Financing

start-ups and innovation

The canton of Fribourg offers a wide range of services for start-ups (innovation projects) in the form of financial assistance, loans and equity investments, expertise and networking.

Seed Capital Foundation Fribourg

Loans up to CHF 100,000

Is your project innovative or high value-added, in the canton of Fribourg, and can it demonstrate economic viability and sustainability? Are you in the pre-seed or seed phase, i.e. confirming technical and commercial validity, and your market is not yet confirmed?

This funding of up to CHF 100,000 will enable you to make progress in validating your market, defining product specifications, finalizing an initial prototype or improving your product to demonstrate its real commercial potential.

These loans are granted in tranches, based on milestones achieved, to support the launch of innovative projects and start-ups.

Fri Up is responsible for the operational management of the foundation and for the files submitted.

Some of the start-ups that have benefited from this seed loan: Bcomp | Gradesens | KANREY | Odytics | See the full portfolio

Capital Risque Fribourg SA

Participation up to CHF 1,200,000

Have you already made your first sales? Does your product or service have strong growth potential? Is your start-up now accelerating its development? Capital Risque Fribourg SA is for you!

It offers financing through equity participations and convertible loans. The first financing can be up to CHF 300,000 (maximum total of CHF 1,200,000).
Consecutive financing is possible in subsequent rounds, up to a maximum of CHF 1,200,000 per company.

Promotion économique (PromFR)

PromFR can support innovative projects through a variety of instruments and financial incentives: rent subsidies, job creation bonuses, training bonuses, R&D projects (Innosuisse or validated by an expert), new markets, potential tax relief, etc.

The various support measures are granted on the basis of the business plan and the potential that the project can demonstrate for the canton of Fribourg.

Fri Up - Bioeconomy incubation program

Financing and special support

Incubation program supporting high-potential start-ups in the bioeconomy field, with funding for specific services.

Are you a high-potential bioeconomy start-up in the seed phase, with a working prototype and a first test customer?

The incubation program provides access to a convertible loan of CHF 100,000 and Fri Up funding for services, the value of which is converted into a convertible loan. The funds granted are valued and converted into a convertible loan of a fixed amount of CHF 175,000.

This funding is generally complemented by support from the Fribourg Development Agency, which provides grants for innovation projects of up to CHF 100,000, up to CHF 30,000 for market development and intellectual property support, up to CHF 10,000 for office space and up to CHF 10,000 for each new job created.

Additional support in the growth phase: equity investment of up to CHF 1.2 million with Capital Risque Fribourg SA.

Interested? ➡️ To apply, send your complete business deck and financial plan to maria.lebour(at)friup(dot)ch.

Start-up in the bioeconomy?

The canton of Fribourg is offering a One-Stop-Shop with services and access to infrastructure for startups active in the bioeconomy, particularly those dealing with biomolecules.