State support

Although there is relatively little direct financial assistance available in Switzerland, where the state mainly restricts itself to creating favourable operating conditions, the country does offer a wide variety of tools to support companies, ranging from administrative assistance and tax relief to guarantees.

The cantonal economic development agencies also tend not to take direct stakes in companies, although they can offer assistance in finding affordable construction sites or can provide tax relief during the start-up phase or during a planned expansion.

One rare exception is the Swiss Federal Foundation for the Promotion of the Swiss Economy (Eidgenössische Stiftung zur Förderung schweizerischer Volkswirtschaft), which grants interest-free loans and, in exceptional cases, may even provide a share of the risk capital subject to a personal financial commitment on the part of the company founder.

For further information see 'Promoting Switzerland'.