Even the British vote on Brexit does nothing to change this: The German economy’s growth trajectory remains unbroken as the second half of 2016 begins. “The German economy is proving resilient,” said Clemens Fuest, president of the ifo Institute, recently. This also applies to startups. Three out of four expect an increase in revenue for 2016, and one in two even anticipates double-digit growth. These findings come from a survey of 400 startups conducted by the accounting firm PwC.
Founders also attribute the positive outlook to the conditions in their respective locations: 85 percent rate their city as startup-friendly. In general, favorable financing options also help these startups. However, about one in two founders had to go to great lengths to convince investors of their business idea.
That said, many startups struggle to find suitable employees. 74 percent report difficulties in finding the right staff. To address this problem, about 50 percent primarily rely on personal contacts and referrals. However, searching through one’s own network often fails to meet objective standards. Moreover, personal contacts are eventually exhausted.
In general, partnerships can also help, as the study mentioned above shows. 72 percent of startups are already working closely with at least one partner. 78 percent are looking for (additional) partners. “Collaborations open the door to new markets, customer groups, and distribution channels,” says Philipp Medrow of PwC. Particularly noteworthy: Startups primarily seek to collaborate with established companies from which they can still learn a great deal. Conversely, as a study by Altana has shown, there is also significant interest on the other side. One in five companies with more than 1,000 employees is investing in startups to promote innovation.
However, the staffing crisis facing startups cannot be compared to the difficulties faced by companies seeking a successor. Currently, there are about three times as many entrepreneurs looking for a successor or wanting to sell as there are people interested in taking over a business. Especially in times of such a striking imbalance, professionalism is essential. Those who wish to proceed professionally should utilize the services of business marketplaces such as the Deutsche Unternehmerbörse (www.dub.de). On this marketplace—which has the widest reach—you can post a purchase request or find an investor.
