The Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT) – 30 years serving entrepreneurship

The Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT) celebrates 30 years of supporting innovation in French-speaking Switzerland

Founded in 1994, the Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Since its creation, this public-private organisation, whose mission is to support innovation and business start-ups in French-speaking Switzerland, has distributed more than CHF 70 million in the form of loans and grants. This funding has helped to launch 300 start-ups, creating nearly 6,000 jobs, 3,000 of them in the canton of Vaud.

Promising beginnings and a growing mission

FIT was set up in the EPFL Science Park with the support of the State of Vaud, Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (BCV), the Vaud Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CVCI) and the EPFL. Over the years, not less than 25 contributors supported FIT’s mission. From the outset, the idea was simple but ambitious: to offer financial support to young start-ups to grow into sustainable companies.

With an annual budget of CHF 7 million, CHF 6 million of which is distributed to start-ups, FIT is now one of the main drivers of innovation in French-speaking Switzerland.

FIT plays a crucial role by intervening very early in the start-up process, not only by providing funds, but also by offering invaluable advice to help start-ups grow. This dual support, both financial and strategic, has enabled many companies to overcome the obstacles associated with their youth and lack of initial resources.

A tremendous success

The Foundation has helped to transform the Vaud region into a true innovation hub. With an impressive success rate over 80%, it has shown that support for young businesses can not only help overcome crises, but also pave the way for a prosperous future.

Many Vaud-based start-ups regularly feature in the Top 100 Swiss start-ups. Among them, Haya Therapeutics, which topped the list last year, recently announced a partnership with Eli Lilly, a major American pharmaceutical company, valued at $1 billion. Several have gone public, namely Sophia Genetics, Onward and Astrocast.

The successes of FIT-supported companies also contribute to public finances, generating around CHF 20 million in tax revenue each year.

Innovation at the service of life sciences

Since the beginning of 2024, a number of health and life sciences projects have been supported by FIT.
Doopl, Rea Diagnostics, Maven Health, NeoSens, Artiria Medical, Isospec Analytics, Aspivix, Xemperia and Twice have all been granted development loans. And for the 30 past years, some became well-know for the public: Mindmaze, Lunaphore, Distalmotion, Artiria Medical, Aspivix, Lymphatica MedTech, Abionic, TWIICE… The FIT definitely contributes to design the future of health in Western Switzerland.

📸 Julien Guex, Isabelle Moret, Pascal Kiener. ©FIT