Innosuisse – Swiss Innovation Agency

What they fund

• Core Mission — Innosuisse strengthens the competitiveness of Swiss companies by promoting science-based innovations, contributing to sustainable economic, social, and ecological development [1].
• Target Beneficiaries — The agency supports SMEs, start-ups, research institutions, and other Swiss organisations in their research and development activities [1].
• Project Types — Funding covers national innovation projects (carried out alone or with partners) and international innovation projects (carried out with international partners) [2].
• Strategic Priorities — The Federal Council determines the specific priorities and objectives of Innosuisse [1].
• Flagship Initiatives — Specific calls target strategic areas such as "Resilient and Secure Technologies for Defence and Mobility" [2].
• International Collaboration — Programmes like Eurostars fund innovative SMEs leading international project consortia collaborating on market-driven R&D and innovation projects [2].
• Start-up Support — Support includes training, advice, participation in international trade fairs, and testing international market potential for start-ups creating, growing, or branching out internationally [2].
• Project Set-up — Assistance is provided to kick-start projects, find partners in Switzerland or abroad, and establish collaborations [2].

Investment thesis

Innosuisse is the Swiss federal agency for innovation promotion, mandated to foster science-based innovation that benefits the economy and society in Switzerland [1]. It acts as a bridge between research institutions and the market, focusing on turning innovative ideas into marketable products and services [2]. The agency supports the entire innovation lifecycle, from early-stage startup development to large-scale collaborative projects [3]. It prioritizes projects that demonstrate clear potential for commercialization and economic impact [1]. The agency operates independently under the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, ensuring a structured and transparent funding process [1].

Value add

Innosuisse provides extensive non-financial support, including coaching, training, and networking opportunities, which are critical for early-stage startups [3]. The agency facilitates partnerships with research institutions, enhancing the scientific credibility and technical feasibility of projects [1]. Access to the Innolink platform streamlines application management and reporting [2]. Fit verdict: Ideal for Swiss-based R&D projects with clear commercialization paths and potential for academic collaboration. Founder diligence script: 1. Does my project involve a Swiss research institution? 2. Is my company legally registered in Switzerland? 3. Have I used the Innosuisse Guide to identify the correct call? 4. What is the timeline for the current Eurostars or Flagship call? 5. Can I demonstrate market potential for the proposed innovation?

Portfolio focus

Projects in defence and mobility technologies, as seen in the 2026 Flagship call [2]., International collaborative projects led by SMEs, such as those under Eurostars [2]., Science-based innovations developed in partnership with Swiss research institutions [1]., Startups receiving support for internationalization and market entry [2]., Transdisciplinary projects addressing societal challenges through the Flagship Initiative [1].