In the first half of 2025, 5,584 companies were founded in Vienna, which corresponds to an increase of eight percent in the previous year. “Vienna once proves that our city is an excellent plaster for economic operators – and thus also the founding capital of Austria. The maximum value of the new foundations since the start of the measurements in 1993 has been exceeded again this year,” says Walter Ruck, President of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce.
Most foundations were in favorites (542/10 percent), followed by Donaustadt (487/9 percent), Leopoldstadt (361/6 percent), country road (356/6 percent) and inner city (278/5 percent). 77 percent founded a sole proprietorship, 13 percent of a GmbH.
The founding forecast for the next few months reflects the robustness of the Viennese business location. According to the current extrapolation, there will be around 10,300 new foundations in Vienna by the end of the year. “The forecast of over 10,000 new foundations until the end of the year underlines: Vienna remains a magnet for entrepreneurial thinking and acting. This is confirmation of the qualities of our business location,” said Ruck.
Desire for more flexibility
The most important motivation for 75 percent of Viennese founders to become self-employed is the more flexible time and lifestyle. Also 75 percent prefer to be your own boss and for 61 percent self -employment offers a new career perspective. 59 percent always wanted to be self -employed.
29 percent were employed in the private sector and 20 percent were in a managerial position before they ventured into entrepreneurship.
Who are the new entrepreneurs?
“The Viennese start-up landscape is as diverse as the city itself-from innovative tech startups to creative one-person companies. This dynamic is a strong sign of the future viability of our business location,” says Ruck.
The strongest group of new founders are 31 to 40 year olds. Around 35 percent started here, followed by the 21- to 30 year olds with around 24 percent.
48 percent have a university degree. 62 percent became self -employed. For 31 percent, the company is a secondary secondary leg.
Founding service of WK Vienna
In the first half of 2025, the start -up service carried out 19,403 telephone and personal consultations; That is around 159 per working day. “One of the central tasks of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce is to accompany founders on their way-with know-how, advice, a strong network and already before the start-up process,” concludes Ruck.
The start-up service of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce is the first point of contact for people who want to found a company in Vienna and, in addition to an extensive online offer, also offers above all telephone consultations, founding website and personal consultations-such as support in creating business plans, advice on finding the right legal form or questions about social insurance.
All information under www.gruenderservice.at