figus

What figus does

figus GmbH (full legal name: figus GmbH Priv. Forschungsinstitut für Gesundheits- und Systemgestaltung) is a private research institute founded in 2007 and headquartered in Cologne, Germany. The firm operates as a B2B consulting and applied-research provider in the German healthcare sector, serving public-sector payers, federal ministries, statutory health insurers, and academic partners. Its portfolio spans commissioned health-services research, strategic consulting, and the design of care-pathway and workforce models, with engagements typically structured as multi-party consortia under federal funding instruments.

The institute's core products are research studies and policy advisory outputs rather than commercial software. Notable work includes the eliPfad outpatient care-pathway study (948 enrolled patients across 100 GP practices), the HeartGap gender-health study, the Docs & Care Network telemonitoring programme, and regional workforce analyses such as Trendanalyse Niedersachsen. The institute also contributes as a research sub-contractor to larger consortia, including LEX LOTSEN OWL, a roughly €7 million, three-year regional legal-lodging initiative in North Rhine-Westphalia. Underlying technical work is methodological (study design, data collection, evaluation) rather than platform engineering, and figus has accumulated 100+ publications over 15+ years that constitute a reusable evidence base.

Commercially, figus monetizes primarily through public grants — notably the Innovationsfonds, the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG), and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) — together with sub-contracted research portions inside multi-party consortia and direct strategic consulting engagements. The model is project-based and grant-driven rather than productized, so revenue is inherently lumpy and tied to public-sector procurement cycles. Anchored clients include BMG, the G-BA, AOK, TK, university hospitals, and Ostfalia University. The institute operates with a lean team of approximately ten visible members led by senior academic figures, with no disclosed venture funding and no public revenue figures.

Name

figus

Legal name

figus GmbH Priv. Forschungsinstitut für Gesundheits- und Systemgestaltung

Website

https://figus.koeln

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

figus GmbH is a Cologne-based private research institute founded in 2007 providing applied health-services research and strategic consulting to German public-sector payers, ministries, statutory health insurers, and academic partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Research & Consulting

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Policy, Regulatory & Public Affairs Research (BPAHALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Health Financing, Budgeting & Grants Management (HLAJAMAC), Program & Project Implementation (TA Delivery) (BPADAEAA)

Keywords

• Healthcare research consulting
• Health services research
• Health policy advisory
• Innovation management
• Evaluation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Köln

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Publicly Funded Research & Evaluation Projects: figus generates revenue through publicly funded research projects, primarily from Germany's Innovationsfonds (Federal Joint Committee/G-BA), Federal Ministries (BMG, BMEL), and public insurance companies (GKV-Spitzenverband). Projects include eliPfad, HeartGap, Docs & Care, ST-EFF, Prävention von Pflegebedürftigkeit, and LEX LOTSEN OWL. Revenue is project-based with defined funding periods and deliverables.
2. Strategic Consulting & Health Policy Advisory: Fee-based consulting engagements for healthcare companies, associations, and institutions, including market analyses, strategy development, workshop facilitation, and health policy advisory services.
3. Commissioned Research & Custom Studies: Private commissioned research for healthcare organizations, including trend analyses, expert opinions, and specialized evaluations. Examples include the Trendanalyse Gesundheitsfachberufe commissioned by Ostfalia University.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

figus GmbH is a private research institute (Konzeptschmiede / concept forge) for the German healthcare sector that delivers health services research, evaluation, strategic policy consulting, and innovation management services. The institute operates three core service lines: Versorgungsforschung & Evaluation (scientifically grounded evidence generation for care solutions), Strategieentwicklung & Gesundheitspolitische Beratung (politically viable strategy development), and Innovationsmanagement & Prozessbegleitung (project steering and process accompaniment from concept to implementation). It primarily executes publicly funded research projects (Innovationsfonds, federal ministries) and fee-based consulting for healthcare companies, associations, and government institutions in Germany.

Product overview

figus GmbH is a private research institute acting as a 'Konzeptschmiede' (concept forge) for healthcare, offering three core service areas: Versorgungsforschung & Evaluation (health services research and evaluation), Strategieentwicklung & Gesundheitspolitische Beratung (strategy development and health policy consulting), and Innovationsmanagement & Prozessbegleitung (innovation management and process accompaniment). The portfolio includes multiple funded research projects such as eliPfad (cross-sectoral care pathways with telemonitoring), LEX LOTSEN OWL (patient navigator governance), Heart Gap (gender-sensitive cardiovascular care), Docs & Care Network (digital information exchange via Telematikinfrastruktur), EmslandCare (regional health support), ST-EFF (breastfeeding education evaluation), Prävention von Pflegebedürftigkeit (prevention of care dependency), and others. The company also publishes a quarterly newsletter (figus-Forschungskompass). Rather than a software platform, figus offers consulting and research services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Versorgungsforschung & Evaluation Scientifically grounded evaluation designs providing reliable evidence for effective, sustainable care solutions as a basis for innovative models that measurably improve healthcare delivery, using qualitative and quantitative research methods and systematic reviews.
• Strategieentwicklung & Gesundheitspolitische Beratung Strategic consulting connecting deep understanding of the healthcare system with a strong political network to develop politically viable and practice-oriented strategies, guiding organizations through complex decisions at the interface of care, politics, and organization.
• Innovationsmanagement & Prozessbegleitung Conceptualizing, planning, and accompanying changes in healthcare with clear focus, professional competence, and methodological project management, including application support for public funding (Innovationsfonds, Federal Ministries) and steering of complex healthcare innovation projects.
• eliPfad Personalized, interdisciplinary patient pathway for cross-sectoral care of multimorbid patients with telemedical monitoring, aiming to reduce unplanned hospital readmissions and strengthen treatment continuity across ambulatory and inpatient sector boundaries.
• LEX LOTSEN OWL Innovationsfonds project developing pathways to transfer patient navigator models into standard care through regional governance arrangements and coordination offices, partnering with AOK Nordost, AOK NordWest, BKK OWL, HELP GmbH, IKK classic, inav, TK, and others.
• Heart Gap Research project addressing gender health gaps in guideline-based inpatient cardiovascular care, examining care deficits and developing implementation measures for gender-sensitive care, including literature reviews, focus groups, expert interviews, and survey-based research.
• Docs & Care Network Project implementing digital cross-sectoral information exchange between ambulatory care services and physicians through exchange of vital data and electronic medication plans via the Telematikinfrastruktur (TI) using KIM (Kommunikation im Medizinwesen).
• EmslandCare Initiative bundling support offers in healthcare and care under one roof, including care support points, dementia service centers, and psychosocial counseling with health navigators in municipal offices in the Emsland region.
• ST-EFF – Stillen – Eating for future Project evaluating the effectiveness of teaching units and training for teachers and students on breastfeeding, commissioned by ÄGGF and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) through the IN FORM initiative.
• Prävention von Pflegebedürftigkeit (Prevention of Care Dependency) Expert report commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) identifying and evaluating preventive approaches before need for care or in ambulatory care settings, based on analysis of 29 research results with a focus on international studies.
• Trendanalyse Gesundheitsfachberufe in Niedersachsen Trend analysis examining supply and demand of skilled workers in the healthcare sector across nursing, therapeutic professions, midwifery, rescue services, and physician assistants, commissioned by Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences.
• Reboarding weiblicher Führungskräfte im Gesundheitswesen Project combining scoping review and qualitative interview study examining the re-entry experiences of women returning to leadership positions in healthcare after parental or care leave.
• genial care Project providing care coordinators for physicians in the genial medical network to support patients with complex care needs, improving care processes and coordination in Lower Saxony.
• figus-Forschungskompass Quarterly newsletter providing updates on events, current health policy reforms, relevant studies, figus publications, and innovative research projects, distributed via Brevo (Sendinblue) using double opt-in subscription.

Quantifiable outcome

• eliPfad project successfully recruited target of 948 multimorbid patients for personalized intersectoral care pathway with telemedical monitoring.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ActureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a reference/client partner of figus on the Referenzen & Partner page.
• AmgenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a reference/client partner of figus on the Referenzen & Partner page.
• Berlin-ChemieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a reference/client partner of figus on the Referenzen & Partner page. Former employer of Prof. Dr. Susanne Eble (2004–2023).
• Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (BMG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMG is a key commissioning partner. figus co-produced the expert report on prevention of care dependency with BMG, published on BMG's website. Also discussed as key stakeholder in healthcare policy analysis.
• Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMEL co-funded the ST-EFF project (Stillen – Eating for future) through IN FORM initiative.
• Daiichi SankyominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a reference/client partner of figus on the Referenzen & Partner page.
• DHV – Deutscher HebammenverbandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a reference/partner of figus on the Referenzen & Partner page.
• fbeta GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a reference/partner of figus on the Referenzen & Partner page. fbeta is a health research and consulting firm.
• G-BA – Gemeinsamer BundesausschusscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerG-BA is the funder of Innovationsfonds projects in which figus participates (eliPfad, HeartGap). figus project information is published on the G-BA Innovationsfonds website.
• Genial eG – Gesundheitsnetz im Altkreis LingencoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerfigus collaborates with Genial on EmslandCare (regional healthcare coordination) and Genial care projects. Genial's Gesundheitslotsen are central to the EmslandCare model.
• Gesundheitsforen LeipzigminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a reference/partner of figus on the Referenzen & Partner page.
• GKS GesundheitsnetzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a reference/partner of figus on the Referenzen & Partner page.
• Health Region Köln/BonnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a reference/partner of figus on the Referenzen & Partner page.
• Healthcare Frauen e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerfigus team members (Prof. Dr. Kurscheid, Prof. Dr. Eble) serve on advisory boards of Healthcare Frauen e.V. and collaborate on the 'Women in Change' initiative regarding menopause in the workplace.
• Hilse KonzeptminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a reference/partner of figus on the Referenzen & Partner page.
• inav – Institut für angewandte Versorgungsforschung GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerinav is both a reference partner and consortium partner in the LEX LOTSEN OWL project. Collaborates with figus on applied healthcare research.
• IN FORM – Initiative für gesunde Ernährung und mehr BewegungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIN FORM co-funded the ST-EFF project along with BMEL. figus conducted the evaluation of the breastfeeding and nutrition education program.
• InGeF – Initiative GesundheitsökonomieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a reference/partner of figus on the Referenzen & Partner page.
• IfGev – Institut für Gender und GesundheitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a reference/partner of figus on the Referenzen & Partner page. IfGev is a key partner in gender health research, relevant to the HeartGap project.
• IX InstitutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a reference/partner of figus on the Referenzen & Partner page.
• Lebensbaum GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLebensbaum GmbH is the project lead for the Docs & Care Network project, with figus as a project partner. The project piloted digital exchange between ambulatory care services and physicians via Telematikinfrastruktur.
• Hausärztliches Zentrum Angelus, LindlarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated as a pilot site in the Docs & Care Network project, testing digital exchange workflows between the general practice and ambulatory care services.
• AOK Nordost – Die GesundheitskassecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the LEX LOTSEN OWL project (approximately 7 million euros total funding over 3 years), focused on transitioning patient navigator models into standard care.
• AOK NordWest – Die GesundheitskassecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the LEX LOTSEN OWL project.
• BKK Arbeitsgemeinschaft OWLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the LEX LOTSEN OWL project.
• HELP GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the LEX LOTSEN OWL project.
• IKK classiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the LEX LOTSEN OWL project.
• Prof. Dr. Gerhard Igl, Social Impactor Elmar und Dr. Maria Stegmeier GbRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the LEX LOTSEN OWL project providing legal and health economics expertise.
• Techniker Krankenkasse (TK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the LEX LOTSEN OWL project. TK representative Barbara Steffens participated in the eliPfad symposium panel.
• Verein zur Förderung von Innovationen in der Gesundheitswirtschaft OWL e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the LEX LOTSEN OWL project representing regional health innovation interests.
• Deutsche Schlaganfall-HilfecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the LEX LOTSEN OWL project; hosts the project website for patient navigators in standard care.
• Universität zu Köln / Uniklinik Köln (IMVR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey research partner in eliPfad. The Institute for Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science (IMVR) conducted the nationwide survey of general practitioners (816 respondents).
• Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the HeartGap project on gender-sensitive cardiovascular care alongside figus and Institut für Gender-Gesundheit e.V. (project period 01.01.2023–31.12.2024).
• Institut für Gender-Gesundheit e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the HeartGap project on gender-sensitive cardiovascular care alongside MHH and figus.
• Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte WissenschaftencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned figus to conduct the Trendanalyse Gesundheitsfachberufe in Niedersachsen (trend analysis of healthcare professions), completed October 2025.
• Spitzenfrauen Gesundheit e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerfigus collaborates with Spitzenfrauen Gesundheit e.V. (network for female expertise in healthcare) on the Reboarding project for female executives returning after parental or caregiving leave.
• STREET KITCHEN (Event & Catering)minorOthersEvent and catering company that provided services at the SummerConnect 2025 event on figus's rooftop terrace.
• Jaques' Weindepot (Detlef Meyer)minorOthersWine selection provider for the SummerConnect 2025 event.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Peers

• IQWiG – Institut für Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswesen:

Broad incumbents

• IGES Institut GmbH: One of Germany's largest private healthcare research institutes, covering health economics, Versorgungsforschung, and policy consulting for public and private clients. Broad incumbent with substantially larger headcount and a wider service portfolio than figus, competing for the same federal and insurer research budgets.

Direct peers

• fbeta GmbH: German health research and consulting firm focused on Versorgungsforschung and healthcare market analytics. Direct peer: similarly sized private research outfit serving health insurers, ministries, and associations with comparable analytical offerings; figus lists fbeta as a reference partner.
• inav – Institut für angewandte Versorgungsforschung GmbH: Berlin-based private research institute specializing in applied healthcare services research (Versorgungsforschung) and evaluation. Direct peer to figus: comparable size, identical service focus on evaluation design and Innovationsfonds projects, and even named as a consortium partner of figus on LEX LOTSEN OWL.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/figus-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about figus