In a Bitkom survey of 250 founders, 95 stated that they would start a business again – despite all the adversities and uncertainties that founding a startup can entail.
#workhardplayhard – The startup lifestyle is often celebrated, but in reality it is usually not very glamorous: long working days, the wooing of investors, the constant battle with administration and, last but not least, the worry about whether your own idea will ultimately prevail in the market or whether you might face bankruptcy.
Nevertheless, German founders would take the step again at any time: 95 percent say they would found a startup again, given their current experience. This is the result of a survey commissioned by the digital association Bitkom among more than 250 startup founders in Germany. Around 8 out of 10 founders (79 percent) would recommend founding a startup to other young people. At the same time, just over one in three founders (31 percent) stated that they were afraid of failing with their startup and thus being considered a failure.
“Those who do not reach their goal deserve respect for the courage to have dared to do something – and should not have to worry about being socially stigmatized,”
says Bitkom President Achim BergHe continues:
“We need a culture of second and third chances if we are serious about Germany becoming a startup nation.”
Further results of the startup survey
- Two-thirds of the startups (64 %) created new jobs in 2016, and three-quarters (77 %) plan to hire additional employees this year.
- On average, each startup in Germany currently employs 18 people. A year ago, the number was just 15.
- More than half of all startups (53) have experienced a vacancy due to a lack of suitable candidates. Developers are particularly sought after.
- Seven out of 10 startups require fresh capital for the next two years, with an average of €2.5 million needed. However, a large majority (85 %) are confident they can raise the capital.
- Only 14 of the startups consider an IPO conceivable in the future, while 14 rule it out entirely. For two-thirds (65), a stock market listing is currently not an option.
- More than half of the founders (55 %) say that the situation for their own startup has improved in the past two years, only 5 % see a deterioration.
- Around 9 out of 10 startups (88 %) are satisfied with their location.
- More than two-thirds (68) of the founders would found their startup in Germany again, compared to just 44 a year ago. At the same time, following the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, the US has become less attractive for German founders: While in 2016, 32 would have preferred to launch their startup in the US if they were to found a new company, today the number is down to just 15.
All results can be found in Bitkom’s “Startup Report 2017,” which is available for free download: Bitkom Startup Report 2017.
