WTSH

What WTSH does

WTSH (Wirtschaftsförderung und Technologietransfer Schleswig-Holstein GmbH) is the state-designated economic development and technology transfer corporation for the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, headquartered in Kiel at Lorentzendamm 24. It is a private limited company (GmbH) owned by the State of Schleswig-Holstein and co-financed by the European Union, operating as a quasi-governmental Landesgesellschaft rather than a commercial entity. The organization functions as the central point of contact for companies, investors, startups, municipalities, and research institutions seeking to establish, expand, or innovate within the region.

Its service portfolio is organized around five core pillars: location consulting (Standortberatung) supporting companies with site identification, regulatory navigation, and establishment decisions; innovation consulting (Innovationsberatung) with technology transfer and funding program guidance; a Patent and Trademark Centre providing intellectual property services; foreign trade advisory (Außenwirtschaft) for export and international market entry; and trade fair consulting (Messeberatung). Beyond the core advisory layer, WTSH manages several state initiatives including startuphub.SH for technology-oriented founders, TechHub SVI Nord for maritime defense dual-use technologies, KI.SH as a state-wide AI coordination initiative, and DigitalHub.SH for digitalization. It also coordinates major industry clusters (Life Science Nord, Maritime Cluster Northern Germany, DiWiSH, foodRegio) and hosts the Schleswig-Holstein node of the Enterprise Europe Network, providing access to approximately 600 partner organizations across 60 countries.

The business model is non-commercial: all advisory services are provided free of charge (unentgeltlich) to clients and are funded through state appropriations and EU co-financing. Distribution is delivered through a centralized team in Kiel, five regional economic development agencies (Energieküste, KielRegion, Schleswig-Flensburg, Nordgate, Hansebelt), the Welcome Center Schleswig-Holstein for international talent and companies, and the Enterprise Europe Network for cross-border cooperation. Documented outcomes include 114 company settlements and 1,872 new jobs in 2020, rising to 119 settlements and 2,063 jobs in 2021 (a 10% year-over-year increase), with 8 international relocations from France, Switzerland, Denmark, China, USA, UK, and Estonia contributing 187 jobs. Customer concentration spans global industrial firms (Lapmaster Wolters, Adolf Nissen Elektrobau, GP JOULE), mid-market manufacturers (Flensburg Brewery, WALTERWERK Kiel, Gebrüder Friedrich Werft), and technology startups (Acquandas, UniverCell) across maritime, hydrogen, medical technology, mechanical engineering, food, and digital economy verticals.

Name

WTSH

Legal name

Wirtschaftsförderung und Technologietransfer Schleswig-Holstein GmbH

Website

https://wtsh.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

WTSH is the state-owned economic development corporation for Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, providing free advisory services in location consulting, innovation, IP, foreign trade, and trade fair consulting to companies, investors, and startups establishing operations in the region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (541611)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Systems Engineering & Technical Program Management (BPAHAIAI)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Location consulting
• Innovation consulting
• Foreign trade advisory
• Trade fair consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Kiel

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Economic Development Services: WTSH operates as a government-funded economic development corporation (Landesgesellschaft) for Schleswig-Holstein. Core services including location consulting, innovation consulting, and foreign trade advisory are provided free of charge (unentgeltlich) to companies and investors. The organization is financed through state funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WTSH provides free, publicly funded advisory services covering location consulting (Ansiedlungsberatung), innovation consulting, patent and trademark advisory, foreign trade advisory, and trade fair consulting for companies planning to invest in, relocate to, or expand within the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. It also operates the Welcome Center service for international professionals and supports industry-specific cluster initiatives such as foodRegio and the KI.SH AI initiative.

Product overview

WTSH (Wirtschaftsförderung und Technologietransfer Schleswig-Holstein GmbH) is Schleswig-Holstein's central economic development agency providing comprehensive advisory and support services. Rather than a commercial software product, WTSH offers a portfolio of consulting services organized around core pillars: location consulting (Standortberatung) for companies establishing or expanding in the region, innovation consulting (Innovationsberatung) with technology transfer support, patent and trademark services (Patent- und Markenzentrum), foreign trade advisory (Außenwirtschaft), and trade fair consulting (Messeberatung). Specialized offerings include hotel and tourism project investment management, the startuphub.SH program for innovative founders, the TechHub SVI Nord network for maritime defense technologies, and state initiatives for AI (KI.SH) and digitalization (DigitalHub.SH). The agency also manages or coordinates several industry clusters including Life Science Nord, DiWiSH (digital economy), and Maritime Cluster Northern Germany. Additional services encompass European funding guidance through Europa-Service, international partnership facilitation via the Enterprise Europe Network, and the WTSH-TourismusCheck tool for tourism infrastructure assessments. All services are provided free of charge to businesses seeking to invest or innovate in Germany's True North.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• startuphub.SH: Startup support and funding program for innovative founders in Schleswig-Holstein
• TechHub SVI Nord
• KI.SH
• Welcome Center Schleswig-Holstein

Products and services

• Location Consulting (Ansiedlungsberatung) Free, confidential end-to-end advisory service for companies planning to relocate to, invest in, or expand within Schleswig-Holstein, including site identification, coordination with authorities, financing/subsidy guidance, and project management support. Target audience: corporate decision-makers evaluating regional investment.
• Innovation Consulting (Innovationsberatung) Advisory service for SMEs, startups, and R&D-active companies on accessing public innovation funding, R&D cooperation, and cluster programs in Schleswig-Holstein.
• Patent and Trademark Advisory (Patent- und Markenberatung) Advisory service supporting companies on registering and protecting intellectual property, including patents and trademarks, within and beyond Schleswig-Holstein.
• Foreign Trade Advisory (Außenwirtschaftsberatung) Advisory service supporting SMEs with international expansion and foreign companies entering the German/Schleswig-Holstein market, including export acquisition and market entry guidance.
• Trade Fair Consulting (Messeberatung) Advisory and coordination service for companies participating in trade fairs, including organization of joint state pavilions and support for first-time exhibitors.
• Welcome Center Service Dedicated advisory service for qualified professionals from abroad and their families relocating to Schleswig-Holstein for work, supporting integration into the regional labor market.

Quantifiable outcome

• 114 companies established in Schleswig-Holstein in 2020, creating 1,872 new jobs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEEN is the world's largest business development network with around 600 partner organizations in 60 countries. Hosted at WTSH, it provides international partnership matching, technology transfer services, and cooperation opportunities for Schleswig-Holstein companies looking to expand abroad and foreign companies looking to establish in the region.
• Life Science Nord (LSN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional industry network for medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals covering Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein. With over 500 businesses and more than 270 members in the cluster, LSN promotes cooperation between business, science and politics. The network has generated €5 billion in gross value added and employs 52,800 people.
• Digital Economy Schleswig-Holstein (DiWiSH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork connecting the digital industry across Schleswig-Holstein and promoting transfer of digital technologies to other economic sectors. Supports digital transformation and innovation in SMEs.
• Maritime Cluster Northern Germany (MCN.SH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes cooperation within the northern German maritime industry and creates interfaces with other industries. Supports companies in shipbuilding, maritime services, and offshore sectors.
• foodRegiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver Label-awarded industry network for the food industry in northern Germany. Founded in 2007 with 12 members, now has over 90 members. Provides working groups, training, trend radar using AI to analyze 300+ sources, and networking events including foodRegio Trend Day.
• Destination LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for WTSH-TourismusCheck service, supporting interested locations in identifying and utilizing potentials in accommodation and tourism infrastructure development.
• IGEP ConsultminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndian market consultancy that supported WTSH in conducting market research and potential analysis for German companies exploring the Indian market, such as Hensel & Blank GmbH.
• Welcome Center Schleswig-HolsteincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated center supporting international companies and professionals in settling in Schleswig-Holstein. Provides services including international recruitment support and orientation assistance for foreign talent.
• Life Science Nord e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation managing the Life Science Nord cluster covering pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical technology sectors across Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein. Active in international promotion including MENA region collaborations and Arab Health exhibitions.
• Regional Economic Development Agencies (Kreise and Wirtschaftsförderungen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of regional economic development agencies across Schleswig-Holstein including Stormarn Economic and Development Corporation (WAS) and others at district level. WTSH coordinates with these agencies for business recruitment and location consulting.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hamburg Invest: Hamburg's state-level economic development agency providing free location consulting, industry promotion, and investment attraction services. Direct peer to WTSH with a similar Landesgesellschaft model, serving an immediately adjacent and competing German metropolitan region.
• Baden-Württemberg International (bw-i): Baden-Württemberg's state-owned agency for international economic cooperation, foreign trade, and investment promotion. Provides the same single-point-of-contact services for companies investing in its state that WTSH provides for Schleswig-Holstein.
• Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen: Saxony's state economic development corporation with the same GmbH structure and free advisory mandate. Comparable in scope, organization, and public funding model, serving companies seeking to invest in another German federal state.
• Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie: Berlin's state-owned economic development company providing business location consulting, cluster management, and international investment promotion. Comparable as a Landesgesellschaft with state-funded free advisory services for companies relocating or expanding within its borders.
• NRW.Global Business: Economic development agency of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's largest state. Operates the same public-funded model of free foreign trade and investment advisory, clustering industry promotion, and cluster management — directly comparable to WTSH's mandate at greater scale.
• Invest in Bavaria: Bavaria's state investment promotion agency offering free location consulting, sector-specific cluster support, and international business attraction. Operates a near-identical mandate to WTSH as a state-designated investment promotion entity within Germany.
• Hessen Trade & Invest: Hesse's state development agency combining investment promotion, cluster management (e.g., financial center Frankfurt, logistics) and EU funding advisory. Directly comparable structure and service mix to WTSH.

Broad incumbents

• Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI): Federal-level foreign trade and investment promotion agency of Germany. Broader incumbent that complements rather than competes with state agencies like WTSH, providing national-level market intelligence, FDI promotion, and international lead generation that WTSH leverages via its EEN hosting role.

Regional players

• NBank: Lower Saxony's state development bank, adjacent to WTSH's offering by combining investment promotion with financing products. Comparable as a public-sector economic development institution serving a neighboring German state, but adds capital/financing instruments that WTSH does not directly provide.

Others

• IHK zu Kiel (Industrie- und Handelskammer): Regional Chamber of Commerce serving the same Schleswig-Holstein geography as WTSH. Adjacent rather than competing — IHKs provide statutory services (training certifications, official documents, advocacy) while WTSH delivers state-mandated economic development consulting; the two cooperate on regional business support.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookde-de.facebook.com/WirtschaftsfoerderungWTSH
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wtsh-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 WTSH