Business succession
Business succession in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
National average: 52. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is one of the states with an increase compared with the previous period.
Source: IfM Bonn, Company successions in Germany 2026 to 2030 (Daten und Fakten No. 37, 2025)
Many businesses in the state are owner-run and firmly rooted in their region. Outside the cities in particular, finding a successor is difficult, because potential successors tend to live in Hamburg, Berlin or Rostock. For founders, that is an opportunity: if you are willing to move to the countryside, you often find healthy businesses with loyal customers and little competition for the takeover.
The region at a glance
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is shaped by tourism, hospitality, skilled trades, the food industry and the maritime industry. Many businesses are small and owner-run.
According to IfM Bonn, more successions are coming up here than in the previous estimation period. Many owners built up their business after 1990 and are now looking for a successor, often without a candidate in the family.
For successors, that means there are businesses with loyal regular customers and settled teams that would have to close without a successor. If you are willing to move to the coast or the countryside, you can make a real difference here.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in numbers
- around 3,200
- businesses will be up for handover between 2026 and 2030
- 54
- successions per 1,000 businesses, national average 52
- Rank 5
- 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
- Tourism and hospitality
- Skilled trades
- Construction
- Food industry and agriculture
- Maritime industry
Contacts in the state
Chambers
- IHK zu Rostock
- IHK Neubrandenburg for eastern Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
- IHK zu Schwerin
- Handwerkskammer Ostmecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Handwerkskammer Schwerin
Development bank
Landesförderinstitut Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LFI, the state development bank)
Guarantee bank
Bürgschaftsbank Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (the state guarantee bank)
Support programmes in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
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 Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
For successors
- Set your search profile: industry, size, region and your role
- Clarify your equity and talk to your house bank early
- Check support: Landesförderinstitut Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LFI, the state development bank), KfW and investment capital
- Ask for a guarantee if collateral is missing: Bürgschaftsbank Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (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 Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
- 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 Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
- 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, Landesförderinstitut Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LFI, the state development bank) and Bürgschaftsbank Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (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 Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania?
The chambers of industry and commerce and the chambers of skilled crafts in the state advise on succession. For financing, your house bank, the state development institute and Bürgschaftsbank Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are key contacts. Nachfounder also brings founders and businesses together.
Is a takeover in a rural area worth it?
Often yes. Many businesses have stable customers and little competition for the succession. What matters is that the region, your life plans and the business fit together.
How do I finance a takeover in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania?
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 Landesförderinstitut Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LFI, the state development bank). If collateral is missing, Bürgschaftsbank Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (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 Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 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 Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is a good first step.
Do I have to be from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 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 Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania?
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.