Founding of a new business
In Rheinland-Pfalz every successful business start-up creates three to four new jobs on average.
Services of ISB
The ISB and the KFW Mittelstandsbank (bank for small and medium-sized businesses) support business start-ups with a range of programs. Investments concerning either the start-up phase or the so-called "Existenzsicherungsphase", which is defined as the term of the 5 years following the foundation and ensuring the continuation of the business, are eligible for support.
Essential requirements for receiving a promotion are the professional and commercial qualifications of the company's founder. However, it does not matter whether it's a question of a business start-up or the takeover of an existing company.
In most cases, the programs require the foundation of a so-called "Vollexistenz", which means the existance of an independent business activity, whereas the new entrepreneur acts as associate and owner-manager.
A company takeover is usually connected with a business start-up; therefore the currently applied programs for business start-ups also take effect in the case of company takeovers.
Modern Handcraft in Rheinland-Pfalz
As a modern, innovative and creative economic domain, handcraft stands for workmanship and customer orientation. The competence of the master craftsmen, the apprenticeship, the technical expertise of the specialists and the personal commitment of the proprietors guarantee world-class high-tech products.
One in five employments in Rheinland-Pfalz is provided by the handcraft sector. There work more than 340,000 employees and 26,000 apprentices in approx. 48,000 craft businesses.
Handcraft in Rheinland-Pfalz offers a wide range of products and services. Private and public customers appreciate their quality similarly.
Exporting crafts enterprises: About 15% of the companies export to the EU countries, especially to Belgium, Luxembourg and France. The range of qualified and potential partners stretches from small traditionally-minded family businesses to specialized high-tech companies. The four Manual Crafts Chambers offer special Business Exchange Platforms balancing the supply and demand for the skilled trades and the economic sector.
Services of ISB
The Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB) supports handcraft with a range of programs.
Strong medium-sized businesses in Rheinland-Pfalz
Small and medium enterprises are facing basic change processes which are accelerated by the progressive application and expansion of new technologies and the increasing globalization of economic activity. The medium-sized enterprises need to not only react to these changes in order to remain competitive, but also offensively exploit the opportunities. In order to support the economy in Rheinland-Pfalz to meet this challenge, the Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB) offers business support with financing concepts and detailed information.
The specific programs for medium-sized businesses depend on size criteria. Companies that exceed a certain size are not eligible for promotion under the respective programs. Thereby, the so-called SME-frame (SME = small and medium-sized enterprises) of the EU is often used as a scale. Accordingly, companies are eligible, if they have fewer than 250 people and an annual turnover of less than 50 million euros or a balance sheet total of less than 43 million euros.
Services of ISB
Financial economic promotion through the ISB always means also a promotion of SMEs. Medium-sized enterprises create jobs, develop innovative products, production processes and services, and introduce them successfully into the market. The promotional programs of the ISB consider the central role of SMEs for the economy in Rheinland-Pfalz. All programs focus on mid-sized companies. For big enterprises and corporate groups the promotional potential is restricted.