![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.startups.ch\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Gr\u00fcndungen_2016_EN_Grafik.png?resize=617%2C489&ssl=1\")
<\/strong><\/p>\nGreat number of new registrations in 2016<\/strong> Romandy shows strong growth<\/strong> Most founders are male<\/strong> The Ltd. form continues to develop its supremacy<\/strong> Cantonal differences<\/strong>
\nA total of 41,329 new companies were registered in the commercial register in 2016. The 41,000 limit was exceeded for the third consecutive year as a result, however this did not lead to a new start-up record. 2014 still remains the record year with 41,588 new entries.
\nNevertheless, 2016 was still a good year for entrepreneurs, with 0.7% more companies being established than the previous year. This growth suggests that the Swiss economy has stabilised and space has opened up again for innovation. The numerous start-up support programs are also starting to take effect.<\/p>\n
\nConsiderable economic upswing has been observed in recent years in the west of Switzerland. The region of “Arc L\u00e9manique” between Lausanne and Geneva seems to be especially booming. Romandy recorded a very strong growth of 4.8% compared to the previous year. This gives Romandy a relative share of 28.52%, which corresponds exactly to the proportion of the resident population. Particularly strong were the cantons of Vaud and Geneva, with growth rates of 11.55% and 5.31% respectively. Geneva forced the canton of Bern off the podium in 2015 and has managed to successfully maintain its position.
\nGerman-speaking Switzerland achieved a good growth rate of 0.24% compared to 2015. This result already points to an economic recovery in German-speaking Switzerland, as last year resulted in negative growth of -0.58%. German-speaking Switzerland, with 65.29%, does of course have the largest relative share of start-ups.<\/p>\n
\nA clear picture emerges in the 2016 Start-up Report on founders from STARTUPS.CH: 25% of founders are female and 75% male. This ratio remained constant compared to the previous year. Around two thirds of all start-ups at STARTUPS.CH were established by Swiss nationals. Other founders mainly originate from our neighbouring countries, with Germans accounting for an 8.6% share. This was followed by the French and Italians, with a relative share of 4.5% and 4.4% respectively.<\/p>\n
\nThe Ltd. form was able to expand its popularity amongst young entrepreneurs and achieved a share of 37.97% in the 2016 Start-up Report. Sole proprietorships, with a share of 32.91%, and public limited companies, with a share of 20.16% followed suit.
\nThe Ltd. form has blossomed into a favourite for young entrepreneurs since the revision to legislation in 2008. The share of Ltd. start-ups has steadily increased since then. Besides offering an attractive liability regime (only business assets are liable), the Ltd. form offers other advantages such as a low minimum starting capital of CHF 20,000, increased fiduciary duties and a competition ban for shareholders (cf. blog post).<\/p>\n
\nThe strongest canton continues to be Zurich with a growth of 1.01% and a share of 17.93% of all new registrations in Switzerland. Further details on the absolute numbers of new registrations and the relative growth rates of individual cantons can be found in the table below.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.startups.ch\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Gr\u00fcndungen_2016_EN_Grafik_Kantone.png?resize=557%2C734&ssl=1\")