SwissMedia Association Suisse du Multimédia

The financing of enterprises, especially SMEs, is a crucial part of the activities of financial institutions (nearly 70% of all loans to businesses).

Faced with increasing competition and globalization of the economy, banks have evolved. They have developed innovative products and services and their organizations, and have abandoned the traditional distinction between domestic and international operations.

There are several forms of support and funding assistance available in Switzerland. Many of these programs are developed jointly by the federal, cantonal and private sector. Internet provides easy access to all these programs.
Financement des entreprises et des start-up

Many countries provide direct subsidies for start-up or expansion of production units. This is not the case in Switzerland. Here, there is very little direct aid to companies.

The Swiss Confederation and the cantons focus their efforts primarily on the creation of framework conditions and limit their direct involement in corporate finance.

Beyond this, Switzerland provides no administrative support. Currently, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) supports SMEs in their dealings with authorities and their offices.

The platform for business creation of the Canton of Vaud, for example, offers similar help. This portal also helps the young entrepreneur in his or her business creation, quickly and smoothly. In addition, the Canton of Vaud is also involved, along with other cantons as well as cities, in centers of entrepreneurship and technology parks. SwissMedia is an example where start-ups can be established in the early years, in a creative atmosphere while paying lower prices, before being exposed to aggressive market competition.

Sources of public financing and coaching in the Swiss French Region

In Switzerland, SMEs suffer from a chronic lack of capital to finance development of their businesses. Private equity is an attractive solution in many ways. It usually provides a supply of equity as well as skills as a negotiated "package". It is also possible at various stages of the maturity of the company that access is provided, through the venture capitalist, to a network of contacts. A network of contacts is often essential to the smooth running of the project, especially in the early stages.

Sources of support and public financing in Switzerland are many and varied. This article gives an overview of government programs, agencies, associations and foundations (with Internet addresses) that provide support either financially or advisory to the creation and development of SMEs.

We present the largest possible number of sources of support and assistance to SME financing, public and para-public, found in Switzerland. Wherever possible, we provide Internet sites describing details on programs within cantonal and federal agencies, as well as foundations and associations. It goes without saying that there are also other private funds that are not necessarily listed here. Our main financial partners are:

Financing [EN]