Centrum Fur Angewandte Technologien Gmbh (cat Gmbh)

What Centrum Fur Angewandte Technologien Gmbh (cat Gmbh) does

Centrum für Angewandte Technologien GmbH (CAT GmbH) is a government-owned technology and startup center (Technologie- und Gründungszentrum) headquartered in Meldorf, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and wholly owned by Kreis Dithmarschen. Founded circa 1998-1999, the organization operates from a 1,175 sqm facility and a secondary site at mariCUBE in Büsum, delivering free startup consulting, coworking and office rentals, conference room hire, and a recurring event program for aspiring entrepreneurs, solo self-employed individuals, and SMEs in the Dithmarschen and Steinburg districts. Its core service lines include Gründungsbegleitung (startup consulting), Raumvermietung (space rental), Coworking Space, Konferenzräume, and Events und Workshops, supplemented by branded programs such as Existenzgründung Westküste, Startup-Küste, StartUp SH 2.0, and the 'Künstliche Intelligenz an der Westküste' AI event series.

CAT GmbH operates a hybrid public-funded and commercial model. The dominant economic model is subsidy-driven: free consulting and qualification offerings are funded through ESF React EU, EFRE (European Regional Development Fund), and Land Schleswig-Holstein program budgets, while coworking, office, and conference room rentals provide a recurring revenue stream against the 1,175 sqm facility. Distribution is community- and event-led, combining a direct-service motion at the Meldorf and Büsum locations, online event delivery via Microsoft Teams and gotomeeting, and partner referrals through Agentur für Arbeit Heide, IHK Flensburg, IB.SH, and educational institutions. CAT also serves as the only West Coast partner in the KI-Transfer-Hub AI ecosystem operated by WTSH, giving it a regional role in channeling AI expertise to local SMEs.

The technology layer is thin: CAT does not operate a proprietary software platform, API, or AI product. Its proprietary assets are a 25-year operating track record, exclusive positioning on the KI-Transfer-Hub competency map, and embedded partnerships with state-level economic development actors. The organization is led by Managing Director Martina Hummel-Manzau, with Thorben Schütt (Landrat) as Supervisory Board Chairman, and a small team covering project leadership, community/events, and marketing. CAT's strategic intent is to remain the default public infrastructure for founder and SME support on the Schleswig-Holstein West Coast, increasingly extending that mandate into AI and digitalization advisory.

Name

Centrum Fur Angewandte Technologien Gmbh (cat Gmbh)

Legal name

Centrum für Angewandte Technologien GmbH (CAT GmbH)

Website

https://cat-meldorf.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Centrum für Angewandte Technologien GmbH (CAT GmbH) is a government-owned technology and startup center in Meldorf, Schleswig-Holstein, providing free startup consulting, coworking and office rentals, and events to aspiring entrepreneurs, solo self-employed, and SMEs across the Dithmarschen and Steinburg districts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Meldorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Free Consulting Services (funded): Core startup consulting and founding support services are provided free of charge to customers. Services are funded through ESF React EU grants, state employment program funds, and EFRE (European Regional Development Fund) subsidies.
2. Space Rental and Coworking: Revenue generated from renting office spaces, conference rooms, and coworking desks to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The facility offers 1175 sqm of flexible workspace.
3. Event Services: Free events and workshops for community engagement. Some specialized workshops may be offered through partner organizations. The primary focus is on free community-building events rather than revenue generation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CAT GmbH is a publicly funded technology and startup center that provides free startup consulting (Gründungsbegleitung), coworking desks and office rentals across 1,175 sqm, conference room hire, and a recurring program of online and in-person workshops on business founding, digitalization, and AI. Services are targeted at aspiring entrepreneurs, solo self-employed, and SMEs in the Dithmarschen and Steinburg districts of Schleswig-Holstein, and are delivered primarily through public grants and subsidized infrastructure.

Product overview

CAT GmbH operates as a technology and startup center (Technologie- und Gründungszentrum) offering physical services rather than a software product. The core offering consists of startup consulting and support services including free founding guidance, coworking spaces, conference rooms, and event venues totaling 1,175 square meters. Key program brands include Existenzgründung Westküste for regional startup support, StartUp Küste for entrepreneurs and solo self-employed, and a Künstliche Intelligenz event series for AI education. The center also operates a secondary location (mariCUBE) in Büsum and collaborates with regional partners including the AI Transfer Hub Schleswig-Holstein.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Existenzgründung Westküste: A startup support project for the Westküste region
• Startup Küste
• mariCUBE

Products and services

• Gründungsbegleitung (Startup Consulting) Free, end-to-end startup consulting guiding entrepreneurs from idea to founding, including individual consultations, online events, and specialized qualification offerings for business creation, targeting aspiring entrepreneurs in Dithmarschen and Steinburg.
• Coworking Space Meldorf Flexible modern workspace in Meldorf with all-inclusive amenities, offering hot desks and dedicated office space for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• Raumvermietung (Office and Space Rental) Rental of 1,175 square meters of office space at the technology and startup center, providing offices and facilities for startups and small businesses.
• Konferenzräume (Conference Rooms) Conference and meeting room facilities available for rental at the CAT technology center for events, meetings, and workshops.
• Events und Workshops Regular online events, workshops, and networking opportunities covering topics such as business founding, digitalization, AI adoption, marketing, and entrepreneurship skills, delivered via Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting, and in-person venues.
• Existenzgründung Westküste Comprehensive regional startup preparation program for the Westküste providing live workshops, videos, and information modules to prepare aspiring entrepreneurs for self-employment, with focus on digitalization and online marketing, targeting employed persons and job seekers in Dithmarschen and Steinburg.
• StartUp Küste EFRE-funded support project providing extensive free consulting and services for future entrepreneurs, solo self-employed, and small business owners in Dithmarschen and Steinburg, including restart, restructuring, digitalization, and marketing support.
• Künstliche Intelligenz an der Westküste (AI Event Series) Free event series on artificial intelligence featuring workshops, expert talks, and networking opportunities covering AI tools (ChatGPT, image generators), change management for AI projects, and practical AI applications for businesses, in collaboration with KI experts and economic development agencies.
• StartUp SH 2.0 Continuation of the successful startup program for founders in the region, financed by the state of Schleswig-Holstein, EU, and project partners including CAT Meldorf.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free consulting services provided to all customers, funded by public grants
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KI-Transfer-Hub / WTSH (Wirtschaftsförderung und Technologietransfer Schleswig-Holstein GmbH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2021CAT Meldorf is the only partner on the West Coast of Schleswig-Holstein on the KI-Transfer-Hub platform. The platform, operated by WTSH, serves as a statewide AI ecosystem connecting businesses with AI experts, resources, and training opportunities. CAT provides AI sensitization and workshop services for startups and SMEs in the region.
• mariCUBE Büsum (Wirtschafts- und Wissenschaftspark)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAT operates a secondary location at the mariCUBE business and science park in Büsum. The partnership extends CAT's physical presence and allows events and workshops to be held at the Büsum facility. MariCUBE is described as 'unser weiterer Standort' (our additional location).
• Agentur für Arbeit HeidecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-organizer of the 'CAT meets BIZ' event series held at the Berufsinformationszentrum (BIZ) in Heide. The partnership brings together the public employment agency's resources with CAT's founding expertise for joint information events on entrepreneurship.
• Startup-Küste / EFRE funded projectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup-Küste is an EU EFRE-funded project providing comprehensive and free support for aspiring entrepreneurs, solo self-employed, and small business owners in Dithmarschen and Steinburg. CAT Meldorf is an implementing partner providing consulting and services.
• Existenzgründung Westküste / Land Schleswig-HolsteincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-funded project (Landesprogramm Arbeit) providing digital founding courses and support. Funded by ESF React EU and state funds. CAT provides the complete program including video modules, live workshops, and individual consultations.
• GATEWAY49 AcceleratorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCAT Meldorf supports the GATEWAY49 startup accelerator program by promoting Batch VIII applications and hosting related events. GATEWAY49 is an accelerator for tech startups in Schleswig-Holstein.
• Startuphafen.SHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital founding platform launched by the state of Schleswig-Holstein in April 2025 to simplify and digitize the business registration process. CAT Meldorf, as a founding center, supports entrepreneurs using this platform.
• IHK FlensburgminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in the AI event series, specifically for the 'Promptathon' workshop held in Husum. IHK provides venue and promotional support for joint AI-focused events.
• BT Nord Systemhaus GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIT solutions provider participating in digitalization info events as a practice case presenter, demonstrating how digitalization works in everyday business operations.
• IB.SH (Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional development bank providing expert speakers on funding and financing opportunities for CAT events. Susann Dreßler from IB.SH serves as a 'Förderlotsin' (funding guide) for the organization's events.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Techstars is a global startup accelerator running cohort-based programs with mentorship, workspace access, and investor introductions. It is comparable to CAT at the category level — both run structured programs for early-stage founders — but Techstars operates globally with venture-backed cohorts, while CAT operates regionally with grant-funded consulting.

Direct peers

• hub:raum (Deutsche Telekom): hub:raum is Deutsche Telekom's startup incubation and venture program offering founders access to infrastructure, mentoring, and corporate networks. It is comparable to CAT as both deliver structured startup support combining workspace access, expert mentoring, and event programming, though hub:raum is corporate-sponsored and tech-focused while CAT is publicly-funded and generalist.
• Impact Hub Berlin: Impact Hub Berlin is a coworking and innovation space targeting impact-driven entrepreneurs with workspace, events, and accelerator programming. It is comparable to CAT as both serve early-stage founders with a mix of physical workspace, community events, and educational workshops, though Impact Hub focuses on impact themes while CAT is generalist.
• Mindspace: Mindspace is a premium coworking operator with multiple German locations offering flexible offices, meeting rooms, and community events. It is comparable to CAT because both monetize workspace rental to entrepreneurs and SMEs while building local founder communities; CAT layers in free public consulting on top, which Mindspace does not.
• Factory Berlin: Factory Berlin is a startup campus and coworking community combining physical workspace, events, and founder programming. It is comparable to CAT because both deliver coworking/office space plus educational and networking programs targeting early-stage entrepreneurs, albeit Factory Berlin operates in an urban, private-funded context while CAT operates in a rural, publicly-funded context.

Others

• IHK zu Flensburg: IHK zu Flensburg is the local Chamber of Commerce covering the Schleswig-Holstein region including Dithmarschen. It is comparable to CAT as both provide startup and SME support services in the same geography (CAT is even a partner), though the IHK is a statutory public-law body with a broader mandate while CAT is a district-owned operating company.
• Bundesverband Deutsche Startups: Bundesverband Deutsche Startups is the German startup industry association representing founders' interests and providing networking, research, and policy advocacy. It is comparable to CAT as both sit within the German startup support ecosystem; however, the Bundesverband is an advocacy/membership body while CAT is an operating service provider.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/centrum-f%C3%BCr-angewandte-technologien-cat-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/cat_meldorf/?hl=de

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 Centrum Fur Angewandte Technologien Gmbh (cat Gmbh)