Startup bioeconomy Fribourg
Fribourg, The place to grow
Take your business to the next level
A specific ecosystem
You’re a start-up active in the bioeconomy, with strong growth prospects and ambitions. You inevitably face many challenges and are looking for an environment that supports your development. Join the canton of Fribourg’s ecosystem and its “one-stop-shop” approach for bioeconomy start-ups, and give yourself every chance of success.
Our approach
A structured, three-pillar support model
Financing
Cash and in-kind contributions tailored to your development stage, with support through key milestones and reduced risk.
Networking and infrastructure
Business mentoring
Seed-stage financing
Up to CHF 350,000
Convertible loan
Up to CHF 100,000
A convertible loan of up to CHF 100,000 for pre-seed and seed-stage start-ups to kick-start their development.
Special conditions reserved for high-potential start-ups in the bioeconomy.
Service financing recognized as a convertible loan
Up to CHF 100,000
An incubation program that funds up to CHF 100,000 in services, recognized as a convertible loan of CHF 75,000.
Mentoring & expertise: Fundraising, due diligence, etc.
Infrastructure & rent: Access to laboratories and pre-industrial facilities, office space, etc.
Market development & intellectual property
Legal Services
Non-repayable grants
Up to CHF 150,000
The canton of Fribourg’s economic development agency offers several non-repayable grants, awarded according to a project’s potential.
Research projects:
100K
Market development & intellectual property: 30K
Office space: 10K
Per job creation: 10K
growth-stage financing
Up to CHF 1.2 million
Equity investment
Up to CHF 1.2 M
Capital Risque Fribourg invests up to CHF 1.2 million in growth-stage start-ups with a validated market, as part of a fundraising round.High value-added jobs
Up to CHF 10K / job
The economic development agency supports the creation of high value-added jobs, up to CHF 10,000 per position.
Take action
Submit your application
and receive structured support to turn your innovation into a concrete, sustainable solution.
Infrastructures and laboratories
Specialized infrastructures for industrialization
ChemTech Institute | HEIA-FR
Chemistry infrastructures
The ChemTech Institute at HEIA-FR stands out for its unique ability to turn laboratory concepts into industrial processes, thanks to its advanced pilot plant, designed to ease the transition of chemical innovations from lab scale to pre-industrial production.
BCC | HEIA-FR
Biotechnology infrastructure
Biotechnology and bioprocess engineering facilities, including clean rooms, to design and test your processes before transferring them to a GMP environment. Ideal for developing high value-added biotech products.
iRAP | HEIA-FR
Bioplastics laboratories
Laboratories and expertise in bio-based polymers and bioplastics. The center supports design, prototyping and industrialization, while integrating the life-cycle and sustainability aspects of materials.
Fri Up
Business support from startup experts
Fri Up is the start-up support body for the canton of Fribourg. Our coaches and experts help you shape your business strategy, work with you to confirm market adoption of your technology, and connect you with the right people — including potential strategic partners and investors active in your field.
The start-up ecosystem
Peer-to-peer and networking
Fribourg's start-up scene is booming: tap into this dynamic ecosystem to give your start-up a boost.
Themed workshops and numerous networking events bring start-ups together and foster knowledge-sharing across the canton's innovation ecosystem, which includes independent experts, the University of Fribourg's technology transfer office, the school of engineering, competence centers and research institutes.
Hosting
Sites conducive to innovation
bluefactory Fribourg
A central campus bringing together over 1,000 people, offering a stimulating environment for start-ups, fostering collaboration, innovation and networking with academic and industrial players.
Marly Innovation Center
7,000 m² of laboratory and technical space for the development of innovative projects. Start-ups benefit from flexible resources and an environment conducive to industrial growth.
AgriCo
A site specialized in agrifood and biomass, with 100 hectares of farmland for full-scale trials. It lets start-ups test their innovations under real-world conditions while benefiting from technical support.