Innosuisse

Innosuisse is the Swiss Innovation Agency, a federal entity under public law, dedicated to fostering science-based innovation across Switzerland. Its core mission is to bridge the gap between scientific research and its practical application in industry and society. Unlike traditional venture capital firms, Innosuisse does not engage in equity investments. Instead, it operates primarily through grants, interest-free loans, and comprehensive coaching programs, aiming to stimulate economic growth and enhance Switzerland's competitive edge in global innovation.

The agency offers a diverse portfolio of support instruments tailored to different stages and types of innovation. A significant component involves funding "Innovation Projects," which are collaborative R&D initiatives between companies or organizations and research institutions. Innosuisse typically covers up to 50% of the eligible project costs for these ventures. For emerging enterprises, the agency provides "Start-up Coaching" to guide young entrepreneurs, and critically, "Start-up Loans" specifically targeting deep-tech startups. These interest-free loans are designed to provide crucial early-stage capital.

Innosuisse demonstrates a substantial commitment to the Swiss innovation ecosystem. According to its 2022 annual report, the agency approved 508 new innovation projects, committing a total of CHF 200.7 million in funding. This highlights its significant role in supporting collaborative research and development efforts. Furthermore, Innosuisse actively supports the burgeoning startup scene; in 2022, it provided interest-free loans to 100 deep-tech startups, with the total disbursed amount for these loans reaching CHF 15 million. These loans are structured to provide up to CHF 150,000 per startup, offering vital non-dilutive capital.

While Innosuisse's larger innovation project grants can involve substantial sums, the most direct "first cheque" equivalent for a startup from Innosuisse comes in the form of these interest-free loans. The agency explicitly states that these loans are provided "up to CHF 150,000." Given that 100 startups received a total of CHF 15 million in 2022, it indicates that each of these supported startups received the maximum amount. Therefore, the typical first cheque for deep-tech startups is consistently at this upper limit.