Starting up in Münsterland: A success story

Having an idea is not difficult - but developing it, bringing it to life, implementing it and marketing it is. But whoever dares wins - and the Münsterland supports you in doing so.

Because nowhere in NRW is it more likely than in Münsterland that a business or company start-up will be permanently successful . This high quality of start-ups is typical of the people of Münsterland, who like to dare to make a new start, but first think it through and plan it thoroughly. In figures: On average, 42 percent of the founders in Münsterland are still on the market after five years. The NRW average is only 36.4 percent, and this development continues in the following years.

Incidentally, according to the nationwide Start-up Radar 2022, Münster University and Münster University of Applied Sciences are among the top 20 start-up universities among large universities. This means that they offer start-up-friendly conditions for students.

More information for founders

You have an exciting idea in your head? Are you a problem solver and do you like being your own boss? Then founding is exactly the right thing for you! Numerous exciting personalities have already taken this path and been successful. Also in Münsterland. Because there is a great variety of new business ideas in the region.

Many service providers in Münsterland have also decided to take this step and become self-employed with tax consultancies, architecture offices, cleaning services or travel agencies, for example. And: Especially in the manufacturing sector, the number of start-ups has risen particularly quickly in recent years.

You want to take this step? Wonderful! Then you've come to the right place. Here you can get more information and tailor-made support.

The state of NRW also provides a lot of information for potential founders. You can find out more about financing, possible competitions, start-up stories and advisory services at www.gründen.nrw.

Advice centres and networks on the topic of founding

The company succession

Do you dream of having your own carpentry workshop? Or can you imagine running a hotel one day? Exciting ideas! Have you ever thought about a business succession? Because there is a lot of potential in this. If you extrapolate the Germany-wide estimates of the number and structure of business successions to the Münsterland region, around 3,000 businesses are up for handover between 2018 and 2022. Slightly more than half of the businesses will be passed on within the family, just under 20 percent within the company and just under one third outside the company. No matter which form is suitable for you: This gives you the chance to become self-employed, to build on what you already have and to realise your own potential!

Are you interested in taking this exciting step? Then get more information from the contact persons below or listen to exciting podcasts.

Company successor interview

Two years after the podcast interview in the podcast "Business Succession in Münsterland", business successors tell us how they fared. Did they regret taking over the company? What challenges did they face? And what's next for the company? These and other questions are answered here!

A video portrait of a company successor

  • Company succession Julius Gräler and his father
    © Detlef Muckel
    Julius Gräler

    Julius Gräler from Münster has recently taken over the succession of the company Kootstra Rad- und Schiffsreisen. This decision was not a matter of course for him, because the 30-year-old had originally taken a completely different career path. In the joint project Gründergeist #Youngstarts Münsterland, Julius got the opportunity to exchange ideas and network with like-minded people.

    Learn more

Support for solo self-employed

Already set up your own business, but want to develop your business model further as a self-employed person? Get information on low-threshold support measures here.

Your contact person

Frank Sibbing
© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting
Frank Sibbing
Regional support for innovation and start-ups
Project manager for “Grünes Gründen Münsterland”
Project manager for “Zukunft Unternehmensnachfolge Münsterland”

0049 2571 94 93 46

Workshops, seminars, counselling

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Aug
19
Mi
IHK Expert Consultation Day on Financing
19.08.2026, 09:00 19.08.2026, 16:30
Münsterland, Münster
Organiser: IHK Nord Westfalen
Dialogues
Virtual

There are attractive funding and grant schemes available from the state and federal governments for business expansions, relocations, restructuring, takeovers and turnarounds, as well as for investments aimed at environmental transformation or resource efficiency. The North Westphalia Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Nord Westfalen), together with experts from NRW.BANK and Bürgschaftsbank NRW, provides information on these in one-to-one consultations, which conclude with tailored recommendations for action.

The support and advisory services are aimed at existing businesses and potential successors who have specific capital requirements and wish to learn more about a sustainable financing structure. Start-up projects requiring more than 150,000 euros in capital are also well catered for here.

Time
19.08.2026, 09:00 19.08.2026, 16:30
Location
Münsterland
 
48143 Münster
Links
Prices
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Nov
26
Thu
Transformation Münster.LAND
26.11.2026, ca.16:30 26.11.2026, 20:00
Port cheese dairy, Münster
Organiser: Münsterland e.V.
Dialogues
Project
Lecture

Taking stock. Shaping the future.


Together, we have made a difference, brought about change and shaped the future. Now is the time to take stock of the successes of our three ERDF projects and look ahead to new ones.
Join us as Grünes Gründen Münsterland, the Münsterland Circular Economy Region and Sustainable Innovation Münsterland take stock together.

• When: Thursday, 26 November 2026
• Where: Hafenkäserei Münster (Am Mittelhafen 20, 48155 Münster)
•    What to expect: A review of the project results, exciting real-world examples, time for discussion and networking, and a joint closing event.


Please make a note of the date now! An official invitation with the detailed programme and registration details will follow shortly.


Time
26.11.2026, ca.16:30 26.11.2026, 20:00
Location
Port cheese dairy
Am Mittelhafen 20
48155 Münster
Prices
kostenlos
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