Following the revision of the law, a number of Innosuisse's support services will be modified. The financing of innovation projects will be more flexible, Innosuisse will be able to finance SMEs and start-ups for international projects, and a new promotion offer for start-ups will be introduced.
The revised Federal Law on the Promotion of Research and Innovation (LERI) will come into force at the beginning of January 2023. The Federal Council is expected to approve the ordinance on Innosuisse contributions in the autumn. The revision concerns various Innosuisse funding offers. This includes funding for both national and international innovation projects, as well as support for start-ups.
Innovation projects will benefit from more flexible funding. These projects, which enable companies to develop new products and services in collaboration with higher education institutions, are currently funded 50 percent by the companies, with the other half paid by Innosuisse to cover the costs of the research institutions. From January 2023 onwards, the percentage borne by companies will vary between 40 and 60 percent, with Innosuisse continuing to cover only the direct costs of the universities. This relaxation of project contribution percentages will be accompanied by a further simplification of the calculation of the various contributions in the project budget. The thematic areas for projects will also be broadened to include social innovations, giving new value to non-technical innovations. In addition, the theme of sustainability will be further strengthened.
The revision of the law will also improve the financing of international innovation projects. From 2023, Innosuisse will offer direct financing opportunities for Swiss partners, SMEs or start-ups, responsible for implementing international innovation projects. This new funding should help Swiss companies, which until now have been at a disadvantage compared to their foreign partners benefiting from this type of financial support. Innosuisse will also be able to enter into bilateral cooperation agreements with partner organizations in other countries, and contribute to the direct project costs of Swiss companies.
The coaching process for start-ups will be simplified and improved, and a new instrument to encourage innovation projects for start-ups will be introduced. In 2023, coaching will take place in two phases: firstly, Initial Coaching, which, if successfully completed, will open up the possibility of applying for Core Coaching. This second phase, lasting a maximum of three years, will offer support from coaches on the essential issues involved in developing a business, whether of a general, technical or legal nature. As of 2023, start-ups proposing science-based projects with high innovation potential will be able to benefit from direct financial support, preparing them for market entry. Innosuisse will cover up to 70 percent of the start-up's costs, without the need for a research partner.
Source: interview with Annalise Eggimann, Director of Innosuisse.
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