BürgschaftsBank Berlin

What BürgschaftsBank Berlin does

BürgschaftsBank Berlin is a non-profit German guarantee bank (Bürgschaftsbank) founded in 1957 and headquartered at Franklinstraße 6, 10587 Berlin, operating under the legal name BBB Bürgschaftsbank zu Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH. Supervised by BaFin as a credit institution under the KWG, the bank provides default guarantees (Ausfallbürgschaften) that substitute for missing collateral, enabling SMEs, founders, and freelancers in Berlin to access bank financing they could not secure independently. The portfolio comprises twelve programs spanning the full SME life cycle: BBBclassic (standard guarantees up to €2.0M), BBB-Express (digital fast-track up to €250K, 5-day decision), BBBsocial (common-good enterprises), BBBwelcome (refugees/non-EU nationals), Berlin Start (joint with Investitionsbank Berlin), Kapitalbeteiligungen via MBG Berlin-Brandenburg (silent equity up to €2.5M), Mikromezzaninfonds (mezzanine up to €150K), Franchise-Unternehmen, Leasingbürgschaften, Agrar-Bürgschaft, ERP-Förderkredit Gründung und Nachfolge (KfW-backed, 100% guarantee), and Nachfolgezentrale Berlin (succession matching platform).

The bank's underlying technology consists of a digital financing portal (finanzierungsportal.ermoeglicher.de) for application submission, an E-Antrag system for streamlined processing, and the Nachfolgezentrale database platform co-operated with IHK Berlin and Handwerkskammer Berlin. Risk-based pricing operates through the Risikogerechtes Zinssystem (RGZS), while leasing guarantees are priced via an automated cost calculator incorporating creditworthiness, lease term, quota, and residual value.

The revenue model combines annual guarantee commissions (Bürgschaftsprovision) on outstanding loan balances — typically 0.6%–3.2% p.a. depending on product and risk rating — with one-time processing fees of 1.0%–1.5% on guaranteed amounts, plus 8% p.a. effective return on Mikromezzaninfonds participations. Customer acquisition is channel-driven rather than direct-sales-heavy: in 2025, 73 approvals were sourced via Sparkassen, 52 via cooperative banks, and 35 via private banks, with additional flow from chambers, advisory professionals, and the bank's own direct relationship managers. The institution generated €91.17M in financing volume and €63.9M in guarantees across 173 approvals in 2025, supporting approximately 1,500 SMEs and 3,338 jobs at a 2.7% default rate.

Name

BürgschaftsBank Berlin

Legal name

BBB Bürgschaftsbank zu Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH

Website

https://be.ermoeglicher.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BürgschaftsBank Berlin is a non-profit German guarantee bank providing default guarantees, equity participations, and a digital financing portal to enable bank financing for Berlin SMEs, founders, and underserved segments lacking sufficient collateral.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

SME Guarantee Banking (Development Banking)

NAICS

Other Financial Vehicles (52599)

SIC

Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)

akta.pro primary industry

SME, Microfinance & Financial Inclusion Facilities (BPADACAI)

Keywords

• SME guarantee banking
• Credit guarantees
• Development banking
• Business financing
• Equity participation

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Bürgschaftsprovision (Guarantee Commission): The bank earns an annual guarantee commission (Bürgschaftsprovision) on the outstanding loan amount, charged to the borrower. The commission rate varies by product and borrower risk rating (RGZS system). This is the primary revenue stream, reflecting the bank's role as guarantor for SME loans.
2. Bearbeitungsgebühr (Processing Fee): One-time processing fees are charged on guarantee applications, typically ranging from 1.0% to 1.5% of the guaranteed loan amount depending on the program. For BBB-Express, this is 1.5% on the loan amount.
3. Bürgschaftsprovision (BBBwelcome): For the BBBwelcome program targeting refugees and non-EU nationals, a commission of 1.75% per annum on the outstanding loan balance is charged, plus a one-time processing fee of 1.5% on the loan amount.
4. Agrar-Bürgschaft Provision: Annual guarantee commission for the agricultural sector program, ranging from 0.6% to 2.4% p.a. for 50% coverage and 0.7% to 3.2% p.a. for 70% coverage, based on risk rating. Plus a one-time processing fee of 1.0% (minimum €400).
5. Mikromezzaninfonds - Ergebnisunabhängige Vergütung: For the Micro Mezzanine Fund (equity participation program), the bank earns an 11% p.a. return on the investment, of which 3% is subsidized by government, resulting in a net 8% p.a. from the company, plus a one-time processing fee of 3.5% and up to 2% p.a. variable profit participation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

BürgschaftsBank Berlin provides default guarantees (Ausfallbürgschaften) and equity participations that substitute for missing collateral, enabling SMEs, founders, freelancers, and select target groups in Berlin to obtain bank financing. Its portfolio spans 12 guarantee, equity, and mezzanine programs covering founding, growth, succession, stabilization, leasing, agriculture, social enterprises, refugees, and franchise businesses, supplemented by the Nachfolgezentrale Berlin succession-matching platform.

Product overview

BürgschaftsBank Berlin is a guarantee bank (Bürgschaftsbank) providing default guarantees (Ausfallbürgschaften) and equity participations to enable financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), startups, founders, and freelancers in Berlin. The portfolio consists of 12 distinct guarantee and financing programs: BBBclassic (standard guarantees up to 2.0M EUR), BBB-Express (expedited guarantees up to 250K EUR), BBBsocial (for social enterprises, up to 80%/2.0M EUR), BBBwelcome (for refugees and non-EU nationals, up to 80%/2.0M EUR), Berlin Start (joint product with IBB, up to 80%/1.5M EUR for startups), Kapitalbeteiligungen via MBG Berlin-Brandenburg (equity participations up to 2.5M EUR), Mikromezzaninfonds (mezzanine capital up to 150K EUR), Franchise-Unternehmen (franchise financing), Leasingbürgschaften (leasing guarantees up to 2.0M EUR), ERP-Förderkredit (KfW loans up to 500K EUR), Agrar-Bürgschaft (agricultural guarantees up to 1.5M EUR), and Nachfolgezentrale Berlin (succession matching platform). The company also offers a digital financing portal and online application process.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BBBclassic

Quantifiable outcome

• 173 approved applications facilitated €91.17 million in financing in 2025, supporting €138.67 million in total project volume
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments11 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• IHK Berlin (Industrie- und Handelskammer zu Berlin)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2024IHK Berlin is a co-founder of the Nachfolgezentrale Berlin and a key referral and advisory partner. It provides sector-specific expertise and connects member businesses with BBB's financing solutions. IHK representatives serve on BBB's guarantee committees (Bürgschaftsausschüsse).
• Handwerkskammer Berlin (HWK Berlin)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2024Handwerkskammer Berlin is a co-founder of the Nachfolgezentrale Berlin and represents Berlin's skilled trades sector. It provides expertise for the crafts sector (Handwerk) and refers member businesses to BBB. HWK representatives participate in BBB's guarantee committees.
• Senatsverwaltung für Wirtschaft, Energie und Betriebe / IHK Berlin / HWK Berlin (Joint Founders of Nachfolgezentrale Berlin)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2024Three-way joint initiative (Senatsverwaltung, IHK, HWK) with BBB hosting the Nachfolgezentrale Berlin. Each partner contributes expertise: Senatsverwaltung provides funding and policy alignment; IHK provides business network; HWK provides craft sector expertise; BBB provides operational hosting and financing solutions.
• Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH (MBG Berlin-Brandenburg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe MBG Berlin-Brandenburg is co-administered by BürgschaftsBank Berlin (as Geschäftsbesorgerin). Together they offer combined financing packages of guaranteed bank loans plus equity participation (stille Beteiligung) from a single source. MBG provides silent equity participation typically up to €2.5 million. In 2025, 13 approvals were facilitated through the MBG channel totaling €4.25 million in financing.
• Verband Deutscher Bürgschaftsbanken e.V. (VDB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe VDB represents the interests of all German guarantee banks and organizes the Handwerkspreis (handcraft award), annual conferences, and best practice sharing among Germany's state-level guarantee banks. BBB is a member and active participant.
• Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBB co-develops the Berlin Start program with BBB, combining IBB's subsidized loan products with BBB's guarantee to enable favorable financing for startups and young companies in Berlin.
• Berliner Sparkasse (Landesbank)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLargest financing partner in 2025 with 73 approvals totaling €33.73 million in financing. As Berlin's largest savings bank, it serves as a primary referral channel for SME financing requests to BBB.
• Genossenschaftsbanken in Berlin (Cooperative Banks)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCooperative banks (Volksbank, PSD Bank, etc.) collectively represent the second-largest financing channel with 52 approvals totaling €32.46 million in 2025. They refer SME clients to BBB for guarantee support.
• Private Banks in Berlin (Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, UniCredit/HypoVereinsbank, BBBank, etc.)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate banking institutions collectively represent a major financing channel with 35 approvals totaling €20.73 million in 2025. Multiple private banks are represented on BBB's guarantee committees.
• SIGNAL IDUNA GruppeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSIGNAL IDUNA participates in BBB's guarantee committees (Bürgschaftsausschüsse) and represents insurance sector interests in BBB's governance. It is a shareholder of BBB and provides cross-selling referral opportunities.
• Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin)minorOthersAs a credit institution under the German Banking Act (KWG), BBB is supervised by BaFin, which provides regulatory oversight and authorization for BBB's guarantee operations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft Hessen (MBG Hessen): Hessen's Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft providing silent equity participations to SMEs — directly comparable to MBG Berlin-Brandenburg, which BBB administers. Overlaps with BBB on the equity-participation layer of its offering.
• Hessische Bürgschaftsbank GmbH: Hessen's guarantee bank offering collateral-substitute guarantees for SMEs lacking security. Directly comparable in mandate, KWG regulatory status, and reliance on partner-bank distribution channels.
• Bürgschaftsbank Bayern GmbH: Bavarian state guarantee bank delivering Ausfallbürgschaften and equity participations to Munich/Bavaria SMEs. Operates under the same VDB standards as BBB and shares program architecture, including startup, growth, and succession offerings.
• Niedersächsische Bürgschaftsbank GmbH: Lower Saxony state guarantee bank offering SME default guarantees and Venture Capital-style participations under the same VDB umbrella as BBB. Directly comparable in product structure and target customer.
• Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB): Berlin's state investment and development bank, BBB's joint-product partner on the Berlin Start program (younger companies up to 7 years). Comparable on Berlin SME mandate, with adjacent promotional-loan offerings that share customer overlap with BBB.
• Bürgschaftsbank Baden-Württemberg GmbH: State-level German guarantee bank operating under the same federal VDB framework as BBB, providing default guarantees (Ausfallbürgschaften) to Baden-Württemberg SMEs with similar products (Standard, Express, etc.). Directly comparable by mandate, product mix, and risk-sharing structure.
• Bürgschaftsbank Sachsen GmbH: Saxony state guarantee bank providing Ausfallbürgschaften and equity participation programs similar to BBB's portfolio. Comparable on product set (classic/express/equity) and SME Mittelstand focus.

Broad incumbents

• KfW Bankengruppe: Germany's federal development bank and the structural counterparty for BBB's ERP-Förderkredit programs (100% BBB-guaranteed KfW loans up to €500K). A broader incumbent whose nationwide SME and startup programs overlap with — and gate — BBB's distribution.
• NRW.BANK: North Rhine-Westphalia's state development bank that combines promotional lending, guarantee-program administration, and SME capital markets offerings. Overlaps with BBB on SME guarantees and equity participations but operates at broader scale with multiple mandates.
• L-Bank Baden-Württemberg: Baden-Württemberg's state development bank offering SME loans, housing finance, and guarantee-program administration. Comparable to BBB on SME promotional mandate and state-level risk-sharing, but at much broader scale and product scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/buergschaftsbankberlin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 BürgschaftsBank Berlin