Foundation Report March 2023: The positive trend continues
In March 2023, a total of 5,036 companies were founded in Switzerland, which corresponds to an increase of about 13.71% compared to the previous month and an increase of about 8.05% compared to the previous year. The positive trend from previous months is thus continuing.
Solid Northwest Switzerland
In March 2023, a total of 1,136 companies were founded in Northwestern Switzerland, representing an increase of 12.81% compared to the previous month and an increase of 9.34% compared to the previous year. Basel-Landschaft was the best performing canton in this region with a growth of 21.10% compared to the previous month and 14.78% compared to the previous year. In contrast, the numbers in Basel-Stadt remained almost unchanged, with a slight decrease of 0.80% compared to the previous month and an increase of only 3.33% compared to the previous year. In the canton of Bern, the number of new startups increased by 19.68% compared to the previous month and by 13.55% compared to the previous year. In Aargau, there was also positive growth, with an increase of 14.95% compared to the previous month and 6.95% compared to the previous year.
Strong increase in start-ups in Eastern Switzerland
A total of 643 companies were founded in eastern Switzerland. Of these, 290 were in the canton of St. Gallen and 141 in the canton of Thurgau. Compared to the previous month, Eastern Switzerland recorded an overall increase of 17.55%, which corresponds to an increase of 96 start-ups. In the canton of St. Gallen, the number of new startups increased by 22.88% compared to the previous month, corresponding to an increase of 54 startups. The canton of Thurgau recorded an increase of 17.50% or 21 additional start-ups in the same period.
Compared to the previous year, the number of new startups in Eastern Switzerland as a whole increased by 12.61%, which corresponds to an increase of 72 startups. The canton of St. Gallen recorded a strong increase of 26.09% or 60 additional start-ups. In the canton of Thurgau, the increase was slightly lower with an increase of 6.02% or 8 additional start-ups.
French-speaking Switzerland: Swiss top performer
Similar to February 2023, French-speaking Switzerland also recorded a high number of startups in March 2023. A total of 1,455 new companies were founded, representing an increase of 15.57% compared to the previous month and an increase of 7.54% compared to the previous year. In the canton of Vaud, there were a total of 493 startups, representing an increase of 15.73% compared to the previous month and an increase of 5.34% year-on-year. In Geneva, a total of 444 start-ups were recorded, representing an increase of 21.31% compared to the previous month and an increase of 9.90% compared to the previous year.
Positive development in Central Switzerland
In March 2023, a total of 722 new companies were founded in Central Switzerland. Of these, 289 were in the canton of Zug and 220 in the canton of Lucerne. Compared to the previous month, the number of startups in Central Switzerland increased by 131 (+22.17%). The canton of Zug recorded a particularly high increase of 76 (+35.68%) compared to the previous month, while the canton of Lucerne only recorded a minimal increase of 2 (+0.92%).
Compared to the previous year, Central Switzerland recorded a total of 70 (+10.74%) more startups. The Canton of Zug recorded a slight increase of 9 (+3.21%), while the Canton of Lucerne recorded a significant increase of 36 (+19.57%).
Outlook
The March 2023 startup report again shows a positive trend in company formations in Switzerland. Particularly encouraging is the strong increase in startups in French-speaking Switzerland and in the cantons of Zug and Lucerne in central Switzerland.
It remains to be seen whether this trend will continue. The March 2023 figures are an encouraging sign for prospective company founders.
