Funding and venture capital

Private investment and venture capital options in Switzerland

The market for venture capital in Switzerland is growing steadily, with investors committing USD 2.64 billion (CHF 2.4 billion) in 2024 (Swiss Venture Capital Report 2025). Major sectors attracting funding include biotech, medtech, cleantech, SaaS, and deep-tech spin-offs from ETH Zurich and EPFL.

Corporate venture arms from companies such as Novartis, Swisscom, ABB, Nestlé, and Bühler add sector expertise and pilot opportunities. Series A ticket sizes are comparable to London or Berlin, while valuations remain disciplined, leaving founders with stronger equity positions.

The Federal Act on Venture Capital Companies (RKG) supports the ecosystem by removing securities-issue taxes for VC vehicles and enabling tax deductions on subordinated loans. Cantons further strengthen the environment with IP boxes, R&D deductions, and expedited work permits.

Tips for raising capital in Switzerland

Switzerland’s strong startup ecosystem offers a wide range of ways to raise capital. Here are some tips to help founders find and secure the best opportunities:

• Start local with canton offices, incubators, and accelerators.
• Target strategic fit in life sciences, precision manufacturing, or sustainability.
• Secure a corporate pilot to unlock further funding.
• Leverage non-dilutive grants (Innosuisse, Horizon Europe).
• Build relationships early by attending events like Venture Leaders, Startup Days, START Summit, TOP100 Swiss Startup Awards, SEF.Growth, HackSummit.

What state support and innovation grants are available?

Research funding in Switzerland is led by Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency. In 2024, it allocated CHF 341 million to support R&D projects, proof-of-concept development, and market entry. These grants are non-dilutive, provide expert guidance, and foster collaboration between businesses and universities.

Swiss companies can also access international innovation programs such as Eurostars and Eureka, which encourage cross-border partnerships.

How accessible is bank financing in Switzerland?

Swiss banks offer a wide range of financing solutions, from operating loans and investment financing to trade finance and leasing arrangements. Interest rates on commercial loans are typically 1.5–2% lower than the Eurozone average, making bank financing a cost-efficient choice.
Options include secured or unsecured loans, convertible loans, and structured leasing. Switzerland’s banking sector combines stability, flexibility, and competitive costs.

What role does the Swiss Stock Exchange (SIX) play in scaling?

The SIX Swiss Exchange is one of Europe’s leading financial markets, with a capitalization of CHF 2.04 trillion (Nov 2024). It specializes in life sciences, technology, and financial services, offering liquidity and visibility for scaling companies. 
The SIX Digital Exchange (SDX)- the world’s first fully regulated blockchain-based exchange- provides additional opportunities in digital securities and asset trading.

How do you open a corporate bank account in Switzerland?

To open a corporate account, you need a registered Swiss legal entity. Required documents include:

• Company statutes and Commercial Register extract
• IDs for beneficial owners and signatories
• Business description and tax compliance proof

Banks must comply with AML and KYC regulations, often requiring a short in-person or virtual meeting. The process typically takes 2–4 weeks.

You can choose large institutions like UBS and PostFinance, regional players like Zürcher Kantonalbank and Banque Cantonale Vaudoise, or digital banks such as Swissquote, Neon, and Yapeal (better suited for simpler setups).

Sources and more information

Venture Capital & Private Investment

• Swiss Private Equity & Corporate Finance Association (SECA)
• Business Angels Switzerland (BAS)
• Swiss Venture Capital Report – Startupticker

State Support, Innovation and Industry Association Grants

• Innosuisse – Swiss Innovation Agency
• Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
• Photonicsbooster
• DayOne
• Swiss Quantum Initiative
• Swiss AI Initiative

Bank Financing & Credit

• Swiss Bankers Association
• Swiss Stock Exchange (SIX)