25 years ago, I was exactly where you might be today: I wrote my first business plan for a bank – and was promptly rejected. Today I know: it was not because of my idea, but because of the method. After founding over 40 companies myself and supporting more than 3,000 entrepreneurs with their X-Group I know the secrets of a bank-ready plan.

The good news for you? You do not have to go this route alone, and you do not have to spend a fortune. There is a way for you to have your professional business plan prepared – and this is 100% funded by the state.

Why most business plans fail at banks

Most founders make the mistake of starting with the written section. They use online platforms or have AI generate texts that may sound nice but have no connection to reality. But the core, the true heart of your founder financing, is not the ‘lyricism’ – it is the financial section.

A viable Financial Plan must look at least 36 months into the future. It is your financial roadmap. Only when your prices, investments, marketing costs, and contribution margins have been thoroughly examined will you know whether your project is truly marketable. Banks and investors immediately recognise whether a plan is solid or just empty phrases.

First the numbers, then the lyricism: The heart of your success

At X-Group, we reverse the process. We first look at: Are your prices competitive? Can you make a living from this, pay your employees, and service your capital? Once the financials are in place, the written section – the so-called application lyricism – is simply the logical description of your numbers.

Here we clarify the decisive questions:

• Who exactly is your target group?
• What sales volumes are realistic?
• What is the actual marketing effort required?
• Is your entrepreneur’s salary secured in the long term?

The expert opinion: Your ticket to funding opportunities

If you want to apply for government Funding or a KfW loan , the institutions often require a financial assessment. At the Employment Agency or Job Centre, this is known as the an expert opinion. Without this document from a certified body such as ours, funding is often not accessible.

We assess your project as a neutral party. This not only gives the bank confidence, but also protects you from potentially existential miscalculations. We also identify any gaps in your skills: Do you still need support in areas such as tax, marketing or law? This preparation is also part of our subsidised coaching.

How to secure your 100% free pre-start-up coaching

How does the 100% funding work? The Federal Employment Agency has recognised X-Group as a certified training provider. This means: If you are registered as seeking employment – even if you are not currently receiving ALG I (German unemployment benefit) or Bürgergeld – you are entitled to a so-called AVGS (activation and placement voucher, AVGS).

Depending on how much support you need, different modules are available to you:

• 30 to 50 units: Ideal if your concept is already largely developed and you only need to fine-tune the financial section.
• 80 units and more: The gold standard for new founders. Here, we go in-depth into marketing, sales, accounting and legal topics to make you fully ready for the market.

Take your chance to develop a concept ready for financing

Don’t let your dream fail because of a poorly calculated business plan. Use X-Group’s methodological expertise to put your self-employment on a solid foundation. We not only help you with the writing, but also guide you through the entire bureaucracy and bank meeting process.

About X-Group

Belief in your potential and a focus on the things that truly move you forward are the top priorities at X-Group GmbH in Berlin. You receive tailored support that identifies the most important bottlenecks. This way, you remove obstacles and can work purposefully towards your success.