Business succession
Business succession in Hesse
National average: 52. That puts the state slightly below average, though the absolute number of successions is still high.
Source: IfM Bonn, Company successions in Germany 2026 to 2030 (Daten und Fakten No. 37, 2025)
Hesse spans from the Rhine-Main service hub to rural regions in northern and eastern Hesse. The succession situation varies accordingly: in the metropolitan area, competition for businesses is greater, while rural districts more often lack a successor.
The region at a glance
Hesse combines the Rhine-Main finance and services hub with industry in central and northern Hesse and rural regions such as the Vogelsberg, the Odenwald and Waldeck.
In the metropolitan area, interest in businesses is high. In rural districts, a successor is more often missing, even though the businesses are financially sound.
Successors find a broad mix of industry, retail, skilled trades and services in Hesse. Its location in the middle of Germany also makes many businesses accessible to people from other states.
Hesse in numbers
- around 13,600
- businesses will be up for handover between 2026 and 2030
- 51
- successions per 1,000 businesses, national average 52
- Rank 11
- 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
- Business services
- Retail and trade
- Industry
- Skilled trades
- Logistics
Contacts in the state
Chambers
- 10 chambers of industry and commerce (IHK), for example IHK Frankfurt am Main, IHK Darmstadt and IHK Kassel-Marburg
- 3 chambers of skilled crafts (Handwerkskammer): Frankfurt-Rhein-Main, Kassel and Wiesbaden
Development bank
Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen (WIBank, the state development bank)
Guarantee bank
Bürgschaftsbank Hessen (the state guarantee bank)
Support programmes in Hesse
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 Hesse
For successors
- Set your search profile: industry, size, region and your role
- Clarify your equity and talk to your house bank early
- Check support: Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen (WIBank, the state development bank), KfW and investment capital
- Ask for a guarantee if collateral is missing: Bürgschaftsbank Hessen (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 Hesse
- 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 Hesse
- 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, Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen (WIBank, the state development bank) and Bürgschaftsbank Hessen (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 Hesse?
The chambers of industry and commerce and the chambers of skilled crafts in the state advise on succession. For financing, your house bank, Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen (WIBank) and Bürgschaftsbank Hessen are key contacts. Nachfounder also brings founders and businesses together.
How many businesses are up for succession in Hesse?
IfM Bonn estimates around 13,600 successions for 2026 to 2030, about 51 per 1,000 businesses.
How do I finance a takeover in Hesse?
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 Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen (WIBank, the state development bank). If collateral is missing, Bürgschaftsbank Hessen (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 Hesse 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 Hesse is a good first step.
Do I have to be from Hesse 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 Hesse?
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.