Bürgschaftsbank Hamburg GmbH

What Bürgschaftsbank Hamburg GmbH does

Bürgschaftsbank Hamburg GmbH is a private German development bank (Förderbank) founded in 1954 and headquartered at Besenbinderhof 39 in Hamburg, providing guarantee instruments to small and medium enterprises, founders, freelancers, and business successors across the Hamburg metropolitan region. The company was rebranded from Bürgschaftsgemeinschaft Hamburg GmbH in July 2022 as part of a nationwide identity alignment, and operates as a BaFin-supervised credit institution under the KWG on a non-profit, competition-neutral basis. Entrepreneurs apply for guarantees exclusively through their house bank (Hausbank), which then submits the application; all major Hamburg banks, Sparkassen (including Haspa), and cooperative banks participate. Modest guarantee fees (Bürgschaftsgebühren) are the primary revenue stream, with no fees charged on rejected applications.

The core product portfolio spans the Klassik-Bürgschaft (up to 80% loan coverage, €2M cap), GuN-Bürgschaft for founders/successors (up to 70%), Express-Bürgschaft with 24-hour decision turnaround (up to 70% investment / 60% working capital), Premium-Bürgschaft for established firms, Leasing-Bürgschaft, and sector-specific variants covering film, agricultural operations (launched July 2025), and community/non-profit enterprises. Underlying technology consists of a fully digitized application workflow — the eAntrag system for partner banks, the Service-Portal (Bankpostfach) for encrypted bank communications, the sidoku® Upload-Portal for secure document exchange, and the nationwide Ermoeglicher-Portal financing platform. Direct system integrations to Atruvia Banking Workspace (Genossenschaftsbanken) and OSPlus (Sparkassen, in development) enable media-break-free data transfer, with digital signatures introduced in 2021.

In 2025, the company recorded a milestone year with 358 new guarantee contracts and €104.98M in new credit volume — the first time exceeding €100M in over a decade — supporting 4,264 jobs (3,204 secured + 1,060 newly created) and bringing the total portfolio to 2,534 active guarantee contracts with €405.4M in total credit volume and €262.9M in outstanding guarantee volume. Governance is led by Managing Directors Christian Delfs and Stefanie Huppmann (since December 2023), with a diverse shareholder base including Hamburger Sparkasse, major commercial banks, cooperative banks, SIGNAL IDUNA, guild organizations, and the Handwerkskammer/Handelskammer.

Name

Bürgschaftsbank Hamburg GmbH

Legal name

Bürgschaftsbank Hamburg GmbH

Website

https://hh.ermoeglicher.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bürgschaftsbank Hamburg GmbH is a Hamburg-based public development bank founded in 1954 that provides loan guarantees (up to €2M, 80% coverage) to SMEs, founders, freelancers, and business successors in the Hamburg metropolitan region, operating exclusively through partner banks on a non-profit basis.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

SME Guarantee Banking

NAICS

Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (522), Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers (52231)

SIC

Loan Brokers (6163), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)

akta.pro primary industry

Venture Growth / Recurring Revenue Credit Funds (FSANAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bank-affiliated Venture Debt Lenders (FSANAIAA), Middle-Market Lending (FSANADAI)

Keywords

• SME loan guarantees
• Credit guarantee services
• SME financing support
• Business credit guarantees
• Development banking services

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Bürgschaftsgebühren (Guarantee Fees): The company charges small fees for guarantee services. Fees vary by program and are kept low to effectively support small and medium enterprises. No fees are charged for rejected applications. The company operates on a non-profit-oriented basis.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bürgschaftsbank Hamburg GmbH provides guarantee instruments (Bürgschaften) to small and medium enterprises, founders, freelancers, and business successors in Hamburg that lack sufficient collateral to obtain bank financing. The company assumes up to 80% of the default risk on loans issued by partner banks (Hausbanken), enabling SMEs to access investment credits, working capital, and leasing financing. It operates exclusively through partner banks, Sparkassen, leasing companies, advisors, and chambers as referral partners.

Product overview

Bürgschaftsbank Hamburg GmbH (BB-HH) operates as a promotional/subsidiary bank providing guarantee products rather than a traditional technology company. The core offering consists of guarantee products (Bürgschaften) enabling small and medium enterprises, founders, and business successors to access financing by providing collateral coverage to house banks. The product portfolio includes: Klassik-Bürgschaft (standard guarantee up to 80%), GuN-Bürgschaft (startup/succession guarantee up to 70%), Express-Bürgschaft (24-hour decision guarantee), Premium-Bürgschaft (discounted conditions), sector-specific guarantees (Filmbranche, Agrar-Bürgschaft), Leasing-Bürgschaft, and guarantees for community-oriented enterprises. Supporting digital services include the Ermoeglicherportal/Finanzierungsportal for digital financing requests, eAntrag for electronic applications, Service-Portal for encrypted bank communications, and the Upload-Portal (sidoku®) for secure document submission. The company also facilitates ERP-Förderkredit and Hamburg-Kredit Gründung und Nachfolge programs in cooperation with KfW and IFB Hamburg.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Klassik-Bürgschaft Standard guarantee product for existential founders, business acquirers, young and existing companies, and freelancers across all industries meeting SME criteria. Provides default coverage up to 80% of loan amount.
• GuN-Bürgschaft Guarantee for startups and business succession. Targets founders, business acquirers, young companies (less than 5 years), and freelancers. Provides coverage up to 70% of loan amount for business formation, succession, active participations, and related investments and working capital.
• Express-Bürgschaft Fast-track guarantee with decision within 24 hours. For young companies (minimum one complete annual statement) and existing companies of all industries meeting SME criteria. Covers economically viable investments and working capital with up to 70% coverage for investment financing and up to 60% for working capital.
• Premium-Bürgschaft Guarantee at discounted conditions for young and existing companies (over 3 years) with appropriate KfW credit rating. Covers investments such as machines, systems, commercial real estate, and business acquisitions up to 50% of loan amount.
• Klassik-Bürgschaft für Filmbranche Guarantee product specifically for film industry companies including existential founders, young companies, and freelancers meeting SME criteria. Covers all economically viable film industry projects with up to 80% coverage.
• Leasing-Bürgschaft Guarantee program for leasing arrangements. For commercial companies (including new establishments) and freelancers of all industries meeting SME criteria. Covers guarantee amounts up to EUR 2 million with guarantee quota up to 70%.
• Klassik-Bürgschaft für gemeinwohlorientierte und gemeinnützige Unternehmen Guarantee for community-oriented and non-profit enterprises including SMEs, impact startups, founders, solo self-employed, freelancers, and non-profit legal forms (gGmbH, associations, cooperatives). Covers economically viable projects with social or ecological goals with up to 80% coverage and max EUR 2 million per borrower.
• Agrar-Bürgschaft Guarantee for the agricultural sector including growth farms, tenancy farms, farm successors, and agricultural startups. Covers economically viable projects for investments, business formation, succession, and operating resources with standardized guarantees up to 50% or 70% of loan amount.
• ERP-Förderkredit Gründung und Nachfolge Low-interest promotional loan for business formations, business acquisitions, and young companies. Relieves house banks from 100% of risk, enabling favorable interest rates and improved project financing. Operated in cooperation with KfW.
• Hamburg-Kredit Gründung und Nachfolge (GuN) Joint promotional program with IFB Hamburg for business formation and succession financing in Hamburg, providing both guarantees and partner-bank loans for founders and successors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.264 jobs created or secured in 2025 through 358 guarantee contracts
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers25 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IFB Hamburg (Hamburgische Investitions- und Förderbank)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-develops financing programs including Hamburg-Kredit Gründung und Nachfolge (GuN), Hamburg-Kredit Liquidität (Corona support), and joint guarantee programs. Located in direct proximity at Besenbinderhof.
• KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal development bank providing ERP-Förderkredit Gründung und Nachfolge. The company's guarantees can cover KfW loans, enabling 100% risk relief for banks.
• MBG Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft Hamburg mbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides silent participations (stille Beteiligungen) to strengthen equity base of SMEs. Can work together with the company on growth financing cases.
• Handwerkskammer HamburgcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChamber representing skilled crafts in Hamburg. Refers members to the company and provides support for guarantee applications. Co-publishes Nachfolgemonitor Hamburg.
• Handelskammer HamburgcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChamber of commerce for Hamburg. Refers businesses to the company, participates in credit committees, and co-publishes Nachfolgemonitor Hamburg.
• Verband Deutscher Bürgschaftsbanken (VDB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational umbrella association of German guarantee banks. Coordinates nationwide standards, joint digital platforms (Ermöeglicher-Portal), and initiatives like Handwerkspreis.
• Bürgschaftsbank BerlinminorOthersRegional guarantee bank partner in the nationwide network of Bürgschaftsbanken. Part of the Ermöeglicher network.
• Bürgschaftsbank BremenminorOthersRegional guarantee bank partner in the nationwide network of Bürgschaftsbanken. Part of the Ermöeglicher network.
• Bürgschaftsbank Mecklenburg-VorpommernminorOthersRegional guarantee bank partner in the nationwide network of Bürgschaftsbanken. Part of the Ermöeglicher network.
• Bürgschaftsbank Schleswig-HolsteinminorOthersRegional guarantee bank partner in the nationwide network of Bürgschaftsbanken. Part of the Ermöeglicher network.
• Niedersächsische BürgschaftsbankminorOthersRegional guarantee bank partner in the nationwide network of Bürgschaftsbanken. Part of the Ermöeglicher network.
• hei. Hamburger ExistenzgründungsInitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordination body for startup support in Hamburg. The company participates in this initiative to provide comprehensive support for founders.
• GründerplattformminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational startup platform (BMWK/KfW) where the company is listed as a financing partner for Hamburg founders.
• Hamburger Sparkasse AG (Haspa)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLargest Sparkasse in Hamburg and key partner for guarantee applications. Has dedicated startup support and refers numerous clients to the company.
• Hamburger Volksbank eGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCooperative bank in Hamburg and key partner for guarantee applications. Acts as shareholder with representative on the Supervisory Board.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bürgschaftsbank Schleswig-Holstein: Direct regional peer covering Schleswig-Holstein SMEs, listed as a regional network partner of BB Hamburg. Operates under identical VDB mandate with the same product suite (Klassik/Express/GuN etc.), serving a geographically adjacent and economically linked SME base.
• Bürgschaftsbank Berlin: Regional guarantee bank serving Berlin SMEs under the same nationwide Bürgschaftsbanken network and VDB umbrella. Uses identical product architecture (Klassik, Express, GuN) and is part of the joint Ermöglicher-Portal platform, making it the closest one-to-one functional twin of Bürgschaftsbank Hamburg.
• Bürgschaftsbank Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: Guarantee bank covering Mecklenburg-Vorpommern SMEs, named as a regional network partner of BB Hamburg. Operates under the same VDB umbrella with the same product framework, making it a direct structural and functional peer in the nationwide Bürgschaftsbanken system.
• Bürgschaftsbank Baden-Württemberg: Regional Bürgschaftsbank serving Baden-Württemberg, one of Germany's largest state SME bases. Offers the same Klassik, Express, and GuN-style guarantee products under the VDB framework, making it a direct institutional peer at significantly larger addressable scale.
• Niedersächsische Bürgschaftsbank (NBB): Lower-Saxony guarantee bank in the nationwide VDB network; BB Hamburg lists NBB as part of its partnership chain. Offers comparable guarantee products to SMEs in Niedersachsen, sharing the same institutional design and regulatory classification.
• Bürgschaftsbank Bremen: Regional Bürgschaftsbank covering Bremen; explicitly named in BB Hamburg's partnership data as part of the same Ermöglicher network. Operates the same guarantee products for SME financing in an adjacent metropolitan region, making it a near-identical peer in product, mandate, and structure.
• MBG Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft Hamburg: Sister institution in Hamburg providing silent participations (stille Beteiligungen) to strengthen SME equity bases. Frequently co-finances alongside BB Hamburg guarantees; shares many of the same shareholders (bank, chambers, insurance) and is part of the same Hamburg Mittelstand-finance ecosystem.
• Bayerische Garantiegesellschaft (Bürgschaftsbank Bayern): Guarantee bank covering Bavaria under the VDB network and acting as a direct structural peer. Operates with the same promotional mandate and standardized product suite; serves the largest SME population of any German Bundesland, illustrating the upper end of the regional Bürgschaftsbank scale curve.

Broad incumbents

• IFB Hamburg (Hamburgische Investitions- und Förderbank): Hamburg's state development bank and BB Hamburg's core co-development partner on joint products like Hamburg-Kredit Gründung und Nachfolge. Operates a broader promotional mandate (subsidized loans, equity, venture capital) but shares the same public-development-bank model and serves overlapping SME clientele.
• KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau): Germany's federal development bank and a core strategic partner of BB Hamburg (notably via the ERP-Förderkredit Gründung und Nachfolge). Operates at much larger national scale with broader mandate (energy transition, infrastructure, export finance), but serves the same Mittelstand borrower base through overlapping products.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/buergschaftsbank-hamburg

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 Bürgschaftsbank Hamburg GmbH