empirica Communication and Technology Research is a private research and consultancy institute headquartered in Bonn, Germany, with additional offices in Berlin and Leipzig. The organisation was founded in 1990 by Ulrich Pfeiffer and employs approximately 30-35 staff members with backgrounds in economics, geography, and urban planning. Reiner Braun leads as managing director, with Timo Heyn overseeing the Bonn office.
empirica specialises in research and consultancy related to information and communication technology (ICT), focusing particularly on areas such as digital health, ageing societies, skills and labour markets, and energy transition. Its international client base includes government ministries, local authorities, the European Commission, the WHO, OECD, and private sector players in IT, healthcare, and insurance.
Recent projects exemplify empirica’s work at the intersection of technological innovation and policy development. The organisation manages and assesses large-scale European initiatives connected to digital health platforms and e-infrastructure governance. Projects have included market research for new health technologies, business process design for healthcare providers, and strategic policy consultancy for EU bodies.
empirica’s approach combines empirical research methods—both qualitative and quantitative—to ensure the practical relevance of its advice. The firm regularly collaborates with partners in England, Northern Europe, and Eastern Europe, providing benchmark studies, feasibility analyses, and structured evaluations for public and private clients. The organisation actively supports knowledge transfer through placements for young scientists and is recognised for its expertise in bridging technological innovation with user requirements and strategic decision-making.