Christopherus-Haus Werkstätten Gottessegen gGmbH

What Christopherus-Haus Werkstätten Gottessegen gGmbH does

Christopherus-Haus Werkstätten Gottessegen gGmbH is a German gemeinnützige GmbH (non-profit limited liability company) social therapeutic workshop organization founded in 1973 in Dortmund on the grounds of the former Zeche Gottessegen coal mine. The organization operates four locations across Dortmund and Bochum, serving approximately 660–690 Menschen mit Assistenzbedarf (people with intellectual and physical disabilities), and is formally recognized under SGB IX §142 as a sozialtherapeutische Werkstatt for vocational and personal rehabilitation. It is an integral component of the Christopherus-Haus e.V. parent association, which provides the overarching anthroposophical (Waldorf) framework connecting special education, curative education, and sheltered employment services across the Christopherus-Haus umbrella.

The organization runs 24 specialized work areas organized into more than 30 working groups, spanning bakery production, coffee roasting under the 'Schacht & Bohne' sub-brand ('Der Bochumer' and 'Der Dortmunder' blends), woodworking, metalworking, leather crafting, textile crafts (felt, wool, weaving, sewing, carpet-making, papier-mâché), candle-making, gardening and apple juice pressing (Mosterei), kitchen/catering operations, laundry services, and landscape maintenance. Output is commercialized through on-site Werkstattläden in Dortmund and Bochum, an e-commerce online shop at werkstaetten-gottessegen.de/shop, a mobile Verkaufswagen at Gut Königsmühle, and recurring public markets and events such as the Herbstbasar and Frühlingsfest.

Revenue combines government-funded vocational rehabilitation services — sourced from Integrationsämter and the Bundesagentur für Arbeit under the SGB IX §142 framework — with commercial revenue from product sales, catering, and event services. Marketing is community-led: organic Instagram, the organization's website, annual public events, and word-of-mouth within the regional disability services sector. The bakery was recognized among approximately 450 best bakeries in Germany by Der Feinschmecker magazine in 2023, and a ~€1.5M new main workshop building has been in fundraising and construction since 2022 to add capacity for 60 additional participants.

Name

Christopherus-Haus Werkstätten Gottessegen gGmbH

Legal name

Christopherus-Haus Werkstätten Gottessegen gGmbH

Website

https://werkstaetten-gottessegen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Christopherus-Haus Werkstätten Gottessegen gGmbH is a German non-profit social therapeutic workshop providing vocational training and sheltered employment to 600+ people with disabilities across four locations in Dortmund and Bochum, operating specialized workshops including an award-winning bakery and coffee roasting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

Keywords

• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Social therapeutic workshops
• Disability employment programs
• Sheltered workshop operations
• Handcrafted bakery products

Headquarters

HQ city

Dortmund

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Vocational training and rehabilitation services (Berufliche Förderung / Arbeits- und Berufsförderung): Government-funded vocational rehabilitation services for people with disabilities, delivered through workshops recognized under SGB IX §142. Funded through public rehabilitation providers (Integrationsämter, Bundesagentur für Arbeit).
2. Product sales (bakery, coffee, cider, crafts): Sale of handcrafted products produced by people with disabilities in the workshops: bread and pastries, roasted coffee ('Der Bochumer' and 'Der Dortmunder'), apple cider (Apfelsaft), handcrafted leather goods, candles, felt, textiles, metalwork, woodwork, and more. Sold via online shop, on-site workshop store, and events/markets.
3. Catering services: The bakery and kitchen workshops provide catering services for events, including large-scale catering (e.g., catering for ~700 guests at the Rehakindmesse 2026).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Christopherus-Haus Werkstätten Gottessegen gGmbH is a non-profit social therapeutic workshop organization that delivers vocational qualification, professional training, and sheltered employment for people with intellectual and physical disabilities across four locations in Dortmund and Bochum. It operates 24 specialized work fields (bakery, coffee roasting, gardening/cider pressing, woodworking, metalwork, leather, textiles, candle making, laundry, catering, landscape services, etc.) and sells the resulting handcrafted products through its own online shop, on-site Werkstattladen stores, mobile sales wagon, and public events, with funding flowing from public rehabilitation authorities under SGB IX §142.

Product overview

Christopherus-Haus Werkstätten Gottessegen gGmbH operates as a social therapeutic workshop organization offering 24 different work areas across four locations in Dortmund and Bochum. The organization provides vocational and professional development for approximately 660-690 people with disabilities. The portfolio consists of multiple specialized workshops (including bakery, coffee roasting, wood/metal/leather working, textile crafts, gardening, and laundry services), an e-commerce online shop for selling handmade products, and on-site retail stores. The workshops function as an integrated ecosystem where participants develop professional skills across various crafts while producing goods for sale.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Schacht & Bohne: Coffee roasting operation producing 'Der Bochumer' and 'Der Dortmunder' coffee varieties named after their locations.

Products and services

• Bäckerei (Bakery) Artisanal Demeter-certified bakery producing organic breads, pastries, and providing large-scale catering services (e.g., catering for ~700 guests at events). Recognized by Der Feinschmecker with Gold awards for Demeter Dinkelbrot, Holzlukenbrot, Roggenvollkornbrot and Silver for Saatenbrot.
• Kaffeerösterei 'Schacht & Bohne' (Coffee Roastery) Coffee roasting workshop producing 'Der Bochumer' and 'Der Dortmunder' blends named after their respective cities. Operates under the Schacht & Bohne sub-brand.
• Gärtnerei/Mosterei (Garden & Cider Press) Horticultural workshop and apple juice pressing facility producing seasonal vegetables, fresh produce, and Apfelsaft (apple juice/cider). Sells via mobile Verkaufswagen on Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00-14:00 at Gut Königsmühle.
• Landschafts- und Grünpflege (Landscape and Green Care) Grounds maintenance and landscaping services for external clients, operating 5 days a week. Provides commercial green-space and landscape care.
• Wäscherei (Laundry Service) Laundry workshop providing washing and textile care services to external clients. Functions as a working/training area producing revenue while developing skills.
• Küchen / Catering Services Kitchen workshops preparing food and providing catering services for events including large functions serving hundreds of guests.
• Werkstattladen (Workshop Store) Physical retail stores at workshop locations in Dortmund and Bochum where handcrafted products (bakery items, coffee, crafts, leather goods, candles, felt, woodwork, etc.) are sold directly to consumers.
• Online-Shop (E-Commerce Storefront) E-commerce online shop selling handmade bakery products, coffee, apple juice, leather goods, candles, felt products, textiles, and other crafts produced by workshop participants, with shipping and payment options.
• Handcrafted Workshop Products (Wood, Metal, Leather, Candle, Felt, Textile, Wool) Range of handcrafted goods produced across dedicated craft workshops: woodwork, metalwork, leather bags and goods, handcrafted candles, felt products, wool items, handwoven carpets (Teppichweberei), woven/sewn textiles, papier-mâché, paper/cardboard products, and general manufacture (Manufaktur). Sold via online shop and physical Werkstattladen.
• Berufliche Förderung (Vocational Qualification and Rehabilitation Services) Recognized vocational rehabilitation services for people with intellectual and physical disabilities under SGB IX §142, including Berufsbildungsbereich (vocational training area) and Arbeits- und Berufsförderung. Funded by Integrationsämter and the Bundesagentur für Arbeit.

Quantifiable outcome

• SGB IX §142 recognition as sozialtherapeutische Werkstätten
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Christopherus-Haus e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Werkstätten Gottessegen gGmbH is an integral part of Christopherus-Haus e.V., the parent anthroposophical social-therapeutic organization. The association provides the overarching framework, guiding principles (anthroposophical foundations), and interconnected services including special schools, curative education, and other social-therapeutic offerings.
• IntegrationsfördergesellschaftcoreOthersA specialized funding and support organization integrated into the Werkstätten Gottessegen ecosystem, providing additional support for the integration and professional development of people with disabilities.
• Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency)coreOthersGovernment body responsible for vocational rehabilitation funding and oversight. The Werkstätten Gottessegen orient their vocational training and Berufsbildungsbereich (vocational training area) to the requirements of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit.
• Therapiefonds / Stiftungsfonds (Therapy Fund / Foundation Fund)minorOthersInternal support funds that provide additional therapeutic and welfare services for workshop participants. The Therapiefonds organizes events such as the Dreikönigsspiel (Epiphany play) with free admission and donations supporting the fund.
• Franz Sales HausminorOthersPartner in the Regional-Treffen der Frauen-Beauftragten (Regional Meeting of Women's Representatives), a networking group for women's advocates from workshops for people with disabilities in the greater Dortmund/Hagen region.
• Caritas Werkstätten HagenminorOthersPartner in the Regional-Treffen der Frauen-Beauftragten (Regional Meeting of Women's Representatives), a networking group for women's advocates from workshops for people with disabilities.
• Lebenshilfe DortmundminorOthersPartnership for information sharing on leisure activities and easy language resources. Lebenshilfe Dortmund's info booklet 'Dortmund ohne Kohle' (leisure activities in easy language) is shared via Werkstätten Gottessegen's Werkstatt-Rat (workshop council) page.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Franz Sales Haus: Catholic social services organization in Essen operating Werkstätten and residential services for people with disabilities. Listed in Werkstätten Gottessegen's data as a regional peer; comparable mission, SGB IX funding model, and integrated workshop-plus-housing structure.
• Stiftung Eben-Ezer: Diakonal foundation in Lemgo (NRW) operating Werkstätten, schools, and residential services for people with disabilities. Compares to Werkstätten Gottessegen as a faith-rooted SGB IX §142 operator in NRW with diversified workshop and product offerings.
• Graf Recke Stiftung: Düsseldorf-based diakonal provider of Werkstätten, housing, and therapeutic services for people with disabilities in NRW. Directly comparable as an NRW Werkstatt operator under SGB IX §142 with multi-workshop structure and regional product sales.
• Caritas Werkstätten Hagen: Caritas-affiliated Werkstätten in the greater Hagen area providing sheltered employment and vocational training for people with disabilities. Explicitly named in the Werkstätten Gottessegen data as a regional peer for women's-representative networking, indicating directly comparable service model and target group.
• Lebenshilfe Dortmund: Local chapter of Germany's largest disability advocacy and service network, operating Werkstätten, housing, and family services in the same Dortmund catchment. Named in the source data as a peer partner for easy-language information sharing, confirming direct overlap in target population and services.
• Hephata Werkstätten: Hephata is a long-standing social-therapeutic organization in Mönchengladbach with anthroposophical/Christian roots, operating Werkstätten, schools, and residential services for people with disabilities. Highly comparable to Werkstätten Gottessegen in mission, anthroposophical framing, and multi-workshop structure.
• Pestalozzi-Werkstätten: Berlin-based Werkstätten for people with disabilities operating under SGB IX §142 with multiple vocational fields. Comparable to Werkstätten Gottessegen in regulatory recognition, workshop breadth, and product-sales channels, though geographically separate.

Broad incumbents

• von Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel: One of Germany's largest diakonal/social services providers, operating extensive Werkstätten, clinics, schools, and housing across multiple regions. Compares to Werkstätten Gottessegen as a multi-workshop provider under the same SGB IX framework but at vastly greater scale and geographic scope.
• Diakonie Werkstätten (Germany-wide): Network of Protestant-affiliated Werkstätten across Germany providing sheltered employment under SGB IX §142. Operates the same regulatory and service model as Werkstätten Gottessegen at a national scale, competing for participants and government contracts.

Regional players

• Christopherus-Haus e.V. Parent association of Werkstätten Gottessegen, offering anthroposophical curative education, schools, and social-therapeutic services in Dortmund. Directly comparable in mission, anthroposophical foundation, and disability-services focus, with overlapping but non-identical service scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/werkstaetten_gottessegen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/werkstaetten-gottessegen

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Christopherus-Haus Werkstätten Gottessegen gGmbH