Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation

The Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation (SwissEF) was founded in December 2017 under the patronage of Swiss Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann. The foundation aims to support start-ups and entrepreneurship within Switzerland and to promote a Swiss innovation ecosystem with improved basic conditions for the commercialization of innovative technologies. The foundation pursues a public and non-profit approach. It does not seek to make a profit and does not represent commercial interests. The SwissEF has two main objectives: to improve the political framework for start-up businesses in Switzerland by staying close to tax and human capital policies, and to grow and internationalize Swiss businesses through a growth programme, both run by its members. For the first objective, the foundation has politicians as members to keep in close contact with politics. For the second, it aims to take Swiss businesses to other countries with the help of industry experts with international networks. These start-ups are typically at least CHF 1 million in enterprise value, and will aim for 20% growth per annum. The programme will last for a maximum of 24 months and any businesses that are invested in by SwissEF funds are automatically signed up to the programme. The SwissEF does not act as an investor itself, it acts as an initiator and representative of investment values of any funds that are raised under its name. The funds are managed by Credit Suisse and UBS as third party fund managers.