Meet our Hub Member FONGIT: De-risking the entrepreneurial journey & transforming innovation

Tell us more about FONGIT

At FONGIT, we support entrepreneurs with the expertise, resources, and financing they need to transform innovative ideas into sustainable companies.

Our tailored programs offer targeted coaching, office space, administrative and legal support, as well as guidance on governance and financing. We also foster connections within a vibrant community of innovators and regularly host events and workshops.

Our financing tool, the FIF, accelerates innovation across Geneva’s economy by supporting research emerging from the University of Geneva, the Universities of Applied Sciences (HES), and institutions such as CERN, as well as startups, scale-ups, and fast-growing tech SMEs registered in Geneva’s commercial registry.

What types of startups and entrepreneurs do you mainly support, and what specific characteristics or resources make your hub unique compared to others?

FONGIT is a private, non-profit foundation supported by the State of Geneva. Our mission is to de-risk the entrepreneurial journey for startups, transforming innovation into economic and social value for the Canton of Geneva. We currently support over 250 Swiss deeptech startups across ICT, Advanced Engineering, and Life Sciences.

What motivated the creation of your hub, and what gap in the ecosystem are you addressing?

Established in 1991, we are a private, non-profit foundation supported by the State of Geneva. Our mission has always been to de-risk the entrepreneurial journey for startups and transform innovation into economic and social value.

What are your current strategic priorities or expansion plans for your hub?

Our priority is to continue de-risking the entrepreneurial journey for startups, from ideation to scale, by strengthening our support ecosystem, expanding access to funding, and building bridges between research, industry, and talent to transform innovation into lasting economic and social value in the Canton of Geneva.

Can you share a success story or highlight of a startup that grew within your hub?

Our startups have collectively raised over CHF 1 billion in financing. Among the success stories that have grown with FONGIT’s support are Proton, SonarSource, OneDoc, Alohi, iOnctura, and Aptissen.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Answers to many questions entrepreneurs may have about our programs and eligibility criteria can be found on our FAQ page. Our events are free and open to everyone. You’ll find all upcoming dates on our Events page. To keep up with our latest news, you can follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletter.

About the author

The Swiss Startup Association (SSA) is the umbrella organisation and the voice of Swiss startups. As a sector-independent non-profit organisation, the SSA gives startups a strong voice vis-à-vis politics, business, and works to improve the conditions for startups in Switzerland. Beyond its political engagement, the SSA fosters a community for startups, recognizing the unique challenges they face. Through networking opportunities, educational sessions, and practical services, the SSA collaborates with industry partners to offer tailored support and valuable resources to guide founders on their entrepreneurial journey.

Join the Swiss Startup Association! Tap into our member benefits, the comprehensive Investor List and get full access to our events. By becoming an SSA Member you enjoy discounted tickets to our Big Founders Dinners and the SSA Founders Day.