For start-ups in the canton of Fribourg
Support and guidance
Our approach
A structured, three-pillar support model
Up to CHF 250,000
Two complementary financing options for the pre-seed and seed stages: a convertible loan and non-repayable grants from the economic development agency.
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 terms for high-potential startups in the bioeconomy sector.
Some startups that have benefited from this seed loan: Bcomp | Gradesens | KANREY | Odytics | View the full portfolio
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.
Housing and Infrastructure
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.
Networking
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.
Start-up experts at your service
Fri Up is the organization that supports startups in the canton of Fribourg. Its coaches and experts are here to guide you through your business planning, work with you to develop strategies aimed at ensuring your technology’s market adoption, and connect you with the right people—including potential strategic partners or investors active in your field.
Business plan and financial plan | Market validation and commercialization | Strategy with objectives, milestones, resources, and metrics | Fundraising materials | Self-promotion and pitching | Connecting with strategic partners
Our startup experts
Yann Steulet
Director | Business Coach
Markus Ith
Business Coach
Laurent Menoud
Business Coach
Selection criteria
To take advantage of our start-up support...
Innovation
Your service is innovative or high value-added. You want to create something new, meet a new need or propose an innovative approach to an existing market.
Potential
Your company has growth potential and economies of scale.
Location
Your company has set up or is in the process of setting up in the canton of Freiburg.
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.
Start-up in FoodTech | AgriTech?
The canton of Fribourg offers a One-Stop-Shop with services and access to infrastructure for start-ups active in the field.
