Financial Support

Introduction

Welcome to our comprehensive directory of opportunities for innovators and entrepreneurs! Whether you are a startup founder, a researcher, or an aspiring entrepreneur, this resource will guide you through a wide array of programs designed to accelerate your journey.

 

Participating in these programs allows you to access valuable resources, networks, and funding, propelling your venture to success. You can explore the table to find the opportunities that best fit your needs and ambitions.

External Support

Accelerators provide intensive support to startups and scale-ups, offering mentorship, resources, and often funding to help businesses grow rapidly. Examples include Baselaunch for Life Sciences and the ESA Business Incubation Center for SpaceTech.

 

Name

Type

Area

Frequency

CHF [k]

Baselaunch

Accelerator 

Life Science

Annual 

260 (up to)

Bluelion

Incubator & Accelerator

Tech 

2 times per year

-

Circular Economy Incubator

Training & Accelerator

Circular Economy

Annual 

-

Create Challenge

Training & Accelerator

ICT 

Annual 

5

DIZH Call for Project Proposals

Accelerator 

Any Discipline

Annual 

300

ESA Business Incubation Center

Accelerator 

SpaceTech

Annual 

200 

Gebert Rüf Stiftung

Accelerator 

Technology in general 

4 times per year 

500 

Global Challenge

Accelerator 

DeepTech 

-

100

InnoBooster

Accelerator 

DeepTech 

4 times per year

150

Kickstart Accelerator

Accelerator 

Healthcare Food, FinTech, Smart Cities, Robotics & Intelligent Systems 

Annual 

40

Startup Accelerator

Accelerator 

Technology in general 

Annual 

120 

Swiss Startup Factory

Accelerator 

Technology in general 

Rolling Basis 

-

Swisscom Startup Challenge

Accelerator 

IT, FinTech

Annual 

-

Switzerland Innovation Tech4Impact Initiative

Accelerator 

Any Discipline

Annual 

85

Venture Kick

Accelerator 

Technology in general 

Rolling Basis 

130 

Wyss Zurich

Accelerator 

Regenerative medicine 

-

-

Mass Challenge Switzerland

Accelerator, Grant

Food, Sustainable Industry, Climate Solutions, HealthTech

Annual 

100

Incubators typically focus on earlier-stage companies, incubators offer workspace, mentorship, and support to help transform ideas into viable businesses. Programs like Bluelion and the Digital Health Incubator fall into this category.

 

NameTypeAreaFrequencyCHF [k]
Digital Health IncubatorIncubatorVariousAnnual -
Startup SpaceIncubatorTechnology in general --
Tenity Pre-seed incubatorIncubatorFinTech, InsurTechAnnual -
BluelionIncubator & AcceleratorTech 2 times per year-

Grants are non-repayable funds provided to support specific projects or research. Grants like the FreeNovation (Novartis) and UZH Life Sciences Fund offer substantial financial support to drive innovation in various fields.

 

NameTypeAreaFrequencyCHF [k]
FreeNovation (Novartis)Grant Life ScienceAnnual 180
Future of Health GrantsGrant Digital Health Annual 50
Innosuisse Innovation ChequeGrant Any DisciplineOpen Call 15
Prix Fondation Dalle MolleGrant Ideas relating to quality of lifeAnnual 10
Swiss Cancer LeagueGrant Cancer relatedOpen Call 500
UZH Life Sciences FundGrant Life ScienceRolling Basis 1000 
Coup de Pouce de la Fondation LiechtiGrant Economy, Ecology, Humanitarian FieldsAnnual 50
First VenturesGrant Technology in general 2 times per year150
Hasler StiftungGrant IT 4 times per year 50
Impact Hub Fellowship Energy-CleantechGrant CleanTechAnnual 28
Innosuisse Innovation Project (without implementation partner)Grant Technology in general Many times per year-
Innosuisse Innovation ProjectGrant Any DisciplineOpen Call 350
Rare DiseasesGrant Rare Diseases Diagnosis & TreatmentOpen Call 500
UZH Innovation GrantsGrant Any DisciplineAnnual 10 
engage_nowGrant Any DisciplineRolling Basis diverse
National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs)Grant Technology in general Many times per year150

Competitions are designed to identify and reward innovative ideas and startups. They provide a platform to showcase your project, often with the chance to win funding and other resources. Notable competitions include the Swiss Economic Award and the Green Tech Startup Battle.

 

NameTypeAreaFrequencyCHF [k]
Green Tech Startup BattleCompetition GreenTech Annual 10 
Best of Swiss AppsCompetition IT Annual 
Bridge - DiscoveryCompetition Any DisciplineRolling Basis -
Bridge - Proof of ConceptCompetition Any DisciplineRolling Basis 130 
Entrepreneur Of The YearCompetition Any DisciplineAnnual -
Falling Walls Lab SwitzerlandCompetition Any DisciplineAnnual 
Freiburger InnovationspreisCompetition Technology in general Annual 10 
Pax Sustainability AwardsCompetition Ideas relating to social matters Annual 20 
Rolex AwardsCompetition Environment, Applied Science and Technology or ExplorationAnnual 100
SEIF Tech for Impact AwardsCompetition UN Sustainable Development Goals Annual 30 
Swiss Economic AwardCompetition Life ScienceAnnual 25
Swiss MedTech AwardCompetition MedTech Annual 10
Swiss Technology AwardCompetition Technology in general Annual -
TOP 100 Swiss StartupsCompetition Technology in general Annual -
VentureCompetition IT, Life Science, FinTech, InsurTech, NPOAnnual 150
W.A. de Vigier AwardCompetition Technology in general Annual 100 
Watt d'OrCompetition Energy Annual 

Awards recognize outstanding achievements and breakthroughs in different domains. Winning an award can bring prestige, recognition, and additional resources. Examples include the Red Herring 100 Euro Award and the Swiss Technology Award.

 

NameTypeAreaFrequencyCHF [k]
Red Herring 100 Euro AwardAwardTechnology in general Annual -
Swiss ICT AwardAwardIT Annual 2000 
ZKB Pionierpreis TechnoparkAwardTechnology in general Annual 100 

Programs and Roadshows: These initiatives provide structured support and exposure opportunities for startups, often including travel to international markets to meet investors and potential partners. Programs like the UZH Entrepreneur Fellowships and Venture Leaders series are prime examples.

Training and Coaching: Focused on building the skills and knowledge of entrepreneurs, these programs provide education, mentorship, and practical advice. Innosuisse offers various training modules to help startups succeed.

 

NameTypeAreaFrequencyCHF [k]
UZH Entrepreneur FellowshipsProgramBioTech, MedTech, Digital2 times per year150 
Venture Leaders BiotechRoadshow BioTechAnnual 
Venture Leaders CleantechRoadshow CleanTechAnnual 
Venture Leaders MedtechRoadshow MedTech Annual 
Innosuisse Start-up coachingTrainingAny DisciplineOpen Call -
Innosuisse start-up trainingTrainingAny DisciplineOpen Call -
Circular Economy IncubatorTraining & AcceleratorCircular EconomyAnnual -
Create ChallengeTraining & AcceleratorICT Annual 5
InnoPeaks Innovation LabVenture program Life Science, InsurTechRolling Basis -
Venture Lab----

Any questions?

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