Automobilia

What Automobilia does

Automobilia Geislingen/Steige e.V. is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein, Amtsgericht Ulm, registration NR. 540430) founded in 1992 as the world's first automotive student association, originally centered on the mobility economics and automotive business programs at Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt (HFWU) Nürtingen, Standort Geislingen. The organization has since repositioned itself, beginning in 2019, as a mobility think-tank whose stated mission is to actively shape — rather than merely accompany — the transformation of the automotive industry. It serves a community of more than 350 members comprising current students, alumni, and supporting members drawn from the German mobility sector, with networking reach described as extending "from student to board member."

The association's product surface consists of three components: the Automobilia Network (a membership-based professional network), the Automobilia Lab (a digital collaboration platform hosted on Microsoft Teams where members participate in more than 20 interactive events and workshops per year), and the Automobilia Shop (an external e-commerce store for branded merchandise). The Lab, established in 2019, functions as the digital hub for events, guest onboarding (with 24-hour activation), and knowledge exchange. Strategic partners include HFWU Nürtingen (founding academic partner), Mosolf (automotive logistics), NeueBeratung (consulting), and Geislinger Innovation (regional innovation partner).

The business model is community-led and member-funded rather than transactional. Revenue streams are not publicly disclosed but are inferred to come from membership dues, industry sponsorships, and a small merchandise operation; pricing is not listed and workshops are offered free to members. The organization is represented legally by Benjamin Schröter, with a core operational team of four (Christoph, Benjamin, Oliver, Valentin) plus honorary figures Erwin Koller (Ehrenpräsident) and Prof. Hannes Brachat (Ehrenmitglied). Geographic scope is regional, concentrated in Baden-Württemberg / Southwest Germany.

Name

Automobilia

Legal name

Automobilia Geislingen/Steige e. V.

Website

https://automobilia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Automobilia Geislingen/Steige e.V. is a German registered non-profit association founded in 1992 as the world's first automotive student network, now repositioned as a mobility think-tank serving 350+ students, alumni, and industry members through events, workshops, and a Microsoft Teams-based digital lab.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Geislingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership and Network Services: Revenue appears to be generated through membership contributions and potential sponsorships from industry partners. The organization provides value through networking, workshops, mentoring, and job placement services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Automobilia operates a membership-based professional network connecting over 350 students, alumni, and industry professionals in the mobility sector. The organization delivers value through the digital Automobilia Lab (a Microsoft Teams-based collaboration platform), more than 20 interactive events and workshops per year, and supporting programs including mentoring, coaching, job placements, internships, scholarships, and sponsorships for technology and research.

Product overview

Automobilia operates as a networking and professional development organization for the mobility industry, consisting of three main offerings: the Automobilia Network (a membership-based professional network connecting over 350 students, alumni, and industry professionals), the Automobilia Lab (a digital collaboration platform hosted on Microsoft Teams for workshops and events), and the Automobilia Shop (an e-commerce store for merchandise). The organization functions as a think tank for mobility, helping members navigate the transformation of the automotive industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Automobilia Lab: The digital platform of Automobilia where events and workshops shape the future of mobility. It is the digital house of the network providing access to contacts, workshops, and talent development programs.

Products and services

• Automobilia Network Membership Membership-based professional network connecting over 350 students, alumni, and industry professionals in the mobility sector, providing networking, mentoring, coaching, job opportunities, internships, scholarships, startup support, and access to events and workshops.
• Automobilia Lab Digital collaboration platform hosted on Microsoft Teams that provides members access to virtual workshops, events, and knowledge exchange forums focused on mobility transformation. Guest invitations are processed within 24 hours.
• Automobilia Shop

Quantifiable outcome

• 350+ direct contacts in mobility industry
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• NeueBeratungsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting firm partner displayed on the partner page. Provides advisory and consulting services to support the organization's initiatives in mobility transformation.
• HFWU Nürtingen (Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner institution - the foundation of the Automobilia network. The mobility economics and automotive business programs at HFWU Standort Geislingen form the core membership base. Since 1992, students from this institution have formed the backbone of the organization.
• MosolfsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive logistics and services company partner. Listed on the partner page, indicating industry support for the Automobilia network and its mission to shape mobility transformation.
• Geislinger Innovation (Geislinger Inno)supportingTechnology or IntegrationInnovation-focused partner from the Geislingen region, contributing to the organization's technology and research sponsorship activities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Others

• Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft: A joint initiative of German companies and foundations supporting education, science, and innovation through corporate-academic partnerships and talent programs. Shares Automobilia's bridging role between industry funding and academic institutions, but operates at national scale with institutional resources.

Direct peers

• AIESEC: A global student-led organization providing networking, professional development, and cross-cultural exchange programs. Comparable to Automobilia as a community-driven, university-anchored network that delivers events, mentorship, and career-launching opportunities to students and recent graduates.
• e-fellows.net: A German membership-based student and graduate network connecting high-potential candidates with employers, particularly in consulting, finance, and technology. Closely comparable to Automobilia's model of using university ties, free workshops/events, and a digital community platform to bridge students into industry.
• UNITAS-Verband der wissenschaftlichen Studentenvereine: A German umbrella association of traditional Studentenverbindungen with century-long history of fostering lifelong academic and professional networks. Shares Automobilia's core structure as a registered (e.V.) student/alumni organization operating out of a German university city and offering networking, mentoring, and career support to members.

Broad incumbents

• VDI (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure): Germany's largest technical-scientific professional association with 130,000+ members, providing events, networking, and continuing education. Compares to Automobilia as a mature membership-based organization offering workshops, conferences, and industry contacts, but at vastly larger scale and broader engineering scope.
• VDA (Verband der Automobilindustrie): The leading German automotive industry trade association representing OEMs and suppliers in policy, standards, and public communication. Addresses the same German mobility ecosystem Automobilia serves but as a broad incumbent across the entire industry rather than a student-focused community.
• BDA (Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Arbeitgeberverbände): The German Confederation of Employers' Associations representing industry-wide labor and training policy. Comparable as a membership-based association serving the German industrial ecosystem that Automobilia targets, with far broader scope and institutional weight.

Regional players

• Hochschulgruppe der Wirtschaftsjunioren: Junior chambers of commerce university chapters across Germany connecting young professionals and students with entrepreneurs and employers. Shares Automobilia's student-to-professional bridge and event-driven community model, though focused on broader business rather than mobility specifically.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/christoph-westheider-8069141a4
• Facebookfacebook.com/automobilia.geislingen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Automobilia