Craftsmanship remains a stable pillar of the startup landscape.

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the number of new businesses continues to rise – the skilled trades sector is also proving resilient. The startup report also shows that the startup landscape is becoming more female and more international.

The number of business start-ups in Rhineland-Palatinate has continued to rise. In 2024, 34.508 businesses were registered in the state. This is the second-best result since 2015. This information comes from the Rhineland-Palatinate Start-up Report 2025 The initiative, jointly presented by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce and the Chambers of Skilled Crafts, is highlighted. The eight Chambers of Commerce operate the 31 regional chambers. Starter centers in the country.

"The fact that we are recording a growing business sector in Rhineland-Palatinate for the sixth year in a row is a strong sign for the entrepreneurial spirit in the state," he said. Arne Rössel, Managing Director of the Rhineland-Palatinate Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Association. New businesses are not only drivers of innovation, but also create jobs. Nearly 59 percent of founders plan to employ staff within the first two years.

The report also shows that the startup landscape in the state is becoming more female and international. In 2024, 10.501 women started their own businesses – the highest number in over ten years. Women accounted for 33,4 percent of all new businesses. This puts Rhineland-Palatinate slightly above the national average and in the top third of German states.

The proportion of international startups also increased. Last year, eleven percent of founders came from non-EU countries. This represents an increase of around ten percent compared to the previous year. "Diversity is a clear locational advantage," he said. Karina Szwede, CEO of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Rheinhessen. "Founders from diverse backgrounds bring new ideas, networks and perspectives to our economy."

Craftsmanship is robust

According to the report, the skilled trades sector is proving resilient. Trades requiring a license remained stable, while the number of businesses in unlicensed and craft-like sectors increased slightly. "Founders with practical experience, good qualifications, and regional roots are defying even difficult conditions," said the reporter. Anja Obermann, Managing Director of the Rheinhessen Chamber of Crafts.

The number of craft businesses requiring a license decreased by 562 in 2024 compared to 2023. These businesses now account for 62 percent of all craft businesses (previous year: 63 percent). At the same time, the number of craft businesses not requiring a license increased by 728 (27 percent). Craft-related trades also saw an increase: 136 additional businesses (12 percent of all craft businesses).

Most craft businesses belong to the finishing trades (around 19.500 in Rhineland-Palatinate) and personal service providers (16.000), followed by crafts for commercial needs (7.900) and the construction trades (5.800).

However, for businesses to grow and provide apprenticeships, targeted political support and greater societal appreciation are needed, according to Obermann. A third of founders see this as crucial for fostering an entrepreneurial spirit, particularly in school and academic settings.

Another topic addressed in the report is business succession. 28 percent of aspiring entrepreneurs see acquiring existing businesses as an attractive alternative to starting a new one. The number of acquisitions is growing. At the same time, two-thirds of companies ready for succession still have no concrete plans.

The report identifies a need for improvement in the area of ​​startups. With 65 startups, Rhineland-Palatinate ranks tenth nationwide. Innovative and scalable business models are underrepresented. To remain attractive to startups, reliable structures are needed, such as incubator programs, digital administration, close ties to universities, and a statewide growth fund. "Especially in the early stages, cooperation and networks are crucial for bringing business models to market maturity," emphasized Arne Rössel. The number of economically relevant business start-ups has also increased, reaching over 5.400 in 2024.

Personal consultation and digital platforms: The Chambers of Industry and Commerce and Chambers of Skilled Crafts are focusing on personal consultation and digital platforms such as the Business Workshop Rhineland-Palatinate, the successor workshop or a Nexxt-Change exchangeThe 31 play an important role in start-up consulting. Starter centers in Rhineland-PalatinateIn 2024, they supported more than 15.000 founders with individual consultations, regional networking, and practical assistance. "Our startup centers make starting a business tangible – through personal support and tailored services," explained Rössel and Obermann.

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