Bern Capital Area
The canton of Bern stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and strategic support in cultivating a successful startup ecosystem. With its blend of academic excellence, cutting-edge research facilities, and a network of experienced ecosystem partners, Bern offers a fertile ground for entrepreneurs to grow and thrive.
Your ecosystem partners
be-advanced
Would you like to found your own company in the canton of Bern, get your start-up off the ground, take your SME to the next level or network with the right people? be-advanced accompanies entrepreneurs on the road to success. The innovation promotion agency offers individual SME coaching, a three-stage start-up program, founder consultations and guides you through the bernese innovation ecosystem. Interested? Get in touch with be-advanced and fix a date for a no-strings initial consultancy.
Bern Economic Development Agency
Whether your business is already based in the Canton of Bern or you are looking to establish a presence here, we support you with a wide range of services and a network of regional players.
We want your business to succeed, so we open doors for you. We can put you in touch with departments at the municipal, cantonal, and federal government levels, as well as financial service providers, surety providers, consultants, lawyers, industry organizations, educational institutes, and business networks.
We support startups with non-repayable grants at various stages of their development, generally for the first five years after their establishment.
Bern University of Applied Sciences
As a proud partner within the Bernese Ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship we support founders, startups and companies – from the idea to the foundation and beyond.
With our pioneering innovation and research, we are actively shaping the future and creating added value for society.
Whether your entrepreneurial process is in the initial stages or more advanced, we support you every step of the way, from problem analysis to idea generation, business modelling and founding a company.
BFH offers a home for startups and spin-offs, and thus easy access to technical expertise and infrastructure. Our goal is to make entrepreneurship more sustainable, more social and more diverse.
Greater Geneva Bern area (GGBa)
Greater Geneva Bern area (GGBa) is the investment promotion agency for Western Switzerland, bringing together the cantons of Bern, Fribourg, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Geneva and Valais.
In collaboration with cantonal economic development agencies, our mission is to provide guidance and simplify the process of initiating operations in the region. All our services are delivered confidentially and without any charge to our clients. Since its establishment in 2010, GGBa has worked in tandem with cantonal economic promotion agencies to assist hundreds of global companies in launching their activities in the region.
Impact Hub Bern: For sustainable business success
The Impact Hub is Switzerland's leading impact business community! Our goal is to support decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and executives on their journey to unite success, profitability, and sustainable responsibility. We offer Switzerland's largest impact-driven business ecosystem, equipped with field-tested tools, a multidisciplinary approach, valuable knowledge, and top-tier connections to tackle today's and tomorrow's challenges faster and more successfully.
With us, you won't experience monoculture but a vibrant, regenerative business ecosystem featuring community, coworking, impact consulting, space rental, programs, and events. Immerse yourself in a world of business trends, inspiration, and authentic conversations with pioneers and industry leaders at diverse events. Benefit from preferential conditions for using our unique infrastructure for innovative work. Moreover, we provide exclusive impact consulting services by experts from our business ecosystem to future-proof and make your company profitable.
Innovation Office of the University of Bern
Promoting the transfer of cutting-edge research, knowledge, and ideas into society and economy is a top priority for the University of Bern and Inselspital, Bern University Hospital.
Both institutions actively champion entrepreneurial students, clinicians, and researchers, empowering them to work on innovative projects. At the heart of this effort is the Innovation Office, serving as the central hub for all matters related to innovation and entrepreneurship. The Innovation Office promotes a dynamic culture of innovation, fosters awareness, and provides support to students, clinicians, and researchers to develop their ideas and research into innovations.
sitem-insel AG
sitem-insel is the Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine based in the Insel Campus Bern, Switzerland. Our mission is to establish, operate and develop a National Center of Excellence for Translational Medicine that professionalizes translation research for the benefit of patients, society and science. An onsite state-of-the art facility is the sitem-insel catalyst for a multidisciplinary collaborative approach to unlocking ‘bench to bedside’ innovation. Clinic and industry, research and education are all connected under one roof: together, we are sitem-insel.
Sitem Startup Club: Empowering MedTech Innovation
The Sitem Startup Club (SSC), is a unique investor club, dedicated to elevating MedTech startups to unparalleled heights. At SSC, we offer a comprehensive support ecosystem designed to catalyze growth and innovation in the MedTech sector.
Our club is the home of MedTech innovation, where startups gain invaluable access to expert advice, personalized coaching, and connections to potential investors. We pride ourselves on providing an affordable workspace that fosters creativity and collaboration, situated in the heart of Insel Campus.
As a nonprofit organization, the Sitem Startup Club is deeply committed to nurturing the success of MedTech startups. We facilitate this journey by leveraging the profound expertise of our partners and creating opportunities for investment through our extensive network and dynamic pitching events.
Sitem Startup Club, where your MedTech startup can thrive within a community of industry leaders and innovators. Together, we shape the future of healthcare technology.
Switzerland Innovation Park Biel / Bienne AG
Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne (SIPBB) is a private Swiss non-profit organization that performs and supports industry-focused applied research and development. As part of the national and international network of the Switzerland Innovation Foundation, SIPBB generate research investments from abroad, promotes Swiss innovation and startups and implements research results into marketable products. Our research focus is on automation, the circular economy of lithium-ion batteries, medtech/healthtech and industrial 3D printing.
ZID Bernapark
The ZID Center for Innovation & Digitalisation is the vital hub for entrepreneurship, innovation and transformation. With a space of 3000 m², we offer start-ups and SMEs a dynamic environment for creative exchange and innovative work processes. Our strong ecosystem of over 100 companies combines the individual strengths of each company with the power of the community. The ZID hosts a variety of events on the topics like innovation, entrepreneurship and transformation, making entrepreneurs and their companies fit for the future. At ZID, we create impetus for innovations that develop into successful business models.
Meet us
Contact us
Bern Economic Development Agency Ralf Müssig |
Bern Economic Development Agency Ayşe Cirit |