STARTUPS.CH | Preparation for self-employment

Checklist - The most important steps in the preparation phase as a student

Tipps from STARTUPS.CH

We will show you step by step how you can best prepare yourself for professional independence and what you should bear in mind when doing so. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Costumer Care Centre.

Formulate the business idea

The basis of your company is a good business idea. Ideally, it should be innovative, have a unique selling point and be compatible with your interests, hobbies or profession, so that you can combine different activities.

Self analysis

Ask yourself and your friends and family where your strengths and weaknesses lie. What can you already do? What do you still have to learn? Where do you need external support?

Market segmentation

Think about who your customer should be. Divide the company into smaller homogeneous groups and decide on some segments you want to address with your product or service.

Creating a business plan

Create a business plan that contains the most essential information about your company to have a complete overview. In this way you can bring structure into the uncertain future and deal with problems early on.

Acquire know-how

During the self-analysis you got to know yourself better. Now you can start to deal with the topics in which you want to improve your skills. For example, visit our free seminar Founding a company.

Trust experts

You should trust experts when it comes to the points on which you want to get support. Get advice from experts and do your bookkeeping and tax returns. We recommend STARTUPS.CH.

Choose legal form

The next step is to decide on the legal form your company should have. Below we will introduce you to the three most popular forms of sole proprietorship, limited liability company and public limited company.

Determine the persons involved

Depending on the chosen legal form, you must decide which other persons - such as partners, shareholders and board members - should participate in your company.

Minimum capital

A minimum capital of CHF 20,000 and CHF 100,000 respectively is required for a limited liability company and a public limited company.

Determine the domicile of the company

Determine where the domicile and therefore the headquarters of your company should be located. Here you must already decide whether you want to run your company from home or whether you want an official company headquarters at an external address.

Download the checklist as PDF here!

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Checkliste for preparation for independence

Finding the right business idea as a student

Ideas for becoming independent in Switzerland

When you start a business, it is very important that you have a unique, well thought-out and suitable business idea, which you as a Youngpreneur stand behind and are enthusiastic about. In the following we will show you how to find such a business idea.

In the beginning, think about problems that occur again and again in your everyday life or in your environment or that are omnipresent. Afterwards, you should look for solutions or business models on the market that already address this problem. Make a list and find out to what extent these solutions make sense. Now think about what you would do differently or how you could solve the problem more effectively or efficiently. Now you should analyse the extent to which opportunities and risks exist and how you can use opportunities or avoid risks.

What solutions / business ideas already exist?

Are these solutions / business ideas useful?

How can I solve the problem in a better way?

How can I use opportunities and avoid risks?

Choose the appropriate legal form for your company

Basically, you should choose a legal form that is individually aligned to your business. We recommend these three legal forms for your entry into self-employment: Sole proprietorship, limited liability company or public limited company.

The sole proprietorship simply explained

Would you like to carry out a commercial activity on your own in your self-employment, and pursue your idea without restrictions? Then the most popular legal form for founders in Switzerland is the right choice. The establishment of a sole proprietorship is uncomplicated, does not require a minimum investment and has no legal personality of its own. Many youngpreneurs who set up a company choose this legal form to start with.

Minimum capital

No minimum capital is required when setting up a sole proprietorship.

Purpose of use

A sole proprietorship is suitable for businesses that are managed by one person.

Number of persons

Only one person can be the owner.

Company name

If you are setting up a sole proprietorship, the only rule on the name is that your surname must be included. You are also free to use your first name or other imaginative or factual names.

Advantages of a
sole proprietorship

The sole proprietorship enables an uncomplicated and informal activity.

No compliance with company law provisions is required.

No minimum capital is required.

There is no double tax burden on income and assets, as there is largely no distinction between business and private assets.

Disadvantages of a
sole proprietorship

You as the owner have unlimited liability with your private assets.

You cannot bring in partners who are involved in the company.

There is no unemployment benefit.

Depending on the canton, you may not receive child or education allowances.

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The limited liability company simply explained

The limited liability company is a legal form with legal personality in which you, alone or together with other persons, form a company. The respective liability of the partners is limited to the amount of their registered share capital.

Minimum capital

The minimum capital of a limited liability company is CHF 20,000.

Purpose of use

The limited liability company is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Number of persons

At least one partner and one manager are required. You can hold both positions at the same time. A managing director with signing authority must be resident in Switzerland.

Company name

You are free to choose the name of your company. The only rule is that you must add the suffix GmbH to the company name.

Advantages of a
limited liability company

At CHF 20,000 the minimum capital is comparatively low.

You are only liable with your business assets and not with your private assets.

Participation by other shareholders is possible.

Disadvantages of a
limited liability company

There is a publication obligation for the distribution of the shares. The shareholders are therefore not anonymous.

You have more regulations with this legal form than with the sole proprietorship, because you have to comply with the company law regulations.

You will be taxed twice at the level of the limited liability company and as a shareholder.

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The public limited company simply explained

The public limited company enjoys a good reputation among the public. With it, personal liability can be excluded, since only the business assets can be held liable for the liabilities. The public limited company has legal personality.

Minimum capital

In the case of a public limited company, the minimum capital is CHF 100,000, of which at least CHF 50,000 must be paid in cash.

Purpose of use

The public limited company is suitable for all profit-oriented companies.

Number of persons

There must be at least one shareholder and one board member. One person may hold both positions simultaneously. One board member with signing authority must be a resident of Switzerland.

Company name

When establishing a public limited company, you can define a freely chosen company name with the addition AG.

Advantages of a
public limited company

The anonymity of investors and shareholders can be guaranteed.

You and all other shareholders are only liable with the business assets and thus with the share of the share capital.

The transfer of shares is simple.

Disadvantages of a public limited company

The foundation of a public limited company involves high costs and complex formalities.

The minimum capital is comparatively high at CHF 100,000.

You have a double tax burden on income and assets.

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Download the information sheet as PDF here!

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We advise you individually and according to your needs!

Select a location near you.

You do not know which legal form is right for you? Book an appointment online for an individual consultation with our experts. We are available to you on site or via Skype call.

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We support you before, during and after the launch of your company

Start your own business with STARTUPS.CH!

STARTUPS.CH is the market leader in Switzerland for successful company foundations. Benefit now from our experience and expertise through these offers:

Personal advice

We are represented throughout Switzerland with 26 locations and speak 4 languages.

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Business incorporation

Start with us: choose the package that perfectly fits your company’s goals and start your business online.

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Registry of commerce entry

Modify your registry of commerce entry conveniently online. With the help of our lawyers.

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Change of the legal form

Simply convert your sole proprietorship into a LLC or PLC. Our experts are at your disposal.

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Contract preparation

Play it safe by selecting the ideal templates. With our document boxes and legally checked contracts.

contract catalogue

Trademark protection

Protect your brand and let us constantly monitor your trademark rights.

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Preparation as a Youngpreneur

What a student needs to consider in the preparation phase for self-employment

Become a Youngpreneur now. Easy. Online. Found it.

Checklist - The most important steps in the preparation phase as a student

Tipps from STARTUPS.CH

Finding the right business idea as a student

Ideas for becoming independent in Switzerland

Choose the appropriate legal form for your company

The sole proprietorship simply explained

Advantages of a
sole proprietorship

Disadvantages of a
sole proprietorship

The limited liability company simply explained

Advantages of a
limited liability company

Disadvantages of a
limited liability company

The public limited company simply explained

Advantages of a
public limited company

Disadvantages of a public limited company

We advise you individually and according to your needs!

Select a location near you.

We support you before, during and after the launch of your company

Start your own business with STARTUPS.CH!

Preparation as a Youngpreneur

What a student needs to consider in the preparation phase for self-employment

Become a Youngpreneur now. Easy. Online. Found it.

Checklist - The most important steps in the preparation phase as a student

Tipps from STARTUPS.CH

Finding the right business idea as a student

Ideas for becoming independent in Switzerland

Choose the appropriate legal form for your company

The sole proprietorship simply explained

Advantages of asole proprietorship

Disadvantages of asole proprietorship

The limited liability company simply explained

Advantages of alimited liability company

Disadvantages of alimited liability company

The public limited company simply explained

Advantages of apublic limited company

Disadvantages of a public limited company

We advise you individually and according to your needs!

Select a location near you.

We support you before, during and after the launch of your company

Start your own business with STARTUPS.CH!

Advantages of a
sole proprietorship

Disadvantages of a
sole proprietorship

Advantages of a
limited liability company

Disadvantages of a
limited liability company

Advantages of a
public limited company