Supporting SME innovation
Swiss SMEs are facing a difficult economic situation. Innosuisse is launching a call for projects to promote innovation. Its CEO, Dominique Gruhl-Bégin, explains why now is the time for this measure.
Why is Innosuisse launching a call specifically for SME projects this year?
Dominique Gruhl-Bégin: Times are particularly hard for Swiss SMEs right now: They’re up against a fall in demand, geopolitical uncertainties, a strong Swiss franc, global trade tensions and more. Faced with these challenges, some SMEs choose to postpone their innovation projects, which are essential for strengthening their competitiveness in the medium term, due to a lack of available financial resources, preferring to focus on dealing with their immediate challenges. Innosuisse wants to prevent the innovation ecosystem from suffering the consequences of this situation, both in the short and medium term. In order to achieve this, it plans to support innovation efforts by reducing the financial burden on companies. This call aims to promote concrete, science-based projects that will enable SMEs to preserve and strengthen their competitiveness against an uncertain economic backdrop.
What is the benefit of this call for projects?
SMEs are the driving force behind the Swiss economy and play a key role as vehicles for innovation in the market. This call aims to remind companies that Innosuisse is at their side, ready to support them and encourage them as they continue to make innovation a strategic priority in their development. Also, if a company does not have the resources to ensure the financial funding normally required, Innosuisse can reduce or even remove this requirement. This means that even SMEs can embark on an innovation project with a research partner, without major financial hurdles.
Which types of projects are particularly encouraged?
We encourage quick-impact, targeted and well-structured projects. For example, areas such as automation, digital transformation or artificial intelligence can improve companies' agility, efficiency and resilience. However, the call for projects is not limited to a particular theme. Innovation projects in all areas of innovation are encouraged. Applications will be evaluated using the usual criteria applied to innovation projects.
Who is this appeal specifically aimed at?
It is aimed at all Swiss companies with fewer than 500 full-time equivalents. Please note: If an SME is controlled by another company, it’s the total number of employees in the group that counts. They must partner with a Swiss research partner recognised by Innosuisse.
What message would you like to send to SMEs?
Innovation is not just for large companies. We want to say to SMEs: Dare to take the plunge, even when times are tough. This support is there to help you turn your ideas into concrete results, in collaboration with Swiss research centres. It’s an investment in your future.
Investing in technology transfer activities and projects in collaboration with research centres promotes the integration of new technologies and the redesign of business models. Companies also benefit greatly from the key knowledge and skills available within these institutions, which promotes innovation and strengthens their competitive advantage in the long term.
For your information, the call for projects closed on 10 September 2025.