Institut Stadt|Mobilität|Energie

What Institut Stadt|Mobilität|Energie does

Institut Stadt|Mobilität|Energie (ISME) GmbH is an independent, founder-owned consulting and planning firm headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, founded in January 2016 as a spin-out of a research group at the Städtebau-Institut of the University of Stuttgart. The firm provides customized consultancy services for sustainable urban mobility, charging infrastructure, fleet electrification, neighborhood mobility concepts, business mobility management, and citizen participation, serving municipalities, city utilities (Stadtwerke), federal agencies, and housing companies across Germany. ISME leads multiple federally funded research consortia (LINOx BW, DC-LEO, SNAcKS, UnLuBW, BeFo-RM) and publishes authoritative guides including the eFleet Guide, the 'Stadt, Land, Ladefluss' municipal charging infrastructure guideline, and the UnLuBW drone-based air pollutant measurement guideline.

ISME's core technology stack combines GIS-based spatial analysis, data-driven mobility assessments, and AI-assisted methods for load profile forecasting and cross-sector optimization, applied to both consulting engagements and research outputs. The firm operates a professional services revenue model on a project-by-project basis with public sector clients, marketed through professional networks, research consortium participation, conference presentations, publications, and seminars. The company has a small interdisciplinary team of approximately six named professionals plus interns, led by managing directors Manfred Schmid (data scientist) and Karsten Hager (transport geography/GIS), with no disclosed external investment, acquisitions, or funding rounds. Geographic reach has expanded from a Baden-Württemberg base to engagements in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Saxony, and the firm celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026.

Name

Institut Stadt|Mobilität|Energie

Legal name

Institut Stadt|Mobilität|Energie GmbH

Website

https://i-sme.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ISME is a Stuttgart-based independent consulting firm founded in 2016 that provides sustainable mobility, charging infrastructure, and urban planning services to German municipalities, city utilities, federal agencies, and housing companies, with significant federally funded research consortium leadership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Mobility & Energy Consulting

NAICS

All Other Support Services (561990), Other Support Services (5619)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Energy & Sustainability Management (Energy Audits/Optimization/Carbon & ESG Programs) (IMAIAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Energy Storage (BESS) Service for Depots & Charging Sites (TLAKAMAL)

Keywords

• Sustainable mobility consulting
• Urban energy planning
• Electromobility consulting
• Charging infrastructure planning
• Public transport consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Consulting Services: Fee-for-service consulting engagements for mobility concepts, charging infrastructure planning, and sustainability assessments for public sector clients

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Institut Stadt|Mobilität|Energie (ISME) is a Stuttgart-based consulting firm that provides independent advisory and planning services for sustainable urban mobility and energy systems. The firm supports municipalities, city utilities, housing companies, and federal agencies with strategy development, charging infrastructure planning, fleet electrification, and public transport concepts, drawing on an interdisciplinary team and academic research partnerships.

Product overview

ISME (Institut Stadt|Mobilität|Energie) is an independent private-sector consulting and planning firm founded in 2016 from a research group at the University of Stuttgart. It offers consulting services focused on sustainable mobility transformation rather than a software product platform. The core offerings include electromobility consulting (Elektromobilitätskonzepte), charging infrastructure planning (Ladeinfrastruktur-Beratung), fleet electrification (Elektrifizierung von Fuhrparks), neighborhood mobility concepts (Quartiersmobilitätskonzepte), business mobility management (BMM), and participation processes. ISME also conducts federally funded research projects and publishes practical guides and tools including the eFleet Guide, the 'Stadt, Land, Ladefluss' guide for municipal charging infrastructure, and the UnLuBW drone-based air quality measurement guideline. The company also offers training seminars and mobility simulation games. The portfolio is organized around consulting services complemented by research outputs and published guidelines, serving municipalities, municipal utilities, federal agencies, and housing companies throughout Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sustainable Urban Mobility Consulting Advisory and planning services that help municipalities, city utilities, and public agencies develop sustainable urban mobility strategies, concepts, and transition roadmaps.
• Charging Infrastructure Planning Planning services for public and semi-public EV charging infrastructure, including site assessment, demand analysis, and rollout strategies for municipalities and utilities.
• Fleet Electrification Consulting Advisory services supporting public organizations and housing companies in transitioning vehicle fleets to electric drive, including strategy, vehicle selection, and charging integration.
• Urban Energy Systems Consulting Advisory and planning services for sustainable urban energy systems, supporting municipalities and utilities in integrating energy and mobility transitions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,500 charging points established through federally funded research projects
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered foundational, core and minor.

• Städtebau-Institut der Universität StuttgartfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrigin of ISME; research group that evolved into the company; maintains ongoing academic ties
• DLR-Institut für vernetzte Energiesysteme (DLR-VE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDC-LEO project collaboration on charging infrastructure using tram overhead lines
• Systementwicklung Nordhausen GmbH (SEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium leader for DC-LEO project on charging using electric overhead lines
• DLR-Institut für VerkehrssystemtechnikcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical partner for DC-LEO research project
• Fachhochschule ErfurtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in DC-LEO project
• Stadtwerke NordhausencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTest site provider for DC-LEO charging infrastructure pilot
• Fraunhofer Institut für System- und Innovationsforschung (ISI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading partner consortium for research accompaniment on framework conditions and market
• EE ENERGY ENGINEERS GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in Begleitforschung Rahmenbedingungen und Markt
• Noerr LLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal expertise partner in Begleitforschung for electro mobility framework conditions
• Städtetag Baden-WürttembergcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal association partner in LINOx BW project for charging infrastructure
• Verband Region Stuttgart (VRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in LINOx BW project
• Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg (ZSW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in LINOx BW project
• e-mobil BW GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated partner and funding agency for LINOx BW project
• Universität Tübingen - AG GeoinformatikcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for drone-based air quality measurements in UnLuBW project
• Universität Tübingen - AG UmweltphysikcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for pollutant measurement technology in UnLuBW project
• Unisphere GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationAutomated flight planning and execution using digital twins for drone measurements
• Landeshauptstadt SchwerincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead city partner for SNAcKS urban delivery traffic future project
• Nahverkehr SchwerincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic transport partner in SNAcKS project
• Deutsche Post DHL GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogistics partner in SNAcKS urban delivery project
• IHK zu SchwerinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of commerce partner in SNAcKS project
• Studio Urbane Strategien GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban strategies partner for Dornstadter Höfe quarters mobility concept
• die STEG Stadtentwicklung GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban development partner for Dornstadter Höfe quarters mobility concept
• IGV StuttgartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner for Sindelfingen climate, mobility, and noise protection action plan
• Allianz für BeteiligungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork membership - independent network for citizen participation in Baden-Württemberg
• Verein Deutsche Plattform für Mobilitätsmanagement (DEPOMM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork membership - platform for sustainable mobility management in Germany
• Verkehrsclub Deutschland e.V. (VCD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork membership - eco-friendly transport club with 55,000+ members
• Klimaschutz im Bundestag e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork membership - civil society dialogue with German Bundestag on climate protection
• vhw Bundesverband für Wohnen und Stadtentwicklung e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork membership - nonprofit association for housing and urban development
• Forschungsgesellschaft für Straßen- und Verkehrswesen e.V. (FGSV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork membership - German technical standards organization for roads and transport
• Good Mobility CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork membership - green building certification for mobility transition
• STEG Stadtentwicklung GmbHcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint webinar series on mobility options for rural municipalities
• DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint seminars on sustainable mobility concepts with DGNB Academy

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NOW GmbH ( Nationale Organisation Wasserstoff- und Brennstoffzellentechnologie): Federal program management company for sustainable mobility. ISME has authored guides (eFleet Guide, Leitfaden Elektromobilitätsgesetz) commissioned by NOW; comparable as a node in the German sustainable-mobility ecosystem shaping municipal and federal program design.
• PTV Group: Karlsruhe-headquartered mobility planning software and consulting firm. Overlaps with ISME on transport modeling, mobility concepts, and EV infrastructure, but serves a much broader portfolio including commercial logistics and software products.
• Fraunhofer Institut für System- und Innovationsforschung (ISI): Karlsruhe-based Fraunhofer institute for innovation research. ISME's lead consortium partner on Begleitforschung; comparable in producing research-backed analysis of sustainable mobility and energy transitions in Germany.

Direct peers

• SHP Ingenieure: German engineering consultancy focused on urban and transport planning. Comparable in providing mobility concepts, cycling infrastructure, and mobility management for municipalities.
• Rupprecht Consult GmbH: Cologne-based sustainable mobility and transport consulting firm. Comparable in size and focus area (mobility management, EV integration, citizen participation), serving similar German municipal clients.
• Gertz Gutsche Rümenapp Stadtentwicklung und Mobilität GbR: Hamburg-based urban planning and mobility consulting firm. Directly comparable as a German boutique consultancy delivering integrated mobility concepts, charging infrastructure planning, and municipal transport strategies.
• LK Argus GmbH: Berlin-based mobility and transport consultancy. Comparable in delivering sustainable mobility concepts, fleet electrification, and stakeholder participation processes for German public-sector clients.
• EE ENERGY ENGINEERS GmbH: German energy and electromobility consulting firm and active ISME consortium partner (Begleitforschung). Directly comparable in providing energy-systems and e-mobility consulting to public-sector and mobility clients.

Emerging players

• Agora Verkehrswende: Berlin-based think tank for transport transition. Comparable as a German sustainability-mobility knowledge broker that commissions and publishes the kind of guidelines (e.g., 'Stadt, Land, Ladefluss') that ISME helps author.

Others

• Verkehrsclub Deutschland e.V. (VCD): German eco-friendly transport club with 55,000+ members and an ISME network partner. Comparable as a German organization advocating and consulting on sustainable mobility, though operating as an NGO/association rather than a private consultancy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institut-stadt-mobilit%C3%A4t-energie

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Institut Stadt|Mobilität|Energie