Position Paper

Startup-Agenda Schweiz

With the Startup-Agenda Schweiz, the Swiss Startup Association and its partners outline concrete, pragmatic reforms to strengthen startups as a key pillar of Switzerland’s future prosperity.

Download the Startup-Agenda Schweiz here (DE) FR / IT / EN versions coming soon

Switzerland is one of the world’s most innovative countries. This is thanks in no small part to its strong universities, excellent research and flourishing industry. However, targeted political and structural reforms are needed in the long term to secure this lead, particularly to strengthen the startup ecosystem. Startups are not a marginal phenomenon, but rather key drivers of innovation. They create sustainable jobs, develop new technologies and make a significant contribution to Switzerland’s economic dynamism.

The Startup-Agenda Schweiz demonstrates how Switzerland can become the world’s leading startup nation by implementing specific measures in three strategic areas.

Talent, labor market, and education

A strong startup ecosystem depends on access to skilled talent and modern education. Switzerland must retain highly qualified professionals trained locally, remain attractive for international talent, and foster entrepreneurial thinking early on. At the same time, founders need flexible labor market conditions that provide social security and stability.

Capital and financing

Startups need capital to grow, drive innovation, and remain globally competitive.
Since the Swiss capital market is not yet optimally geared toward young companies,
this position paper aims to create attractive conditions for venture capital funds
and tax incentives for investors and startups.

State, regulation & location policy

A competitive startup ecosystem requires an efficient and modern government that does not slow down innovation with unnecessary bureaucracy. Paper forms, long waiting times, and inefficient processes cost Swiss startups a lot of time, money, and resources today, which is why an efficient and digital government must be created.

Talent for growth

Talent, labor market, and education

Access to qualified skilled workers, including those from third countries, must be facilitated. This requires faster and more digitized work permit procedures for both employees and founders.

At the same time, fair and startup-friendly framework conditions, such as modern employee participation models (ESOP/PSOP) and better social security for founders, are crucial.

Additionally, a cultural shift in education policy is needed, anchoring entrepreneurship and innovative thinking early on in the curriculum, as well as labour laws that enable flexible models for startups.

Creating the right investment conditions

Capital and financing

In order to encourage more investment in Swiss startups, attractive and reliable conditions for venture capital are needed. These include tax incentives, simplified fund approvals and a flexible regulatory environment that takes smaller funds into account.

Overall, a functioning exit culture and a more dynamic capital market are key prerequisites for growth and scaling in Switzerland.

At the same time, domestic investment, particularly by pension funds and established companies, should be promoted to ensure that capital, know-how and value creation remain in the country in the long term.

A startup-friendly state

State, regulation & location policy

Innovative companies should not be held back by outdated structures. Government services must be digital, efficient and startup-friendly. A fully digital company formation process that takes just a few days, a one-stop shop for all administrative matters and the elimination of excessive regulation are essential.

It is also important to prevent unnecessary interventions, such as an investment review law, in order to preserve Switzerland’s open climate of innovation.

At the same time, tax and legal hurdles must be removed.

Download the Startup-Agenda Schweiz here (DE) FR / IT / EN versions coming soon