Setting up a business
Getting support, and meeting people
Two needs that are often confused. An incubator funds, hosts and structures an innovative project; a professional association puts you in front of people who may become your clients. The second is open from day one, the first assumes a project that already has shape.
The professional network
It is what is most lacking at the start, and the cheapest to obtain. You rarely find a contract on the first evening; you find recommendations, which is worth more.
Venditum
Geneva, six cantonal sectionsSales and marketing professionals, employees, employers and the self-employed
Swiss sales and marketing association, founded in 1883 and successor to the FAIR since 2022. Evenings with figures of the profession, training with Swiss institutes, legal protection and partner discounts for members, and the journal Infos Vente.
Incubators and innovation support
They address innovative projects, not every new business, a tradesperson setting up is not their audience, and that is no criticism of their project.
FONGIT
Route de la Galaise 34, Plan-les-Ouates (GE)An innovative idea or a startup in its creation phase
Geneva foundation for technological innovation, active for over thirty years. Modular coaching, legal and administrative support, pitch workshops, fundraising support, and three funding funds, FIF TECH, FIF DIGITAL, FIF IMPACT. Online application.
EPFL Innovation Park
EPFL campus, LausanneTechnology startups, in particular deeptech, health and digital
Innovation park hosting over one hundred and fifty startups on campus, with access to academic research and mentors. Supported in particular by Innosuisse and by Innovaud, the canton of Vaud's agency.
Innovaud
Canton of VaudProject holders and innovative companies in Vaud
Cantonal innovation agency: guidance, introductions and access to Vaud support schemes, including hosting at the EPFL Innovation Park.
Genilem
French-speaking SwitzerlandBusiness founders in their launch phase
Support and entrepreneurship training for young companies.
Before applying
Admission conditions, fees and funding amounts are not given here: they are not clearly published, and they change. Ask for them directly, it is also a first chance to see how the organisation answers.
And settle the question of the legal form before, not after: several schemes assume a company already incorporated.
Descriptions checked on 18 September 2026 on each organisation's website. wézon is linked to none of them, receives nothing if they take you on, and this page is not a ranking: it names established players in French-speaking Switzerland to save you looking for them. An omission is not a judgement.