Innovative University of Applied Sciences

What Innovative University of Applied Sciences does

Innovative University of Applied Sciences (INU), operated by INU – Innovative University AG (HRB 112841, Cologne), is a state-recognized private online university headquartered at Widdersdorfer Straße 262, 50933 Köln, Germany. Founded in 2021 and active in operations since the early 2020s, INU delivers 100% digital, accredited Bachelor, Master, and MBA degree programs — including Business Informatics & AI, Psychologie, Wirtschaftspsychologie, Internationale Betriebswirtschaftslehre, Social Media Management, Digital Business Management, International Business Management, and MBA variants (General Management, Management & AI) — with German- and English-language tracks and NC-frei (no grade-cutoff) admission. Delivery is mediated through the proprietary INU-App, which consolidates learning materials, lecture content, interactive exercises, and a 24/7 INU KI-Coach AI tutor; the coach is specialized, in the case of the math track, by training inside a protected expert space on Daniel Jung's curated methods.

INU monetizes through recurring monthly tuition subscriptions (€285–€750/month depending on program level and language), one-time certificate/Academy sales (€99–€795 incl. the KI Führerschein Masterclass and various Zertifikatskurse that can award ECTS credits), and premium executive programs such as the Salvator Mundi Global Leadership Master Classes launching in September 2026. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via inu.de (WooCommerce storefront), the INU-App, WhatsApp inquiry channel, Calendly-scheduled consultation, and a multi-channel marketing stack (Google Ads, SEO, organic social on Instagram/YouTube/TikTok/LinkedIn/Facebook/Pinterest, podcast, blog, email newsletter via rapidmail, and the "Freunde werben Freunde" referral program), supplemented by physical recruitment at events such as Einstieg Cologne.

Target customers are individual learners in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, with application reach to 100+ additional countries): DACH adult learners including Abiturienten, working professionals (Berufstätige), and career changers (Quereinsteiger). Institutional backing rests on multiple accreditations (Akkreditierungsrat, ZFU, evalag) under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia (MKW), and on a strategic partnership stack that includes Salvator Mundi Global (executive leadership, joint Master Classes), Google for Education (AI-in-higher-education collaboration), Daniel Jung (verified AI math coaching and content), StudyHelp (learning materials), and Rapidmail (newsletter infrastructure). INU celebrated its first graduating class in May 2026 and is expanding its product surface into executive education, AI microcredentials, and curriculum extensions (e.g., Social Media Management B.A. Winter Semester 2026/27).

Name

Innovative University of Applied Sciences

Legal name

INU – Innovative University AG

Website

https://inu.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Innovative University of Applied Sciences (INU) is a state-accredited, fully online private university in Cologne, Germany, offering NC-free Bachelor, Master, and MBA programs plus AI and certificate courses to individual DACH-region learners and executives through its proprietary INU-App and 24/7 KI-Coach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting) (EDAHALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online For-Profit Career Universities (EDAHALAJ), University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Online higher education
• Bachelor degree programs
• Master degree programs
• MBA programs
• Online certificate courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Köln

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Degree Program Tuition: Monthly tuition fees charged for accredited Bachelor, Master, and MBA degree programs. Programs are offered in full-time and part-time modalities. Fee ranges vary by program level and language.
2. Certificate Course Sales: One-time fee sales of standalone certificate courses (Zertifikatskurse) including math preparation, psychology modules, business fundamentals, and AI literacy. Some courses award ECTS credits upon passing an exam.
3. Academy Programs: Premium programs such as KI Führerschein Masterclass and Math Abitur preparation courses sold as one-time purchases or subscriptions via the INU Academy storefront.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

INU offers state-recognized, 100% online Bachelor's, Master's, and MBA degree programs delivered through the proprietary INU-App and an AI-powered KI-Coach. Course offerings are structured as cohort-based full-time or part-time semesters and are supplemented by shorter certificate courses, including the KI Führerschein Masterclass. Programs are NC-free and target working professionals and career changers in the DACH region seeking flexible, accredited higher education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• INU-App: The mobile application that accompanies students through their studies with all learning materials - flexible, mobile and available at any time.
• INU Academy
• INU KI-Coach

Products and services

• Bachelor Degree Programs Accredited online Bachelor's degree programs (NC-free) targeting working professionals and career changers in the DACH region, structured as full-time or part-time cohorts within the INU Semesterverbund.
• Master Degree Programs Accredited online Master's degree programs for graduates and working professionals seeking advanced qualifications, delivered via the INU-App with KI-Coach support and structured cohort semesters.
• MBA Programs Online MBA programs targeting mid-career professionals and managers in the DACH region, delivered in flexible full-time or part-time formats through INU's digital learning ecosystem.
• Certificate Courses Shorter non-degree certificate courses covering specific professional topics, designed for upskilling individual learners in the DACH region.
• KI Führerschein Masterclass A specialized certificate course on AI literacy delivered in collaboration with educator Daniel Jung, aimed at individual professionals seeking to validate foundational AI skills.
• Math Preparation Courses (AI Math Coach) Math preparation offerings leveraging Daniel Jung's Verified AI Math Coach, supporting learners preparing for degree-level quantitative coursework.
• Schnupperstudium (Trial Study) A discounted trial study experience that lets prospective students test the INU learning model before committing to a full degree program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24/7 AI tutor support available for all students across all modules
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration18 records

AI capability13 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Salvator Mundi GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 July 2026INU and the international leadership network Salvator Mundi Global launched joint Master Classes for executives, founders, and young talents starting September 2026. The 12-week program covers Business & Entrepreneurship, Ethical Leadership, Geopolitics & Security, and Artificial Intelligence & Data Literacy. Delivered via live lectures from international thought leaders and through the INU App with its AI coach. A scholarship program in Ghana and Kenya is also planned.
• Google for EducationflagshipTechnology or Integration · 16 June 2026INU participated in the Google for Education Leaders Series in London in June 2026, joining leading global education decision-makers to discuss AI in higher education didactics. INU's own INU-App ecosystem aligns with Google for Education's vision of human-centered AI innovation in learning. The collaboration signals INU's commitment to integrating Google-powered tools and methodologies.
• Daniel JungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDaniel Jung, an established math education influencer, provides exclusive video tutorials, digital scripts, and learning materials for INU's math preparation courses and bridge courses. His verified AI coach methodology is integrated into the INU platform. Daniel Jung also appears as a keynote speaker and faces the INU delegation at international events (e.g., Google for Education Leaders Series).
• StudyHelp (StudyHelp GmbH)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStudyHelp provides digital learning booklets, exercise collections, and exam materials (Lernhefte, Aufgabensammlungen, Klausuren) integrated into Daniel Jung-branded math courses sold through INU. Physical and digital learning aids distributed via INU's platform.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Hochschule Macromedia: State-recognized private German university with campuses and online programs in business, psychology, and creative fields. Comparable program mix (business psychology, media management) but operates a hybrid campus + online model rather than fully online-first.
• Hochschule Fresenius (online division): Large traditional private German Hochschule group with a growing online/digital division alongside campus-based programs. Overlaps with INU on accredited online Bachelor/Master offerings but is a broader incumbent with multi-site presence and additional service lines.

Direct peers

• AKAD University: One of Germany's oldest private Fernhochschulen, delivering accredited Bachelor, Master, and MBA programs online and via distance learning. Directly comparable on subscription-style monthly tuition, state accreditation, and adult-learner targeting.
• Wilhelm Büchner Hochschule: Private technical-focused Fernhochschule offering online Bachelor and Master programs in engineering, IT, and business. Comparable on accredited online-only delivery, monthly tuition model, and emphasis on flexible, working-adult learners.
• IU International University of Applied Sciences: Largest private online university in Germany, offering accredited Bachelor, Master, and MBA programs fully online with English and German tracks. Directly comparable business model, accreditation status, and D2C digital marketing motion; main scale competitor in the DACH online degree market.
• SRH Fernhochschule – The Mobile University: Distance-learning arm of SRH, offering state-accredited online Bachelor's and Master's degrees with a fully digital, mobile-friendly platform. Directly comparable on online-only degree model, accreditation footprint, and flexible study modalities.
• FOM University of Applied Sciences: Major private German Hochschule with a strong online/digital plus part-time evening and Saturday model for working professionals. Closely comparable on target segment (Berufstätige), accredited degree portfolio, and employer partnerships.
• Europäische Fernhochschule Hamburg: Private Fernhochschule offering 100% online accredited Bachelor's and Master's programs with state recognition. Closely comparable on online-only delivery, DACH focus, and flexible subscription-style tuition for working adults.

Emerging players

• oncampus (Fachhochschule Lübeck online arm): Online/distance-learning arm of a public Fachhochschule, offering Bachelor's and Master's programs in technology, business, and health. Comparable on online degree delivery and German accreditation, but operates at smaller scale and as a public-sector spinout.
• StackFuel: Germany-based digital education provider focused on data science, AI, and cloud upskilling bootcamps and certificate programs for professionals. Comparable on AI/curriculum positioning and DACH B2C/B2B adult-learner market, though not a degree-granting university.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@inu_university
• Facebookfacebook.com/INU.University
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/inu-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/inu_innovative_university
• TikToktiktok.com/@inu.university
• Pinterestde.pinterest.com/INU_Innovative_University

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 Innovative University of Applied Sciences