Survey: Many successful founders today would prefer to go abroad

Many particularly successful company founders are critical of Germany as a location – and in retrospect would go abroad. Only 47 percent of the founders of billion-dollar start-ups, so-called unicorns, would currently set up their business in Germany again. This is shown by a survey by the digital association Bitkom.

Almost a quarter (24 percent) would choose the USA, 12 percent would choose another EU country and 12 percent would also start a business elsewhere in the world. “Founders are career optimists, their critical assessments of Germany as a start-up location must make people sit up and take notice,” says Bitkom President Ralf Wintergerst.

17 founders of German unicorns who are still active in management took part in the survey. Unicorns are unlisted start-ups that are valued at at least one billion euros. According to the information, there are currently 27 such companies in Germany.

“Start-ups have to be a top priority”

The most important demand from the founders surveyed is a comprehensive reduction in bureaucracy (76 percent). 41 percent want further harmonization of the EU internal market to make it easier to enter new markets. 35 percent would like to have completely digital visa procedures in order to be able to attract foreign skilled workers from outside the EU more easily.

A few weeks before the federal election, the startup association demanded that the next federal government quickly present a new strategy with clear goals for the start-up industry. “Start-ups have to be a matter for the management,” said CEO Verena Pausder. The digitalization of administration must be given priority and spin-offs from research and universities should be accelerated. Incentives are also needed so that more money from large investors flows into venture capital.