Mentoren für Unternehmen in Schleswig-Holstein e.V.

What Mentoren für Unternehmen in Schleswig-Holstein e.V. does

Mentoren für Unternehmen in Schleswig-Holstein e.V. is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein, Amtsgericht Kiel VR 4192 KI) founded around 2000 and headquartered at Lorentzendamm 22 in Kiel, co-located with the offices of Bürgschaftsbank Schleswig-Holstein GmbH. It operates a volunteer (ehrenamtlich) business consulting network of roughly a dozen operational staff and a broader bench of experienced former entrepreneurs and executives who serve as mentors on a pro-bono basis. The association targets small and medium-sized enterprises, founders, and succession-bound business owners across the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, organized into regional groups (North, Westküste, Lübeck-South, Itzehoe area). It is a member of the Bundesverband Wirtschaftssenioren, the federal umbrella of 60+ similar volunteer consultant associations that collectively serve more than 2.1 million German micro-businesses.

The service portfolio comprises four modules: Existenzgründung (startup/founding support, including business plan creation, KfW loan applications, and Tragfähigkeitsbescheinigungen now issued directly by the association), Geschäftsoptimierung (operational and strategic optimization for established SMEs), Unternehmensnachfolge / M&A (succession planning, buyer/seller matching, and transition support), and Nachhaltigkeit (ESG/sustainability advisory). Distribution runs through a three-step matching process (inquiry form, mentor matching, Erstgespräch), recurring free Sprechstunde consultation hours in Lübeck, remote phone/video sessions, and partner-embedded events co-hosted with Wirtschaftsförderung Lübeck, WAS Stormarn, IHK zu Kiel, Handwerkskammer Lübeck, HAW Kiel StartUp Office, Gateway49 accelerator at TZL, and LEUCHTTURM Gründungszentrum.

There is no proprietary technology platform; the value proposition rests entirely on the human capital of the mentor bench and the depth of regional institutional relationships. Revenue is sourced from annual membership dues paid by volunteer mentors and a nominal Aufwandsentschädigung (cost-recovery charge) on ongoing engagements beyond the free initial consultation, reflecting the association's explicit non-commercial positioning rather than a growth-stage commercial model.

Name

Mentoren für Unternehmen in Schleswig-Holstein e.V.

Legal name

Mentoren für Unternehmen in Schleswig-Holstein e.V.

Website

https://mentoren-sh.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mentoren für Unternehmen in Schleswig-Holstein e.V. is a Kiel-based non-profit association of retired entrepreneurs and executives who provide free or low-cost volunteer business consulting to SMBs, founders, and succession-bound owners across the German state of Schleswig-Holstein.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Consulting Services

NAICS

Human Resources Consulting Services (541612), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Coaching, Mentoring & Facilitation Services (BPACANAI)

Keywords

• Voluntary business consulting
• Startup mentoring services
• Business succession advisory
• SME business consulting
• Feasibility certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Kiel

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees (minimal Aufwandsentschädigung): As a charitable association (eV), the organization is sustained by annual membership fees from its volunteer mentors and minimal cost recovery charges ('geringe Aufwandsentschädigung') for ongoing consulting engagements beyond the free initial consultation. The organization does not operate as a commercial consulting firm.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mentoren für Unternehmen in Schleswig-Holstein e.V. is a non-profit association that provides free or low-cost voluntary business consulting to small and medium-sized enterprises and startups in Schleswig-Holstein, delivered by experienced former entrepreneurs and executives serving as volunteer mentors. The core offering centers on ehrenamtliche Unternehmensberatung (voluntary business consulting), complemented by specialized service modules covering startup founding, business optimization, company succession/M&A, and sustainability/ESG, plus feasibility certificates recognized by funding agencies. The first consultation is free, with only a minimal cost-recovery charge for ongoing engagements.

Product overview

Mentoren für Unternehmen in Schleswig-Holstein e.V. operates as a voluntary business consulting association offering a unified advisory service portfolio. The core offering is ehrenamtliche Unternehmensberatung (voluntary business consulting) provided by retired entrepreneurs and executives. This is complemented by four specialized service modules: Existenzgründung for startup support, Geschäftsoptimierung for business optimization, Unternehmensnachfolge/M&A for succession planning, and Nachhaltigkeit for ESG implementation. Additional services include Tragfähigkeitsbescheinigungen (feasibility certificates) and free consultation hours. The organization positions itself as a bridge between academic institutions and practical business experience, partnering with HAW Kiel's StartUp Office and the Gateway49 accelerator program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Existenzgründung (Startup / Founding Support) Advisory service for individuals planning to start a business in Schleswig-Holstein, supporting them through all phases of business founding including business plan creation, market entry strategy, feasibility checks, and KfW loan applications. Targeted at aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals transitioning into self-employment.
• Geschäftsoptimierung (Business Optimization) Consulting service where experienced volunteer mentors advise established small and medium-sized businesses on identifying and realizing improvement potential in their operations, including strategic planning, financial management, digitalization, and conflict resolution.
• Unternehmensnachfolge / Mergers & Acquisitions M&A advisory service helping business owners plan and execute company succession, including support to find suitable successors or buyers, negotiating terms, securing financing for buyers, and managing post-succession transition. Targeted at small and medium-sized business owners planning to transfer their company.
• Nachhaltigkeit (Sustainability / ESG Consulting) Advisory service where volunteer mentors guide businesses on implementing ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) practices and sustainability measures, including ESG strategy development, sustainability reporting, and practical implementation steps.
• Tragfähigkeitsbescheinigungen (Feasibility Certificates) Issuance of Tragfähigkeitsbescheinigungen (viability/feasibility certificates) recognized by funding agencies such as KfW and IB.SH, used by startups to demonstrate the viability of their business plan when applying for financing. The service is now offered directly by the Mentoren as a certified body.
• Kostenlose Sprechstunde (Free Consultation Hours) Free initial consultation (Erstgespräch) sessions held every second Friday of the month at the Wirtschaftsförderung Lübeck offices (Falkenstr. 11, Lübeck), allowing potential clients to meet volunteer mentors and discuss their situation before committing to formal engagement. The first consultation is always free of charge.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40+ employee jobs stabilized through successful business succession at ABH Nord GmbH, with revenue doubling within two years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• HAW Kiel StartUp OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2026The Mentoren für Unternehmen in Schleswig-Holstein e.V. entered into a formal partnership with the HAW Kiel StartUp Office in June 2026. The collaboration aims to bridge academic startup support with practical business expertise. While HAW Kiel provides the academic pipeline and scientific support for early-stage founders, the mentors contribute hands-on business experience, network access, strategic guidance, emotional support, and assistance with investor/bank meetings. The partnership was formalized at a meeting at the new HAW Kiel coworking space. The organizations co-host events and mentor startups through the HAW ecosystem.
• Bundesverband WirtschaftsseniorencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe organization is a member of the Bundesverband Wirtschaftssenioren (Federal Association of Business Seniors), the umbrella organization for approximately 60+ regional volunteer senior consultant associations across Germany. This membership provides access to a nationwide network and enables participation in annual federal congresses (e.g., Berlin 2024, Stuttgart). The broader network collectively serves more than 2.1 million micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees.
• Wirtschaftsförderung Lübeck GmbHcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Wirtschaftsförderung Lübeck (Lübeck Economic Development Corporation) provides office space and organizational support for the free consultation hours (Sprechstunde) held every second Friday at Falkenstr. 11, Lübeck. The organizations co-host events including the Unternehmens-Nachfolge-Abend (succession evening) at the media docks. The partnership provides a trusted institutional referral channel and physical presence for the mentors in the Lübeck area.
• WAS Stormarn (Wirtschafts- und Aufbaugesellschaft Stormarn mbH)regionalGTM or Marketing PartnerThe WAS Stormarn (economic development agency for the Stormarn district) co-organizes free Nachfolgeberatung (succession consulting) events with the Mentoren. Events are held at the WAS offices in Bad Oldesloe, combining the economic development agency's local reach with the mentors' practical succession expertise. The partnership with Wirtschaftssenioren Hamburg was also noted for these events.
• Bürgschaftsbank Schleswig-Holstein GmbHregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Mentoren are co-located at the offices of Bürgschaftsbank Schleswig-Holstein GmbH in Kiel (headquarters address: Lorentzendamm 22, 24103 Kiel). The Bürgschaftsbank provides surety/bonding services for businesses, and the proximity facilitates referrals of businesses needing both bonding/guarantee support and mentoring. The Bürgschaftsbank was involved in the founding of the organization.
• Technologie Zentrum Lübeck (TZL)regionalGTM or Marketing PartnerThe TZL Lübeck hosted a mentors' conference in August 2025. TZL offers startup programs and co-working space. The Gateway49 accelerator is associated with TZL and has a 70% survival rate for supported startups. Regional group Lübeck-South of the Mentoren is active in this ecosystem.
• IB.SH (Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein)regionalGTM or Marketing PartnerIB.SH (the promotional bank of Schleswig-Holstein) is referenced as a key partner for financing solutions. Mentors help clients access IB.SH financing programs and KfW promotional loans. The organizations co-present at events and share information about available funding programs. Mentor Susanne Dreßler, former Förderlotsin at IB.SH, provided training to mentors on IB.SH programs.
• Kaufmannschaft zu LübeckregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Kaufmannschaft zu Lübeck organizes the WIWAG business simulation program, which the Mentoren have supported since 2013. Mentors Egon Biank and Uwe Böttcher serve as game leaders and tutors for the program, introducing young people to business operations. Project leader Annette Prieß coordinates the initiative. The collaboration supports youth economic education and raises awareness of the Mentoren among future entrepreneurs.
• Ernst Schmidheiny Stiftung / Universität St. Gallen (WIWAG)minorOthersThe WIWAG business simulation program was developed by the Swiss Ernst Schmidheiny Foundation in cooperation with the University of St. Gallen. The Mentoren support the program's execution in Lübeck. Joachim-Herz-Stiftung provides funding for the simulation.
• IHK zu Kiel (Industry and Commerce Chamber)regionalGTM or Marketing PartnerThe IHK zu Kiel co-hosts the annual Nachfolgetag (Succession Day) with the Mentoren. Events are held at IHK facilities and attract businesses considering succession. The IHK also facilitates referrals of businesses seeking mentorship support for succession and operational challenges.
• IZET Innovationszentrum ItzehoeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIZET (Innovationszentrum Itzehoe) hosted the 2024 annual members' meeting of the Mentoren. IZET is an innovation center supporting businesses in the Itzehoe region of Schleswig-Holstein. Thomas Schmidt from IZET gave a welcome presentation and conducted a tour of the facility.
• Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig-Holstein GmbHregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig-Holstein GmbH runs the LEUCHTTURM startup center (Gründungszentrum) in Kiel, supported by the ESF Landesprogramm Arbeit. The Mentoren contribute knowledge and mentoring support to the program, with mentor Franz Gelbke regularly teaching courses. The Wirtschaftsakademie also hosted the Mentorenkonferenz in Elmshorn in 2025.
• Gateway49 AcceleratorregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerGateway49 is an accelerator program at the Technologie Zentrum Lübeck that supports innovative startups with a multi-month program, coaching, and mentorship. Mentors from the Lübeck-South regional group actively support Gateway49 participants. The program reports approximately 70% survival rate for startups it has supported. Mentors were encouraged to intensify engagement with the program at the 2025 TZL conference.
• Handwerkskammer Lübeck (Lübeck Chamber of Crafts)regionalGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Handwerkskammer Lübeck was a co-host of the Unternehmens-Nachfolge-Abend event with the Wirtschaftsförderung and Mentoren. Representative Stefan Seestädt provided data showing approximately 40% of craftsmen cannot find successors, highlighting the critical need for succession support in the trades sector.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK) zu Kiel: Regional chamber of industry and commerce that co-hosts the Nachfolgetag with the Mentoren and offers its own SME advisory, including succession and founding support. Functions as both partner and partial competitor within the same Schleswig-Holstein ecosystem.
• SCORE (U.S. Small Business Administration): U.S. nonprofit volunteer business mentoring network funded in part by the SBA, providing free mentoring, workshops, and resources to entrepreneurs. Closest internationally recognized peer to the Mentoren's operating model — volunteer experts, free consulting, succession/startup focus — though at national scale.
• RKW Kompetenzzentrum: Germany-wide, government-funded consulting network supporting SMEs with management, innovation, and succession advisory. Overlaps with the Mentoren's service portfolio but operates with employed consultants and broader thematic scope, making it a broader incumbent competitor in the same SME-advisory space.

Emerging players

• MicroMentor (by Mercy Corps): Global nonprofit platform matching entrepreneurs with volunteer business mentors, with an explicit focus on under-resourced small businesses. Closest digital-first analog to the Mentoren's volunteer mentoring model — emerging player intersecting the same category via an online marketplace rather than regional association.

Direct peers

• Bundesverband Wirtschaftssenioren e.V. Federal federation of ~60 regional volunteer senior-consultant associations. The subject organization is a member; the federation provides the governance, congresses, and shared brand that unify regional mentors like this one. Directly comparable in mission and operating model.
• Wirtschaftssenioren Hamburg: Sister regional association under the Bundesverband Wirtschaftssenioren umbrella, offering the same volunteer senior-executive business mentoring model to Hamburg-based SMBs and startups. Operates as a near-identical service structure with cross-referrals between Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg noted in WAS Stormarn events.

Regional players

• Technologie Zentrum Lübeck (TZL) / Gateway49: Innovation and startup center in Lübeck running the Gateway49 accelerator (~70% startup survival rate) and the Mentoren's regional group Lübeck-South operates within this ecosystem. Comparable in serving Schleswig-Holstein startups, but focused on tech/accelerator model rather than broad SME mentoring.

Others

• Bürgschaftsbank Schleswig-Holstein GmbH: Sister non-profit providing surety/bonding services to SMEs in Schleswig-Holstein; co-located with the Mentoren at their Kiel headquarters and a core referral partner. Adjacent ecosystem player in the SME support infrastructure, not a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mentoren-f%C3%BCr-unternehmen-in-schleswig-holstein-e-v

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 Mentoren für Unternehmen in Schleswig-Holstein e.V.