Young founders bring chocolate and new momentum to Upper Lusatia!

Young founders bring chocolate and new momentum to Upper Lusatia!

Something is happening in Saxony! According to a survey by the KfW Bank, there are only 14 founders for every 1,000 employees every year, which does not make the region a hotspot for starting up companies compared to the rest of the country. Nevertheless, there are also positive developments: A report from Saxon shows that there are almost 700 start-ups in Saxony, with a particular focus on the cities of Leipzig and Dresden. These not only do away with the low number of founders, but also focus on innovative strength. It is therefore no surprise that Saxony is one of the most innovative regions in Europe.

If you look at the special conditions for founders, the state of Saxony is doing everything it can to improve them. The support from the Saxon Development Bank is a crucial factor here. From grants in various areas such as digitalization to microloans for young companies - the chances are not bad if you have a business idea. But it's not just the nationwide initiatives that are important, but also the proximity to universities. More and more young entrepreneurs are looking to collaborate with academic institutions in order to bring innovative ideas to market more quickly.

A new chapter in Mittelherwigsdorf

A particularly encouraging example of entrepreneurial spirit comes from Mittelherwigsdorf, where two young women have founded a confectionery for handmade chocolates. One of the founders even gave up life in the pulsating city to pursue her dream in rural areas. Such encouraging stories could soon appear more often in the Saxon media, because the start-up culture in the region is being actively promoted.

The country's commitment and various networks for start-ups are having an impact. In recent years, Saxony has regularly represented companies in the TOP 50 start-ups in Germany. In 2021, Additive Drives and RecTec even made it to the top - a sign that there is a good knack for innovative ideas here in the Free State too.

Diverse support for young companies

If you look at Saxony's attractiveness as a location for young companies, it quickly becomes clear that the economic diversity and the medium-sized environment offer decisive advantages. There are numerous funding programs available to founders that are specifically tailored to their needs. Regardless of whether it is consulting, digitalization or innovation projects – the support is close and the resources are there.

With a solid foundation of universities, research institutions and established companies, start-ups in Saxony can not only develop ideas, but also successfully implement them. An exciting development is currently taking place in the region's economic life, which shows that anyone who dares to take a new path also has a chance of success. This closes the circle between courage, innovation and support - a combination that Esther and Anna, the chocolate makers, are now exemplifying with their own factory.

In summary, it can be said that Saxony is well on the way to increasing the number of founders and promoting a creative business landscape. So if you stroll through the streets of Saxony with an idea in your head and a chocolate heart in your chest, you could soon be writing your own story.

For further information on the funding opportunities and the start-up landscape in Saxony, those interested can take a look at the website Top 50 startups throw. There is all sorts of useful information there that can inspire and mobilize founders.