Transitional measure for Horizon Europe: Innosuisse supports 53 projects within the framework of the Swiss Accelerator

Press releases, 28.04.2023

Innosuisse launched a call for projects for the Swiss Accelerator in 2022 as a transitional measure for Horizon Europe. After a three-stage assessment process, the Swiss Innovation Agency has now approved 53 innovation projects from SMEs and start-ups with significant innovation potential.

As Switzerland is not currently associated with the EU’s Horizon Europe framework programme, Swiss companies do not have access to the funding programme EIC Accelerator of the European Innovation Council. Swiss SMEs and start-ups were therefore able to apply for direct financial support for innovation projects with significant innovation potential within the scope of the Swiss Accelerator as transitional measure. Innosuisse received 752 short applications. After the initial assessment, 128 companies submitted a full application. Of these, 64 came to the final round to present their application.

The Innovation Council of Innosuisse has now approved 53 innovation projects within the scope of the Swiss Accelerator. The total funding granted amounts to 112 million Swiss Francs. SMEs and start-ups from the life sciences sector are strongly represented.

Accelerating the growth of companies

The aim of the projects is to develop novel products and services with significant innovation potential. This should accelerate the growth of highly innovative Swiss companies. The funding from Innosuisse covers a maximum of 70 per cent of project costs. A company must pay 30 per cent of the costs itself. The support per project amounts to a maximum of 2.5 million Swiss francs.

Other support offers

The well-established innovation projects between universities and companies continue to be the focus of Innosuisse’s funding. In 2023, Innosuisse also launched a support offer for start-ups prior to their market entry: with the «start-up innovation projects», the agency promotes the market entry of start-ups with direct financial support. Applications for both instruments can be submitted on an ongoing basis.


Further information:

Swiss Accelerator: further key figures and list of supported companies
Innovation projects with implementation partners
Start-up innovation projects
Image library for media


Address for enquiries:

Communication Innosuisse
Eliane Kersten and Lukas Krienbuehl
Co-Heads of Communication
+41 58 481 84 73
media@innosuisse.ch


Publisher:

Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research