Acceleration and incubation programme*

Acceleration and incubation programme*

Up to CHF 100,000 of support to accelerate your start-up.

Fri Up puts together with you a package of 30 to 100 KCHF, depending on your needs and potential, to accelerate your development. All in the form of a convertible loan. You benefit from key services and infrastructure in the seed phase without having to spend cash. Bonus: access to Fri Up's network and resources, on top of the package.

* Pilot programme.

Start-ups with high potential active in the field of the bioeconomy in the seed phase (working prototype, already being tested in the field).

The benefit for your start-up

What you gain

Financing

Benefit from financing for services and infrastructure that lets you accelerate your development without having to spend cash. This programme can potentially be combined with a cash loan from the Seed Capital Foundation and non-repayable grants from the Economic Development Agency.

Services and expertise

The programme gives you access to 'turnkey' expert services that help you accelerate your development in the seed phase and cross the valley of death. The right skills and expertise at the right time often make the difference.

Infrastructure

The seed phase inevitably means taking your technology from the lab to pre-industrialisation and delivering first quantities to early-adopter customers. The programme makes access easier and potentially covers the costs of this infrastructure.

The process

From first contact to approval of support

1. Your project

A business deck with a financial plan, so that we can assess your project's potential.

2. Your needs

Together we identify your start-up's needs, linked to jointly agreed objectives, and put together your package of services accordingly.

3. Committee approval

Your file goes to the Fri Up committee, made up of representatives of the business community. A convertible loan agreement is then drawn up to activate funding for the services and access to infrastructure.

What you can activate

Services, expertise and infrastructure

Access to Fri Up's network and resources is added to your package of services at no extra cost.

A wide range of services can be activated to accelerate your development, depending on your potential and needs. The catalogue below sets out the support available and how it works.

1. Develop the technology & product

Access to labs & pre-industrialisation

Funds access to laboratories, machines or other infrastructure, to scale up the technology once it leaves the lab or prototype stage. Amount set on the basis of a quote. University infrastructure preferred.

Patents & intellectual property

Funds specialists to clarify patent issues, establish freedom to operate, and draft and file the patent application. The start-up pays, Fri Up reimburses 50%. Free choice of provider.

Expert mandate

Funds experts to accelerate the development of your product or process. The start-up agrees a quote with Fri Up, which Fri Up pays directly. Provider and rates to be approved by Fri Up.

2. Go to market

Commercialisation & market development

Funds attendance at trade fairs, advertising and sales materials, potentially market studies, as well as customer tests to get direct feedback. The start-up pays, Fri Up reimburses 50%. Free choice of providers.

Public relations & visibility

Funds services from a Fri Up partner to define the communication and public relations strategy — often very useful for gaining a presence in the various ecosystems relevant to start-up development. Works with hour packages and briefings agreed in advance and approved by Fri Up.

3. Structure & finance the company

Fundraising expert

Funds support from an investor who is a Fri Up partner for fundraising: challenging from an investor's point of view, strategy and roadmap, light due diligence, etc. The service includes advice, reviews and analysis — but not carrying out the raise itself, which is the start-up's responsibility. Works with hour packages agreed in advance and approved by Fri Up.

Board and CEO recruitment

Funds defining the profile of the desired board members and potentially the CEO, as well as the recruitment process, with a Fri Up partner.

Legal advice & contracts

Funds legal advice from a Fri Up partner law firm, in particular for contract issues with business partners, investors, employees or associates. Works with hour packages agreed in advance and approved by Fri Up.

Offices & rent support

Funds part of the start-up's rent for the duration of the programme at Fri Up partner sites. The start-up pays, Fri Up reimburses 50%.

The programme's services cannot be combined with support granted for the same purpose by another body, in particular the Fribourg Economic Development Agency. Where a service is already funded elsewhere, Fri Up will not cover it a second time.

How it works

How does it work?

Together with Fri Up, you define the modules that will best accelerate your development, with the goal of raising at least CHF 500,000 within 2 years. This selection forms your package of services, between CHF 30,000 and 100,000. The amount of the loan to be converted into shares is calculated on actual use of the services, unless it is a flat fee. For co-financed items, only the share covered by Fri Up counts towards the loan. Whatever your actual use, the converted loan can never be less than CHF 30,000.

Going further

Two forms of support that can be added to the programme

In addition to the support programme, two measures may be added depending on your profile and your project's eligibility: the cash convertible loan from the Seed Capital Fribourg Foundation, and support from the canton's Economic Development Agency.

Seed Capital Foundation

Cash in the form of a convertible loan to fund certain development stages (market and product), subject to eligibility.

Economic Development Agency

Non-repayable grants from the canton, with no dilution or repayment, depending on your project.

Fri Up's support can be combined with Seed Capital cash and Economic Development Agency grants, depending on your profile and your project's eligibility.

The conditions

What you commit to

Nothing unusual in the Swiss ecosystem.

Incorporate in Fribourg

LLC (Sàrl) or SA with registered office and actual activity in the canton. The programme serves the Fribourg ecosystem: that is the counterpart.

Raise at least 500 KCHF

A raise of at least 500 KCHF is expected by the end of the two years at the latest. It triggers the conversion of the loan into shares — the scenario everyone plans for and wants. Conversion takes place at a discount of at least 20% on the share price of the round.

Structured repayment

Without a raise within this period, Fri Up may request repayment of the loan, with a 15% premium (spread quarterly over five years).

Fri Up is running this programme as a pilot: the scheme will evolve. But once your application has been accepted, the conditions that apply to you are fixed by your contract — they apply for the entire duration of your programme. What may change are future cohorts, not yours.

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Shall we talk?

If you think you are a high-potential start-up active in the bioeconomy, in the seed phase (working prototype, already being tested in the field), send us your business deck so we can take stock together.