Schleswig-Holstein is on the upswing: More business start-ups despite the crisis!

Schleswig-Holstein is on the upswing: More business start-ups despite the crisis!

What's going on in Schleswig-Holstein? Despite all the economic uncertainties, entrepreneurial activity is flourishing in Northern Germany. According to NDR, business start-ups will increase briskly in 2025. A total of 17,400 new businesses were registered in the first three quarters, which represents an increase of 5 percent compared to the previous year. This is particularly evident in regions such as Steinburg, Stormarn and Kiel, where the number of start-ups has increased significantly. North Frisia is particularly successful, with the highest number of start-ups per resident.

The reasons for this trend are varied. Economist Robert Gold points out that in times of crisis, new companies are often founded out of necessity or fear of losing jobs. And that, we believe, is a courageous response to challenging circumstances! The Flensburg Chamber of Crafts also reports success: 849 new companies were founded there this year, a clear increase of 10.5 percent.

Growing start-up landscape

The numbers not only show that the desire to start a business is growing, but also that Schleswig-Holstein performs excellently in a nationwide comparison. The Federal Ministry of Economics reports that start-up activity in Germany has reached an all-time high. Around 9.8 percent of 18 to 64 year olds have taken a step into self-employment in the last three and a half years. This development is also reflected in the wide range of registrations, which range from small businesses to larger companies. The Startup SH network supports this entrepreneurial commitment and promotes the development of viable ideas.

When it comes to gender distribution, there is a positive trend: in Schleswig-Holstein, more women are founding companies than men. This development reduces the gender gap in the start-up scene and is a good sign for the future. The chairwoman of StartUp Schleswig-Holstein e.V., Anke Rasmus, emphasizes that the improved funding culture and networking are crucial for this upswing. Since 2016, 62 start-ups have been supported by a start-up grant from the state.

Innovation and education

Another aspect that strengthens the start-up culture is the innovative strength of the regions. Start-ups make a significant contribution to promoting future technologies and are often the origin of creative solutions. Flensburg has become a hotspot for start-ups, with lively workshops on the Südermarkt and in Süderbrarup. The universities are also doing their part: a new course at Flensburg University aims to enable students to set up a company.

Overall, it shows that despite the challenges that these times bring, the entrepreneurial spirit remains alive in Schleswig-Holstein. The coming years could be characterized by dynamic developments in innovative industries. Whatever comes our way, one thing is certain: the entrepreneurial plant in Schleswig-Holstein will continue to grow.