Public aid for financing

The proper use of "capital" is essential for the productivity of an economic system. Easy access to corporate financing and having framework conditions which promote competition in financial markets are important elements of policies for economic growth and are sound economic policy in general.

The Confederation, first and foremost, focuses its efforts on creating favorable framework conditions. Its support for corporate financing is secondary.

Cantons also have the requisite economic political authority to set up financing programs for companies. Usually they exercise this authority by offering a broad spectrum of financing options for companies and start-ups. SECO recorded these cantonal options as part of a survey and listed them in its report of 29 March 2017, entitled ‘Fast-growing start-ups in Switzerland’. Cantonal economic promotion measures are aimed at guiding young entrepreneurs in their search for cantonal aid.

Addresses of local economic development

There are also measures at the federal level to make it easier for companies to obtain credits or loans such as the SME guarantee system, the Swiss Hotel Credit Company or technology funds. These instruments are also available for start-ups. The Confederation possesses other support mechanisms, including:

Instruments/ Offers	Beneficiary	Regions	Measures
Loan for SMI	SMEs, Artisans, Start-ups	All of Switzerland	State acts as guarantor for bank loans (max CHF 1 million)
Loans for hotel sector	Hotels	Mountain and Tourist regions	Direct subordinated loan Contributions to interest payments (partial)
Measures to encourage self-employment	Unemployed persons	All of Switzerland	Specific daily allowances (max. 90 days during the planning phase) Guarantee for bank loans of (CHF 1,000,000 maximum)
Innosuisse - Swiss Agency for the Promotion of Innovation	Joint research projects between universities and companies	All of Switzerland	Payment of salary of researchers
Eurostars	For innovative SMEs (developing a process/product that is significantly different from anything previously undertaken)	37 countries including Switzerland	Provides up to 50% of the costs of a joint R&D project between at least two independent entities (SMEs with larger companies, universities or UAS).
Technology fund	Companies whose invention/innovation reduces greenhouse gas emission	Switzerland	Collateral for loans of a maximum of CHF 3 million over 10 years
SECO Start-up Fund (SSF)	Investors domiciled in Switzerland wishing to finance a start-up based abroad	From Switzerland to a developing- or transition- country deemed a priority by SECO	Maximum amount of the loan: up to two thirds of the investment costs in the target country; maximally two times the amount contributed by the borrowers/investors, maximally CHF 500'000 (all three criteria must be fulfilled)
Tax relief/ as part of a regional policy	Industrial and service companies close to production	Regions of application for tax relief/ break	Tax relief from direct federal tax