The problem
The best startup isalready 40 years old.
By the end of 2029, around 545,000 German Mittelstand companies want to find a successor. Another 569,000 plan to simply close. That is over 110,000 closures a year, often of healthy firms (KfW Research, Nachfolge-Monitoring Mittelstand 2025). Meanwhile good entrepreneurs start from zero again. Nachfounder is the programme in between: like an accelerator, only for companies that already exist. Not M&A advisory. We turn successors into founders.
545,000
Mittelstand companies want to settle succession by the end of 2029.
569,000
plan to close their company by the end of 2029.
57 %
of owners are 55 or older.
Source: KfW Research, Nachfolge-Monitoring Mittelstand 2025
The idea
What was. What will be.
Every year thousands of companies look for someone to carry on. We turn the takeover into a founding. What was built stays. What comes next is up to you.
Day 1
Customers, team, cash flow
€0
Burn rate at the start
Since 1987
Product-market fit
1 team
Support until after the handover
What we do
From the search to yourfirst day as the boss.
See the processFind a company
We know owners who want to hand over. Many are on no platform. You get companies that fit you.
Review together
Numbers, contracts, customers, dependencies. We look closely with you before you sign.
Sort out financing
Purchase price, equity, bank, vendor loan. We build financing with you that holds.
Guide the handover
The first hundred days decide a lot. We stay with you as you take over the team and make the first calls.
A company without a successor is a startup without a founder.
We work with companies from across the Mittelstand. What they share: a business that works, and nobody to carry it on.
Startup vs. company
The best startup is already 40 years old.
Startup vocabulary, translated into the everyday reality of a company that already runs. Tap a card or switch them all.
Customers, team, cash flow. From day one.
The path
A handover infive stages.
- 01
Getting to know
An open conversation about what you are looking for or want to hand over.
- 02
Fit
We bring together the sides that truly fit.
- 03
Review
Numbers, contracts and people. Everything goes on the table.
- 04
Handover
Purchase agreement, financing and a plan for the transition.
- 05
Carrying on
We support the first months afterwards.
Questions
Do I need to have founded before?
No. You should want to take responsibility for people and numbers. Experience as a founder or executive helps but is not required.
How much equity do I need?
It depends on the company. Often a smaller part of the price is enough, with bank and vendor loans covering the rest. We work it out with you.
Will my team find out I am looking for a successor?
Only if you want them to. We only talk to candidates once you agree, and everyone signs a confidentiality agreement.
What does Nachfounder cost?
The first conversation is free. We lay out the terms for our support before we start: [TERMS].
Which companies fit?
Healthy mid-sized companies looking for succession. We discuss sector and region in the first conversation.
Let's talk
Carry on what othershave built.
Whether you want to take over or are looking for someone for your company: the first conversation is free and stays confidential.
Day 1
Customers, team, cash flow
€0
Burn rate
Contact
Customers, team, cash flow.From day one.
Tell us whether you want to take over or are looking for a successor. We will reply personally. Everything you write stays confidential.
Message to Nachfounder