Start-ups provide jobs and ensure a successful SME economy in the Altmark region with their forward-looking ideas and specialist expertise. It is important to obtain information, get advice and plan everything carefully when setting up a business. You will find some information and contacts to set up your business here.
The rule when setting up a business: Preparation is everything! At the very beginning of your project you should ask yourself a few questions and answer them honestly: Are you really an entrepreneurial type? Can your business idea work and are you assessing the market correctly? Do you have sufficient knowledge or do you need training in certain areas? Is it really worth you taking the financial risk? Talk to the people around you, to other entrepreneurs and self-employed people and get advice. In the Altmark, for example, the business start-up advisors at the IGZ BIC Altmark in Stendal are available to help you.
After the initial considerations, the first step is to write a business plan. This is not only crucial for the start-up advice and financial backers later on but it also helps you organise all your thoughts about your company. The business plan should include, for example, your technical and commercial knowledge, a precise description of your product or service that you want to offer and calculate the prices. Analyse who your customers and also your competitors will be, how you want to sell your offer and also which advertising measures you will use for this. You should also specify the legal form of your company in the business plan.
The following websites, for example, will show you how to write a business plan and what you need to include. But the business start-up advisors will also support and assist you.
Calculate how much money you need to start your business. Also take into account that you have to cover a start-up phase of several months and your private costs too. Once you have calculated a sum, you can introduce yourself to banks and other lenders with your start-up project. There are also numerous funding programmes for start-ups offered by the federal government and the state of Saxony-Anhalt. You can find an overview of the funding programmes offered by the state of Saxony-Anhalt and the Investionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt here.
Depending on the type of company you want to set up, your business may be subject to authorisation. Ask the Chamber of Industry and Commerce or your professional association what the regulations are in your case. You must also notify your local tax office about your business and apply for a tax number for your company.
Insurance is mandatory or at least highly advisable for various operational risks, such as burglary, machine damage or liability claims by customers. So check where the risks lie for your company and which insurance policies make sense for you. Also consider your personal health and pension insurance and include the contributions in your financial plans.
You will find further information about setting up a business on the following websites. Or contact the business start-up advisors in the Altmark.