK Krems (Commercial Academy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommercial secondary school (BHAK Krems, Langenloiserstraße 22) used as a course venue for Berufsreifeprüfung preparation courses (Business Administration & Accounting) and IT courses.
• Land Niederösterreich (Province of Lower Austria)coreOthersThe Province of Lower Austria provides Bildungsförderung (educational subsidies) including 50% subsidy for Berufsreifeprüfung courses. Also funds the Bildungsberatung NÖ service. VHS Krems operates as part of the publicly funded adult education ecosystem in Lower Austria.
• Musikschule KremsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic school in Krems listed as a partner organization, suggesting potential collaboration on music and cultural education programs.
• WEINSTADTmuseum, Landesgalerie NÖ, Karikaturmuseum KremsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural institution partners including the WeinStadtmuseum, Landesgalerie NÖ, and Karikaturmuseum Krems. These museums serve as excursion and cultural program venues for VHS courses.
• Buchhandlung SchmidlminorOthersLocal bookstore in Krems listed as a partner, potentially for book-related events, literature courses, or cross-promotion.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Urania Wien: A Viennese cultural and educational institution offering lectures, courses, and cultural programming similar to VHS Krems's Vorträge (lectures) and creative arts categories. Comparable as a cultural adult education provider but with a stronger emphasis on single lectures and cultural events rather than multi-session vocational preparation.

Direct peers

• Volkshochschule Wien (Vienna Adult Education Centres): The largest Volkshochschule in Austria, operating under the same national association (Verband Österreichischer Volkshochschulen) with the same statutory non-profit mission: adult education courses in languages, professional development, creative arts, and certifications. Directly comparable as a regional VHS peer with similar course catalog, ÖSD testing capabilities, and Berufsreifeprüfung prep offerings.
• Volkshochschule Graz: Styria's flagship adult education institute, offering the same VHS statutory mission with language courses, ÖSD examinations, and Berufsreifeprüfung preparation. Directly comparable as a mid-sized Austrian VHS peer with similar funding mix (course fees + provincial subsidies) and course catalog depth.
• Europäische Volkshochschule Wien: A Vienna-based VHS focused on European languages and international cultural exchange programming. Operates under the same Verband Österreichischer Volkshochschulen as VHS Krems with a comparable non-profit adult education model, though with a narrower linguistic and cultural specialization.
• Volkshochschule Linz: A regional Volkshochschule operating in Upper Austria with an analogous non-profit adult education model, multi-channel registration (online, in-person, phone), and a comparable course mix in languages, IT, fitness, and Berufsreifeprüfung preparation. Closest structural peer in terms of city size and operating model.
• Volkshochschule Salzburg: A regional Volkshochschule operating under the same national federation, offering comparable adult education programs including language certification, professional development, and personal enrichment. Mid-sized city VHS peer with similar service structure.
• Verband Niederösterreichischer Volkshochschulen: The Association of Lower Austrian Adult Education Institutes, of which VHS Krems has been a member since 1956. This is the umbrella federation coordinating VHS Krems with 20+ other VHS institutions across Lower Austria — the most structurally comparable peer network, sharing curriculum frameworks, instructor pools, and provincial funding relationships.

Broad incumbents

• WIFI Österreich (Wirtschaftsförderungsinstitut): Austrian Economic Chambers' vocational training institute, offering a much broader portfolio of professional and technical training across all federal states. Overlaps with VHS Krems's professional development and IT courses (Berufliche Bildung) but is a much larger, commercially-oriented incumbent serving the same adult learner segment.
• BFI Berufsförderungsinstitut Österreich: The Austrian national vocational advancement institute, providing subsidized professional training across all federal states. Competes with VHS Krems for the same adult learners seeking subsidized professional development, IT training, and second-chance education credentials like Berufsreifeprüfung.

Regional players

• IMC Fachhochschule Krems (University of Applied Sciences): The local partner university of applied sciences in Krems, explicitly listed as a VHS Krems institutional partner. While operating at the higher education tier (degree-granting), it shares the same Krems market and overlaps in professional development and IT offerings, making it the closest geographic peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/volkshochschule-krems

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Volkshochschule Krems