What is the “Zertifikat Existenzgründer HWK”?
The “Zertifikat Existenzgründer HWK” is a certificate issued after completing a start-up training course for new entrepreneurs (Existenzgründer). This course typically covers topics such as:
How to prepare a business plan
Financing and accounting basics
Legal aspects (taxes, insurance, rights and obligations)
Pricing and sales / distribution
Market and competition analysis
Some courses are short (around 2 to 5 days), while others are more extensive (up to 80 hours of training).
| Advantage | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Strengthens your seriousness and professionalism | Shows the bank or financial advisor that you are familiar with the basics of running a business |
| Improves your chances of getting financing | Not mandatory, but strengthens your position when applying for a Gründerkredit or ERP-Gründerkredit |
| Makes IHK/HWK approval of your business plan easier | This approval or expert opinion is often required by KfW when submitting an application |
| Required in some cases by the Jobcenter | Especially if you receive support such as Gründungszuschuss or similar start-up benefits |
| Situation | Is the certificate helpful? |
|---|---|
| Applying for KfW 067 or 073 (KfW-Gründerkredit – StartGeld) | Yes, it clearly strengthens your file |
| Applying for Gründungszuschuss from the employment agency (Arbeitsagentur) | Sometimes required for approval |
| Starting a craft or technical business (Handwerk) | Often a condition or important plus for support from the HWK (Handwerkskammer) |
| Starting a simple commercial activity without prior qualifications | Increases your credibility towards official institutions and authorities |
From KfW’s point of view, this certificate is not strictly mandatory.
However, some house banks and also IHK/HWK prefer applicants who can show that they have attended a start-up course or obtained a founder certificate, as proof that they are qualified to run a business.
If you are planning to apply for funding and you do not yet have previous experience in business management, the certificate can be very valuable:
It increases your chances of approval.
It prepares you in a practical way for the requirements attached to the loan.
It presents you to the bank as a serious, well-prepared and organised founder.
The authors and editorial team of the website strive to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or certain details may not be fully confirmed or up to date. Please treat this information as an initial guide only and always consult the relevant authorities (KfW, IHK/HWK, Jobcenter) or an independent start-up / financial advisor for binding, up-to-date advice.
