This study examines the characteristics of successful regional start-up ecosystems. Both commercial and freelance start-ups in the period 2017 - 2019 are taken into account. The (401) districts and independent cities in Germany are considered as the regional unit. A good transport and telecommunications infrastructure, a high population density and a good endowment with social resources prove to be the defining characteristics of a start-up ecosystem with a high propensity to start up among the population. They are mostly, but not only, found in urban regions. In at least 11 rural regions, the propensity to start a business is above average.