Last year, Innosuisse received 800 applications for innovation projects, recording a 65 percent increase compared to 2018. 480 start-ups applied for coaching. More than CHF 240 million in funding contributions was awarded. The 2020 schedule for coaching and mentoring will continue virtually.
The numbers for 2019 are impressive: The Innovation Council of Innosuisse approved 404 innovation projects(2018: 239 projects) and 400 innovation cheques (2018: 308 innovation cheques). An additional 44 projects were supported under the digitalisation impulse programme. In total, Innosuisse invested CHF 243.3 million in funding innovation projects.
Apart from innovation projects and cheques which are open to all kind of businesses Innosuisse has various offers specially for start-ups ranging from coaching to sponsoring startups to participate in international trade fairs. Last year, almost CHF 12 million went into funding start-up programs such as training coaching, camps, trade fairs.
The start-up training programs were well attended with more than 3500 participants, and more than 300 startups benefited from the Innosuisse coaching. In 2019, 477 start-ups applied for coaching, of which 243 start-ups entered into the Initial Coaching, 96 the Core Coaching and 16 the newly launched Scale-up Coaching.
"We have more than doubled the demand for our coaching programme compared with demand during CTI times. If a start-up is to contribute to the overall prosperity of Switzerland and creating high-quality jobs, it needs to grow. This is why Innosuisse launched the new Scale-up Coaching offer for start-ups with above-average growth potential in autumn 2019”, said Annalise Eggimann, Director of Innosuisse.
Internationalisation programmes
Startups also benefit significantly from the support provided by the Innosuisse to participate in internationalisation camps. Last year, 58 startups benefited from the program. Also as part of the internationalisation programs, Innosuisse has been responsible for the innovation-oriented European partnership programmes with the EU – Eurostars, Active and Assisted Living (AAL) and Electronic Components and Systems for European Leadership (ECSEL) – and for the market-oriented research NS development initiative, EUREKA.
Within the framework of the BRIDGE programme, which is being implemented jointly with the Swiss National Science Foundation, 30 proof of concept projects and ten discovery projects were approved for CHF 14 million. Results from the supported projects are visible after three years. So far, out of the 121 sponsored projects, 47 start-ups have established a startup.
Innosuisse continues operations despite the coronavirus crisis
The innosuisse team has announced that it will continue to operate, and the funding for innovation projects is currently ensured. Coaching, training and mentoring will also be held virtually. “In times of economic difficulty, it is doubly worthwhile to invest in innovation and the future. We are happy to help SMEs and researchers with this. Innosuisse looks forward to every application”, said Eggimann.
Innosuisse invites startups with queries or such that require support during the current crisis to approach their contact person at Innosuisse.
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