2014 sets the record on newly founded startups
2014 set a new record on the amount of register changes in Switzerland. Last year 41’588 register changes were recorded.
Setting the record
While 2013 already set the highest benchmark of over 40,000 register changes, 2014 beat it. The entrepreneurial spirit of startups is on the rise. The increase to 41’588 new entries represents a growth of 1.9% compared to 2013. Especially in the Canton of Lucerne an unusual increase of foundations was registered.
Growth in Lucerne, Basel-Stadt and Vaud
In the canton of Lucerne, an increase of almost 12 percent was recorded while in 2013 with a negative -3.51% the numbers did not look promising. This large increase can be attributed to the current corporate tax reform in the canton. Also Basel-Stadt saw growth: Many entrepreneurs from neighboring countries came over the boarder to found or change their cooperation head offices to Basel – showing a statistical increase of 6.87% in new company entries in Basel-Stadt. In the canton of Vaud, also a 7.05% increase could be recorded. This shows that the “Lake Geneva area” retains its great attractiveness for entrepreneurs.
Stagnating Central Swiss cantons
In recent years, the cantons in central Switzerland were very attractive, out of taxation reasons, for many companies. Tax competition has become more acute among the cantons and therefor also a wider spread company foundations to other cantons can be stated. Already last year some cantons had to state negative growth rates and 2014 does not look any better in this area: Uri has recorded a decrease of -22.73%, in the canton of Obwalden, the decline was almost the same (-19.62%). Also Appenzell-Ausserrhoden has to cope with a significant decline (-10.96%).
Based on the data collected by STARTUPS.CH one can see that Swiss citizens founded two-thirds of the total registered foundations in 2014. While Germans still take the lead in foreign foundations (total of 28.4%) relatively to 2013 a decline of -3% was stated. Some Italians and French filed their company in Switzerland as well and statistically speaking have increased in 2014 with stakes of 15.3% (I) and 6.4% (F).
For the current year STARTUPS.CH expects a stable economic development because other legal issues in the banking and taxing field will be clarified, granting more stability for further growth. Ticino and western Switzerland should continue to benefit from the difficult economic conditions of the neighboring countries and expect further foundations by foreigners in Switzerland.
