After strong growth in recent years, the entrepreneurial dynamic in the canton of Fribourg has stabilized at a very high level. This was the gratifying assessment presented by Fri Up at its 2020 Annual General Meeting, held for the first time in digital form, in line with protective measures against the Coronavirus.
With 268 new requests for advice, 63 business creations facilitated and 19 start-ups in its support program, Fri Up’s 2019 results confirm both the sustainability of its business growth and the stabilization of the entrepreneurial dynamic in the canton of Fribourg at a very high level. Fri Up’s activities continued apace in the first quarter of 2020. Between January1 and March 31, three new start-ups joined its support program, and its team has already advised 92 project leaders.
As part of its annual general meeting, Fri Up also presented the measures taken since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic to offer a listening ear and advice to entrepreneurs in Fribourg. In addition to remaining available on a daily basis, via videoconference, to start-ups currently being coached, the Fri Up team has proactively contacted all start-ups coached in the past, as well as all those advised over the last two years, to offer them an assessment of their situation and advice on managing their business in times of crisis. At the same time, Fri Up put a support kit on line, containing the most up-to-date information on the assistance available to companies from the Swiss Confederation and the Canton of Fribourg. In addition, Fri Up has been commissioned to validate guarantee applications submitted by Fribourg start-ups.
Last but not least, three new members joined the Fri Up Committee at the Annual General Meeting: Katharina Fromm, Vice-Rector of the University of Fribourg, Jerry Krattiger, Director of Economic Development for the Canton of Fribourg, and Gilles Tacchini, Head of Strategic Projects at Groupe E.
Photo: Stemutz