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: we prepare experienced entrepreneurs for a takeover and bring them together with companies looking for a successor. Not M&A advisory. We turn successors into founders.
Mittelstand by end of 2029
545,000
want to hand over
569,000
want to close
For the first time, more companies plan to close than to hand over.
57 %
of owners are 55 or older.
Source: KfW Research, Nachfolge-Monitoring Mittelstand 2025
Four areas
We get successors ready for the business,and the business ready for succession.
Every succession touches four areas. We work through them with both sides, step by step and in the right order.
Get figures, processes and the team ready so someone new can take over.
Clarify what changes hands and how, with experts at your side.
A price and a model that work for both sides.
Letting go, settling in and earning trust.
The business portrait
A video about your life's work.
We visit you, interview you and show your office, warehouse and production. Five to ten minutes, filmed and edited by us. You get to know us and our work, and the next generation gets to know your company.
See the business portrait- Main video in two versions
- 3 to 5 social clips
- 20 to 30 photos
- Free to use for your company
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
Frequently asked 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.
Do I need a lot of equity?
No, and you do not need a VC round either. Takeovers are usually financed through banks, public funding and vendor loans. In the programme we build the deal structure 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 agree the terms for our support individually with you and set them out openly before we start.
Which companies fit?
Healthy mid-sized companies looking for succession. We discuss sector and region in the first conversation.
How do I apply for the programme?
Through the contact form below or the programme page. We then have a personal conversation and work out together whether this path suits you.
How long does the programme take?
There is no fixed timeframe. The programme takes as long as it takes and is remote first. We discuss this in the first conversation.
What is the business portrait?
A video format of five to ten minutes. We visit you, show you, your team and your company, and handle filming and editing. You can use the footage wherever it helps you find the right successor.
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 within 24 hours. Everything you write stays confidential.
Message to Nachfounder