Man working at construction site

Reviews

5.0

Start your own HVAC or electrical
business now!

Are you a master or technician looking to start your own business but don't
want to get bogged down in paperwork? Smalt takes care of your back office
and ensures qualified contracts so you can focus on your craft.
Wie Smalt bei Neugründungen unterstützt:

Do you know this?

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Ich will gründen, aber weiß nicht, wo ich anfangen soll

Wir führen dich Schritt für Schritt durch jeden einzelnen Schritt

From Dream to Success: Alpha Energy Ltd.

With our support, Julien and Nick founded their company, secured a KfW loan, and achieved sales of up to €30,000 in the first month.

 

Today, we are building a company together through close daily collaboration that sets new standards in the region.

"Smalt made our start incredibly easy and saved us from major mistakes. The daily collaboration is smooth and results-oriented. We are thrilled!"

In 6 weeks from the initial conversation to the first order

Starting a business with Smalt is that quick.

Brief introduction
15-minute phone call

First non-binding phone call to get acquainted

First deep dive
45-minute online meeting

Get to know the Smalt partnership in detail

Your plan
2x 90min. Workshops in person and online

We will plan your business together

Go Live !
Half-day on-site workshop

Financial model, 6-week start plan, and contract discussion

FAQ on the partnership with Smalt

What do I need to start with Smalt?

You need a master craftsman certificate or equivalent qualification (e.g., senior journeyman regulation, TREI certificate) in an HVAC or electrical trade. Everything else – from business registration to website – we handle for you.

How much starting capital do I need?

Much less than you think! We support you with KfW financing and help you create a realistic business plan. Many of our partners started with less than €10,000 in equity.

How quickly can I start my business?

Typically, you're ready to go within 6-8 weeks – and already have your first customers. During this time, we take care of:

Business registration & insurance
Your own website (SEO-optimized)
Listings on Google, portals & social media
IT setup & tools
First jobs through our B2B partners

You focus on the craft – we make sure customers are there from day 1.

What does the partnership with Smalt cost?

There's no entry fee. Our partnership is based on a success-based contribution. This way, you carry no risk before starting.

Do I also have to handle accounting and administration?

No! That's exactly what we do for you. Customer management, quotes, invoices, accounting – you focus on the craft, we handle the paperwork.

How do I get started?

Simple: Book a free initial consultation. We get to know each other, check if we're a good fit, and then we start your business together.

Do I have dedicated contacts?

Yes. Every partner works with dedicated contacts from:

Customer Success Manager
Marketing & Lead Generation
Finance
Employment Law & Recruiting

Plus regular check-ins with our managing directors.

The people making your daily success possible

Our team of experts is your perfect back office.

Khurram Masood

Khurram Masood

Co-Founder & CEO

Khurram Masood

Co-Founder & CEO

Khurram has over 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur and technology expert—as co-founder of African Leadership University, CPO at Sharpist, and associate partner at McKinsey. He grew up in India and lived and worked in 17 countries before moving to Berlin in 2019. He holds a master's degree in computer science from Stanford University.

Marius Westhoff

Marius Westhoff

Co-Founder & CEO

Marius Westhoff

Co-Founder & CEO

Marius has more than 15 years of entrepreneurial and leadership experience – as a member of the founding team of upGrad, India's largest online education company, as an investor at Learn Capital and Bertelsmann, and as a consultant for McKinsey. He grew up in rural Germany, lived in India and the US, and holds an MBA from Harvard.

Lukas Eisenberg

Lukas Eisenberg

Chief of Staff & Customer Success Manager

Lukas Eisenberg

Chief of Staff & Customer Success Manager

Lukas joined smalt as a Founders Associate. Prior to that, he completed his master's thesis at Stanford University and worked on the investment team of the climate tech venture capital fund Planet A. He grew up in Munich and Moscow and holds an M.Sc. from the Technical University of Munich.

Josh Dunker

Josh Dunker

Key Account Manager & Sales-Coach

Josh Dunker

Key Account Manager & Sales-Coach

Brings over ten years of experience in the electrical and energy technology industry. After starting out in electrical wholesale, he helped craft businesses digitize their purchasing at Contorion and built up a Germany-wide network of installers as Partner Manager at Zolar. At Smalt, he is driving forward the establishment and development of the partner network—with the conviction that master craftsmen can achieve great things with the right structures and partners.

Sara Thierfelder

Sara Thierfelder

Managing Director smalt installations

Sara Thierfelder

Managing Director smalt installations

Sara is a master electrician in the trade and industry with a wealth of experience, having connected over 70 MW of PV systems to the grid over the past 10 years. Before joining smalt, Sara had already been working in the renewable energy business for years, serving both commercial and private customers.

Lina Wegner

Lina Wegner

Finance & Accounting Lead

Lina Wegner

Finance & Accounting Lead

Lina has over 20 years of experience in financial accounting, balance sheet accounting, and payroll accounting—from operational accounting to setting up entire finance departments. She was responsible for HGB financial statements, implemented automation and control processes, and led the finance and payroll teams as well as international integration projects at Zeitgold and Deel Inc.

Lilly Ostendorf

Lilly Ostendorf

HR- & Recruiting Manager

Lilly Ostendorf

HR- & Recruiting Manager

Since 2021, Lilly has been shaping modern HR structures in the skilled trades sector. During her 3+ years at thermondo, she supported the growth of a rapidly scaling company and gained valuable experience in establishing efficient processes and strategic HR planning. At Smalt, she is responsible for the entire spectrum of modern human resources work as HR manager, including recruiting and training qualified specialists and advising managers on labor law.

Mohamad Abou Alfa

Mohamad Abou Alfa

Technical Planning Lead

Mohamad Abou Alfa

Technical Planning Lead

Mohamad is Head of Technical Planning with a degree in mechanical engineering and PMI-CAPM certification. With over three years of experience in the solar industry, he started at Smalt as a Solar Operations Specialist, then became Team Lead, and now heads up technical planning and procurement for residential and commercial projects. His combination of practical experience and structured project management ensures efficient, high-quality solar system installations.

Antonia Kempf

Antonia Kempf

Chief of Staff & Product Manager

Antonia Kempf

Chief of Staff & Product Manager

Antonia operates at the intersection of technology, skilled trades, and company building. Before joining Smalt, she worked in the startup ecosystem and at Project A, one of Europe’s leading early-stage VCs, where she helped build the firm’s venture studio and worked with founders to develop and validate new business ideas. At Smalt, she co-developed the Commercial PV business together with the company’s master electrician, led large-scale projects, and now heads Product Management. In her role, she focuses on empowering partner companies to become local market leaders through technology, services, and operational excellence.