FONGIT, the “Fondation Genevoise pour l’Innovation Technologique”, is Switzerland’s first startup support platform established in 1991. Our foundation supports early-stage deep tech, high impact ventures. We are a private, non-profit foundation, supported by the State of Geneva. Our mission is to transform technology into economic and social value. Fongit currently supports over 150 startups who are active in ICT, Advanced Engineering, and Life Sciences.

Fongit’s programs are designed to support your journey of transforming an idea or technology into a viable product, taking you to the first rounds of funding. Our objective is to shape and de-risk your project and raise your valuation as fast as possible by achieving smart value inflection points. We support for 3 years and our startups often interact with us on a regular basis even after they have left our premises. Examples of how we have helped entrepreneurs include: • setting up the company • preparing the full pitch • creating product market fit & finding commercial partners • improving the business model • developing the financial plan and defining the fund raising strategy • negotiating term sheets.

Fongit offers 3 support programs: innovation initiation, startup support, and the Fongit Innovation Fund (FIF). Innovation Initiation is designed for early stage, projects which need shaping and de-risking before deciding to launch the startup. Startup support is for more advanced, deep tech projects where the company is ready for foundation, or is already founded, and has a full pitch deck and engaged team. Many of the top Swiss startups have progressed from initiation to full support in their path to success. Fongit’s Innovation Fund (FIF) provides 3 types of financial support: FIF Grant, FIF Seed and FIF growth. If you are solely looking for financial support for your project, you can read more about the FIF here: Fongit Innovation Fund.

During Innovation Initiation Fongit offers a cycle of 3 coaching meetings with an innovation coach, which will be preceded by a gap analysis meeting. Your innovation coach will support you in shaping and de-risking your project, as well as to prioritize your activities for maximum impact in terms of value creation. The goal will be to upgrade your value proposition that is validated by stakeholder insights, with the deliverables of an updated written elevator pitch, and a corresponding executive pitch. Each cycle of Innovation Initiation support will be finalized in the 3rd coaching meeting with your coach to decide with you if you are either: ready to complete the program, ready to proceed to “initial startup support”, or should be awarded another cycle of Innovation Initiation support During this period of Innovation Initiation, you will gain access to Fongit workshops and networking events. These include opportunities to perfect your pitch, attend workshops given by startup thought leaders, and connect with the full startup ecosystem. You will have the possibility to work at Fongit’s HQ during office hours, and to use a desk in our “nomad” co-working space. This will provide you the opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs, and gain insights from their experiences. We encourage you to be present at least one day per week. Innovation Initiation support is offered to you free of charge. You can apply for this support on our application platform.

During initial startup support Fongit will provide you with intensive startup coaching. Over a ten-week period, your startup coach will help you upgrade your strategy and pitch deck, evaluate your needs and prioritize them for maximum impact in terms of de-risking and value creation. You will have the possibility to work at Fongit’s HQ during office hours, and to use a desk in our “nomad” co-working space. This will provide you the opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs, and gain insights from their experiences. We encourage you to be present at least one day per week. You will also gain access to Fongit workshops and networking events. This initial startup support process is offered to you free of charge. It will be followed by a meeting between us to decide whether to proceed to full startup support. If we both decide to proceed to full startup support, a bespoke program will be tailored to your needs according to terms and conditions to be agreed upon. You can apply for this support on our application platform.

Full startup support is the next step after initial support. Startups which are accepted for full support can benefit from modules including: coaching, hosting, administration, accounting, legal, IP, regulatory, and also financial support.

If you want all round support – just apply here. Our selection committee will guide you to the optimial program. Since this support adds value to your project, it makes sense to have some coaching to perfect your pitch deck, before applying for the Fongit Innovation Fund. If you are only interested in financial support, then check your eligibility for the Fongit Innovation Fund here.

Innovation Initiation and the Initial Startup Support are both provided free of charge. If we both decide to proceed to Full Startup Support, a bespoke program will be tailored to your needs according to terms and conditions to be agreed upon.

We have slightly different criteria for each of our programs: For Innovation Initiation: we are looking for early stage, high impact, and/or deep tech projects, with high potential. We will help the innovator to shape and derisk their project, connect them with our innovation nation, and build a compelling value proposition and pitch deck. For startup support: We are looking for more mature, deep tech projects and fully committed teams. A prototype and IP should exist, as well as a pitch deck. You can apply for both of these instruments on our application platform. The requirements for the Fongit Innovation Fund’s are provided here.

If you already have a pitch deck, it should only take you 15 minutes. We understand that your innovation project is evolving rapidly, so don’t worry if everything is not perfect. The sooner you apply, the sooner we can start helping you.

We look comprehensively at the novelty, potential and maturity of your venture. The screening process takes up to 3 weeks. You must first apply via our application platform. After the review of your application file, we invite you for a formal presentation to our screening committee. Together, we explore how we can support you best, and assess if your project is best served by one of our programs. If your project does not fit in our programs, we will redirect you to other programs and support tools.

We accept applications from teams that are at various stages of maturity. Some have simply a new technical invention, while others are almost ready to incorporate their company, and some are incorporated and revenue generating. Our support programs has added value to companies in each of these stages.

We have supported startups at all stages of their growth. We are positive that we can provide value to any tech startup.

Yes – we help set up several companies per year. We provide all the legal documentation necessary to set up a startup right. We put you in contact with experienced lawyers and notaries who provide a package to startups. This will save you time and effort!

We accept applications from all over the globe. To participate in the program, however, you need to come and be a part of our community. We can help you to incorporate your venture in Geneva, Switzerland.

Our startups have raised over CHF 750 M, and launched 100s of innovative products and services. More than 10 Fongit startups have had successful M&A exits in the past ten years and many more keep developing, providing sustainable economic and social value for Geneva. You can read more about them here. Their success rate is much higher than that of non-supported companies!

Projects in innovation initiation are at a preliminary stage of shaping and evaluation, as such, some of our entrepreneurs are working part-time, or completing their research. For our startup support program we are looking for teams where the founders are committed to growing the business. If you are currently part-time – we understand the dilemma of starting a business while having a family and bills to pay. We help you to evaluate your options, de-risk it, and grow at your own pace. Acceptance into one of our programs can be just the encouragement you need to jump into it at full strength!

We do and we strongly support single founders to build a strong team.

The policy we have is not to sign NDAs for first meetings. The reasons are simple: (i) we review many companies during the year and do not want to risk any conflict by signing NDAs too soon; (ii) we are a foundation financed by the State of Geneva therefore we comply with confidentiality rules as part of everyday business. As such, in your application please provide us with all the possible information you can, without entering in any breach of confidentiality. All the verbal and written information will be exchanged in full confidence.

The majority of our companies choose to remain headquartered in Geneva as they find that our region provides compelling business incentives & opportunities.

We are sorry, we do not do that. If you are not eligible to work and live in Switzerland, then you must figure this out for yourself. If you know people from previous companies who came from outside Switzerland, we suggest you ask them for advice.

Our coaching helps startups prepare for fundraising and design a smart financing strategy. Our process has enabled our startups and alumni to raise over CHF 750 M. We coach you in preparing a crisp elevator pitch, an investor pitch deck, a succinct executive summary, realistic financials and a reasonable valuation. After this we can recommend non-dilutive funding, smart angel investors, institutional funds, corporate venture capitalists and VCs.

Yes, indeed!

Fongit can provide seed capital to supported startups. A total CHF 150 K can be invested per supported company. This investment is made in tranches, that are milestone-dependant and matched by funds from independent, accredited investors. NOTE: Fongit also offers several additional financing tools, most importantly the Fongit Innovation Fund. If you are only interested in financial support, then check your eligibility for the FIF here.