Business support in the canton of Vaud (and beyond)
All the support
within reach
Don't leave your company's support to chance. In one place, explore the innovation and economic-development support available from the canton of Vaud: local support run by the regions, cantonal aid reserved for Vaud-based companies (LADE funding, tax relief, loan guarantees), plus federal programs and international opportunities such as calls for projects, accelerators and investors. Describe your project in a few words and the tool surfaces the most relevant schemes.
SPEI, Service de la promotion de l'économie et de l'innovation
Department for the Promotion of the Economy and Innovation of the Canton de Vaud. Gateway to cantonal support programs. LADE grants: packages up to CHF 500,000 non-dilutive, tax relief, credit guarantees, interest coverage. Also co-finances the acquisition of intellectual property rights (patents), certifications and approvals, and participation in trade fairs.
Aides aux entreprises LADE
Financial support under the Law on Economic Development Support (LADE) of the Canton de Vaud — loans, guarantees, and non-repayable grants for businesses and SMEs. Supports the creation, development, and transformation of companies in the Canton de Vaud. Can co-finance the acquisition of intellectual property rights and patents, obtaining certifications and approvals, as well as participation in trade fairs and market promotion activities.
Fonds de soutien à l'économie durable
Sustainable economy support fund managed by SPEI — finances the sustainable transition of businesses in the Canton de Vaud (CHF 3.8M distributed in 2024).
MassChallenge
International impact accelerator based in Switzerland — no equity taken, up to CHF 1M in prizes, 950 startups accelerated since 2016.
Tech4Regen
Accelerator in regenerative agriculture and sustainability — support for agritech and foodtech startups with environmental impact.
Tech4Trust
Leading Swiss accelerator in cybersecurity and digital trust — 9-month program, prizes up to CHF 150k, access to 400+ Trust Valley partners.
ARCAM — Cossonay-Aubonne-Morges
ARCAM is the regional economic and tourism development desk for the district of Morges. It advises and supports project leaders, companies, and municipalities in their projects for creation, establishment, growth, financing, transfer, and recruitment. It mobilizes cantonal support schemes, develops business networks, and fosters the region's innovation, attractiveness, and competitiveness. Member of CODEV.
Innovaud
Cantonal agency of the Canton de Vaud for the promotion of innovation and investment. Provides free support to startups, scale-ups, and SMEs in the Canton de Vaud at all stages. Orchestrates cantonal programs: Scale-Up Vaud (label and community for 44 scale-ups), LeadiNNg to Scale-Up (leadership with IMD), SyNNergy (collaborative digital projects, up to CHF 100K), INNdustry (industrial SMEs). Provides access to funding (FIT grants, investors...), coaching (Innosuisse, platinn), technology park hosting, and networking. Essential gateway for any innovative project in the canton.
FIT Tech
3-tier program from the FIT Foundation for deep tech startups: grant of CHF 100K (project validation, before incorporation), interest-free Seed loan of CHF 100K (product development), and Growth loan up to CHF 500K (commercial acceleration). Total possible up to CHF 700K. Projects originating from or in collaboration with a university (EPFL, UNIL, CHUV, HEIG-VD). Sectors: cleantech, life sciences, precision industry, ICT, nutrition/agrifood. 3 IPOs among alumni (SOPHiA Genetics, Astrocast, ONWARD).
FIT Impact
FIT Impact grant of CHF 10,000 to test a project with strong social or environmental impact originating from a university in the Canton de Vaud, and FIT Impact Prize of CHF 20,000 for more mature projects. No mandatory technology component (low-tech welcome). Projects must originate from a partner university (UNIL, EPFL, CHUV, EHL, HEIG-VD, La Source). At least 2 calls for projects per year.
ESA BIC Switzerland
European Space Agency accelerator — up to EUR 200k non-dilutive + 80 hours of consulting for startups leveraging space technologies (navigation, telecommunications, earth observation...).
EPFL Innogrant
EPFL grant (CHF 100k) to accelerate the commercialization of academic research into a marketable product or service.
Serpentine Ventures
Investment arm of Swiss Ventures Group, one of the most active venture platforms in Switzerland. FINMA-authorized manager with multiple funds: Rookie Fund (pre-seed), Flagship Fund (seed/Series A in ICT), Growth Fund, and Swiss Diabetes Venture Fund. 59+ startups in portfolio. Offices in Zurich, Bern, and Lausanne.
Unlimitrust
The world's first center of excellence dedicated to the trust economy, founded by SICPA in Prilly (Canton de Vaud). 30,000 m² campus hosting 80+ organizations in cybersecurity, AI, and digital trust.
GENILEM
Non-profit association supporting entrepreneurs in the cantons of Vaud and Geneva since 1995. Free personalized coaching for 3 years (strategy, sales, leadership). 330 companies accelerated, 3,000+ jobs created, with no equity taken.
Innosuisse
Swiss federal agency for the promotion of innovation. Funds collaborative R&D projects (companies + academic institutions such as HEIG-VD, EPFL, UNIL, HES-SO…, with possible support from Alliance to find the partner and build the application), as well as innovation projects for startups without an academic partner (Start-up Innovation Projects, up to 70% of costs). Also offers startup coaching (vouchers up to CHF 75K), innovation cheques (CHF 15K for SMEs), free entrepreneurship training and international programmes (Eurostars, Eureka). CHF 341M approved in 2024.
Synnergy
Innovaud co-financing program for collaborative projects between startups/SMEs and academic or industrial partners in the Canton de Vaud.
La Cohorte IA
Innovaud collective support program to help SMEs in the canton of Vaud integrate artificial intelligence into their processes. Addresses organizational changes and workplace dynamics related to AI adoption.
Cautionnement Romand
Public-benefit cooperative providing guarantees (CHF 30,000 to 1,000,000) to facilitate bank credit access for SMEs in French-speaking Switzerland (FR, GE, NE, VD, VS). Covers business creation, acquisition/succession, development, and restructuring. All sectors except agriculture. Approximately 150 new guaranteed loans per year for around CHF 37M, 1,400 jobs maintained or created.
Fonds de soutien à l'industrie
Cantonal fund of CHF 23.2M managed by SPEI, reactivated in February 2025. Non-repayable grants (max CHF 300,000, 50% of the project), guarantees (max CHF 500,000), and loans for investments in modernization, automation, digitalization, R&D, and commercial development. Open to any manufacturing company (NOGA Section C) with production facilities in the Canton de Vaud.
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This tool is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented does not guarantee any eligibility. Please contact the relevant organizations directly to verify your admissibility.