KfW-Start-up Monitor 2016

The number of business founders in Germany fell significantly by 152,000 (-17 %) to 763,000 in the year 2015. The strong labour market led to an above-average decline of 28 % in the number of necessity founders. As necessity founders are more frequently full-timers, their lower number significantly impacted on the number of full-time founders. Economically important start-up groups held their own amid the strong decline. The number of opportunity founders dropped less sharply, by 15 %, while the number of innovative founders even saw a modest rise of 6 %. Digital founders were surveyed for the first time. They make up a good one fifth of start-up activity. They compete more often on international markets than other business founders, which makes them a driving force that strengthens Germany’s competitiveness.

KfW-Start-up Monitor 2016(PDF, 636 KB, non-accessible)

Press release