FSI is the leading financing source for early-stage companies in the Lake Leman area. FSI makes equity investments in start up companies having outstanding growth potential, disruptive patented technologies, well-rounded and balanced teams, and capable sell a product or services within 24 months. The addressable market must be more than CHF 100 million, with projected revenue of more than CHF 5 million per year, within 5 years. Purely Biotech projects are transferred to our partners such as Eclosion.
FSI takes minority equity stakes, i.e. < 49%, in ventures it finances. FSI functions as a shareholder that actively manages its equity stakes by looking at optimising the usage of its portfolio companies’ capital and financial resources. FSI excels in structuring financing plans that do not require capital investments, like guaranteed bank or convertible loans, and public grants as FSI is accustomed to convey diverse investment strategies to angels and large institutional investors. FSI aims at developing and securing compelling exit strategies for its companies it finances, in collaboration with their upper management.
FSI exclusively invests in companies incorporated in Switzerland, with strong linkages with the Geneva region. Ventures from the bordering region of Geneva, or willing to relocate from abroad, are welcomed to apply.
FSI actively assists its portfolio companies to raise capital in further rounds of investments and to increase the valuation of its portfolio assets, often in collaboration with the start up accelerator Fongit. It supplies strategic and legal guidance to its companies to structure financial resources, federate investors, and negotiate the financing proposal.
FSI can act alone or partner with other investors like venture capitalists, business angels or banks. The due diligence is performed either by Fongit, or by consultants or organisations chosen by FSI.
Fund raising scenarios are threefold:
- FSI functions as the lead investor: the venture must be physically based at Fongit and must enrol to a coaching program.
- FSI functions as a co-investor: there is no geographical constraint; FSI prefers though investments near to the Geneva headquarter.
- FSI functions as a catalyst: the start up accelerator Fongit is keen in preparing and presenting its outstanding incubated companies to FSI. FSI may invest – pending a successful due diligence – and assist the venture to close its fund raising process.
Website: www.fongitseedinvest.ch