The funding programme is open to SMEs with fewer than 250 full-time equivalents and start-ups that are already established in the market. The companies can apply for direct financial support for innovation projects with above-average innovation potential. They must be able to implement and scale innovative new products and services quickly and effectively. Through this funding programme, Innosuisse intends to accelerate the growth of highly innovative Swiss companies.
The Swiss Accelerator is acting as a transitional measure for Horizon Europe. Since Switzerland is considered a non-associated third country under the European Union’s framework programme for research and innovation, the Federal Council has entrusted Innosuisse with the implementation of this transitional measure in 2023, as in 2022.
The funding from Innosuisse amounts to a maximum of 70 per cent of the project costs. The companies must pay 30 per cent of the costs as their own contribution. The support per project is capped at CHF 2.5 million. SMEs and start-ups go through a competitive three-stage evaluation process. In a first step, short applications can be submitted from today, 28 August, until 9 October 2023 at noon (12:00 CEST).
