In 2015, most new companies were set up by 48-year-old men (1,119). The most common age for women to establish a business was 47 (442 company start-ups). Ten years later, both female and male founders were significantly younger: in 2025, most companies were set up by 35-year-old men (1,375) and 39-year-old women (594).
The only period when the most common age for starting a business was lower was during the COVID-19 crisis. At that time, the largest number of businesses was set up by 32-year-old men (1,072) and 38-year-old women (441).
The fall in the average age of business founders
Over the years, the average age of company founders has fallen in many Cantons; only in Ticino and Uri has the age increased compared to 2015. In 2025, the lowest average ages for founding companies were reported by the Cantons of Glarus (at age 40.7), Solothurn (40.9), and St. Gallen (41.1). The highest average age was reported by the Canton of Ticino, at 45.8.
Sectors with a large number of female founders
Several sectors have a particularly high proportion of women among their founders. A clear majority of women can be seen in the “other personal service activities”, such as hair and beauty salons, at 63.0%, the veterinary sector (at 56.4%), the social sector (at 56.3%), the healthcare sector (55.9%) and in the manufacture of textiles (55.5%).
About the survey
504,725 new businesses were set up in Switzerland in the period from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2025. This figure excludes company subsidiaries. The average age of the founder members could not be established for 89,350 businesses.
Age and number of founders in 2015
Age and number of founders in 2025
