Innosuisse trade fair support for start-ups

The Innosuisse Trade Fair Support gives Swiss start-ups with international ambitions the opportunity to exhibit at major international trade fairs with financial support, practical guidance and targeted matchmaking. Choose from our list of Innosuisse Lead Fairs or propose your own through the flexible Pick Your Fair program.

What you get for a successful trade fair presence

From preparation to follow-up, we offer practical guidance that lets you focus on demonstrating your innovation and strengthening your business network.

Fair preparation

Practical support for choosing the right fair and preparing effectively to maximize the return on your participation.

Financial contribution

Receive financial support for eligible fair‑related expenses (excluding travel and accommodation) to make international exposure more accessible.

Consulting

Benefit from tailored consulting services that help you make the most of your trade fair participation and connect with relevant customers and partners.

Community

Be part of the Swiss delegation at Lead Fairs and benefit from a supportive community at the pavilion, where you can share experiences, learn from peers and expand your network.

Swiss brand visibility

Stand out with a strong presence under the “Switzerland” umbrella or swisstech brand at Lead Fairs, helping boost your credibility and visibility at the fair.

Side Events

Depending on the Lead Fair, you may benefit from additional side events for the Swiss delegation, offering opportunities for international exchange and added visibility.

Lead Fairs 2026

These are the flagship fairs in the 2026 program, selected for maximum impact across key industries and markets. Apply to secure your spot and find more information on each Lead Fair via the linked pages.

Consumer Electronics Show | Las Vegas | January 6-9, 2026
E-World | Essen | February 10-12, 2026
Viva Technology | Paris | June 17-20, 2026
BIO International | San Diego | June 22-25, 2026
BIO-Europe | Cologne | November 9-11, 2026
Medica | Düsseldorf | November 16-19, 2026
SLUSH | Helsinki | November 18-19, 2026

Pick your Fair - Choose your own stage

Want to exhibit at a fair that is not on our Lead Fair list? The Pick Your Fair (PYF) program offers funding for international trade fairs that fall outside the Lead Fair selection - for example, more industry‑specific events or fairs in other key markets. Funding is subject to availability.

Deadlines

We recommend early notification and submission of your funding application to help ensure budget availability:

For trade fairs in the 1st quarter (Jan-March) – submission by 30.09.
For trade fairs in the 2nd quarter (April-June) – submission by 31.12.
For trade fairs in the 3rd quarter (July-Sep) – submission by 31.03.
For trade fairs in the 4th quarter (Oct-Dec) – submission by 30.06.

Please note: Funding applications must be submitted at least 8 weeks before the start of the fair. Applications submitted later cannot be considered.
Further information on PYF can be found in the FAQ document in the download area.

The PYF programme is experiencing growing demand, while the available funding is limited. Your application will therefore be carefully reviewed and assessed in relation to other submissions. The following criteria are decisive for the evaluation (Art. 35 of the Innosuisse Contribution Ordinance):

Potential to contribute to the objectives of the programme
Level of development of the start-up in relation to the intended goals of the participation
Suitability of the selected fair to achieve the programme’s objectives
In addition, the quality of the application and early submission play an important role

Application Requirements – Innosuisse Trade Fair Support

Incorporated start-ups with an active Innosuisse coaching (initial, core or scale-up coaching) or with an Innosuisse certificate (not older than 3 years)
Global ambitions and a clear willingness to enter international markets

Additional requirements for Pick Your Fair (PYF):

International fair outside Switzerland with the right target audience and in the right market
Physical presence as an exhibitor (booth/stand/space)
Minimum eligible trade fair costs of CHF 2,000