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Incorporations in Switzerland 2023

Fri, 29.12.2023, 12:00

The incorporation numbers for 2023 confirm that there have never been as many companies founded across Switzerland as there were this year. This is revealed by the IFJ study titled "National Analysis of Swiss Company Startups in 2023." In total, 51,637 new startups were registered. This represents a growth of 3.2% compared to the previous year in 2022 and a 2.2% increase compared to the record year of 2021. The Swiss startup scene is booming, and according to the Innovation Scoreboard 2023, it continues to maintain leadership in innovation throughout Europe.

 

Never before have so many people in Switzerland ventured into entrepreneurship. In 2023, 51,637 new startups were recorded. That's an average of around 141 newly registered companies per day. This new record of startups confirms that young entrepreneurs still consider Switzerland an attractive place for business, which is tremendously important for the Swiss economy. This trend is not surprising to Simon May, co-CEO of IFJ, who states, "More and more people are yearning for more freedom in their careers and are willing to fulfill their dream of starting their own company." It's also observable that some founders are choosing part-time self-employment, gradually building their own businesses alongside their regular employment.

The development of company startups not only impacts the job market but also ensures innovation nationwide. According to the latest data from the European Innovation Scoreboard 2023, Switzerland continues to hold the top spot in Europe.

Here is an overview of the demographic distribution of Swiss company startups:




The up-to-date national analysis by IFJ shows how company startups in Switzerland have changed in the overall year 2023 compared to the previous year.

There is a positive entrepreneurial spirit in the major regions

In 2023, the Northwestern Switzerland region (+7.0%) and the Eastern Switzerland region (+5.2%) are the major regions with the highest increase in new startups. The Espace Mittelland region (+4.1%) and Zurich (+4.6%) also report significant growth compared to the  revious year. Only modest growth is observed in the Central Switzerland region (+1.0%) and the Southwestern Switzerland region (+0.9%). The Ticino region, on the other hand, is the only one to show a decrease of -1.2%.

(Source: Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce SOGC; analysis and graph: IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen AG)
 

Cantons with a high number of companies

In 19 cantons, the number of new startups in 2023 has increased compared to the previous year.  Currently, these are the cantons experiencing growth in Swiss company startups: Graubünden (+13.8%), Uri (+12.3%), Neuchâtel (+9.7%), Aargau (+8.6%), Basel-Landschaft (+8.4%), Lucerne (+5.9%), Glarus (+4.8%), Bern (+4.7%), Thurgau (+4.6%), Zurich (+4.6%), St. Gallen (+4.5%), Vaud (+3.5%), Schwyz (+3.0%), Nidwalden (+2.7%), Solothurn (+2.5%), Jura (+2.2%), Basel-Stadt (+1.8%), Fribourg (+1.7%), and Schaffhausen (+1.0%).

Cantons with currently lower startup rates

The cantons with a slight percentage decrease in startup numbers are Valais (-0.4%), Ticino (-1.2%), Geneva (-1.4%), Zug (-2.8%), and  Appenzell Ausserrhoden (-3.3%). The most significant percentage declines in company startups were recorded in the commercial registries of the cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden (-11.8%) and Obwalden (-16.1%).

Legal forms in comparison

In Switzerland, the limited liability company (LLC) is by far the most popular legal form when it comes to starting a new company. A total of 20,419 new LLC's were registered in 2023, representing a 2.7% increase. Surprisingly, there has been a significant rise in newly established general partnerships with 1,540 new registrations, marking a growth of 17.3% compared to the previous year in 2022. On the other hand, there has been a decrease of -5.3% in the number of Ltd.'s.



(Source: Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce SOGC; analysis and graph: IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen AG)

 


Comparison of the last 10 years

With the new record for startups, the year 2023 shows a very positive trend. Over the past 10 years, an average of 45,409 new companies were registered in the Swiss Commercial Register annually. With 51'637 new startups, 2023 has reached the highest level, surpassing the previous years' average by +13.7%.

(Source: Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce SOGC; analysis and graph: IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen AG)
 
 

In these industries, the most companies are founded

The top sectors in the current year include crafts (7,348 startups), consulting (5,176 startups), real estate (4,938 startups), retail (4,807 startups), and finance & insurance (3,443 startups).
 
Comparing to 2022, there is particularly strong growth in the retail sector (+11.7%), consulting (+10.3%), and B2B & B2C services (+8.5%).






 

Swiss founders set a new record for startups

The current trend in the number of new startups shows that Switzerland provides a solid economic foundation for young companies and startups. Despite economic uncertainties and challenges like the energy crisis this year, the Swiss economy is developing positively and has set a new national record for startups. Additionally, the developments in the last quarter of the year are promising for 2024. Compared
to the previous year, the number of company formations in Q4 has increased by 2.8%, and compared to the record year of 2021, it has grown by 3.4%.

The increasing number of startups is also an indicator of confidence in the Swiss economy and its future potential. Young entrepreneurs in Switzerland benefit from various support programs and targeted measures to promote entrepreneurship. If policies and economic actors continue to support entrepreneurship, the number of company formations in 2024 could continue to rise.

The prospects for startup activity also look positive for the next year. Switzerland is still considered the most innovative country in the world (see Global Innovation Index 2023). This is also evident in the results of the European Scoreboard 2023. Company formations play a crucial role in creating new jobs and remain essential for the Swiss economy.

 

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