HWB Gruppe
HWB Gruppe is a Kiel/Hamburg-based German management consulting group advising SMEs across the DACH region on M&A, financing, value enhancement and succession, via subsidiaries including NEOMA (digital M&A), HWB-Finanzberatung (financing), HWB Managementberatung (strategy) and HWB Immobilien (real estate).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersKiel, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What HWB Gruppe does
HWB Gruppe is a privately held German management consulting group headquartered in Kiel with a second office in Hamburg (Deichstraße 1, 20459 Hamburg), specialising in advisory services for small and medium-sized enterprises (Mittelstand) in the DACH region. The group's operating entity, HWB Unternehmerberatung GmbH (registered Amtsgericht Kiel), organises its work around four service pillars: Wertsteigerung (value enhancement), Finanzierung (financing advisory), Transaktion (M&A buy- and sell-side) and Nachfolge (succession planning and mediation). Four specialised subsidiaries sit underneath the parent: NEOMA GmbH (M&A advisory for digital companies, IT, media and cloud), HWB-Finanzberatung GmbH (financing advisory led by Andreas Kabon), HWB Managementberatung GmbH (strategic consulting led by Ralf Schmidt) and HWB Immobilien GmbH (real estate brokerage under §34c GewO, supervised by IHK zu Kiel). The firm operates as a sales-led, project-based professional services business, earning transaction advisory, valuation, financing structuring and succession mediation fees on individual SME mandates — no recurring SaaS or subscription revenue is disclosed and pricing is not publicly available.
The firm was founded approximately 15 years ago (the website references a '15 years' milestone) and is led by founders Hartmut Winkelmann (Diplom-Volkswirt) and Helmut Bauer (Diplom-Kaufmann), with Matthias Winkelmann (Betriebswirt M.A., General Management) as managing shareholder. The senior bench includes Lutz von Majewsky (Head of Transaction Advisory), Tim Lennart Borchers (Head of Strategic Corporate Value Development), Christian Brenner (Prokurist, CVA), and Katrin Neef (Einzelprokuristin, certified SME succession specialist), supported by approximately 25-30 consultants, analysts, working students and executive assistants. Revenue is generated from M&A buy-side and sell-side mandates, company valuations, debt and equity financing advisory, succession mediation, and (via NEOMA) digital-sector M&A, with deal sizes disclosed in client testimonials ranging from sub-€1M to seven-figure financing rounds and full business sales.
Distribution is primarily direct, supported by a content marketing stack (German-language blog, newsletter, Instagram), professional referrals from cooperating tax advisors and lawyers, and participation in regional networks such as Wirtschaftsjunioren and Kieler Kaufmann events. The technology stack disclosed is limited to HubSpot CRM and Cookiebot consent management; no proprietary platform, AI/ML, API, SDK or marketplace is indicated. The customer base documented in public case studies spans more than 40 named SMEs across highly diversified industries including precision tooling, photovoltaic import, medical practices, pathology, hospitality, engineering, confectionery, hydraulics, industrial design, pet food, automotive, cable technology, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, furniture/cabinetry, media/publishing, packaging and craft brewing, with several multi-year relationships (Party Rent since 2007, MVZ HPH since 2008, S-consit 2011-2020, World of Sweets since 2014, HOPA since 2016). The three founding shareholders initiated their own internal succession process as of early 2025, indicating the firm is itself entering a transition phase analogous to the engagements it serves.
HWB Gruppe firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HWB Gruppe
- Legal name
- HWB Unternehmerberatung GmbH
- Website
- https://hwb-gruppe.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- HWB Gruppe is a Kiel/Hamburg-based German management consulting group advising SMEs across the DACH region on M&A, financing, value enhancement and succession, via subsidiaries including NEOMA (digital M&A), HWB-Finanzberatung (financing), HWB Managementberatung (strategy) and HWB Immobilien (real estate).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HWB Gruppe industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Management Consulting
- NAICS
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (541611), Management Consulting Services (54161)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- M&A Advisory (Buy-side/Sell-side) (BPAHADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships Advisory (JVs, Alliances, Carve-outs) (BPAHAOAG), Buy-Side M&A Advisory (FSAEAGAB)
Keywords
Where HWB Gruppe is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kiel
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
HWB Gruppe business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Transaction Advisory Services: Revenue generated from M&A advisory services including buy-side and sell-side mandates, company valuations, and transaction support for SMEs.
- Financing Advisory: Revenue from corporate financing advisory services helping clients secure debt and equity financing for growth, succession, and other corporate purposes.
- Succession Consulting: Advisory fees for succession planning and execution, including internal succession mediation and family business transitions.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
HWB Gruppe product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HWB Gruppe is a German management consulting firm advising small and medium-sized enterprises (Mittelstand) in the DACH region on four core service pillars: Wertsteigerung (value enhancement), Finanzierung (financing), Transaktion (M&A), and Nachfolge (succession). The firm delivers sell-side and buy-side M&A advisory, company valuations, debt and equity financing support, and succession planning including mediation. Services are delivered through a network of subsidiaries including NEOMA GmbH for digital-company M&A.
Product overview
HWB Gruppe is a network of business consulting companies offering advisory services for mid-sized companies (Mittelstand) in Germany. The core offering is centered on HWB Unternehmerberatung GmbH, which provides four main service pillars: Wertsteigerung (value enhancement), Finanzierung (financing), Transaktion (M&A transactions), and Nachfolge (succession planning). The group operates several specialized subsidiaries including NEOMA GmbH for digital company M&A, HWB-Finanzberatung GmbH for financing advisory, HWB Managementberatung GmbH for strategic consulting, and HWB Immobilien GmbH for real estate services. The company is headquartered in Kiel with an additional office in Hamburg.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NEOMA GmbH: M&A advisory services for digital companies including IT, Media, Cloud and digital business models. Co-founded by Max Köhler-Karstens and Dr. Björn Schäfers.
- HWB Immobilien GmbH
- HWB-Finanzberatung GmbH
- HWB Managementberatung GmbH
Products and services
- Transaktion (M&A Advisory) Buy-side and sell-side M&A advisory for SMEs in the DACH region, including professional buyer identification, confidentiality management, sales memoranda, due diligence coordination, and transaction closing support.
- Finanzierung (Financing Advisory) Corporate financing advisory helping SME clients secure debt and equity financing for growth, succession, working capital, and other corporate purposes, delivered via the HWB-Finanzberatung GmbH subsidiary led by Andreas Kabon.
- Nachfolge (Succession Planning) Succession planning and execution for family-owned SMEs, including internal succession mediation, valuation, buyer matching, and family business transition support. Delivered by certified KMU succession specialists (KMU-Fachberater).
- Wertsteigerung (Value Enhancement) Strategic advisory aimed at enhancing the enterprise value of SMEs prior to a transaction, succession, or financing event, led by the Head of Strategic Corporate Value Development.
- NEOMA GmbH (Digital M&A) Specialized M&A advisory targeting digital business models (IT, media, cloud), co-founded with Max Köhler-Karstens and Dr. Björn Schäfers. Handles company sales such as m2 solutions in 69 days (Q3/2022) and Kauartikel.com family-office acquisition (Q2/2023).
- HWB Managementberatung GmbH Strategic business advisory subsidiary offering general management consulting services to SMEs in Germany.
- HWB Immobilien GmbH Real estate brokerage subsidiary operating within the HWB Group, providing licensed real estate services (Immobilienmakler) as part of M&A and succession mandates.
Companies that use HWB Gruppe
Customer profileNamed customers44 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
HWB Gruppe technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
HWB Gruppe partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.
- NEOMA GmbHcoreNEOMA is a specialized M&A advisory firm focused on digital companies (IT, Media, Cloud, and digital business models). Part of the HWB Group ecosystem, co-founded by Max Köhler-Karstens and Dr. Björn Schäfers.
- HWB Managementberatung GmbHcoreSubsidiary company within the HWB Group focused on management consulting services. Led by Ralf Schmidt as Managing Director.
- HWB-Finanzberatung GmbHcoreSubsidiary company within the HWB Group specializing in financing advisory services. Led by Andreas Kabon as Managing Director.
- HWB Immobilien GmbHsupportingReal estate subsidiary with permit under § 34c GewO (Immobilienmakler). Supervised by IHK zu Kiel.
- Kieler KaufmannminorPremium hotel and event venue in Kiel where HWB hosts client events and celebrates milestones.
- WirtschaftsjuniorenminorRegional association of young business leaders. HWB participates in networking events.
- HOCHZWEI – büro für visuelle kommunikationsupportingDesign and marketing agency that created HWB's website and marketing materials.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
HWB Gruppe competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
HWB Gruppe social profiles
Digital presenceHWB Gruppe financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HWB Gruppe leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
HWB Gruppe subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
HWB Gruppe funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HWB Gruppe M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HWB Gruppe
What does HWB Gruppe do?
HWB Gruppe is a German management consulting firm advising small and medium-sized enterprises (Mittelstand) in the DACH region on four core service pillars: Wertsteigerung (value enhancement), Finanzierung (financing), Transaktion (M&A), and Nachfolge (succession). The firm delivers sell-side and buy-side M&A advisory, company valuations, debt and equity financing support, and succession planning including mediation. Services are delivered through a network of subsidiaries including NEOMA GmbH for digital-company M&A.
Is HWB Gruppe a public or private company?
HWB Gruppe is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was HWB Gruppe founded?
HWB Gruppe was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is HWB Gruppe based?
HWB Gruppe is headquartered in Kiel, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does HWB Gruppe make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Transaction Advisory Services are the primary driver. The others are financing Advisory and succession Consulting.
Does HWB Gruppe have an API?
No public API is recorded for HWB Gruppe.
What industry is HWB Gruppe in?
HWB Gruppe's product category is Management Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHADAC, M&A Advisory (Buy-side/Sell-side), with a secondary code of BPAHAOAG, Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships Advisory (JVs, Alliances, Carve-outs). Its NAICS code is 541611 and its SIC code is 8742.