Business succession
Business succession in Baden-Württemberg
National average: 52. That puts the state above average.
Source: IfM Bonn, Company successions in Germany 2026 to 2030 (Daten und Fakten No. 37, 2025)
Baden-Württemberg is the land of specialized mid-sized businesses, often family-owned for generations. Many of these companies have strong niches, firm customer relationships and experienced teams. For successors with a technical or business background, that is an attractive environment.
The region at a glance
Baden-Württemberg is one of Germany's most industrial states. Alongside well-known corporations, thousands of specialized mid-sized businesses shape the picture, many of them family-owned and active worldwide in their niche.
These businesses are often not based in Stuttgart or Mannheim but in small towns on the Swabian Alb, in the Black Forest, in Hohenlohe or Upper Swabia. If you want to take over a company, be ready to go where the businesses are.
For successors with experience in engineering, sales or management, that is an opportunity: many businesses have solid customers and experienced teams but need fresh input on digitalization, sales and hiring.
Baden-Württemberg in numbers
- around 26,200
- businesses will be up for handover between 2026 and 2030
- 54
- successions per 1,000 businesses, national average 52
- Rank 4
- of 16 states, measured by number of businesses
Successions per 1,000 businesses compared by state
Source: IfM Bonn, Company successions in Germany 2026 to 2030 (Daten und Fakten No. 37, 2025)
Typical industries
- Mechanical engineering and suppliers
- Metal and electrical industry
- Skilled trades
- Business services
- Retail and trade
Contacts in the state
Chambers
- 12 chambers of industry and commerce (IHK), for example IHK Region Stuttgart, IHK Karlsruhe and IHK Rhein-Neckar
- 8 chambers of skilled crafts (Handwerkskammer), for example Handwerkskammer Region Stuttgart
Development bank
L-Bank (the state development bank)
Guarantee bank
Bürgschaftsbank Baden-Württemberg (the state guarantee bank)
Support programmes in Baden-Württemberg
A selection of programmes that can help with founding through acquisition and succession. Terms change, so the provider's page always applies. Applications usually run through your house bank and before the purchase.
There are also nationwide KfW programmes, such as the ERP-Gründerkredit StartGeld.
Succession guide for Baden-Württemberg
For successors
- Set your search profile: industry, size, region and your role
- Clarify your equity and talk to your house bank early
- Check support: L-Bank (the state development bank), KfW and investment capital
- Ask for a guarantee if collateral is missing: Bürgschaftsbank Baden-Württemberg (the state guarantee bank)
- Review the business with due diligence, tax and law with experts
- Plan a handover in stages with the current owner
For owners
- Clarify your goals: timing, your role afterwards, price expectations
- Clean up the figures and reduce dependencies on you personally
- Use succession advice from the chambers in Baden-Württemberg
- Get a realistic assessment of your business value
- Involve the team and key customers at the right time
- Meet suitable successors in person, for example through Nachfounder
How a takeover works in Baden-Württemberg
- 01
Sharpen your search profile
Decide on industry, size and region, and check whether a management buy-in fits you. - 02
Find businesses
Through chambers, the succession marketplace nexxt-change, your network or Nachfounder. First details usually come after a non-disclosure agreement. - 03
Check and finance
Review the business with due diligence, and put together financing with your house bank, L-Bank (the state development bank) and Bürgschaftsbank Baden-Württemberg (the state guarantee bank). - 04
Take over and hand over
Sign the purchase agreement and take on responsibility through a handover in stages.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who helps with succession in Baden-Württemberg?
The chambers of industry and commerce and the chambers of skilled crafts in the state advise on succession. For financing, your house bank, L-Bank and Bürgschaftsbank Baden-Württemberg are key contacts. Nachfounder also brings founders and businesses together.
How many businesses are up for succession in Baden-Württemberg?
IfM Bonn estimates around 26,200 successions for 2026 to 2030, about 54 per 1,000 businesses.
How do I finance a takeover in Baden-Württemberg?
Usually through a mix of equity, a bank loan and support programmes. Your house bank applies for development loans such as the KfW ERP-Gründerkredit StartGeld, alongside programmes from L-Bank (the state development bank). If collateral is missing, Bürgschaftsbank Baden-Württemberg (the state guarantee bank) can provide a guarantee. Often a seller loan also covers part of the purchase price.
When should I as an owner in Baden-Württemberg start planning succession?
As early as possible. Chambers and advisors usually recommend several years of lead time, so the figures, contracts and processes are ready for handover and there is enough time to search and hand over in stages. Succession advice from the chambers in Baden-Württemberg is a good first step.
Do I have to be from Baden-Württemberg to take over a business there?
No. Many successors move to a new region for a takeover. What matters is industry knowledge, leadership experience and the willingness to be present on site. State support programmes usually depend on where the business is based, not on where you are from.
How do I find a business to take over in Baden-Württemberg?
Good routes are the succession marketplace nexxt-change, succession advice from the chambers, tax advisors and your own network in the region. Nachfounder prepares successors and makes a personal connection to suitable businesses.