New entrepreneurs are pioneers in the market. They develop new products and new processes and have to hold their own against the competition. Entrepreneurial independence is a vital prerequisite for a country’s prosperity.
Globalisation and the increasing use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) are paving the way towards more self-employment. They are leading to a reorganisation of the way in which tasks are shared within and outside companies, ultimately becoming a knowledge society. This restructuring creates great scope to set up new, independent businesses.
Structural transformation is global – business start-ups are regional. Here, IHKs are the "number one address" for new entrepreneurs. In an interview, entrepreneurs are advised on the formal qualifications that are required to set up a business, on individual, specialist and commercial requirements as well as on the contents of a written business concept. Business start-ups can begin with the take-over of an existing firm. Here, the IHKs provide a forum to establish links between founders of a new business and entrepreneurs seeking a solution for succession.
Local business start-ups have a strong, regional focus. It is at local level, too, that the new entrepreneur is given first-hand advice. The DIHK provides relevant information on business start-ups throughout Germany and ensures the exchange of experience between the IHKs. Thus, the IHK organisation takes account of the subsidiarity principle.
For German companies seeking new or additional investment abroad, the organisation offers privileged access to target markets through the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad. The Chambers of Commerce Abroad are a top address that is available in the 80 most important markets world-wide, and they provide consultancy services based on their wealth of market knowledge.