From prototype to market, we accelerate

From prototype to market, we accelerate

Start-up support

Business coaching, network, access to financing and pre-industrialisation infrastructure for start-ups with an innovation, demonstrating growth potential and based in the canton of Fribourg, or planning to be.

Our approach

The Start-up Hub works across 3 dimensions

Mentoring and network

Wondering what the best business model is for your start-up? Preparing a funding round or looking for the right financing? Want to accelerate your development, or simply need a sparring partner to challenge your project?

Fri Up supports you with its expertise and experience. Beyond advice, we also activate our network, which is often decisive in getting through key stages.

Financing

Access the canton's financing: up to CHF 100,000 in cash with the Seed Capital Fribourg Foundation, up to CHF 100,000 in services and infrastructure through our acceleration programme, up to CHF 150,000 through the economic development agency, or financing from Capital Risque Fribourg to support your growth.

Fri Up guides you through these support measures and puts you directly in touch.

Infrastructure

Moving from prototype to industrial scale shouldn't depend on your ability to invest in equipment.

Fri Up connects you with the region's institutes and academic partners to access their pre-industrialisation infrastructure, along with the technical skills and expertise that come with it. You test your processes in real conditions, backed by teams who know how to scale up, and industrialise your technology without tying up your capital.

Fri Up is the point of contact for start-ups and a key player in the innovation ecosystem of the canton of Fribourg.

They trust us

A high-potential portfolio

Our services

What we work on with you

Business plan and financial plan

Build a business plan that holds up in front of an investment committee, and a financial plan whose assumptions stand up to scrutiny.

Market validation and commercialisation

Test the product with its first customers, structure the sales approach or develop a market strategy with a roadmap and KPIs.

Strategy

Set objectives, milestones, the resources required and the indicators that show where you really stand, and what you need to achieve at the next stage.

Fundraising file

Have your fundraising strategy reviewed by an investor, clarify the strategy and the financing roadmap (exit working backward), challenge the pitch deck, organise the data room or approach your target investors.

Selling yourself and pitching

Work on the pitch, from the one-minute format to the investment committee, and know how to tell the project's story to every type of audience.

Introductions to strategic partners

Opening the right doors: industrial partners, universities, experts, mentors.

Fri Up is the canton of Fribourg's hub for start-ups, funded by the canton and its partners. Depending on the project's needs, the commitment of Fri Up resources may be subject to approval by the Fri Up committee.

Up to CHF 100,000 to accelerate your start-up in the seed phase (pre-industrialisation)

Network and community

Peer-to-peer and networking

Fribourg's start-up scene is booming. Make the most of this ecosystem's momentum to boost your start-up.

Thematic workshops and numerous networking events are organised to encourage exchanges between start-ups, and also with expertise within the canton of Fribourg's innovation ecosystem, including experts, the University of Fribourg's tech transfer office, the School of Engineering, competence centres and research institutes.

Upcoming dates →

From the first prototype to the growth phase

Ecosystem financing

Fri Up is your entry point to the canton of Fribourg's financing instruments.

The Fribourg ecosystem

Three sites to develop your technology

The canton provides infrastructure that few regions of its size can offer.

bluefactory

The innovation campus in the heart of Fribourg, home to Fri Up. More than 1,000 people work there: start-ups, research institutes and established companies.

Marly Innovation Center

7,000 m² of laboratories and technical space for projects that need to move beyond the prototype into pre-industrialisation.

AgriCo

100 hectares dedicated to the bioeconomy and agritech, with trial plots in real conditions: rare ground for testing at scale.

Alongside both phases

A question about your project?

The first advisory meeting is free and without obligation, online or in one of our offices in the canton.