Start-up grants

Companies with market potential can apply in the early stages (establishment/development) for financial support for their start-up process.

• Value creation: Your business will generate added value in the Canton of Bern, focused around a sustainable growth strategy. Purely commercial or trade activities are not eligible for funding.
• Business plan: Your company submits a credible business plan in which self-financing plays a major role.
• Jobs: Your company creates new jobs in the Canton of Bern.

Ideally, at least one of the following describes your business:                                     

• Key industries: Your project helps to strengthen Bern’s key industries (high-precision manufacturing, medtech, ICT, industrial design).
  
• Innovation ecosystem: Your project helps to strengthen the Canton of Bern’s innovation ecosystem, for example in new industries or particularly promising technologies (digitalization, circular economy, sustainable development, etc.).
• Your project has been independently assessed as being particularly innovative and/or forward-looking (e.g. by an external jury, an investor circle, etc.).

• Eligible costs: Costs and expenses incurred in connection with the project, typically calculated over the first two years from the project launch.
• Maximum grant: We finance up to 50% of eligible costs, but generally substantially less. With some exceptions, start-up grants usually amount of CHF 50,000 to CHF 100,000.
• Types of company: This financial support is available for incorporated or limited liability companies based in the Canton of Bern. It is not available for partnerships or sole proprietorships.

Legal notice: There is no automatic entitlement to this financial support. An application must be made to the Bern Economic Development Agency for every project for which funding is sought.