Press releases

Press release | 23.04.2024 More process and product innovations in Germany than the EU average

More than every third company (36%) developed new products, imitated innovations from competitors, or further developed their own products between 2018 and 2020. While the majority (63%) of companies with more than 250 employees did so, only every third small enterprise and 44% of medium-sized …

Press release | 16.04.2024 The EU single market is and remains the most important foreign market for the industrial Mittelstand

The European single market is of highest importance for Mittelstand industrial enterprises, both as procurement and as sales market, surpassing all other foreign markets. Following behind with great distance are markets in other European countries and in China.This was revealed by an IfM survey of …

Press release | 08.04.2024 Startups in the liberal professions continue to rise

The number of startups in the liberal professions increased by 1.7% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching around 94,670. This means that once again, more freelancers took the path to self-employment than in the previous year.

Press release | 02.04.2024 Sustainability in Mittelstand Enterprises: The reporting obligations for a few have implications for many

The necessity of an ecological transformation has now become a societal consensus. According to a previous study by the IfM Bonn, Mittelstand enterprises in Germany also predominantly support the ecological transformation.

Press release | 25.03.2024 Companies wish more Trust from the Government

Vier von zehn Unternehmerinnen und Unternehmern fühlen sich durch die aktuellen bürokratischen Vorgaben in ihrer unternehmerischen Eigenverantwortung eingeschränkt. Rund ein Viertel von ihnen hält es für wichtig, dass die unternehmerische Expertise stärker in die Gesetzgebungsprozesse einfließt, …

Press release | 21.02.2024 SMEs in Germany are larger in comparison to the European average – and use more often Artificial Intelligence

In small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany, an average of 6.8 employees work, significantly more than the EU average of 3.5 employees.

Press release | 03.01.2024 EU internal market as a crisis anchor

The industrial Mittelstand companies follow the current geopolitical crises and conflicts with great concern and take first precautions: Indeed, China generally remains important to companies as a procurement market since the country holds a monopoly-like position for some raw materials.

Press release | 11.12.2023 Only a few Hidden Champions use artificial intelligence (AI) so far

Although Hidden Champions use artificial intelligence (AI) applications and processes more frequently (18.8%) than other companies in the manufacturing sector (8.9%), they do not yet appear to be exploiting the potential of AI. This is the result of a survey conducted by IfM Bonn among companies in …

Press release | 30.11.2023 Small and medium-sized enterprises are disadvantaged when participating in public tenders

"In principle, it is to be welcomed that the German government wants to amend public procurement to make it more efficient and sustainable. However, the consequences for small and medium-sized enterprises should also be considered," explains Dr Nadine Schlömer-Laufen, project leader at the Institut …

Press release | 22.11.2023 Doing business under difficult conditions

"We are focusing on the reduction of administrative burdens for businesses. Cutting red tape is especially important for SMEs. They have limited time and resources compared to larger companies when it comes to the fulfillment of information- or reporting requirements.

Press release | 20.11.2023 INSM study: Bureaucracy is becoming a brake on growth / 58 per cent of companies want to invest less due to bureaucracy

A recent study conducted by the Institut für Mittelstandsforschung (IfM) in Bonn on behalf of the New Social Market Economy Initiative (INSM) shows that the burden of bureaucracy has now become a key obstacle to investment. Most companies are investing less in Germany because of bureaucracy.

Press release | 25.10.2023 Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remain an important economic sector in Germany

Nearly 3.4 million companies in Germany are classified as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) according to the European Commission's definition of SMEs. This is more than 99 % of all companies in the business sector. With more than 2.4 trillion euros, SMEs generated more than 31 % of the total …

Press release | 17.10.2023 What small and medium-sized enterprises need now

"In the current situation, SMEs need good and reliable framework conditions to play to their strengths again in (global) competition – and no sectoral and size-related support measures. The support measures would only cement the obsolete image of SMEs that cannot master economically difficult times …

Unternehmen mit Schornsteinen vor blauem Himmel

Press release | 20.09.2023 Companies in Germany are adapting to the consequences of extreme weather events

In the last 5 years, many entrepreneurs have experienced the consequences of climate change: extreme weather events have already impacted their entrepreneurial business activities. Companies from agriculture, energy and water supply, and the hospitality industry were particularly affected.

Press release | 08.09.2023 Start-up figures remain constant despite economic challenges in the first half of 2023

46,400 companies with a main branch were founded in the first half of 2023. This includes start-ups with an entry in the commercial or craft register – or with one or more employees. These numbers remained largely constant in comparison to the first half of 2022.