LifeTeachUs
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
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.
LifeTeachUs firmographics
Firmographics- 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
LifeTeachUs industry classification
Industry- 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
Where LifeTeachUs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
LifeTeachUs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- Supporter Shop: A merchandise shop sells supporter items. Printed school materials are available at cost price.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Education Partnership for Schools |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free LifeTeacher Participation |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Corporate / Nonprofit Education Partnership |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Supporter Shop (Merchandise) |
| Other | Annual | Donations / Fördermitgliedschaft (e.V.) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
LifeTeachUs product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use LifeTeachUs
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
LifeTeachUs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
LifeTeachUs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- IHK Berlin (Berliner Wirtschaft)coreIHK 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)minorReferenced 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 ChangeminorListed as a supporting organization on the LifeTeachUs website, providing backing for the organization's mission.
- Bitkom (Startup Initiative)minorListed as a supporting organization through Bitkom's startup support programs.
- Zukunftsmission BildungminorListed as a supporting organization, aligning with LifeTeachUs's educational mission.
- Bundesverband Innovative Bildungsprogramme (BIP)minorListed as a supporting organization — a federal association for innovative educational programs.
- Bündnis Ökonomische Bildung (BÖB)minorListed as a supporting organization for economic education, aligning with LifeTeachUs's curriculum topics.
- Netzwerk Stiftungen BildungminorListed as a supporting organization — a network of foundations focused on education.
- HipHop BallminorListed as a supporting organization.
- Bewirken.orgminorListed as a supporting organization — a volunteer engagement platform.
- FutureSAXminorListed as a supporting organization — a startup initiative in Saxony.
- bcause.comminorListed as a supporting organization — a platform for social entrepreneurship.
- AlstomminorCorporate Education Partner. Alstom employees volunteer as LifeTeachers through the LifeTeachUs platform.
- Edding GroupminorCorporate Education Partner. Edding Group employees volunteer as LifeTeachers (announced on LinkedIn as Corporate Volunteering partnership).
- Lufthansa GroupminorCorporate Education Partner. Lufthansa Group employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.
- Hogan LovellsminorCorporate Education Partner. Law firm employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.
- HaysminorCorporate Education Partner. Recruiting firm employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.
- ExperianminorCorporate Education Partner. Experian employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.
- IHK KölnminorChamber of Industry and Commerce Cologne. Listed as a corporate partner/logo on the partner page.
- CreditreformminorCorporate Education Partner. Creditreform employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.
- DKB Code FactoryminorCorporate Education Partner. DKB Code Factory employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.
- SchuecominorCorporate Education Partner. Schueco employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.
- Otto-WulffminorCorporate Education Partner. Otto-Wulff employees volunteer as LifeTeachers.
- Founders FoundationminorListed as a partner. Startup foundation that supports LifeTeachUs.
- Vivacon AguaminorNonprofit partner. Water access organization whose members volunteer as LifeTeachers.
- Rock Your Life!minorNonprofit partner. Youth mentorship organization whose members volunteer as LifeTeachers.
- Lebenshilfe NRWminorNonprofit partner. Disability services organization whose members volunteer as LifeTeachers.
- JoblingeminorNonprofit partner. Youth employment initiative whose volunteers serve as LifeTeachers.
- AXA (Von Herz zu Herz)minorCorporate 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
LifeTeachUs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
LifeTeachUs social profiles
Digital presenceLifeTeachUs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LifeTeachUs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
LifeTeachUs subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
LifeTeachUs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LifeTeachUs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LifeTeachUs
What does LifeTeachUs do?
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.
Is LifeTeachUs a public or private company?
LifeTeachUs is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was LifeTeachUs founded?
LifeTeachUs was founded in 2022. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is LifeTeachUs based?
LifeTeachUs is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does LifeTeachUs make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Memberships (LifeTeachUs e.V.) is the primary driver. The others are corporate Volunteering Partnerships (Free) and supporter Shop.
Who are LifeTeachUs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Outschool, betterplace.org and Skooli. Broad incumbents are Bettermarks, Simpleclub, Varsity Tutors and Tutor.com (Pearson). Emerging players are Superprof and meinUnterricht. VolunteerMatch is listed as an others.
Does LifeTeachUs have an API?
No public API is recorded for LifeTeachUs.
What industry is LifeTeachUs in?
LifeTeachUs's product category is Education Technology / Volunteer Matching Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJADAH, Virtual Tutoring & Academic Intervention (K–12). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.