The state of new business building 2026
New business building is shifting: Resources are tighter. Expectations are higher. This study shows how new business builders in DACH are responding and which ones are pulling ahead.
Insights from 50 new business builders across DACH
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What is it about?
Who is it for?
New business building in 2026: Leaner, sharper, more strategically relevant
New business building during uncertainty requires four key factors
Anchor your new business building strategy to corporate strategy
55% of less successful new business builders name strategic direction as their top struggle. The teams that stay relevant don't scramble for internal buy-in when things change - their activities were built around corporate priorities from day one.
Realign your instruments to what delivers results
Capital-intensive activities are under pressure across DACH. The organisations holding their ground are dropping what no longer fits and concentrating resources on the instruments that produce visible, measurable impact.
Structure for speed and accountability
New business building is increasingly expected to deliver more with fewer resources. That only works with a fit-for-purpose operating model - clear ownership, fast decision-making, and governance that doesn't slow things down.
Finding the right ideas, not more ideas
82% of participants say their main challenge is identifying strategically aligned opportunities - not generating volume. Shifting from quantity to relevance changes how you build your pipeline, and which bets you actually place.
Anchor your new business building strategy to corporate strategy
55% of less successful new business builders name strategic direction as their top struggle. The teams that stay relevant don't scramble for internal buy-in when things change - their activities were built around corporate priorities from day one.
Realign your instruments to what delivers results
Capital-intensive activities are under pressure across DACH. The organisations holding their ground are dropping what no longer fits and concentrating resources on the instruments that produce visible, measurable impact.
Structure for speed and accountability
New business building is increasingly expected to deliver more with fewer resources. That only works with a fit-for-purpose operating model - clear ownership, fast decision-making, and governance that doesn't slow things down.
Finding the right ideas, not more ideas
82% of participants say their main challenge is identifying strategically aligned opportunities - not generating volume. Shifting from quantity to relevance changes how you build your pipeline, and which bets you actually place.
What you take away from the study
- Where new business building in DACH stands in 2026
- Insights from 50 senior leaders across venture building, venture clienting, CVC, and venture acquisition
- Why strategic alignment is the single biggest predictor of NBB success right now
- Practical recommendations for structure, governance, and execution
- Seven case studies from organizations that overhauled their approach: Bosch, Energie AG, Raiffeisen Bank International, STRABAG, VNTR, Canon Marketing Japan, Sennheiser
Register for early access now
Download the paper now
Download the study
Don't forget to mark the webinar in your calendar.
Key numbers
67%
of participants believe new business building will contribute significantly to their company's growth and stability over the next 5 years
39%
of corporate venture building users report their resources decreased in the past 12 months
55%
of less successful new business builders name strategic direction as their top struggle
82%
of participants who face challenges in ideation struggle more with identifying strategically aligned opportunites - not generating volume.
