Switzerland has never seen as many newly created companies as in 2024. In fact, the Swiss commercial register had 52,978 new companies registered at the end of the year. A figure up 2.6% compared to 2023, where growth was already strong, according to the online platform STARTUPS.CH and the IFJ institute for young businesses.
“It is above all the strong return of the cryptocurrency market which has given impetus to the start-up sector,” they note. On an overall regional level, French-speaking Switzerland remains on the path of growth, while the canton of Zurich has experienced solid development, as usual. The sector is expected to continue to grow in 2025.
It was low interest rates that gave young entrepreneurs a boost. “The demand in crafts, real estate and construction is high, which is taking advantage of craftsmen to launch themselves into independence,” notes Michele Blasucci, founder and boss of STARTUPS.CH.
The number of new registrations increased by almost 20% in the craft and trade segment; the same in real estate. The consumer and trade sectors as well as IT experienced growth of around 10%.
Growth is evident in almost all regions. But it is especially in French-speaking Switzerland that the number of young companies has increased (+6.4%). The cantons of Friborg and Valais have done well. They are among the champions in the creation of start-ups with increases of 11.5 and 10.7%; However, far behind Appenzell Innerrhoden, which recorded an increase of 25%, or Uri (+13.1%).
