As the umbrella organisation for Hamburg business people and entrepreneurs, the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce is the focal point for the local business community. We can help you to launch your new business or to consolidate and expand your existing business. We're also the right people to talk to if you're having difficulties with your business, or if you need help with succession planning.
For start-ups and young companies: Please visit our online tool ”Gründungswerkstatt Hamburg– (foundation workshop)! It provides a variety of information on founding a company, and enables you to elaborate your virtual personal business plan, supported if necessary by a tutor from the Chamber. This tool also enables you to improve the management of your company and to draw up a profile of corporate strengths and weaknesses. More information here!
Other help during the five pre-launch phases
We have a range of services for the Prospecting Phase (1): Business start-up advice at our Service Centre (no appointment necessary). Our Starter Kit contains a wealth of valuable information about starting your own business. The Business Start-Up Information Day is a four-hour information event covering all themes relevant to launching a new business (run once a month; free of charge). The Change Business Exchange (Change-Unternehmensbörse) at http://www.nexxt-change.org is a service for brokering business takeovers.
In the Research Phase (2) we can provide sound information on setting up a business: we run three-day business start-up seminars covering all the main issues relating to starting up and consolidating a business. The Gründertreff der Wirtschaftsjunioren (Forum for Company Founders and Successor Generation Business Leaders) has presentations and discussions, and is held on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce business library "Commerzbibliothek" (business hours: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mo, We, and Fr; 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tu and Th) has literature on starting a new business and on all business-related topics.
The Concept Phase (3) is when you develop your business plan: In order to make your start-up launch a success, you should carefully elaborate your businessplan, which normally includes the following elements:
In the Feedback Phase (4) we can provide you with valuable hints and feedback on your business plan. We are familiar with your industry and can provide information on business development assistance funds, and advice on business ideas and business development assistance funds (consultations by prior arrangement, after you have provided us with a copy of your business plan). We offer a financing information day, conducted by consultants from the KfW Mittelstandsbank (event held twice monthly, attendance by prior arrangement).
The Implementation Phase (5) is when you register your business and enter the market. Register your business at our Service Centre or at your District or Local Office (Bezirksamt or Ortsamt). There are leaflets available on a range of topics. Our support continues after you've got your business up and running. For example, we can help with the following: advice on financing; information on development support programmes to help you consolidate and expand your business; the Business Angel Brokering Service – our business angel network will assist you in your search for partners who can provide capital, experience, and business contacts. Our international cooperation database will help put you in touch with potential business partners in Germany and abroad. We also offer crisis management advisory services for companies in difficulty (helping to identify the main problem areas and develop solutions).
Succession planning:
We can provide you with a (German-language) copy of the brochure "So sichern Sie die Zukunft Ihres Lebenswerkes" ("How To Future-proof Your Life's Work"). We offer advice for business people in the early stages of succession planning. The Change Business Exchange (Change-Unternehmensbörse) puts you in touch with experienced business executives and potential shareholders/buyers.
Special information:
Hamburg Welcome Centre The Hamburg Welcome Centre is an official service facility of the District Office, District Mitte [Central] of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. Services offered by the Hamburg Welcome Centre: general services to new residents, housing information service, special services for qualified professionals, and services to foreign students. The Hamburg Welcome Centre is the first point of contact for all new residents coming from Germany or abroad, and can make it easier for you to find your feet in your new home city. You will find it right next to the Rathaus [Town Hall] in the centre of the city. You can reach the Hamburg Welcome Centre by all U-Bahn [Underground] and S-Bahn [City Rail] lines and many bus lines as well.
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How to establish a company in Germany - More information here!
Hamburg Chamber of Commerce
Adolphsplatz 1
20457 Hamburg
Tel.: 040 / 36 13 8-138
Fax: 040 / 36 13 84 01
E-mail: service@hk24.de
Handelskammer City
Campus
Alter Wall 38
20457 Hamburg
