Strong Start-Up Growth and New Support Consulting for Entrepreneurs in NRW in 2025

In 2023, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) saw a dynamic entrepreneurial landscape with 57,336 new companies founded, representing an 8.6% founding rate—slightly above the national average of 8.4% according to Information and Technology NRW data. Major cities like Cologne and Düsseldorf led in start-up numbers with 5,054 and 3,487 respectively, while Herne boasted the highest founding rate at 10.7%. Sector-wise, arts, entertainment, and recreation showed the highest founding rate of 11.1%, contrasting sharply with education and health sectors' lower rate of 6.0%. Notably, arts experienced 14.4% more start-ups than closures, whereas mining and manufacturing saw 23% more closures than new businesses. In parallel with these encouraging statistics, entrepreneurs and founders in the region have access to new support opportunities. On November 13, Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft Südwestpfalz (WFG) together with Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB) is offering a free consultation day in Pirmasens. The event targets those seeking funding guidance, covering diverse financing options, including public funding programs tailored to business establishment and growth. Sessions, which last about an hour, will be conducted in person if there are enough participants or digitally if not, with registration required by November 10. These developments highlight NRW’s thriving start-up ecosystem and ongoing efforts to provide practical support for founders and entrepreneurs in 2025.