Startup grants

We support startups with non-repayable grants at various stages of their development, generally for the first five years after their establishment.

Your project must meet the following criteria:

• Market: Your company operates in a market that does not affect local or regional competition.
  
• Innovation: Your project is innovative either in terms of the product, process or intended market.
• Commitment to the canton: Your company plans to remain in the Canton of Bern for the long term.
• Added value: Your company will generate added value for the Canton of Bern.
• Investment: The eligible costs associated with your project correspond to at least 5 percent of your company’s turnover, with a minimum of CHF 150,000 over a period of 12 to 24 months. In addition, founders' salaries must not exceed 50 percent of total costs.
• Business plan: Your company sets up a complementary team of qualified employees, offers a product/service with a potential market, can present a viable financing plan for the next twelve months, and a coherent business model.
• Sustainability: Your company encompasses aspects relating to sustainable growth. You can use the anonymous self-evaluation questionnaire to check how sustainable your company is.
• Type of company: Our grants are open for all types of company except sole proprietorship.
  

The grant amount varies between CHF 7,500 and CHF 150,000, depending on various economic, social, and environmental criteria. These include the area of business, the impact of the project and the company, and the company’s future prospects.

And over a period of five years:

• Place of business and business activities: Your company undertakes to maintain its place of business and business activities in the Canton of Bern.
  
• Reporting: Your company must submit annual accounts and a report on its business development to the Bern Economic Development Agency on an annual basis.
• Dividend payment and equity repayment: In the event of a dividend payment or equity repayment, your company undertakes to refund the obtained contribution on a pro-rata basis.