Fulda on the ground: start-up numbers in the basement – ​​where is the entrepreneurial spirit?

Fulda on the ground: start-up numbers in the basement – ​​where is the entrepreneurial spirit?

Despite the enormous challenges, the situation of start-ups in the Fulda district is exciting and full of information, even if the numbers are not the best. According to that Start-up barometer 2025 Fulda takes last place among the Hessian IHK districts, with only 6.30 start-ups per 1,000 inhabitants. For comparison: Offenbach leads the way with a whopping 9.97 start-ups, followed by Frankfurt and Hanau-Gelnhausen-Schlüchtern. In 2024, only 1,751 business registrations were registered in the district, which again accompanied the bottom row in Hesse. In fact, a total of 60,758 business registrations were recorded throughout Hesse, which represents a stark contrast to the high number of deregistrations of 55,986.

The momentum that other regions have is missing in Fulda. Florian Albinger, coordinator of the start-up scene at the Fulda Region Economic Development Agency, emphasizes that many employees feel comfortable in their permanent positions and are less willing to take risks. Low unemployment is also perceived as both an advantage and a curse; While it strengthens the location, it also inhibits the entrepreneurial spirit. But there is also an emerging group that is pushing towards self-employment for reasons such as a better work-life balance and a higher quality of life.

Challenges and opportunities

But the hurdles are numerous. Uncertainties regarding investments and the search for qualified employees prevent many people who want to start a business from realizing their ideas. A lack of commercial space and a tight housing market act as deterrent factors. Despite these difficulties, there has been a remarkable development: the meta-network “Fulda Start-up Region” was created to pool resources and specifically support the start-up processes.

In this context, the role of Fulda University is becoming increasingly important. It promotes entrepreneurial thinking with programs such as entrepreneurship education and competitions that are intended to give potential founders a good hand. Monthly get-togethers and workshops offer a platform for founders to exchange experiences and learn from each other. There will also be an after-work meeting of the Mentoren Elite Club in the Rhön on August 13, 2025, another example of how support is organized.

Need for advice and future outlook

The demand for start-up advice is high in the region, as is the case KfW start-up monitor 2025 shows. The statistics from the Hessian Chambers of Industry and Commerce highlight the committed courage of people to start companies. Kirsten Schoder-Steinmüller, President of the Hessian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, emphasizes the need for simpler start-up conditions in order to pave the way for aspiring entrepreneurs and thereby create digital solutions and fewer bureaucratic hurdles.

In Hesse we are observing a concentration of start-ups in urban areas, particularly in the service sector, trade and construction. The majority of new businesses are founded in the legal form of sole proprietorships, followed by GmbHs. In addition, people with non-German citizenship show an impressive willingness to start a business, which enriches the diversity and innovative strength in the region.

In conclusion, it can be said that despite the challenges, Fulda has a lot of potential. The early-stage commitment and initiatives of universities, coupled with the courage of entrepreneurs, can put the region on the right course. A look into the future shows that it could be worthwhile to further promote the startup-friendly environment and ignite the entrepreneurial spirit - because there are still a lot of opportunities in the air.