Countless emails vanish all the time. It would be a shame if your product wasn’t valued simply because people don’t know you exist. Devenhall is your entry to the German market!
Connecting your business. Supporting your growth.
I help international companies build bridges into the German market. Entering Germany can be challenging – from understanding local business culture to making your voice heard in a competitive landscape. I make that step easier by connecting you with the right partners, translating not just the language but also the context, and ensuring that your message resonates.
With native fluency and years of business experience, I support you in gaining visibility, credibility, and access – so you can focus on what you do best: growing your business.
Building long-term relationships and trust
I don’t believe in quick wins or selling something that no one truly needs.
For me, success in Germany is about building lasting relationships based on trust, respect, and genuine value.
My role is to act as a bridge and a catalyst: connecting businesses, supporting leaders, and helping companies establish themselves with clarity and credibility. This way, every step we take together contributes to long-term success.
Why Germany is such a tough market to enter
The challenge
Germany is one of Europe’s largest and most attractive markets – but also one of the hardest to crack. Customers expect local language, technical detail, and long-term reliability before they even consider a new supplier. And Germans are famously cautious: the Land of Poets and Thinkers often prefer to think things through ten times before making a decision.
The reality
Germans don’t buy after one email or a flashy brochure. They want to see consistency, meet someone they can trust, and know that you’ll still be around tomorrow. Without a local presence, many international companies end up sending countless messages that disappear into inboxes – while their competitors are already having coffee with potential clients.
The solution
Having someone on the ground makes all the difference. A local representative bridges the cultural gap, translates not just the language but also the expectations, and gives your brand credibility. With the right approach, the German market is open to international innovators – but it rewards persistence, trust, and personal contact far more than quick wins. And as your local partner, I can read between the lines and share the signals that don’t show up in emails or reports.
Focus Areas
Connecting Businesses
Building bridges between international companies and the German market. I bring the right people together, create opportunities, and open doors where language and culture could otherwise be barriers.
Supporting Market Entry
From the first conversation to the first signed agreement – I support your journey into Germany with practical experience, cultural understanding, and native-language communication.
Developing Long-Term Partnerships
My goal is not short-term deals, but lasting, trust-based business relationships. I help you position your company so that it can grow sustainably in Germany.
Achieving Visibility
Whether through trade fairs, events, or tailored meetings, I make sure your company is seen and heard where it matters most.
German Representation
A reliable local presence builds trust. I represent your company in Germany, manage communication, and ensure your partners always have a clear point of contact.
Digital Presence
I help you create a professional German-language website and communication channels, so your brand speaks directly to your audience here.
The Value of Personal Contact
For ten years, I worked in a company specializing in retail security tags and labels. Every week, we received countless emails from suppliers and manufacturers offering new products. Packages with samples arrived regularly as well. But without personal contact, no real connection was ever established.
Even in today’s highly connected digital world, much still depends on direct, human interaction. Emails alone often get lost in the noise. And without fluent German, there is a high risk of being asked on the phone to “just send an email” — where your message will likely disappear again.
This is exactly where I step in: to make sure your company is not just heard, but remembered.
Your Bridge into the German Market
Are you considering entering Germany? Do you want real customers, real meetings, and a trusted partner on the ground – without setting up a subsidiary right away?
That’s where I come in.
I work side by side with international companies: from first market checks and pitch decks to trade fair support, distributor search, and customer meetings. Some clients arrive well prepared with CE certifications and local materials, others are just starting out. Either way, we design the right setup together.
What matters is your ambition to grow in Germany. My role is flexible – sometimes as a bridge for your first leads, sometimes as a light version of a country manager, and sometimes simply as your representative at a trade fair. Always hands-on, always committed.
Germany is a demanding market – but with the right approach, it opens great opportunities.
What are you looking for? Where do you want to go? If you’re ready to take the first step, I’d be glad to help you make it happen. I’m excited for the challenge – let’s talk.
Service Packages
Custom Package
Extras (day rates)
Regular, honest updates
Starter (1–2 months, market test)
Helping you take your very first steps into the German market:
Market check, ICP definition, quick competitor scan
German pitch deck + one-pager, landing page in German
30 qualified target contacts, 6–10 online meetings
Fee: €3,500–5,000 (flat)
Go-to-Market (3–6 months)
Setting up your presence and first sales pipeline:
Appointment campaigns, trade fair support (1 fair), CRM setup
Distributor / service partner search (longlist & shortlist)
Coordination of offers and contracts
Retainer: €3,000–6,000 / month
+ Success fee: 3–8%
Country Manager “light” (ongoing)
Your flexible representation in Germany without a subsidiary:
Regular customer visits, steering reps / distributors
Service & spare parts organization, monthly reporting
Retainer: €4,000–8,000 / month
+ Success fee: 2–5%
Trade fair support: €800–1,200 / day
Workshops: €1,200–1,800 / day
Translation / website localization: €80–120 / hour
I’m not here to sell you dreams – I’m here to give you clarity. You’ll receive straightforward updates from real conversations and research in the field: What do German prospects ask? How do they react to your product? Where do we see traction – and where not (yet)?
This protects you from costly investments that may not pay off and gives you a realistic view of your chances in Germany. And if at some point it looks like further cooperation doesn’t make sense – I’ll tell you openly. Because trust and reliability matter more than just keeping a project alive.
For companies with unique needs or special projects. Whether it’s extended trade fair presence, deeper technical support, or a different mix of services – I will design a tailored solution to match your goals.
Every new beginning is a challenge.
There are countless questions at once: Where do we start? Who do we approach? How can we present our company and products in the right way? Sometimes there is only one chance – and it has to make an impact.
I approach this with quality, professionalism, and an eye for detail – without getting lost in perfectionism that slows things down. I enjoy taking on new challenges and have a genuine passion for diving into unfamiliar topics and mastering them quickly.
Theory and knowledge are important, but at the end of the day it’s about achieving results, not just making a nice presentation. My focus is on representing your company with its true values and bringing out the unique benefits that matter most to potential business partners.
How I Work
Intro Call
We start with a short conversation to understand your goals, challenges, and expectations. No obligations – just a first step.
Market Test (Starter Package)
A compact project (1–2 months) to test the waters: German materials, first outreach, and honest feedback from prospects. This gives you clarity before investing big.
Go-to-Market
If the pilot shows traction, we build on it: structured campaigns, trade fair support, distributor search, and contract coordination. Step by step, your presence in Germany takes shape.
Long-Term Partnership
For companies that want ongoing representation: customer visits, distributor management, service support, and regular reporting. A “country manager light” setup – without the cost of a full subsidiary.
“German is the most widely spoken native language in Europe – it is an official language in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, South Tyrol in Italy, and Eastern Belgium, and present as a minority language in eight more countries, making it a key to the European market.”
Typical Scenarios I Support
Trade fair presence without a subsidiary
An SME from abroad wants to exhibit at a German trade fair but has no local team. I prepare German sales materials, reach out to prospects in advance, and represent them on site – making sure the fair generates real leads instead of just nice pictures.
Distributor search for market entry
A mid-sized manufacturer is looking for sales partners in Germany. I research and qualify potential distributors, arrange first meetings, and coordinate the follow-up process until an agreement is reached.
Local customer support for international firms
A company already sells to German clients but struggles with service and follow-up. I act as their local contact, visiting customers, coordinating spare parts, and reporting regularly to HQ.
Service staff support in Germany
A company sends technicians to Germany for installation or service projects. I help with local coordination, communication, and contacts – so their experts can focus on the technical work instead of getting lost in logistics or language barriers.
Building a local service team
An international firm wants to create a sustainable service setup in Germany. I support by finding local staff, setting up processes, and bridging between HQ and the German customers until the team is fully established.
Market test before investing big
A company is unsure whether Germany is worth the investment. Through short pilot projects, I provide honest feedback from customer conversations and research. This helps them make a clear decision based on facts – and protects them from costly mistakes.
Acting as a “light” country manager
Every company is different
Some firms need more than a consultant but less than a full subsidiary. I represent them in Germany on an ongoing basis – visiting customers, steering distributors, and ensuring their brand builds a reliable presence.
…, but these are the situations I can help with. If you see yourself in one of these scenarios – or if your challenge looks a little different – let’s talk.
I’d be glad to explore how we can make your entry into Germany a success.
“Investing in a local representative for the German-speaking market is not a cost, but an investment — one that ensures your company is truly seen, heard, and valued where it matters most.”
Get in touch
The first step is simple: let’s meet in a short video call and explore what kind of collaboration could be the right fit.
Feel free to send me an email beforehand with your website, product portfolio, or any other relevant information.
If we don’t talk, we’ll never find out what could have been possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Most of my projects cover the full DACH region – Germany, Austria and Switzerland – because business opportunities rarely stop at borders. If you’d prefer to start with Germany first, that’s totally fine. We can always expand step by step, depending on how your journey develops.
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I haven’t personally managed a CE process yet – and I see that as a great opportunity to grow together with my clients. Through my network I’m connected to partners who, via joint ventures with China, have already gone through several CE certifications. With their know-how and my coordination, you won’t have to navigate the process alone. I’m motivated to take this journey with you and make sure we reach the finish line.
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That’s exactly why I offer short pilot projects. You’ll get real feedback from conversations with German prospects and quick market research – not just theory or assumptions. Together we can evaluate the results and decide whether it makes sense to continue, scale up, or pause. It’s about protecting you from costly missteps and giving you clarity before you invest heavily.
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I’ve learned that a mix of monthly retainer and success fee works best for both sides. It shows mutual commitment and keeps things sustainable, especially since German sales cycles can be long. My focus is always on creating a fair, transparent setup where both of us benefit when things move forward.
My projects focus on market entry and business development, not just the sale of an existing product. This means that a large part of the work takes place in the preparation phase – for example: conducting market research, identifying potential customers and partners, reaching out directly, arranging meetings, preparing presentations, building networks, and sometimes even supporting with websites or materials.
All these steps require time, expertise, and consistent effort before any revenue can be generated. At the same time, I have no direct influence over factors such as:
Product quality
Pricing
Delivery times and quantities
Service or warranty commitments
If a project fails later because of these issues, it lies outside my responsibility and influence. A purely commission-based model would not fairly reflect this reality.
Instead, I offer a transparent, partnership-oriented model:
Clear agreements on scope and timelines
Fair compensation for the preparatory and setup phase
Optional success components once markets are developed and deals are closed
This way, both sides have planning security, and we can focus on building a structured and sustainable market entry together.
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II deliberately keep my client base small – usually just a handful of projects at once. This way I can really dedicate time and energy to each company instead of spreading myself too thin. It’s important to me that you feel I’m part of your team, not just another external contact.
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Usually with a short call where we talk about your goals, your current situation, and your expectations. From there we can decide whether a Starter Package makes sense or whether we should design a custom plan. The first step is always simple and low-risk – just an open conversation to see how we can move forward together.
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Let’s put it this way: I had 7 years of French at school, 2 more during my training as an import/export trader, studied a semester in Valenciennes and even lived briefly in Paris. And yet… my French is really bad. 😅 Je suis désolé. So let’s stick to English and German – that’s where I can add real value.
About me
My name is Nik Steinke, born and raised in Geesthacht in northern Germany, close to Hamburg. At 52, I bring not only professional expertise but also a wide range of life and business experience.
I trained as a foreign trade merchant, became a certified marketing specialist and graduated with a degree in International Business Administration from the University of Applied Sciences in Wiesbaden (Diplom-Betriebswirt FH).
Over the years, I have worked and lived in Hamburg, Boston, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt and Neuwied. I studied in Wiesbaden, with semesters in Valenciennes and Helsinki. I traded with West Africa and China. My professional focus has been on marketing, project management and sales, mainly for medium and small-sized companies.
This background allows me to combine international perspective with local expertise – a foundation I now use to help international businesses connect with the German market.
Contact
I’m always happy to hear from new companies, fresh ideas and exciting challenges. Whether you’re just testing the waters or already planning your next step in Germany – let’s talk.
Located right in the middle of Germany, between Cologne and Frankfurt, I’m well positioned to connect you with the market.
Whichever way works best for you – form or email – I’ll make sure to get back quickly. And if you’d like to share additional material such as brochures, presentations, or product information, feel free to include it to nik@devenhall.com.
