Free Office Hour: How to Buy a Small Business in Germany (in English)
About this Event
Want to become an entrepreneur without starting from zero? Buying an existing small business, with customers, staff and revenue already in place, is one of the most underrated ways to start in Germany. Thousands of owners are looking for a successor every year. But the process is very different from founding: you need to find the right business, check it properly, agree on a fair price and finance the purchase.
This is NOT a lecture. It's a small, in-person office hour with only 3 seats, so there is real time for your questions and your situation.
What we'll cover
- Founding vs. buying: when taking over an existing business makes more sense
- Where to find businesses for sale in Germany, including the official succession platform nexxt-change
- What to check before you buy (due diligence): numbers, contracts, staff, customers, lease
- How a price is set, and options like paying in stages or a seller loan
- How to finance a takeover: bank loans through your Hausbank, KfW programmes for takeovers, IBB in Berlin and Bürgschaftsbank guarantees
- What banks expect from your business plan for a takeover
- The most common mistakes, and why the right timing with the bank matters
Who it's for
- People who want to become self-employed by taking over a business instead of starting from scratch
- Founders, freelancers and employees thinking about buying a shop, studio, service business or small company
- People registered with the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter, and people who aren't: everyone is welcome
- Internationals who want help in English (we also speak German and Mandarin)
What you'll take away
- A clear step-by-step picture of how a business takeover works in Germany
- A checklist of what to look at before you buy
- An overview of financing options for your takeover
- A short 1:1 moment on your own plans
Format
- Thursday, 12 November 2026, 1:45 to 2:45 pm
- In person at Spaces Berlin
- 15 minutes overview, 45 minutes Q&A and 1:1 guidance
- Only 3 seats
Your host
Irene Yu, founder of Rizing, coaches founders and internationals in Germany. This year she went through a business takeover process herself, from the business plan to the bank conversations. Together with a BAFA-registered partner consultant, Rizing helps founders with business plans, financial plans and bank loans through partner banks.
Free, registration required. Seats are given out first come, first served. If the time doesn't work for you, book a free 20-minute call or email [email protected].
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Get legal and tax advice before you sign a purchase agreement.
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