Business financing & investment financing
Financing for Growth, Investments & Mid-Sized Businesses
Bankable financing concepts for established businesses: from KfW development loans (Förderkredite) and state development banks (Landesförderbanken) to guarantees and equity capital.
up to €25 million
KfW development loan
500+
Start-ups
4.9
on Google
Since 2018
Experience
- Bankable business plan & financial plan
- Access to KfW, state development banks & guarantees
- Support all the way to the bank meeting
- Free & non-binding
- Reply within 24 hours
- No obligation
Qualifications & experience
Your project in experienced hands.
Our credentials and track record at a glance.
4.88 / 5
92 reviews on ProvenExpert
As of September 2026
750+
business plans written
Since 2018
Registration
BAFA register of consultants
Pavel Deuble, management consultant
Consultant ID 191790
What does this mean for you?
Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). Pavel Deuble, consultant ID 191790. Your BAFA-funded consulting must be provided by a listed consultant.
Provider approval
AZAV-approved provider
UW Unternehmensweg GmbH, our sister company
AZAV provider approval Z-000392-2
What does this mean for you?
AVGS programs may only be delivered by approved providers. Our sister company UW Unternehmensweg GmbH, Leverkusen, takes care of this.
Our service
KfW financing support
We put together the documents for your loan application, which your house bank forwards to KfW, and prepare you for the bank meeting.
In practice: Since 2018 we have written more than 750 business plans. 99% of the start-up grant (Gründungszuschuss) applications we supported were approved (internally documented). The start-up grant is a discretionary benefit under § 93 SGB III; the Employment Agency decides on approval.
Track record & funding notes
Listed in the BAFA register of consultants; AVGS programs through the AZAV-certified provider UW Unternehmensweg GmbH
4.88 out of 5 on ProvenExpert
Based on 92 reviews on ProvenExpert (as of October 2026).
Financing for Established Businesses & Larger Projects
Do you want to invest, grow, take over a business, or finance working capital? Together with you, we develop a viable financing concept and prepare all documents so that both your house bank (Hausbank) and the development bank are convinced.
Unlike pure start-up financing, this is about existing businesses and larger volumes, from a single investment to multi-stage growth financing.
Which Financing Building Blocks We Combine
It is rarely just one building block. We put together the right mix:
- KfW/ERP development loans (e.g., ERP development loan for SMEs of up to €25 million)
- State development banks: L-Bank, NRW.BANK, LfA Bayern, IFB, IBB, and others
- Guarantee banks (Bürgschaftsbanken) when collateral is missing
- Conventional house bank loan
- Equity and mezzanine capital to strengthen your equity base
- Grants and funding (non-repayable)
The Path to Financing
Development loans are usually processed under the house bank principle (Hausbankprinzip): your bank reviews the application and passes it on to the development bank. What matters is a bankable business plan with a reliable financial and liquidity plan. This is exactly where many applications fail.
We prepare the figures, the concept, and the arguments so that your project appears comprehensible and financeable, and we support you all the way to the bank meeting.
What We Take Care of for You
- Financing concept and capital requirements planning
- Bankable business plan including financial and liquidity planning
- Selection and combination of suitable funding programs
- Preparing the bank documents and accompanying you to the meeting
Personal Consulting, No Call Center
You have a dedicated contact person who knows your project and accompanies you from the first idea to implementation. On an equal footing, transparent, and tailored to your situation.
- A dedicated consultant instead of changing case handlers
- Bank-tested documents that meet funding requirements
- Support all the way to the meeting with the bank or authority
Financing Building Blocks in Detail
Comparison of Financing Building Blocks
It is rarely just one building block. The right mix is what counts. This overview shows which
building block suits which purpose:
| Building block | Purpose | Typical amount | Collateral | Main advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KfW/ERP development loan | Investment, growth, working capital, takeover | up to €25 million | via house bank, in some cases with liability exemption (Haftungsfreistellung) | low-interest, long term, repayment-free years |
| House bank loan | flexible projects, short-term needs | case by case | standard bank collateral | fast and flexible |
| Guarantee | when collateral is missing | up to 80% of the loan (usually up to €2.0 million) | replaces missing collateral | makes the loan possible in the first place |
| Leasing | Machinery, vehicles, IT | Asset value | the asset itself | preserves liquidity, predictable installments |
| Factoring | outstanding receivables | up to approx. 90% of the invoice | the receivable | immediate liquidity and protection against default |
| Equity and mezzanine capital | Strengthening equity, growth | variable | none (equity) | strengthens creditworthiness without immediate repayment |
| Grants and funding | specific projects (digitalization, research and development) | depends on the program | - | non-repayable |
Which Financing Fits Your Project?
Every project has its own suitable financing mix. This guide helps you combine the
right building blocks:
| Your project | Recommended financing mix |
|---|---|
| Buying a machine or equipment | KfW development loan, supplemented by leasing if needed |
| Growth or new locations | KfW development loan, equity capital, and house bank loan |
| Working capital or liquidity | Overdraft facility, factoring, and the KfW working capital portion |
| Takeover or succession | ERP development loan 077, house bank loan, and a guarantee if needed |
| Collateral is missing | Guarantee (up to 80%) and KfW liability exemption |
| Digitalization | KfW development loan, supplemented by state funding or a grant |
Example: Financing Mix for a €500,000 Investment
Project: Production machine and working capital, established business, limited collateral.
KfW €300,000
House bank €100,000
Own funds €100,000
€300,000 ERP development loan for SMEs (low-interest, long term), €100,000
house bank loan, and €100,000 own funds. For the house bank’s missing
collateral: an 80% guarantee from the guarantee bank.
Illustrative example; your mix depends on the project, creditworthiness, and collateral.
The Most Common Mistakes in Business Financing
- Capital requirements set too low: no reserve for delays or additional costs.
- Thinking only of the house bank: development loans, guarantees, and grants remain unexplored.
- Applying too late: development loans must be applied for before the project starts.
- Forgetting liquidity: profitability is fine, but the account is empty anyway.
- Weak financial plan: unrealistic, unsubstantiated figures cost you the approval.
We avoid exactly these mistakes: we put together the right funding mix and prepare your
documents to be bankable.
Points of contact
Key Points of Contact for Business Financing
These institutions are relevant for financing your project, from the development bank and the
guarantee bank to the house bank. We know the requirements of all of them and prepare your application
accordingly.
KfW – Germany’s federal development bank
Low-interest development loans for founding, investment, and growth (e.g., ERP development loan for SMEs). Applications are submitted through your house bank.
kfw.deState development banks
Regional development loans, grants, and guarantees for each federal state: NRW.BANK, L-Bank, LfA Bayern, IBB, IFB, and others.
Development bank by federal stateGuarantee banks
Default guarantees (up to 80%) if you lack standard bank collateral. Each federal state has its own guarantee bank.
Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaften (MBG, SME equity investment companies)
Silent partnership capital and mezzanine capital to strengthen your equity base, available in every federal state.
vdb-info.deBAFA
Grant toward consulting costs through the “Förderung unternehmerischen Know-hows” program (funding of entrepreneurial know-how): 50% to 80% depending on where your company is based, application before consulting begins.
Federal funding database (Förderdatenbank des Bundes)
Official directory of all funding programs of the federal government, the states, and the EU, searchable by project and region.
foerderdatenbank.deChamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) & Chamber of Crafts (Handwerkskammer)
Free initial advice, financing consultation days, and, for funding applications, the expert opinion (fachkundige Stellungnahme) on viability.
House bank (Sparkasse, Volksbank, or commercial bank)
The first point of contact for financing: development loans run through the house bank principle, so the house bank reviews the application and passes it on to the development bank.
Preparing for the bank meetingWe put together the right funding mix for you.
KfW, state development bank, guarantee, equity stake, or house bank loan: we choose the right
combination and prepare your application to be bankable.
Official Sources, Information Sheets & Flyers
The authoritative primary sources to read up on: information sheets and program pages of the responsible funding bodies, as well as the relevant legal texts.
External links to official bodies, checked on June 19, 2026. Content and terms may change; the source itself is always authoritative.
We Find the Best Solution for Your Project.
In 3 short steps to your free initial consultation with an expert.
- Only 2 minutes of effort
- Individual recommendation
- Free and non-binding
4.9/5 from 65 reviews
What to expect
Personal conversation
With an experienced expert
Individual recommendation
Tailored to your situation
Concrete next steps
Clear, understandable, and actionable
4.9/5
on Google
500+
Start-ups since 2018
Video testimonials
First-Hand Experiences
See how founders experienced the path to funded self-employment, with real names and verifiable on request.
4.9 / 5 · 65 Google reviews
In 30 minutes we answer all your questions, free of charge and without obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Business Financing
Who is business financing intended for?
For established businesses, self-employed people, and freelancers who want to invest, grow, take over a business, or finance working capital. For the pure start-up phase there are separate programs such as the KfW start-up loan.
How high can the financing be?
That depends on the project. The KfW ERP development loan for SMEs, for example, goes up to €25 million; in addition, there are programs of the state development banks, guarantees, and equity capital. We put together the right mix.
Do I need equity?
Not necessarily; some programs allow 100% financing. However, equity or a guarantee improves the terms and the likelihood of approval.
How does the application process work?
Usually through your house bank (house bank principle): it reviews the application and forwards it to the development bank. We prepare the concept and the documents to be bankable and accompany you to the bank meeting.
Finance Your Next Project
In the free initial consultation we clarify capital requirements, suitable programs, and the
path to the bank.