Baden Wurttemberg International

What Baden Wurttemberg International does

Baden-Württemberg International (BW_i) is a state-owned limited liability company (GmbH) operating as the central location promotion and internationalization agency for the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg. Founded in 1984 as the Export Foundation Baden-Württemberg and renamed to its current form in 2004, BW_i functions as a one-stop agency serving domestic and foreign companies, universities, research institutions, clusters, and networks. The organization employs approximately 100 staff at its Stuttgart headquarters and maintains a wholly-owned subsidiary in Nanjing, China, leveraging over 35 years of provincial relationships in Jiangsu and Liaoning.

BW_i's core services encompass trade fair participation under the THE LÄND umbrella brand, organized delegation trips, information events and webinars, cooperation brokering, investor attraction services, business retention support for existing Baden-Württemberg companies, talent recruitment, and EU-funded programs including the Enterprise Europe Network Baden-Württemberg (EEN-BW) and Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs. All services are provided free of charge to qualifying clients. The underlying technology stack is composed of standard SaaS productivity, communication, and digital marketing tools (Microsoft Office 365, Cisco Webex, Edudip, Inxmail, Swat.io, Cloudflare) rather than proprietary AI or software products.

BW_i's revenue mechanics are non-commercial: the organization is funded primarily by the State of Baden-Württemberg, supplemented by European Commission project grants and commissions from the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism. It is governed by five shareholders representing state government (Land Baden-Württemberg, L-Bank), industry (LVI), chambers of commerce (BWIHK), and skilled trades (Handwerk BW). Its go-to-market is hybrid, combining event-driven activation at international trade fairs and delegation trips with direct advisory consulting through Key Account Management and digital channels including the 'Expänd into THE LÄND' investor portal and 'career start bw' talent portal.

Name

Baden Wurttemberg International

Legal name

Baden-Württemberg International, Gesellschaft für internationale wirtschaftliche und wissenschaftliche Zusammenarbeit mbH

Website

https://bw-i.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Baden-Württemberg International (BW_i) is the state-owned one-stop internationalization agency of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, providing free trade fair participation, delegation trips, investor attraction, business retention, and talent recruitment services to local SMEs, universities, research institutions, and foreign investors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. State Government Funding: BW_i is funded by the State of Baden-Württemberg as its primary source of financing. The organization was founded by the state government in 1984 and operates as a central location marketing agency for business and science.
2. European Commission Projects: BW_i receives funding from the European Commission for projects including the Enterprise Europe Network Baden-Württemberg (EEN-BW) and Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE). These EU-funded programs support internationalization services for SMEs, universities, and entrepreneurs.
3. Ministry for Economic Affairs Projects: BW_i executes projects commissioned by the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism Baden-Württemberg, including InnovationCamp BW, a program supporting SMEs with innovation techniques and global ecosystem exposure. The program is financially supported/funded by the ministry.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Baden-Württemberg International (BW_i) is the state-mandated one-stop agency for internationalization, foreign investment attraction, and talent recruitment for the German state of Baden-Württemberg. It provides free advisory and facilitation services to companies, universities, research institutions, clusters and networks, including trade fair participation, delegation trips, cooperation brokering, investor location searches, and business retention support, funded by the state government and the European Commission.

Product overview

Baden-Württemberg International (bw-i) is a central location promotion agency for business and science in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The organization operates as a one-stop agency offering a comprehensive portfolio of internationalization services, including trade fair and conference participations, delegation trips, information events, and cooperation facilitation. For market entry, bw-i operates a foreign office in Nanjing, China and facilitates connections to international business networks. The agency also provides business attraction and retention services, talent marketing programs, and manages EU-funded projects such as Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs and InnovationCamp BW. Recently launched (May 2026) the BW_i Discovers program for market exploration. The portfolio is delivered through multiple channels including the career start bw portal, the Meeting Point BW_i podcast, and various event formats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• THE LÄND: The statewide brand identity and marketing umbrella for Baden-Württemberg as a business and science location.
• Start-up BW
• career start bw

Products and services

• Trade Fairs and Conferences (Messen und Konferenzen) Coordination of trade fair and conference participation for Baden-Württemberg companies and institutions under the state umbrella brand, with turnkey booth setup, political support, and on-site matchmaking services at domestic and international venues.
• Delegation Trips (Delegationsreisen) Organized trips for Baden-Württemberg SMEs, universities, research institutions, clusters and networks to global markets, combining market exploration, B2B matchmaking, networking events, and political accompaniment.
• Information Events (Informationsveranstaltungen) Educational events in live, virtual or hybrid formats delivering market intelligence, country briefings, and practical recommendations from experts and Baden-Württemberg practitioners active in target markets.
• Cooperation Facilitation (Kooperationen) Partner identification and contact brokering services helping companies, universities, research institutions and clusters establish international partnerships through events, platforms, and the Enterprise Europe Network.
• Corporate and Investor Services (Unternehmens- und Investorenservice) Free comprehensive services for domestic and foreign companies, clusters, networks, universities and research institutes seeking to establish operations in Baden-Württemberg, including location search, networking, skilled labor recruitment, and financing advice via the Expand into THE LÄND investor portal.
• Business Retention Services (Bestandspflege) Key Account Management support for companies already located in Baden-Württemberg, addressing location security, expansion planning, land/facility searches, science cooperation, and skilled worker recruitment to prevent relocation.
• Economic Developer Services (Service für Wirtschaftsförderer) Support services for regional and municipal economic development agencies in Baden-Württemberg covering joint trade fair participation, international presence, best-practice exchange, fact-finding trips, and regional land management support.
• Market Entry with Foreign Offices (Markteintritt mit Auslandsbüros) Market entry support delivered through BW_i's own foreign office in Nanjing, China, supplemented by collaboration with German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK) and Baden-Württemberg's network of foreign economic representations across global target markets.
• China Office Nanjing Foreign branch office in Nanjing, China serving as the official representation of Baden-Württemberg, offering firm pool management (turnkey China presence), market studies, partner and supplier identification, company formation support, translation services, and trade fair organization.
• Start-up Services (Angebot für Start-ups) Comprehensive internationalization support for Baden-Württemberg start-ups including delegation trips, trade fair participations, networking with international investors, and access to EU funding programs, co-financed by the Start-up BW initiative.
• Location Marketing (Standortmarketing) International talent attraction services promoting Baden-Württemberg's higher education and research strengths abroad through presentations, videos, photo campaigns, and participation in international student and career fairs.
• Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Enterprise Europe Network Baden-Württemberg (EEN-BW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBW_i is a member of the Enterprise Europe Network Baden-Württemberg (EEN-BW), a European network supporting small and medium-sized enterprises with business, technology, and project partnerships. EEN is the world's largest support network for SMEs. BW_i offers an extensive program supported by the European Union within this framework for internationalization.
• Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBW_i is a project partner for Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs, an EU-funded program promoting exchange between start-up founders and SMEs. The program facilitates direct access to foreign markets and valuable business contacts for young entrepreneurs while providing established SMEs with fresh ideas and international perspectives.
• Start-up BWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStart-up BW is the umbrella brand of the Baden-Württemberg state government for all support measures for start-ups, founders, and entrepreneurs. Start-up BW co-finances trips, trade fair visits, and presentations organized by BW_i, jointly aiming to make Baden-Württemberg visible and attractive as a start-up destination nationally and internationally.
• BIOPRO (Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Bioeconomy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIOPRO (Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Bioeconomy Baden-Württemberg GmbH) is a state agency partner providing BW_i with expertise and network access in the biotech and life sciences sector as part of BW_i's partner network.
• MFG Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-WürttembergminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMFG Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg mbH is a state media and film agency partner providing BW_i with expertise in creative industries, digital media, and cultural sectors as part of the partner network.
• e-mobil BW (Electromobility and Mobility Solutions)minorStrategic or Co-development Partnere-mobil BW GmbH is the state agency for electromobility and mobility solutions in Baden-Württemberg, serving as a partner providing BW_i with expertise in sustainable mobility, clean tech, and automotive sector networks.
• Umwelttechnik BW (Environmental Technology Baden-Württemberg)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmwelttechnik BW is a state agency for environmental technology, partnering with BW_i to provide expertise in green technologies, sustainability, and environmental industries as part of the partner network.
• Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism Baden-WürttembergcoreOthersBW_i executes projects commissioned by the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism Baden-Württemberg (Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Arbeit und Tourismus Baden-Württemberg), including InnovationCamp BW and cluster internationalization programs. The ministry provides financial support for these initiatives.
• State of Baden-Württemberg (Gesellschafter)coreOthersThe State of Baden-Württemberg is BW_i's primary shareholder and funding source. As the central location marketing agency for business and science, BW_i operates under the mandate of the state government to strengthen the Baden-Württemberg economy internationally.
• L-Bank (Gesellschafter)coreOthersL-Bank, the state development bank of Baden-Württemberg, is one of BW_i's five shareholders, providing governance oversight and alignment with state economic development strategy.
• Landesverband der Baden-Württembergischen Industrie e.V. (LVI) (Gesellschafter)coreOthersLVI (Landesverband der Baden-Württembergischen Industrie / Entrepreneur Association Baden-Württemberg) is one of BW_i's five shareholders, representing the interests of Baden-Württemberg's industrial sector and providing industry network access.
• Baden-Württembergischer Industrie- und Handelskammertag e.V. (BWIHK) (Gesellschafter)coreOthersThe Baden-Württemberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BWIHK) is one of BW_i's five shareholders, providing network access to the chamber system and SME support infrastructure.
• Handwerk BW (Gesellschafter)coreOthersHandwerk BW (Handwerkskammertag Baden-Württemberg) is one of BW_i's five shareholders, representing the Baden-Württemberg skilled trades and crafts sector and providing access to the guild network.
• German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (Auslandshandelskammern, AHK) provides expert on-the-ground consulting and market-ready solutions for German companies looking to establish or expand their foreign business. BW_i refers clients to AHK offices for in-country advisory services.
• Baden-Württemberg Foreign Economic RepresentationsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe State of Baden-Württemberg maintains its own foreign offices and economic representations in strategically important target markets: Brazil, China, India (Delhi, Maharashtra), Israel, Japan, East Africa, Singapore, South Africa, USA, UAE, and UK. BW_i collaborates with these offices to support SMEs entering new markets. The network is continuously expanded.
• Daubermann GmbHminorOthersDaubermann GmbH (Mannheim) is responsible for the concept and design of BW_i's website and printed materials.
• Bytebetrieb GmbH & Co. KGminorOthersBytebetrieb GmbH & Co. KG (Stuttgart) is responsible for the programming and technical implementation of BW_i's website.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCf4AvninC2cFgML4ju69hbw
• Facebookde-de.facebook.com/BadenWuerttembergInternational
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/bw-i
• Instagraminstagram.com/team.bw_i

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Baden Wurttemberg International