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Business Coaching
IHK Certificate Course

Startup Advisor
(IHK)

For coaches and consultants: Professionalise your consulting skills and become an expert in business start-ups. The IHK certificate as a seal of quality for higher daily rates and more trust.

Quality that Convinces.

The market is growing, but customers are looking for security. Set yourself apart from the competition with a recognized certificate.

IHK Certificate

Official qualification from IHK Rhein-Neckar.

100% Online

Flexible learning, location-independent examination.

Practical

Lecturers from the real economy, not just theory.

IHK Certificate

Certified
Startup Advisor (IHK)

The seal of quality for professional business coaches in Germany.

Course Content.

Mindset: The Role of the Coach and Advisor

Participants intensively explore the central aspects of consulting and coaching. They explore the systemic approach and reflect on their role as coaches to efficiently accompany founders. Communication techniques and didactic methods are taught in a practical manner.

Business Fundamentals

Participants deepen their understanding of business fundamentals that they can apply in consulting startup founders. This includes accounting, controlling, KVP (Continuous Improvement Process) and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). They learn to guide founders through business topics and develop sound, practical consulting approaches.

Legal Foundations

In this module, participants acquire the necessary knowledge to safely guide founders through legal questions. Topics such as legal forms, GDPR, terms and conditions design, and contract law are in the foreground. Participants learn how to address legal requirements in consulting practice and support founders in complying with legal requirements.

Validation and Development of a Business Idea

This module enables participants to use methods such as Business Model Canvas and SWOT analyses specifically in their consulting practice. They learn how to effectively guide founders through the validation and development of business ideas and learn appropriate techniques for analyzing critical success factors.

Market and Competition

Participants learn to apply appropriate methods such as TAM-SAM-SOM and competitive analysis in their consulting to comprehensively analyze market and competitive factors. They are enabled to develop data-based recommendations for market development and positioning and to strategically support founders.

Marketing and Target Group

This module teaches participants how to specifically support founders in target group analysis and marketing planning. They deepen their knowledge of customer journey and persona development and learn how to use these tools to optimize marketing strategies.

Risk and Insurance

Participants are enabled to comprehensively advise startup founders on topics of social security, private provision, and risk management. They learn to develop individual solutions for founders and support them in securing against entrepreneurial and personal risks.

Founding from Unemployment

Participants receive a comprehensive overview of the legal framework of SGB II and SGB III, which are relevant for consulting startup founders from unemployment. They learn how to specifically support founders in using specific funding and programs.

Business Planning

The module equips participants with the knowledge and tools to effectively support founders in creating business plans and financial planning. They learn to apply practical tools and methods to guide their clients through the entire planning process.

Financing Instruments and Funding Opportunities

In this module, participants acquire an in-depth understanding of financing instruments and funding opportunities to specifically support founders in selecting suitable options. They learn to use these instruments in consulting and optimally prepare funding programs for their clients.

Early Crisis Detection

This module enables participants to support founders in early crisis detection and show them how legal early detection obligations can be fulfilled. They learn practical methods of crisis prevention and the establishment of systematic reporting.

Risks and Opportunities of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Participants explore the legal framework and application possibilities of artificial intelligence in startup consulting. They learn how AI can be meaningfully integrated into business processes and how founders can benefit, e.g., in process automation or business plan creation.

At a glance.

Scope
12 modules80 units of 45 minutes
Duration
4–6 weeks as an intensive course3–4 months part-time
Delivery
Fully online1:1 live
Exam
Final presentationApprox. 30 minutes
Qualification
Gründungsberater/in (IHK)Certificate of IHK Rhein-Neckar
Requirements
Open to anyone interestedConsulting experience is an advantage
Costs
€4,998 incl. 19% VAT€420 own contribution with funding
Funding
KOMPASS funding90% for solo self-employed*

*Your KOMPASS contact point can tell you the exact funding conditions.

Funding calculator

What will the IHK course cost you with KOMPASS?

Through the KOMPASS funding programme, solo self-employed people receive up to 90% of the course costs. Two answers are all it takes for your personal example calculation.

Do you meet the KOMPASS requirements?
View requirements
  • You have been working on the market as a solo self-employed person for at least two years (verifiable, for example through your business registration or tax assessment).
  • You live in Germany and carry out your work in Germany.
  • You are self-employed as your main occupation: most of your income comes from self-employment.
  • You employ no more than one full-time equivalent (one full-time employee or several part-time employees who together make up one full-time position).
  • You have not received a KOMPASS qualification voucher in the last twelve months.
  • Your de minimis aid does not exceed €200,000 over three tax years (€100,000 in road freight transport).
Are you entitled to deduct input VAT?

Your own contribution

€420net

Course (net)
€4,200
KOMPASS funding (90%)
− €3,780
Your own contribution
€420

As you are entitled to deduct input VAT, you get the VAT (€798) back through your input VAT deduction.

Example calculation based on the course price of €4,998 incl. VAT. Whether funding is granted, and how much, is decided by the KOMPASS contact point. You pay the costs yourself first; the funding is reimbursed after successful completion.

Frequently asked questions.

Who can take part in the course?

The course is open to anyone interested. It is aimed primarily at coaches and consultants who support founders. Experience in consulting or coaching and business knowledge are an advantage but not a requirement.

How long does the course take?

The course comprises 80 teaching units of 45 minutes in 12 modules. As an intensive course it takes 4 to 6 weeks, part-time 3 to 4 months. All modules take place live online.

How does the exam work?

At the end, you give a presentation of about 30 minutes in which you apply what you have learned to a real consulting situation. You are admitted if you have attended at least 80% of the teaching units. The exam also takes place online. If you pass, you receive the certificate of IHK Rhein-Neckar.

How much does the course cost?

The course costs €4,998 including 19% VAT. With KOMPASS funding (90% for solo self-employed people), your own contribution is €420. Your KOMPASS contact point can tell you the exact funding conditions.

Who is eligible for KOMPASS funding?

KOMPASS is a funding programme of the German federal government and the European Social Fund Plus for solo self-employed people. It generally supports self-employed people with at most one full-time employee who have been self-employed as their main occupation for at least two years. You pay the costs first and they are reimbursed after successful completion. In the initial consultation we check whether you meet the requirements.
Gründungsberater/in (IHK) Zertifikatslehrgang

Certified Course Startup Advisor (IHK)

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