Lake Constance Arts & Sciences Association

What Lake Constance Arts & Sciences Association does

Lake Constance Arts & Sciences Association (Wissenschaftsverbund Vierländerregion Bodensee, W4) is a cross-border non-profit academic consortium registered as a European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation (EVTZmbH), headquartered in Konstanz, Germany, with a second office in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland. The organization coordinates collaboration among 25 member universities across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, providing access to a collective research base of more than 20,000 researchers and 115,000 students. W4 was constituted in 2023 as the legal successor to the Internationale Bodensee-Hochschule (IBH), continuing more than two decades of regional academic cooperation around Lake Constance.

The consortium delivers its mission through several structured programs: three thematic Labs (Circular, Sustainable Mobility, IoT Sustainability), policy advisory through CUBE (Center for Scientific Policy Advice) launching in 2026, the Zertifikat Zukunft future-skills certification, BodenseeLinked entrepreneurship programs, civic engagement through BePart and democracy projects, and the W4-Change Award. Activities are coordinated by a small staff of approximately eight employees, including Co-Managing Directors Markus Rhomberg and Alexandra Hassler, with oversight from Chair Sabine Rein.

W4 operates as a grant-funded coordination entity rather than a commercial enterprise. Its core funding flows from member-state contributions via the Internationale Bodenseekonferenz (IBK) — 4.5 million EUR committed for the 2026–2029 period — supplemented by EU Interreg VI program funding (11.7 million EUR) and third-party project grants. Its stakeholder base consists of 25 member universities and regional government bodies rather than commercial buyers, making traditional revenue mechanics inapplicable and tying institutional sustainability to multi-year political cycles.

Name

Lake Constance Arts & Sciences Association

Legal name

Wissenschaftsverbund Vierländerregion Bodensee EVTZmbH

Website

https://wissenschaftsverbund.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lake Constance Arts & Sciences Association (W4) is a cross-border non-profit academic consortium coordinating 25 universities across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, delivering thematic research labs, policy advisory, and student programs to a 115,000-strong student body.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Research Consortium

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Study Abroad Provider Networks, Consortia & Membership Organizations (EDAIAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE), Provider-Run International Internship Programs (Multi-Country/Multi-Industry) (EDAIAFAA)

Keywords

• Cross-border university cooperation
• Academic research consortium
• Higher education collaboration
• Policy advisory services
• Innovation labs

Headquarters

HQ city

Konstanz

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. EU Interreg VI Funding: European Union cross-border cooperation program providing approximately 39.5 million EUR in funding plus 11.7 million EUR in Swiss national funds for the broader Interreg VI ABH program. The W4 receives specific allocations for its Innovation and Transfer Fund, FutureFonds, and Labs initiatives.
2. IBK (International Bodensee Conference) Contributions: Annual contributions from the IBK totaling 4.5 million EUR for the period 2026-2029, representing the primary regular funding stream for the consortium's operations.
3. Third-Party Funding (Drittmittel): Independently acquired third-party funding in the double-digit millions, targeting European funding programs such as HORIZON or Erasmus+ to supplement core funding.
4. Canton Thurgau Support: Financial support from Canton Thurgau for the office location in Kreuzlingen, including personnel services and operational costs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The W4 is a cross-border academic consortium coordinating cooperation between 25 universities across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It delivers policy advisory services through CUBE, three applied innovation Labs (Circular, Sustainable Mobility, IoT Sustainability), cross-border educational programs (Zertifikat Zukunft), entrepreneurship support (BodenseeLinked), and participation projects. Programs are funded through IBK contributions and EU Interreg grants rather than commercial sales.

Product overview

The Wissenschaftsverbund Vierländerregion Bodensee (W4) is a cross-border network of 25 universities across four countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein) with approximately 115,000 students and 20,000 researchers. The organization functions as a platform for collaboration between higher education institutions, offering a portfolio of programs and initiatives. Core offerings include CUBE (policy advisory center), three thematic Labs (Circular Lab, Sustainable Mobility Lab, IoT Sustainability Lab), educational programs like Zertifikat Zukunft, entrepreneurship support through BodenseeLinked, participation projects like BePart and Gemeinsam Demokratie erleben, and the W4-Change Award. The organization is funded through IBK contributions and EU Interreg programs, providing fully-funded research and teaching projects across the Lake Constance region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CUBE: Center for scientific policy consulting that prepares knowledge from regional universities for use in concrete political and administrative questions.
• Circular Lab
• Sustainable Mobility Lab
• IoT Sustainability Lab
• W4-Change Award
• Zertifikat Zukunft
• BodenseeLinked

Products and services

• CUBE - Center for Scientific Policy Advice (Zentrum für wissenschaftliche Politikberatung) A center for scientific policy advice that prepares knowledge from regional universities for concrete questions in politics and administration. Provides decision-making foundations through studies, briefings, consultations, and workshops to cantons, cities, and regional administrations.
• Circular Lab A hub for circular economy and circular innovation in the Lake Constance region, focusing on textile industry and food/agriculture sectors. Develops circular products in cross-company ecosystems to generate ecological and economic value.
• Sustainable Mobility Lab Innovation lab developing sustainable mobility concepts for passenger and freight transport in the Lake Constance region.
• IoT Sustainability Lab Lab using Internet of Things technology for resource-efficient building management, examining the effect of IoT systems on sustainability.
• Zertifikat Zukunft (Future Skills Certificate) A cross-border certificate program preparing students for the demands of a dynamically changing work world through Future Skills development, combining presence workshops with digital learning offerings.
• BodenseeLinked | Entrepreneurship Cross-border entrepreneurship platform connecting founders, start-ups, companies and universities to strengthen the regional startup ecosystem.
• BePart - Partizipation (er)leben Project that conveys attitude, methods and enthusiasm for successful participation processes, strengthening participation in education, society and administration.
• Gemeinsam Demokratie erleben Project strengthening student participation in school everyday life and activating democracy and participation in the region through dialogue formats between science and school practice.
• W4-Change Award Award program honoring regional projects that promise or have already achieved social impact. Prize includes 5,000 EUR plus coaching package.

Quantifiable outcome

• 36 projects funded with 3.18 million EUR between 2022-2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 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

Integration3 records

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Volksbank Bodensee-OberschwabenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Regional bank that continued the BodenseeLinked networking platform for founders, startups, companies and universities after project completion - demonstrating successful project transfer to practice.
• Internationale Bodensee-Konferenz (IBK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023IBK is the founding and primary institutional partner of W4. It established the predecessor organization together with member universities and has led it as 'their project' for over 20 years. Since W4's formation, cooperation is based on a cooperation agreement. IBK funds W4 activities through performance agreements, with current agreement covering 2026-2029.
• University of St.Gallen (Universität St.Gallen)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Leading academic partner co-leading the Circular Lab with the Institute for Business Administration (circular economy focus) and Institute for Informatics (AI and automation). Hosts Executive School and co-leads Future Skills certificate program.
• OST - Ostschweizer FachhochschulecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Key academic partner contributing to Circular Lab with focus on organizational development, digital transformation, and value chain management in food economy. Hosts IOL Institute for Organization and Leadership.
• Fachhochschule VorarlbergcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Co-leads Circular Lab and hosts the coordination office for all three Labs (Circular, Sustainable Mobility, IoT). Contributes Business Informatics research center with focus on data science and optimization.
• Freitag lab.agminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Swiss manufacturer of bags and accessories from recycled truck tarps, founded 1993 in Zurich. Industry partner in Circular Lab providing circular economy expertise for textile industry transformation.
• Schneider Electric (Switzerland)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Global electrical engineering company collaborating with IoT Sustainability Lab on developing simulation tools for optimal IoT system configuration in building management.
• Verdunova AGminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Producer of frozen vegetable and fruit products for retail, gastronomy and industry. Industry partner in Circular Lab contributing to food economy circularity initiatives.
• Landwirtschaftliches Zentrum SalezminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Agricultural service center of Canton St.Gallen providing education, consulting, courses and practical research. Contributes to Circular Lab food sector circularity projects.
• Circular Lab ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Multi-institution consortium of universities and companies developing circular economy solutions in textile and food sectors, funded through Interreg VI ABH from June 2023 to May 2027.
• Canton ThurgaucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Canton Thurgau has been a supporter since IBK membership began. Since 2003 it has funded the office operations in Kreuzlingen and continues to support the W4 location in Kreuzlingen financially and with personnel services.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Danube Rectors' Conference: Network of universities from countries in the Danube region promoting cooperation in research, education, and policy. Comparable as a regional multi-country university consortium with similar coordination and knowledge-transfer functions.
• EU-CONEXUS European University Alliance: European Universities alliance focused on sustainable development, smart urban-rural coastal communities, with cross-border joint educational programs. Comparable as a multi-country academic consortium with thematic labs/initiatives.
• Salzburg Global Seminar: Independent non-profit institution convening cross-border leaders and scholars across topics. Comparable in operating as a neutral cross-border convening body for academic and policy collaboration across Europe.
• Coimbra Group: Long-standing network of European universities focused on collaboration in research, teaching, and mobility. Directly comparable as a multi-country academic consortium serving a similar coordination role across borders.
• Utrecht Network: European university network of around 30 institutions supporting student and staff mobility, joint programs, and summer schools. Comparable as a cross-border consortium enabling educational cooperation and exchange.
• European University Foundation (EUF): Luxembourg-based foundation supporting European university alliances and cooperation projects. Comparable in role as an enabling and coordinating body for cross-border higher education collaboration and policy advocacy.
• Aurora European Universities Alliance: European Universities alliance of nine universities across Europe, collaborating on joint educational programs, research, and societal engagement. Comparable as a multi-country, multi-university cooperation model.
• EUTOPIA Alliance: European Universities alliance of ten universities collaborating on joint programs, research, and student mobility. Comparable as a multi-country university cooperation network with similar strategic objectives to W4.
• EUCOR (European Campus of the Upper Rhine): Cross-border university network of five universities along the Upper Rhine (Germany, France, Switzerland), directly comparable to W4 in structure, scope, and mission of enabling cross-border research, teaching, and mobility among member institutions.

Broad incumbents

• DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service): Germany's largest academic exchange organization funding international academic cooperation. Comparable in mission of fostering cross-border academic collaboration but operating at much larger national scale with broader scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wissenschaftsverbund

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Lake Constance Arts & Sciences Association