2024 breaks the company foundation record again
The daily start-up figures for 2024 are in - and they set another record. Never before have so many companies been founded in Switzerland as this year. According to the latest study by the IFJ Institute for Young Entrepreneurs "National Analysis of Swiss Company Formations 2024", 52,978 new start-ups were registered. This surpasses the record year of 2023, in which a high of 51,637 start-ups was already achieved.
A new Swiss start-up record is set with 52,978 new companies founded. This represents growth of 2.6% compared to the previous record year of 2023. Simon May, Co-Managing Director of the IFJ, explains: "The continuous increase in company start-ups reflects the desire of many people for professional self-realization and independence. In particular, the increase in part-time self-employment offers many founders the opportunity to take the step into self-employment with little risk." Switzerland also offers various government and private sector support services to help founders on their way to starting their own business.
Positive effects for the Swiss economy
Rising numbers of start-ups are not only an indicator of the entrepreneurial spirit in Switzerland, but also have far-reaching consequences for the economy. They create new jobs, promote competition and drive innovation. According to the European Innovation Scoreboard 2024, Switzerland remains the undisputed leader in innovation in Europe. The increasing dynamism in the start-up scene strengthens the foundations of the Swiss economy and shows that Switzerland remains a highly competitive location. "A strong start-up engine is a key factor for a resilient and innovative economy," emphasizes May.
The start-up statistics in detail
It is also interesting to note that in both record years, significantly more companies were founded at the beginning and end of the year. And that the two record years were evenly matched in terms of the number of start-ups per quarter. A more detailed look at the figures for 2024 further illustrates the attractiveness and potential of Switzerland as a start-up location.
Positive start-up mood prevails in the major regions
In 2024, Southwestern Switzerland (+6.3%) is the major region with the strongest growth in new start-ups. Espace Mittelland (+3.4%) and Ticino (+3.0%) also recorded significant growth compared to the same period of the previous year. Moderate growth was recorded in the regions of Central Switzerland (+2.0%), Zurich (+1.2%) and Eastern Switzerland (+1.1%). Northwestern Switzerland was the only region to record a decrease of -1.0%.
Cantons with a high start-up
In 19 cantons, the number of new start-ups increased in 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year. These are currently the cantons with a growth in Swiss company formations: Appenzell Innerrhoden (+25.0%), Uri (+13.1%), Appenzell Ausserrhoden (+12.8%), Fribourg (+11.5%), Valais (+10.7%), Zug (+6.0%), Vaud (+5.5%), St. Gallen (+5.1%), Geneva (+4.7%), Obwalden (+4.1%), Glarus (+3.2%), Ticino (+3.0%), Bern (+2.6%), Nidwalden (+1.3%), Zurich (+1.2%), Jura (+1.1%), Schwyz (+0.6%), Aargau (+0.5%) and Neuchâtel (+0.1%).
Fewer start-ups are currently being founded in these cantons
The cantons with a slight percentage drop are Basel-Stadt (-0.8%), Graubünden (-0.8%), Solothurn (-1.9%), Lucerne (-3.0%), Schaffhausen (-4.1%), Basel-Landschaft (-4.9%) and Thurgau (-7.6%).
Legal forms in comparison
In Switzerland, sole proprietorships are the fastest-growing legal form in 2024, with growth of +3.4% compared to the same period last year. The public limited company (AG) follows with solid growth of +2.4%, while the limited liability company (GmbH) grew by +1.5% and remains the most popular legal form for start-ups. The equally relevant legal form of general partnership recorded a decline of -1.2%.
Comparison of the last 10 years
With the new foundation record, the year 2024 shows a very positive trend. On average over the last 10 years, 46,552 new companies were entered in the Swiss commercial register each year. With 52,978 new start-ups, 2024 recorded the highest level and, at +13.8 %, is well above the average of previous years.
The most start-ups are in these sectors
The three sectors that made it onto the podium this year are crafts (5,555 start-ups), consulting (5,256 start-ups) and real estate (4,883 start-ups). They are closely followed by retail (4,585 start-ups) and B2B & B2C services (4,379 start-ups). However, it is interesting to note that the Swiss start-up landscape is very diverse with the 21 sectors assigned in our study. With 5,555 new registrations, the most successful sector, crafts, only accounts for 10.4% total start-ups and illustrates the diversity of the start-up landscape.
Swiss founders break the start-up record again
The current figures for 2024 confirm this: Switzerland remains a first-class location for young companies and start-ups. The strength of the Swiss economy and its innovative power are demonstrated by a new national record for company start-ups. Despite global uncertainties, the number of start-ups increased significantly and even surpassed the previous record year of 2023.
Simon May explains: "This new start-up record illustrates the entrepreneurial spirit in Switzerland and the high willingness to realize one's own dreams and take entrepreneurial risks in a relatively stable national environment. The importance of start-ups for a well-functioning economy is also illustrated by the latest figures from the FSO. Every year, 8% of all Swiss companies are newly founded. More than every 10th employee works in a company that is less than 10 years old. The increasing number of start-ups contributes significantly to the creation of new jobs and to Switzerland's economic resilience. With a stable political system, first-class infrastructure and targeted support programs, Switzerland can look back on another successful year."
Although the financing volume for technology-based start-ups is still below the record levels of 2021 and 2022, there are various positive signs. These include rising investment in the biotech and medtech sectors, an increasing number of funding initiatives and the fact that Horizon Europe will once again be open to Swiss investments from January 2025. This underlines Switzerland's leading position in the global innovation environment.
The prospects for 2025 are promising. The digital transformation with artificial intelligence and the strong entrepreneurial spirit are continuing to stimulate the Swiss economy.
Source: www.ifj.ch
