WFG für den Kreis Borken mbH

What WFG für den Kreis Borken mbH does

WFG für den Kreis Borken mbH is a publicly funded regional economic development corporation (Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft) headquartered in Ahaus, Germany, serving the Kreis Borken district in North Rhine-Westphalia. It is organized as a private limited company (mbH) under local government supervision chaired by Landrat Dr. Kai Zwicker, with Dr. Daniel Schultewolter serving as Managing Director. The organization operates as a certified STARTERCENTER NRW and as the host of the zdi-Zentrum Kreis Borken for STEM and career orientation.

Its service portfolio spans the full business lifecycle: Gründungsberatung (startup advisory), Betriebsberatung (business consulting covering succession, digitalization, internationalization, sustainability), Innovationsberatung (innovation consulting including research allowances and technology transfer), Standortmarketing (location marketing via WFG TV, Wirtschaft aktuell, "Made in Westmünsterland"), Fachkräftesicherung (skilled worker retention), Nachwuchsförderung (youth development reaching 12,500+ young people annually), and Breitbandinfrastruktur (broadband coordination). Underlying technology is primarily advisory and network facilitation rather than a proprietary platform, though it operates digital channels including the WFG TV YouTube platform, DigiX exchange, and commercial real estate and succession marketplaces. The organization also coordinates digital transformation, AI adoption, and broadband rollout for regional SMEs.

WFG generates no commercial revenue from clients; all advisory services are provided free of charge. Its funding derives from Kreis Borken, the state of NRW, the Federal Employment Agency, and EU programs (EFRE, Interreg VI). In fiscal year 2025, it executed over 1,000 consulting conversations, more than 100 events, 351 founding consultations, and facilitated approximately €850,000 in MID digitization funding to regional SMEs. It manages a portfolio of EU and state-funded projects including ReNET-EV (€1.5M, EFRE/JTF), Future RobotiX (€2.6M total project volume, Interreg VI), Smart Solution Labs, TOR@Münsterland, Familienunternehmen fit für die Zukunft, Grünes Gründen Münsterland, and zdi initiatives. Customers are distributed across all 17 municipalities of Kreis Borken, with cross-border engagement into the EUREGIO (Germany-Netherlands) region.

Name

WFG für den Kreis Borken mbH

Legal name

WFG für den Kreis Borken mbH

Website

https://wfg-borken.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

WFG für den Kreis Borken mbH is a publicly funded economic development corporation providing free advisory, networking, and project coordination services to founders, SMEs, and youth in the Kreis Borken district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with cross-border activity in the EUREGIO.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ahaus

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Funding and Government Grants: WFG für den Kreis Borken mbH is a publicly funded economic development corporation (Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft). The organization receives its primary funding from public sources including the Kreis Borken district government, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and European Union programs (EFRE, Interreg). It provides services free of charge to its customers — founders and businesses in the Kreis Borken region. The organization does not generate commercial revenue from its advisory services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WFG für den Kreis Borken mbH is a publicly funded economic development corporation (Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft) that delivers free advisory, networking, and project management services to founders, SMEs, and regional stakeholders across the Kreis Borken district. Its service portfolio spans startup consulting, business development, innovation advisory, broadband infrastructure coordination, skilled worker retention, youth STEM promotion, and location marketing. It also operates digital platforms including the DigiX exchange, WFG TV video channel, and online marketplaces for commercial real estate and business succession, while coordinating multiple EU-funded projects in sustainability, robotics, energy, and cross-border cooperation with the Netherlands.

Product overview

WFG für den Kreis Borken mbH is a regional economic development corporation offering a portfolio of advisory and support services rather than a traditional product suite. The core consulting services include Gründungsberatung (startup consulting), Betriebsberatung (business consulting), Innovationsberatung (innovation consulting), Standortmarketing (location marketing), Fachkräftesicherung (skilled worker retention), Nachwuchsförderung (youth development), and Breitbandinfrastruktur (broadband infrastructure). These services are supported by digital platforms including DigiX (digital exchange), WFG TV (video content), and marketplaces for commercial real estate and business succession. The organization also manages numerous funded projects addressing sustainability, digitalization, robotics, energy efficiency, and cross-border cooperation, delivered through initiatives like Ökoprofit, Digiscouts, Smart Solution Labs, and zdi-MINT-BSO programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gründungsberatung (Startup Consulting) Free advisory services for prospective and early-stage founders including business plan development, financing and funding guidance, seminars, and the Gründungspreis Westmünsterland founding competition, delivered under the certified STARTERCENTER NRW program for founders and startups in Kreis Borken.
• Betriebsberatung (Business Consulting) Free business consulting for established SMEs and larger companies in Kreis Borken covering company development, succession planning (Unternehmensnachfolge), digitalization (Digitalisierung), internationalization (Internationalisierung), and sustainability (Nachhaltigkeit).
• Innovationsberatung (Innovation Consulting) Free innovation consulting including individual advisory on R&D funding (including Forschungszulage), innovation capability enhancement, technology transfer networks, and visibility initiatives for innovation-oriented companies in the region.
• Standortmarketing (Location Marketing) Location marketing services promoting Kreis Borken and Westmünsterland as a business location, including the Made in Westmünsterland campaign, Wirtschaft aktuell magazine, WFG TV video content, social media presence, newsletters, press relations, and Arbeiten und Leben im Münsterland content.
• Fachkräftesicherung (Skilled Worker Retention) Services supporting HR managers and executives addressing workforce challenges, including the Dialog Fachkräftesicherung event series, services for HR managers, school-business cooperation programs, best-practice sharing formats, and individual consultation on talent attraction and retention.
• Nachwuchsförderung (Youth Development) Youth development programs delivered through the zdi-Zentrum Kreis Borken covering STEM promotion, career and study orientation (Berufs- und Studienorientierung), workshops, the Nacht der Ausbildung event, and mobile labs including Forschermühle Stadtlohn, Forschergalerie Gronau, Forschermobil, and Handwerkmobil.
• Breitbandinfrastruktur (Broadband Infrastructure Coordination) Broadband infrastructure coordination for the 17 municipalities and commercial areas of Kreis Borken, including broadband strategy development, subsidized fiber optic expansion (Geförderter Glasfaserausbau), supply monitoring (Versorgungssituation), and broadband coordination (Breitbandkoordination) for commercial areas.
• DigiX Digital exchange platform (digix.online) for regional digital solutions and innovations, connecting SMEs with digitalization offerings and partners.
• Gewerbeflächen- und Immobilienbörse (Commercial Real Estate Exchange) Online marketplace listing commercial properties and real estate available for businesses seeking locations in the Kreis Borken region.
• Nachfolge- / Kooperationsbörse (Succession and Cooperation Exchange) Online exchange platform connecting businesses for succession planning and cooperation opportunities in the Kreis Borken region.
• Grünes Gründen Münsterland (Green Founding Münsterland) Sustainability-focused startup initiative promoting ecologically and socially sustainable business ideas in the Münsterland region, delivered as a project with nine partners including Münsterland e.V., FH Münster, IHK Nord Westfalen, and Handwerkskammer Münster.
• Ökoprofit Environmental management program providing weakness analyses in waste, hazardous materials storage, and energy management, with implementation of cost-effective environmental measures for participating companies.
• Digiscouts Apprentice-driven digitalization initiative where trainees (Digiscouts) identify and implement digital improvement projects within their host companies, building digital competencies in the regional workforce.
• zdi-MINT-BSO Career and study orientation program (Berufs- und Studienorientierung) supporting schools and companies with STEM projects, jointly funded by the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) and the NRW Ministry of Culture and Science.
• GO!Green LEADER project offering free impulse consultations on corporate climate balance, sustainability concepts, and VSME-standard sustainability reporting for SMEs in the Westmünsterland LEADER region.
• WFG TV YouTube-based video platform (WFG TV) featuring informative content about WFG services, funding programs, startup support, business succession, skilled worker topics, and innovation, including the Made in Westmünsterland podcast series showcasing regional hidden champions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 consulting sessions and more than 100 events conducted in fiscal year 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Münsterland e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMünsterland e.V. is the lead partner for the 'Grünes Gründen Münsterland' (Green Founding Münsterland) project, which succeeded the 'Gründergeist #Youngstarts Münsterland' initiative. WFG participates as one of nine project partners. The project is funded under the EFRE Regio.NRW call and focuses on promoting ecologically and socially sustainable founding ideas in the Münsterland region.
• Fachhochschule Münster (FH Münster)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the 'Grünes Gründen Münsterland' project and in multiple other initiatives including ReNET-EV (energy communities in commercial areas), Future RobotiX, and Smart Solution Labs. FH Münster contributes research expertise and student involvement to regional innovation projects.
• Handwerkskammer Münster (HWK Münster)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of Crafts partner in the Grünes Gründen Münsterland project, contributing craft industry expertise and networks to the sustainable founding ecosystem.
• IHK Nord Westfalen (Chamber of Industry and Commerce)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber partner in the Grünes Gründen Münsterland project, providing industry networks and business advisory capabilities for sustainable founding support.
• Westfälische Hochschule Bocholt (Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, Campus Bocholt)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Future RobotiX, Smart Solution Labs, and the Effizienz Forum Wirtschaft. Hosts the Effizienz Forum Wirtschaft 2026. WFG collaborates on student-industry projects and dual study programs.
• Provinz Overijssel (Province of Overijssel, Netherlands)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial government partner in the 'Familiebedrijven – Familienunternehmen fit für die Zukunft' Interreg VI project, supporting cross-border exchange between German and Dutch family businesses.
• Kennisport ZwolleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch knowledge platform partner in the Familiebedrijven project, contributing expertise on family business succession and strategy.
• MKB DeventerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSME support organization in Deventer (Netherlands) participating in the Familiebedrijven project to facilitate cross-border family business exchange.
• Hochschule Windesheim (Windesheim University of Applied Sciences)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch university partner in the Familiebedrijven project, contributing academic research and student engagement to cross-border family business support.
• Westfälische Hochschule (as part of Future RobotiX)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in Future RobotiX alongside Uni Twente, developing humanoid robotics solutions for SMEs and craft businesses across four use cases: welding, painting, handling/logistics, and crafts.
• Uni Twente (University of Twente)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch academic partner in Future RobotiX (Interreg VI), contributing robotics research and development capabilities to the cross-border humanoid robotics initiative for SMEs.
• Gronfa (Netherlands)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch company partner in Future RobotiX, contributing industry perspective and use case development for humanoid robotics applications in the Dutch market.
• GOMA (Netherlands)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch company partner in Future RobotiX, contributing to the development and testing of humanoid robotics use cases from an industry perspective.
• Haake Sicherheitstechnik (Vreden)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman SME partner in Future RobotiX from Kreis Borken, contributing to use case development for humanoid robotics applications in industrial safety technology.
• LW Modulbau (Ahaus)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman SME partner in Future RobotiX from Kreis Borken, providing modular construction industry perspective for humanoid robotics use cases.
• Agentur für Arbeit Coesfeld (Federal Employment Agency, Coesfeld branch)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the DIALOG Fachkräftesicherung event series and partner in zdi-BSO-MINT. Contributes employment market expertise and co-funding to youth career orientation programs.
• Kreis Borken (District of Borken)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe district of Borken is both the founding authority and main funder of WFG. It co-organizes ÖKOPROFIT, participates in ReNET-EV, and oversees WFG through Landrat Dr. Kai Zwicker.
• NRW.BANKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner in internationalization advisory (Außenwirtschaftsförderung) and founding support. Collaborates with WFG on practical, targeted information for regional SMEs preparing for international markets.
• GrensWerk (Netherlands)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDutch cross-border employment and economic platform that collaborates with WFG to open doors to internationally-oriented employers in the region, developing innovative projects and accessing employment markets across the border.
• wfc Wirtschaftsförderung Kreis Coesfeld GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic development corporation of neighboring Kreis Coesfeld. Co-organizes DIALOG Fachkräftesicherung, joint AI event series, and ReNET-EV project across the Münsterland region.
• WEst Wirtschaftsförderung und Entwicklungsgesellschaft Steinfurt mbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic development corporation of Kreis Steinfurt. Co-organizes Effizienz Forum Wirtschaft and ReNET-EV across the Münsterland region.
• Sparkasse WestmünsterlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal savings bank partner providing co-funding for zdi personnel cost guideline project and collaborating on regional economic events including DIALOG Innovation and the Gründungspreis.
• Kulturlandschaft Westmünsterland e. V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional cultural landscape association that co-organizes the GO!Green LEADER project with WFG for sustainability advisory to SMEs in the Westmünsterland LEADER region.
• SustainerationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSustainability consulting firm that serves as the expert consultant in the GO!Green project, providing sustainability advisory services to SMEs under WFG's coordination.
• EUREGIOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-border regional organization (Germany-Netherlands). WFG collaborates with EUREGIO on the iDAPT feasibility study (AI-supported innovation platform for SMEs in the EUREGIO) and TECH.LAND cross-border innovation program.
• Hochschule SaxioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch university of applied sciences leading the iDAPT feasibility study (Innovatieve Transformatie van het MKB in de EUREGIO). WFG and TechOost are program partners. The project develops an AI-supported platform to help SMEs identify innovation needs, funding programs, and cross-border cooperation partners.
• TechOostcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology organization from the Dutch side of the EUREGIO, program partner in the iDAPT project alongside WFG. Focuses on technology transfer and SME digitalization support in the cross-border region.
• Verenigde Maakindustrie Oost NederlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch manufacturing industry association and project partner in Smart Solution Labs (Interreg VI), contributing industry use cases and student project opportunities in cross-border German-Dutch teams.
• RIZM EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy solutions partner in the ReNET-EV project, contributing expertise in energy management and renewable energy systems for cooperative energy community development in commercial areas.
• UnternehmerFrauen im Handwerk NRW e.V. (UFH)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide network of female entrepreneurs in skilled trades. Collaborates with WFG on the Handwerkmobil initiative for youth outreach and the FemIndustrie Dialog network for connecting women in leadership positions.
• Radio WMWminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional radio station in Westmünsterland. Collaborates with WFG on the 'Made in Westmünsterland' podcast series, bringing visibility to regional hidden champions and the economic heartbeat of Kreis Borken.
• maakwi connect / Maakwi Campus (Heek)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerInnovation network and campus in Heek focused on sustainable startups. Collaborates with WFG on events such as the sustainability entrepreneur breakfast, providing a platform for startup innovation and regional exchange.
• Effizienz-Agentur NRW (EFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNRW Energy Efficiency Agency is a co-organizer of the Effizienz Forum Wirtschaft, contributing expertise in resource efficiency and circular economy to the annual conference.
• d.velop AGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSoftware company in Gescher that has partnered with Gymnasium Remigianum Borken since 2014 for zdi-BSO-MINT programming, inspiring students to pursue software development careers. WFG coordinates this cooperation through the zdi center.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• wfc Wirtschaftsförderung Kreis Coesfeld GmbH: Economic development corporation of neighboring Kreis Coesfeld with an identical mandate and service portfolio. Co-organizes DIALOG Fachkräftesicherung and ReNET-EV with WFG, and shares many of the same regional stakeholders and EU-funded projects.
• WEst Wirtschaftsförderung und Entwicklungsgesellschaft Steinfurt mbH: Economic development corporation of neighboring Kreis Steinfurt with comparable mandate to support founders, SMEs, and innovation in the Münsterland region. Co-organizes the Effizienz Forum Wirtschaft and ReNET-EV with WFG.

Others

• Münsterland e.V. Regional development association covering the entire Münsterland region. WFG is one of nine partners in the 'Grünes Gründen Münsterland' project led by Münsterland e.V., with overlapping stakeholder networks and complementary mandates in regional economic development.
• EUREGIO: Cross-border regional organization covering the Germany-Netherlands border region. WFG collaborates with EUREGIO on the iDAPT feasibility study and the TECH.LAND cross-border innovation program.
• IHK Nord Westfalen: Chamber of Industry and Commerce serving the Nord Westfalen region. Partners with WFG on the Grünes Gründen Münsterland project and shares business advisory and stakeholder engagement roles in the regional founding ecosystem.
• Handwerkskammer Münster: Chamber of Crafts for the Münster region. Partners with WFG on the Grünes Gründen Münsterland project and contributes craft industry expertise and networks to WFG's founding ecosystem.
• NRW.BANK: State development bank of North Rhine-Westphalia. Long-standing partner with WFG on internationalization advisory (Außenwirtschaftsförderung) and founding support, providing complementary financing and funding tools for regional SMEs.

Regional players

• NRW.Global Business GmbH: State-level foreign trade and investment promotion agency for NRW. Operates at a broader state-wide scale with similar internationalization and economic development mandates, serving as a higher-tier complement to WFG's regional focus.
• Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH: Berlin's economic development and technology promotion agency. Operates with a similar service portfolio (founding support, innovation advisory, location marketing) but at city-state level in a different German geography.
• Hamburg Invest Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft mbH: Hamburg's economic development agency with comparable service offerings including founding support, innovation advisory, and location marketing. Operates at city-state level in northern Germany with similar public-mandate business model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WFGBorken
• Facebookfacebook.com/WFGBorken
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wfg-f%C3%BCr-den-kreis-borken/posts/?feedView=all
• Instagraminstagram.com/wfgkreisborken

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 WFG für den Kreis Borken mbH