LifeTeachUs

What LifeTeachUs does

LifeTeachUs is a Berlin-based nonprofit founded in 2022 that operates a digital platform connecting German schools experiencing teacher shortages with volunteer "LifeTeachers" who deliver 45-minute "LifeLessons" on practical life topics such as career, social, health, and global issues. The platform is delivered via a cross-platform app (iOS, Android, and browser) that enables schools to request LifeLessons with one click and matches them in real time with qualified volunteer LifeTeachers from across society. LifeLessons can be delivered in-person or online via video call, and the platform includes a multi-step qualification system (identity verification, criminal record checks, constitutional values self-commitment, and topic review) plus a Digital Campus for ongoing LifeTeacher training.

The organization operates through a dual-entity structure: LifeTeachUs e.V. (the fundraising association) channels 100% of donations into LifeTeachUs gGmbH (the operative charitable limited company). All core services are free for schools, LifeTeachers, companies, and nonprofits. Funding is derived from a diversified mix of donations, the Pink Circle (~300-member) annual membership community, merchandise sales, and grants/corporate-social-responsibility contributions from a long list of German foundations (Deutsche Bahn Stiftung, Adidas Foundation, PwC Stiftung, Ferry Porsche Stiftung, RWE Foundation, Fritz Henkel Stiftung, BMWK's IGP Program, etc.) and corporate partners (Lufthansa, Alstom, Edding, Hogan Lovells, Experian, AXA, Schueco, and others). As of October 2024, LifeTeachUs had approximately 50 new LifeTeacher registrations per week, 14 active partner schools in Berlin with 5 more in onboarding, and a Munich/Bavaria regional office in addition to its Berlin headquarters.

Name

LifeTeachUs

Legal name

LifeTeachUs gGmbH

Website

https://lifeteachus.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LifeTeachUs is a Berlin-based nonprofit operating a free cross-platform app that connects German schools experiencing teacher shortages with volunteer LifeTeachers delivering 45-minute LifeLessons on practical life topics in-person or online.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Technology / Volunteer Matching Platform

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Virtual Tutoring & Academic Intervention (K–12) (EDAJADAH)

Keywords

• Volunteer education platform
• School volunteer matching
• Life skills education
• Corporate volunteering programs
• Nonprofit education technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Memberships (LifeTeachUs e.V.): LifeTeachUs is a recognized nonprofit organization. The LifeTeachUs e.V. (founding association) collects donations and membership fees. 100% of funds flow to the charitable LifeTeachUs gGmbH to support operations, platform development, and LifeLesson delivery. The organization also offers Supporter Shop merchandise and accepts direct bank transfers.
2. Corporate Volunteering Partnerships (Free): Business partners join as Education Partners at no cost. The service is free for schools, companies, and nonprofits. LifeTeachUs operates through a dual-entity structure (e.V. for fundraising and gGmbH for operations) and relies on donations and grants for sustainability.
3. Supporter Shop: A merchandise shop sells supporter items. Printed school materials are available at cost price.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

LifeTeachUs operates a cross-platform app (iOS, Android, browser) that connects German schools experiencing teacher shortages with volunteer LifeTeachers who deliver 45-minute LifeLessons on practical life skills (career, social, health, global topics) in-person or online. All services are free for schools, volunteers, companies, and nonprofits; the nonprofit is funded by donations, membership fees, grants, and corporate support. A Digital Campus provides volunteer qualification and continuous professional development, and corporate Education Partners receive ESG/CSRD-ready tracking and reporting.

Product overview

LifeTeachUs operates a matching platform that connects schools experiencing substitute teacher gaps, project days, or regular class time with volunteer LifeTeachers who deliver 45-minute LifeLessons on practical life skills. The core offering consists of LifeLessons delivered in-person or online, facilitated through the LifeTeachUs App (available as a web app and native iOS/Android apps). The platform is structured as a nonprofit with two legal entities: the LifeTeachUs e.V. charitable association (fundraising arm) and the LifeTeachUs gGmbH (operations entity). Additional offerings include The Pink Circle (an exclusive supporter community of approximately 300 members), a Digital Campus for LifeTeacher training and development, and a Corporate Volunteering / Bildungspartner program for companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Pink Circle: An exclusive donor community of approximately 300 members who provide annual financial support to enable LifeLessons to take place.
• LifeTeacher
• LifeLessons
• LT-Champs

Products and services

• LifeLessons 45-minute interactive sessions delivered in-person or online by volunteer LifeTeachers from all areas of life, covering practical life skills (career, social, global, health topics) to supplement school curricula and fill substitute hours.
• LifeTeachUs App Cross-platform app for partner schools to request LifeLessons with one click and for LifeTeachers to browse opportunities, accept requests, manage sessions, and access qualification materials. Available via web browser (no installation required), iOS App Store, and Google Play Store.
• The Pink Circle Exclusive membership community of approximately 300 supporters who provide annual financial backing to sustain LifeLessons, offering behind-the-scenes updates four times per year and an annual non-commercial gift.
• LifeTeachUs Bildungspartner (Corporate Volunteering Program) Corporate volunteering program enabling companies to register as Education Partners, allowing employees to serve as LifeTeachers, with ESG/CSRD tracking and reporting included.
• LifeTeachUs Supporter Shop Online merchandise shop selling supporter items and printed materials at cost price, providing an additional engagement and revenue channel for the nonprofit.

Quantifiable outcome

• 59% of German students feel insufficiently prepared for life
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IHK Berlin (Berliner Wirtschaft)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHK Berlin featured LifeTeachUs in the Berliner Wirtschaft newspaper and invited founder Ludwig Thiede to speak at the 'Bildung X Business' festival with 800+ attendees. Represents institutional endorsement from Berlin's chamber of commerce and industry, driving adoption among local schools and businesses.
• Allianz für Schule Plus (Schule Plus)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferenced by Michael Remmy of the Allianz für Schule Plus in Berliner Wirtschaft. The alliance works to strengthen schools through external partners and aligns with LifeTeachUs's mission.
• Circle for ChangeminorOthersListed as a supporting organization on the LifeTeachUs website, providing backing for the organization's mission.
• Bitkom (Startup Initiative)minorOthersListed as a supporting organization through Bitkom's startup support programs.
• Zukunftsmission BildungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a supporting organization, aligning with LifeTeachUs's educational mission.
• Bundesverband Innovative Bildungsprogramme (BIP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a supporting organization — a federal association for innovative educational programs.
• Bündnis Ökonomische Bildung (BÖB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a supporting organization for economic education, aligning with LifeTeachUs's curriculum topics.
• Netzwerk Stiftungen BildungminorOthersListed as a supporting organization — a network of foundations focused on education.
• HipHop BallminorOthersListed as a supporting organization.
• Bewirken.orgminorOthersListed as a supporting organization — a volunteer engagement platform.
• FutureSAXminorOthersListed as a supporting organization — a startup initiative in Saxony.
• bcause.comminorOthersListed as a supporting organization — a platform for social entrepreneurship.
• AlstomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Education Partner. Alstom employees volunteer as LifeTeachers through the LifeTeachUs platform.
• Edding GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Education Partner. Edding Group employees volunteer as LifeTeachers (announced on LinkedIn as Corporate Volunteering partnership).
• Lufthansa GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Education Partner. Lufthansa Group employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.
• Hogan LovellsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Education Partner. Law firm employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.
• HaysminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Education Partner. Recruiting firm employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.
• ExperianminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Education Partner. Experian employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.
• IHK KölnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChamber of Industry and Commerce Cologne. Listed as a corporate partner/logo on the partner page.
• CreditreformminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Education Partner. Creditreform employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.
• DKB Code FactoryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Education Partner. DKB Code Factory employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.
• SchuecominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Education Partner. Schueco employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.
• Otto-WulffminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Education Partner. Otto-Wulff employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.
• Founders FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner. Startup foundation that supports LifeTeachUs.
• Vivacon AguaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit partner. Water access organization whose members volunteer as LifeTeachers.
• Rock Your Life!minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit partner. Youth mentorship organization whose members volunteer as LifeTeachers.
• Lebenshilfe NRWminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit partner. Disability services organization whose members volunteer as LifeTeachers.
• JoblingeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit partner. Youth employment initiative whose volunteers serve as LifeTeachers.
• AXA (Von Herz zu Herz)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner through AXA Germany's CSR initiative 'Von Herz zu Herz'. AXA employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Outschool: Marketplace connecting community educators with K-12 students for live online classes. Closely comparable model: external adults delivering enrichment-style sessions to students, scheduled via app. Direct competitor concept for the supplemental LifeLesson category.
• betterplace.org: Germany's leading online volunteering marketplace. Comparable two-sided platform matching volunteers with nonprofit/social-impact opportunities, including school and education projects. Most analogous domestic peer in volunteer-school matchmaking.
• Skooli: Online tutoring marketplace serving K-12 schools with vetted tutors filling coverage gaps. Same fundamental proposition — schools using a digital platform to source external educators when regular teachers are unavailable.

Broad incumbents

• Bettermarks: German adaptive learning platform for math, contracted by many German schools. Established domestic incumbent in school-supplemental EdTech; potential competitor if it expanded into life-skills content or substitute coverage.
• Simpleclub: German EdTech platform providing video-based learning content and tutoring for K-12 and university students. Leading domestic EdTech incumbent in LifeTeachUs's geography; represents a credible commercial alternative for schools considering digital supplemental education.
• Varsity Tutors: Nerdy-owned online tutoring platform serving K-12 and higher ed. Broad incumbent offering school-district contracts, 1-on-1 tutoring, and on-demand coverage analogous to LifeTeachUs's LifeLessons. Comparable business model at much larger scale.
• Tutor.com (Pearson): Large-scale online tutoring service owned by Pearson, contracted by US school districts to fill substitute and remediation hours. Much larger incumbent with school-contract model; represents where LifeTeachUs could face competition if it ever commercializes.

Emerging players

• Superprof: Global tutor/instructor marketplace with strong German presence, connecting community members with learners across many subjects. Comparable marketplace dynamics (community educators, flexible delivery), though it serves individuals rather than schools.
• meinUnterricht: German platform aggregating teaching materials for teachers, with school subscriptions. Adjacent supplemental-education peer addressing similar teacher shortage / curriculum-gap challenges from a content rather than people perspective.

Others

• VolunteerMatch: Established US-based volunteer-matching platform. Comparable two-sided volunteer-search marketplace mechanics, but broader (not education-specific). Useful comparable for fundraising, partner integrations, and platform metrics benchmarks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@lifeteachus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lifeteachus
• Instagraminstagram.com/lifeteachus_official
• TikToktiktok.com/@lifeteachus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 LifeTeachUs