concern GmbH

What concern GmbH does

CONCERN GmbH is a Cologne-based strategy and management consulting firm founded in 2010 as a spin-off of the University of Bayreuth's Philosophy & Economics program, with a secondary office in Bayreuth. The firm specializes in "Twin Transformation" — the simultaneous integration of sustainability and digitalization — and serves ministries, associations, foundations, and companies of all sizes across German-speaking markets, with particular depth in the German private health insurance sector (Hallesche Krankenversicherung, Süddeutsche Krankenversicherung, Münchener Verein, FAIRFAMILY). Service lines include sustainability strategy, responsible digitalization, sustainable finance, value-oriented leadership, integrity management, social sustainability, and sustainable supply chain advisory, delivered through partner-led engagements. Revenue is generated entirely through custom-quoted professional services engagements.

The firm's core intellectual property comprises the proprietary Wirkungskonzept Nachhaltigkeit (Impact Concept for Sustainability) and the Wirkungsrating Nachhaltigkeit (Sustainability Impact Rating), a five-lever assessment system aligned with EU and UN frameworks that scores products and services against a minimum 61-point threshold (with 81+ indicating "very good"). A second proprietary asset is the Twin Transformer Typology, a classification system for strategic approaches to combining digitalization and sustainability. The firm also co-developed the open-source Data Process Modeler (DPM) with Bayern Innovativ, ZD.B, and ingenit for visualizing data-sensitive processes in support of Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR) implementation.

CONCERN monetizes exclusively through professional services fees, with no disclosed retainers, productized SaaS, or volume pricing. Go-to-market is direct B2B enterprise consulting, supplemented by academic-channel demand generation through University of Bayreuth certificate and degree programs, participation in the BMJV CDR-Initiative (where partner Dr. Frank Esselmann co-developed the CDR-Kodex), and thought-leadership publishing. The company is privately held, founder/partner-owned with no external funding, and operates with a small team of roughly half a dozen professionals plus interns and student workers. The proprietary rating system functions as both an internal consulting methodology and an externally issued certification product line for client products.

Name

concern GmbH

Legal name

CONCERN GmbH

Website

https://concern.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CONCERN GmbH is a Cologne-based boutique strategy consultancy, founded in 2010 as a University of Bayreuth spin-off, that advises German ministries, associations, foundations, and companies on integrating sustainability with digitalization through its proprietary Twin Transformation and Wirkungsrating Nachhaltigkeit methodologies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Management Consulting

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690), Other Computer Related Services (541519)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability, ESG & Climate Risk Advisory (BPAHAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainability & ESG Consulting (BPAHACAK), ESG Governance, Sustainability Reporting & Assurance Advisory (BPAHAFAJ), Sustainability & ESG Reporting (GRI/SASB/ISSB/CSRD) (EUAHAJAB), Supply Chain Sustainability & Responsible Sourcing (SMETA, supplier ESG) (EUAHAJAE), ESG, Sustainability & Impact Research (BPAHALAL), ESG/Sustainable Investment Advisory (FSAEAAAJ), ESG/Sustainability Reputation & Purpose Communications (MPAAAOAN)

Keywords

• Sustainability consulting
• ESG advisory services
• Twin transformation consulting
• Responsible digitalization
• Sustainable finance advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Cologne

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

Revenue model

1. Strategic and Management Consulting: Advisory services helping organizations develop sustainability strategies, implement measures, and integrate sustainability in business operations, supply chains, products, and services. Includes financing, funding, reporting, and communication consulting.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CONCERN GmbH is a strategy and management consulting firm that bridges sustainability and digitalization (Twin Transformation) for organizations. It helps clients develop integrated sustainability strategies, integrate ESG into business operations, supply chains, products and services, implement responsible digitalization practices, and comply with EU sustainability regulations (CSRD, ESRS, EU Taxonomy). It also offers a proprietary sustainability impact rating system (Wirkungsrating Nachhaltigkeit) and the open-source Data Process Modeler (DPM).

Product overview

CONCERN GmbH is a strategy and management consulting firm specializing in sustainable and digital transformation (Twin Transformation). The company offers a portfolio of consulting services, research capabilities, and proprietary methodologies. The core offerings include consulting services covering sustainability strategy, responsible digitalization, and sustainable finance; research services for environmental and market analysis; the Wirkungskonzept Nachhaltigkeit (Impact Concept Sustainability) which includes an impact rating system and certification for sustainable products and services; and the Data Process Modeler (DPM), an open source tool for visualizing data-sensitive processes. The offerings are organized around the integration of sustainability and digitalization, with ESG framework services, value chain responsibility assessments, and Twin Transformation consulting forming interconnected service modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Companies pursuing Twin Transformation (combined digital and sustainability strategy) are 2.5x more likely to be among strongest-performing businesses, compared to 1.5x probability for single-focus leaders (Accenture research)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and minor.

• Universität BayreuthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010CONCERN was founded as a spin-off from the Philosophy & Economics program at University of Bayreuth in 2010. The partnership involves joint development of innovative solutions combining theory and practice, participation in academic talent development, and collaborative research. University connection provides scientific rigor and access to research networks.
• i-em (Institut für Ethik und Management)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitute for Ethics and Management led by Prof. Dr. Dr. Alexander Brink (also CONCERN founding partner). Focus areas include sustainability, Sustainable Finance, value positioning, and digital ethics. CONCERN is embedded in the 'Transfer' pillar of i-em with thematic overlaps in research and practice.
• CDR-Initiative des Bundesministeriums der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz (BMJV)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCONCERN joined the CDR Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Justice in October 2019. Partner Dr. Frank Esselmann co-developed the CDR-Kodex (CDR Code) through over 30 workshops. The initiative produces guidance on Corporate Digital Responsibility and publishes CDR reports from participating companies.
• Campus-Akademie für Weiterbildung (Universität Bayreuth)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for continuing education programs including Zertifikatskurs Sustainability Management (19+ rounds), MBA Verantwortung Führung & Kommunikation, and Zusatzstudium Nachhaltigkeit (30 ECTS program). CONCERN partners serve as lecturers and academic advisors.
• Bayern InnovativmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Digital Future Challenge (DFC) competition and Data Process Modeler (DPM) project. Bayern Innovativ is a partner in the CDR-Award 2021 selection committee together with BVDW.
• Zentrum Digitalisierung Bayern (ZD.B)majorTechnology or IntegrationPartner in development of the Data Process Modeler (DPM), an open source tool for visualizing data-sensitive processes and values for CDR implementation.
• AGIMUS GmbHminorOthersEnvironmental consulting and occupational safety consulting for industry and trade included in partner network.
• Evelyn KlaiberminorOthersBusiness graphics, presentations, and training materials partner for visual communication.
• IDEENWERK GmbHminorOthersGraphic and web design partner for company communications.
• Andrássy University BudapestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing cooperation partner of University of Bayreuth hosting the first Alumni-Gipfel Sustainability Management in October 2021.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• WirkungsAkademie (Dachstiftung): German impact measurement training and certification provider focused on Wirkungsmessung methodology. Adjacent peer operating in the same impact-rating niche (Wirkungsrating / Wirkungskompass) that CONCERN's proprietary framework operates in.

Direct peers

• FutureCamp Climate GmbH: German boutique sustainability and climate consulting firm serving DAX and mid-cap enterprises on CSRD reporting, climate strategy and ESG transformation. Closely comparable in scale, German GTM focus, and CSRD regulatory positioning to CONCERN GmbH.
• Sustainserv GmbH: Frankfurt-based sustainability consulting firm supporting financial institutions, corporates and public sector on ESG strategy, climate risk and CSRD. Similar boutique positioning with regulated-industry expertise (insurance/finance) as CONCERN.
• Akzente - Strategieberatung für Nachhaltigkeit: Munich-based strategy consultancy focused exclusively on sustainability and CSR communication. Direct peer in being German GTM, partner-led boutique, and communication-oriented sustainability advisory, although lighter on digital transformation.
• Syspons GmbH: German sustainability and impact-oriented consultancy with proprietary frameworks (IMPACT HOUSE) supporting companies on sustainable transformation, reporting, and ESG strategy. Comparable in being methodology-driven and productized rather than pure advisory.
• 2Csys - Climate & Sustainability Consulting: Smaller German sustainability consultancy specializing in carbon management, ESG reporting, and decarbonization strategy for SMEs and mid-caps. Overlaps with CONCERN on regulatory compliance plus impact measurement client base.
• accilium Strategy Consultants: Vienna-based boutique strategy consultancy focused on sustainability, infrastructure and energy transformation. Comparable as DACH-focused advisory boutique with academic roots in the sustainability space.

Others

• WISO-Forschung und Beratung (University of Hamburg): German university-affiliated sustainability research and consulting outlet serving public sector on corporate social responsibility. Adjacent academic-spinout peer sharing a university-firm consulting model with CONCERN.

Broad incumbents

• PwC Germany ESG / Sustainability: Big Four offering full-scope ESG advisory, tax, assurance and digital transformation. Direct competitor for CSRD, ESRS and EU Taxonomy work that CONCERN pursues, but with much larger delivery capacity.
• KPMG Germany ESG Practice: Big Four firm with broad ESG and sustainability advisory, assurance and transformation practice across Germany. Competes with CONCERN for mid-cap and large-enterprise CSRD mandates but offers full service line including audit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/concerngmbh

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 concern GmbH