Bayern Handwerk International

What Bayern Handwerk International does

Bayern Handwerk International GmbH (BHI) is a publicly funded export promotion and foreign trade consulting organization serving Bavarian craft and trade SMEs. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Nürnberg, Germany, BHI operates three offices (Nürnberg HQ, München, and a Czech Republic representation in Prague) and is led by Managing Directors Edith Böhm and Dr. Frank Hüpers. The organization is embedded in the Bavarian institutional ecosystem: it is funded by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs (StMWi) and the EU, operates as a partner of the Handwerkskammern (craft chambers), and sits within the EU Commission's Enterprise Europe Network. Its primary client base is the registered Bavarian Handwerksbetriebe population — primarily micro and small craft businesses (joiners, instrument makers, brush makers, glass manufacturers, metalworking shops) seeking to expand internationally.

BHI's core service portfolio comprises four pillars: individual Außenwirtschaftsberatung (foreign trade consulting) on topics such as employee dispatch, customs, and export/import compliance; Messebeteiligungen (joint exhibition stands) at international trade fairs; the 'Go International' subsidy program administration (offering up to €30,000 per SME for market entry activities); and Länderleitfäden/Merkblätter (country guides and information sheets) for major trading partner markets. Revenue is derived primarily from public funding (Free State of Bavaria, EU) with secondary revenue from trade fair participation fees. Most core advisory services are provided free of charge or at subsidized rates to eligible Bavarian craft businesses. BHI does not develop proprietary software, platforms, or AI/ML capabilities; the organization is a service body, not a technology company. Notable operational metrics include a small staff (1–10 employees per firmographics, with ~13 named individuals), ongoing events into emerging markets (Vietnam, Colombia, Thailand), and a track record of high-impact client outcomes (e.g., Clearaudio electronic GmbH exporting to 89 countries, Glashütte Lamberts present in 40 countries).

Name

Bayern Handwerk International

Legal name

Bayern Handwerk International GmbH

Website

https://www.bh-international.de/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bayern Handwerk International is a publicly-funded export promotion agency advising Bavarian craft SMEs on internationalization through subsidized consulting, joint trade fair stands, the 'Go International' grant program, and country-specific regulatory guidance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Foreign Trade Advisory

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADAMAE

SME & Entrepreneurship Development (Trade-Linked)

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/International Trade & Economic Development

SECONDARYBPAHAFAN

Trade, Export Controls & Customs Compliance

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Risk, Compliance & Governance Advisory

SECONDARYBPADAAAC

International Economic & Trade Cooperation Organizations

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Multilateral & Intergovernmental Organizations

Keywords

• Foreign trade consulting
• Trade fair organization
• Export promotion services
• SME internationalization support
• Craft business advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Praha

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foreign trade consulting services: Bayern Handwerk International provides advisory services to Bavarian handcraft businesses on internationalization topics including employee dispatch, installation assignments, customs, export/import procedures, and compliance with foreign market regulations. Services are delivered through individual consulting sessions, country guides, and informational leaflets — many of which are provided free of charge or at subsidized rates, funded by the Free State of Bavaria and the EU.
2. Trade fair and event organization: The organization coordinates and operates joint exhibition stands (Gemeinschaftsbeteiligungen) for Bavarian businesses at international trade fairs. It also organizes seminars, entrepreneur missions, and cooperation exchanges (Kooperationsbörsen). Revenue is derived from participation fees charged to exhibitors, co-funded through the 'Go International' subsidy program.
3. Förderprogramm 'Go International': A publicly funded market-opening program for small and medium-sized enterprises. Grants include subsidies for language translations of digital platforms, print advertising for new foreign markets (up to €30,000), and country-specific certifications. Bayern Handwerk International administers this program as part of its institutional role.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bayern Handwerk International provides foreign trade advisory and internationalization support to small and medium-sized Bavarian craft businesses. Its offerings include individual consulting on employee dispatch, customs, and export procedures; coordination of subsidized joint exhibition stands (Gemeinschaftsstände) at international trade fairs; organization of seminars, entrepreneur missions, and cooperation exchanges; administration of the public "Go International" funding program; and publication of country guides and information sheets.

Product overview

Bayern Handwerk International GmbH (BHI) is a consulting and advisory services company, not a software product company. It offers a portfolio of advisory and support services aimed at helping Bavarian craft and trade businesses expand into international markets. The core offerings are its Außenwirtschaftsberatung (foreign trade consulting) service, Messebeteiligungen (trade fair participation) program, and Veranstaltungen (events). These are complemented by Länderleitfäden und Merkblätter (country guides and information sheets), the Go International funding program (subsidized by the Bavarian state and the EU, offering up to 30,000 euros for market entry costs), and participation in the Enterprise Europe Network. BHI does not offer a technology product, software platform, or API.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Foreign Trade Consulting (Außenwirtschaftsberatung) Individual consulting sessions for Bavarian craft SMEs covering employee dispatch, installation and assembly projects abroad, customs and export/import procedures, VAT rules, and compliance with foreign market regulations. Delivered at offices in Nürnberg, München, and Prague, and via phone/email.
• Trade Fair Joint Exhibition Stands (Messebeteiligungen / Gemeinschaftsstände) Organization of subsidized joint exhibition stands for Bavarian craft businesses at international trade fairs, including booth planning, on-site support, interpreting, and a shared lounge. Funding provided by the Free State of Bavaria.
• Events (Veranstaltungen) Seminars, entrepreneur missions to target markets (e.g., metalworking in Spain, sensor technology in Bulgaria, monument preservation in Switzerland), and cooperation exchanges (Kooperationsbörsen) such as CONTACT 'denkmal' in Leipzig.
• Country Guides and Information Sheets (Länderleitfäden und Merkblätter) Publications covering market-specific rules in major trading partner countries (France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Spain, Czech Republic), including construction and installation services, dispatch certificates, insurance, VAT rules, trade fair participation, and musical instrument exports. Available as free PDF downloads; printed copies are fee-based.
• Go International Funding Program Administration of a publicly funded subsidy program covering up to €30,000 per SME for internationalization activities including language translations of digital platforms, print advertising for new foreign markets, and country-specific certifications. Co-funded by the Free State of Bavaria and the EU.
• Enterprise Europe Network Services (EEN) Partner-search, technology-transfer, and cross-border business-cooperation services delivered as a member of the EU Commission's Enterprise Europe Network. Includes matchmaking and participation in cooperation exchanges.

Quantifiable outcome

• Go International funding covers up to €30,000 per SME for internationalization activities including translations, certifications, and marketing materials.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) – EU-KommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBayern Handwerk International is a partner in the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), a EU Commission initiative that connects SMEs with international business and technology partners. BHI provides EEN services as part of its institutional mandate, facilitating cross-border technology and business cooperation for Bavarian SMEs.
• Bayern International GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBayern International GmbH is the export promotion agency of the Free State of Bavaria. BHI collaborates closely with Bayern International on joint exhibition stands at international trade fairs (e.g., HOTEL in Bolzano/Bozen, Warsaw Industry Week, Enlit Europe, SMART CITY EXPO WORLD CONGRESS), and both organizations co-administer the 'Go International' funding program.
• Deutsch-Tschechische Industrie- und Handelskammer (AHK Tschechien)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe German-Czech Chamber of Industry and Commerce hosts BHI's Czech Republic representation (Repräsentanz) in Prague. The partnership enables BHI to support Bavarian SMEs entering the Czech market and facilitates cross-border business contacts. BHI also processes contract executions at its Prague representative office.
• Handwerkskammern Bayern (Bavarian Handcraft Chambers)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBHI serves as the internationalization service provider for member businesses of the Bavarian handcraft chambers (Handwerkskammern). Chamber advisors refer member businesses to BHI for foreign trade consulting, and BHI staff participate in chamber-organized events and publications. Success stories featured on BHI's website frequently originate from referrals by chambers.
• Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie (StMWi)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs (StMWi) funds BHI's operations and the 'Go International' subsidy program. It also co-awards the Bayerischer Exportpreis together with BHI, the Arbeitsgemeinschaft der bayerischen Handwerkskammern, and Bayern International.
• Handelskammer Deutschland-Schweiz (AHK Schweiz)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBHI partners with the German-Swiss Chamber of Commerce (AHK Schweiz) to organize a Leistungsschau (exhibition of services) in the area of monument preservation and heritage-sensitive renovation in Switzerland, targeting German craft businesses.
• Deutsch-Spanische Handelskammer (AHK Spanien)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBHI collaborates with the German-Spanish Chamber of Commerce to organize a market exploration mission for Bavarian metalworking and metal-processing SMEs to Madrid, Spain, coinciding with the Advanced Manufacturing Madrid trade fair.
• Handwerkskammer zu LeipzigminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBHI works with the Handwerkskammer zu Leipzig to organize the CONTACT 'denkmal' international cooperation exchange, held in parallel with the denkmal trade fair in Leipzig. This event is co-funded via the Enterprise Europe Network's Single Market Programme.
• Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWi)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) sponsors the international trade fair programs (Auslandsmesseprogramm) that enable German SMEs — including BHI client businesses — to participate in supported joint exhibition stands at events such as ISPO World Congress in Bangkok.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bayern International GmbH: Export-promotion agency of the Free State of Bavaria, directly collaborating with BHI on joint trade fair Gemeinschaftsstände (e.g., Warsaw Industry Week, Enlit Europe, SMART CITY EXPO) and co-administering the 'Go International' funding program. Most structurally comparable organization to BHI.
• NRW.Global Business: State-level export-promotion agency for North Rhine-Westphalia serving as the direct peer at a different Bundesland level. Operates a near-identical model of foreign trade consulting, trade fair coordination, and SME internationalization support.
• Baden-Württemberg International (BW_i): State-level internationalization agency for Baden-Württemberg SMEs. Comparable in mandate (foreign trade consulting, market entry support, trade fair organization) and serves as the BHI-equivalent organization for another German state.
• Auslandshandelskammern (AHK): German Chambers of Commerce Abroad network (e.g., AHK Tschechien, AHK Schweiz, AHK Spanien), which BHI actively partners with. They share the same chamber-based trade-promotion model and serve overlapping SME internationalization needs.

Broad incumbents

• Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI): Federal-level economic development agency of Germany supporting German companies abroad and foreign companies in Germany. Operates the same foreign trade consulting concept as BHI but at federal scale and broader industry coverage.
• Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK): German Chambers of Industry and Commerce providing general SME advisory including international trade topics. Broader scope than BHI (covers all commercial sectors, not just handcraft), but with overlapping foreign-trade advisory services.
• Enterprise Europe Network (EEN): EU Commission network of which BHI is a partner node. EEN operates at the supranational level providing SME internationalization services — directly comparable in service category, broader in geographic scope.

Regional players

• ICE - Italian Trade Agency: Italian governmental agency promoting Italian exports and supporting SME internationalization, including trade fair coordination and consulting. Comparable mission and structure to BHI but serving Italian rather than Bavarian companies.
• Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT): Flemish government agency supporting Flemish companies' international expansion through trade missions, trade fair support, and consulting — a peer operating an analogous SME export-promotion model in Belgium.

Others

• Handwerkskammer (German Chamber of Crafts): German regional craft chambers that refer SMEs to BHI and provide complementary domestic advisory. Not a direct competitor but a tightly coupled ecosystem participant whose policy and membership priorities directly shape BHI's addressable customer base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Bayern Handwerk International