Institut für Berufliche Bildung

A fund advised by NORD Holding has acquired IBB Institut für Berufliche Bildung AG, Germany's leading provider of government-funded advanced vocational training (“AVT”) and occupational retraining (“ORT”). Together, NORD Holding and the IBB management team aim to develop IBB from an education provider into Germany's leading education services group.

IBB was founded in 1985 by Sigrid Baumann-Tornow in Buxtehude and has grown over four decades into one of Germany's top-3 providers of government-funded education. IBB offers a comprehensive educational portfolio, with a focus on advanced vocational training and occupational retraining, comprising more than 850 certified, predominantly digital course modules, approximately 700 employees, and a nationwide presence across around 70 proprietary locations and more than 1,000 partner locations through the VIONA network.

The German labour market is undergoing fundamental change. A shortage of skilled workers, digitalization, and demographic shifts are driving a sustainably growing demand for certifiedre training and continuing education. With its strong brand, leading participant satisfaction, and the unique VIONA partner network, IBB is ideally positioned to actively shape this transformation.

Together with NORD Holding, IBB aims to develop into Germany's leading education services group in the coming years – organically through the expansion of the VIONA network, the broadening of its course portfolio in high-growth sectors such as healthcare, skilled trades, and IT, as well as through targeted acquisitions.

"We have been following IBB for a decade: a market leader in adult education, particularly in the area of occupational retraining; a strong and dedicated management team; and a market that is growing structurally. We look forward to continuing this journey together with the IBB team and actively shaping the next phase of growth," says Philipp von Mitzlaff, Partner at NORD Holding.

"IBB has been an institution that opens up new professional opportunities for over 40 years. At a time when structural change and AI are fundamentally transforming the world of work, this mission is more important than ever. That is precisely why we want to make IBB stronger – for its employees, for its participants, and for its partners. Together, we are investing in people, in technology, and in the future," adds Marcel Rosengarten, Director at NORD Holding.

"IBB has proven over four decades that education works best with both heart and mind. With NORD Holding, we now have a partner who shares our values and gives us the means to turn our vision into reality: When it comes to vocational education, there is no way around IBB," comments Katrin Witte, CEO of IBB.

Signing took place on 20 April 2026; the transaction remains subject to merger control clearance by the German Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt). On the NORD Holding side, the investment was supported by Philipp von Mitzlaff, Marcel Rosengarten, Moritz Kreis, and Nicolas Tengel, underscoring the firm's deep sector expertise in education and business services.

The fund is managed by NordVest GmbH, Hannover, acting as AIFM.

About IBB

IBB was founded in 1985 and is today one of Germany's leading providers of government-funded advanced vocational training and occupational retraining. The company offers acomprehensive portfolio of continuing education, retraining, AVGS coaching, and B2B seminars. Through the VIONA platform, IBB operates a unique partner network with more than 1,000 locations across Germany. IBB employs approximately 700 people and is headquartered in Buxtehude.

For more information, please visit: www.ibb.com