CTI: more support planned for start-ups

The federal Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI) has big plans for the coming years and its new programme makes interesting reading. It’s not about rebuilding the existing support measures, as these have proved effective. Rather, support will be targeted at technology transfer and knowledge-based start-ups, where previously there have been gaps or unsatisfied demand.

Bridge – from research to development
A funding gap has been identified between the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the CTI. It becomes apparent when the application potential of research is assumed, but the necessary feasibility studies and the corresponding development of applied research with business partners are lacking. The new programme, called Bridge, plans two levels of support:

– Proof of concept for young researchers who want to use the application potential of their scientific results and continue their career in industry.

– Pre-competitive projects for individual applicants or for smaller collaborations between multidisciplinary research teams with complementary skills, who want to combine excellent research with a clear innovation idea.

CTI interim director Andreas Reuter described the planned programmes in detail at CTI Micro/Nano Day. Proof of concept projects will have a term of eight months and a budget of CHF150,000, with the goal the establishment of a start-up. The pre-competitive projects, however, can take up to four years and will be funded with up to CHF750,000. Reuter also made it clear that the resources available would be limited and only the best projects would benefit from the promotion.

Support in the growth phase
In addition to optimising the existing start-up support, the introduction of a programme is planned with measures intended to help overcome the obstacles that start-ups face in their growth phase. To promote growth, the CTI’s new programme will be aimed specifically at selected technology and science-based start-ups that have high growth potential and actively want to achieve this. The configuration of the programme is currently being developed with the involvement of relevant stakeholders and partners. The known critical factors will be addressed, such as internationalisation, sources of finance, creation of efficient sales channels, team and organisational development, and development of effective networks.

Promotion of female entrepreneurs
With the improved parity between men and women in start-up promotion, those responsible for the area want to activate an untapped innovation potential. To this end, the existing range for women will be selectively expanded with new content or through additional offers. In addition to general awareness-raising measures (such as more success stories about female founders), the funding area is planning the introduction of customised pitching courses, increased coverage of female-related subjects in the existing programmes, and a peer mentoring programme to bring successful and established women entrepreneurs into contact with young entrepreneurs.

The new programmes will start in 2017. To begin the process, parliamentary approval for the next dispatch for research and innovation (ERI Dispatch, “BFI Botschaft”, “message FRI”) is necessary. The relevant discussions will take place in the coming year.