Succession Pool

What Succession Pool does

Nachfolgepool Schweiz GmbH (operating as Nachfolgepool / "Succession Pool") is an independent, owner-managed Swiss boutique advisory firm specializing in business succession for small and medium-sized enterprises (KMU). Founded in 2002 by former entrepreneur Paul Stämpfli, the firm has completed more than 200 succession projects and over 100 closed transactions across its more than 20-year operating history. It operates from two offices — Bern (headquarters, Gurtengasse 3) and Zürich (Seestrasse 17/19) — covering all of Switzerland with connections into Romandie and Ticino, and maintains a DACH-region investor network for cross-border acquirer sourcing. The firm is led by Managing Director/Owner Stephan Roth and Deputy Managing Director/Owner Heinz Busch, supported by Senior Partners Raoul Philipona and Stefan Kocher, Partner Daniel Maissen, and founder Paul Stämpfli in an advisory capacity.

The service portfolio comprises four core advisory offerings: (1) Nachfolgeregelung KMU — end-to-end succession planning from evaluation through transaction execution; (2) Strukturierte Firmensuche — confidential acquisition search for buyers; (3) Unternehmensbewertung — independent business valuations; and (4) MBO/MBI, Turn Around, Finanzierung — specialized advisory for management buy-outs, buy-ins, turnarounds, and financing structures. Supporting these are digital intake and content tools including a Typeform-based company valuation calculator, a Suchprofil (search profile) intake form for prospective buyers, a Mailchimp-managed newsletter, and a project-listing section publishing active sale mandates (Verkaufsprojekte), buyer search mandates (Suchprojekte), and completed transactions (Referenzprojekte). The offering is a pure advisory services stack — there is no proprietary technology platform, no AI/ML components, and no software product. All engagement is delivered through direct partner-led consultation.

The firm operates a sales-led, referral-driven go-to-market targeting SME business owners seeking exit or handover and prospective buyers including strategic acquirers, financial investors, family offices, and management buy-in candidates. Target clients are Swiss SMEs with CHF 1–50 million in revenue and 3 to 100+ employees across all industries. Revenue is generated through bespoke professional advisory fees on a project basis for each succession mandate, valuation engagement, or structured search assignment. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Marketing relies on website content (a regular blog and the "Nachbrenner" interview series), client reference videos, newsletter subscriptions, the valuation tool, and a partner network that includes netzpuls AG (strategy/marketing), Cine Studio Schweiz (video/photo), swisselect (executive recruitment), and Human Excellence (human capital). Revenue figures, headcount beyond the named partner team, and contract values are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Succession Pool

Legal name

Nachfolgepool Schweiz GmbH

Website

https://nachfolgepool.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Succession Pool is an independent, owner-managed Swiss boutique advisory firm specializing in SME business succession. Founded in 2002, it serves Swiss KMU owners and buyers across all industries from offices in Bern and Zürich, with a DACH-region investor network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Succession Advisory

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

M&A Advisory (Buy-side/Sell-side) (BPAHADAC)

Keywords

• Business succession advisory
• SME M&A services
• Company valuation consulting
• Management buyout advisory
• Structured acquisition search

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Succession Advisory Services: Nachfolgepool generates revenue through professional advisory fees for business succession planning, structured company searches, business valuations, and MBO/MBI/financing services for SMEs. The firm works on a project basis with business owners and buyers, charging fees for services such as evaluating succession options, facilitating transactions, and matching sellers with buyers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Nachfolgepool is a Swiss boutique advisory firm that guides SME (KMU) business owners through the entire succession process — from evaluating options, valuing the company, identifying successors or buyers, and structuring MBO/MBI or financing arrangements through to closing the transaction. The firm also runs confidential structured acquisition searches for buyers (strategic acquirers, financial investors, family offices, and management buy-in candidates) seeking Swiss SMEs with revenues between CHF 1 million and CHF 50 million. Services are delivered by a partner-led team from offices in Bern and Zurich, supported by digital intake forms and a Typeform-based company valuation tool.

Product overview

Succession Pool operates as an independent, owner-managed advisory firm specializing in SME business succession planning. The service portfolio comprises four core consulting products: Nachfolgeregelung KMU (core succession planning advisory), Strukturierte Firmensuche (structured acquisition search for buyers), Unternehmensbewertung (business valuation), and MBO/MBI, Turn Around, Finanzierung (specialized transaction advisory). Supporting these core offerings are client-facing tools including a Suchprofil intake form for buyer profiling, a Typeform-based Unternehmenswert-Berechnung valuation calculator, and a Newsletter subscription delivering succession insights. The firm also publishes active deal mandates through its Suchprojekte, Verkaufsprojekte, and Referenzprojekte project listings. The offering functions as an integrated advisory service rather than a software platform, with no modular product architecture — all services are delivered through direct expert consultation supplemented by digital intake and communication tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nachfolgeregelung KMU (SME Succession Planning)

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ successful succession projects since 2002
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• netzpuls AGminorStrategic or Co-development Partnernetzpuls AG is a strategy and marketing firm that works with family-owned and owner-managed SMEs. They specialize in strategy and marketing to help SMEs grow healthily and secure their future. The partnership serves Nachfolgepool's shared SME client base.
• Cine Studio SchweizminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCine Studio Schweiz produces professional video and photo marketing for SMEs, helping clients strengthen their brand, find suitable employees, and attract new customers. They also designed Nachfolgepool's website. Services include high-quality films and images that are authentic, sustainable, and approachable.
• swisselectminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributorswisselect has over 20 years of experience in recruitment and selection of specialists and executives in middle and upper management. Their expertise in placing the right people in the right companies complements Nachfolgepool's succession services.
• Human ExcellenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuman Excellence supports people and teams in reaching their full potential by helping them feel safe, inspired, valued, and developed. The partnership helps Nachfolgepool address succession challenges related to human factors in business transitions.
• Backup ONE AGminorOthersBackup ONE AG is one of the largest Swiss cloud backup providers. Founder Holger Jakob of sold company Informatio GmbH now sits on Backup ONE AG's management board and is a partner and board member. This represents a completed succession transaction where Nachfolgepool facilitated the sale of Informatio to Backup ONE.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Carlsquare: DACH-focused independent M&A advisory firm specializing in technology and SME transactions in German-speaking Europe. Competes with Nachfolgepool for cross-border succession mandates involving Swiss sellers and DACH buyers, and vice versa.
• Oaklins: Global mid-market M&A advisory with strong presence across Europe including Switzerland. Oaklins specializes in sell-side and buy-side advisory for SMEs and family-owned businesses, directly competing for the same succession-driven mandates that Nachfolgepool serves.
• Translink International: Global M&A advisory network with local partner firms across Europe including Switzerland. Focuses on mid-market and SME cross-border transactions, making it a direct competitor for SME succession mandates with international buyer interest.
• Helbling Management Consulting: Swiss corporate finance and M&A advisory firm with divisions covering SME transactions, succession, and restructuring. Headquartered in Zurich with strong Swiss SME sector reach, directly competing in the same client segment as Nachfolgepool.

Broad incumbents

• BDO Switzerland: Major international accounting and advisory firm with a Swiss practice offering M&A, succession planning, and valuation services to SMEs. Operates as a broad incumbent with full-service capabilities across tax, audit, and corporate finance advisory.
• RSM Switzerland: International audit and advisory network with Swiss presence, providing M&A, valuation, and succession advisory to SMEs. Operates with broader service portfolio but less specialization than Nachfolgepool in pure SME succession mandates.
• EY Switzerland: Big 4 firm offering integrated transaction advisory including succession planning, M&A, valuation, and tax services to Swiss SMEs. Competes with Nachfolgepool for larger and cross-border succession mandates via the EY-Parthenon strategy consulting brand.
• PKF Switzerland: International accounting and advisory network with Swiss member firms offering SME M&A, succession, and corporate finance services. Competes in adjacent advisory categories to Nachfolgepool with broader geographic reach but less niche depth.
• KPMG Switzerland: Big 4 firm with a dedicated Swiss Deal Advisory practice serving SME clients on M&A, succession, valuation, and financing. Larger scale and brand recognition create competitive pressure on boutique specialists like Nachfolgepool for higher-value mandates.

Emerging players

• Singularity Partners: Independent DACH M&A advisory firm focused on mid-market and SME transactions, often involving succession or growth-driven sales. Competitor for cross-border succession mandates with German-speaking buyer or seller profiles in Switzerland.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Succession Pool