Start a business in Cologne.
Planning to start a business in Cologne, or to grow one? We guide you in English from the first idea through business plan, registration and financing – online and, by arrangement, in person.
- In Englishconsultations and documents
- Over 100 founderspersonally supported
- First consultation60 minutes, €249 incl. VAT
Starting up in Cologne.
North Rhine-Westphalia's largest city is a media, insurance and trade fair location with a lively start-up scene.
For your start this means: your business model, prices and costs have to fit the local market, and your business plan has to convince banks and funding bodies that think in German formats. We test your idea with you, put numbers on it and prepare you for meetings with the bank, the chamber and the authorities.
Who you will deal with in Cologne.
- Trade office
- Business registration (Gewerbeanmeldung) with the trade office where your business is based, here the city of Cologne. Liberal professions (Freiberufler) register with the tax office instead.
- Tax office
- After registering you complete the tax registration questionnaire online via ELSTER.
- Chamber
- IHK Köln; for craft trades the responsible chamber of crafts (Handwerkskammer).
- Funding
- NRW.BANK, KfW and, if you are registered as unemployed, the employment agency or job centre.
- Residence
- If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, your residence permit decides whether you may be self-employed. Check with the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) first.
For guidance only. The responsible authority's information always prevails.
How we support founders in Cologne.
Every stage of building a company brings different questions. We meet you exactly where you are, in English.
Founder coaching – also with AVGS
Test your idea, build the business plan and financial plan, prepare financing. Possible with an AVGS voucher via our partner, the AZAV-certified training provider Firmenkompass GmbH.
Business mentoring
A sparring partner over months: sales, pricing, growth and the decisions you do not want to take alone.
Business services
Business plan and financial plan reviews from €390, pitch deck and business case reviews, also for investors, viability assessments and application support.
Digital business
Website, online shop, automation, AI and MVP, built around the way your business makes money.
Leadership & mental performance
Mental coaching, mentoring and team training with Jana and Uwe, whose clients range from Coca-Cola and Red Bull to the German Armed Forces.
Founders Lab
Support in exchange for an individually agreed stake, for selected ventures and by application only.
Frequently asked questions
Can we meet in person in Cologne?
Most sessions take place online, which saves you time. Meetings in person can be arranged at our offices in Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, Düsseldorf, Zurich, St. Gallen and Vienna.
Is the support really in English?
Yes. Consultations, mentoring and written documents are available in English. Where authorities or banks need German documents, we prepare them with you.
Which funding is available in North Rhine-Westphalia?
Besides federal programmes such as the start-up grant and KfW loans, NRW.BANK offers programmes for new businesses. Which ones fit you depends on your plan and situation; we check this with you and never promise funding.
What does it cost?
The introductory call (20 minutes) is free. The first consultation (60 minutes) costs €249 incl. VAT, the business plan review €390 incl. VAT and the financial plan review €490 incl. VAT. All services and prices
Your next step in Germany starts with a conversation.
Business idea, registration or a decision you are stuck on: we talk it through and tell you honestly how we can help.
