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Politics

Our political engagement

Startup Visa

Switzerland deserves the best talent! We fight for you.

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ESOP Tax burden

We want Swiss startups to be interesting employers.

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99% Initiative

We want Swiss startups to be interesting for investments!

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Explore the Startup Vision

Swiss startups are on the rise, and so is their influence on our national policies. Meet Andri Silberschmidt, National Councillor and Vice President of the FDP, who’s actively working towards a brighter future for startups in Switzerland.

In this video, Andri discusses the developments of recent years, upcoming milestones, and the hurdles that startups face on their journey.

Join the conversation: Watch the video to learn more important prospects for Swiss startups and discover here more Entrepreneurs in politics.

Investment Control Law

New Uncertainties for Swiss Startups

The Investment Control Law introduces legal uncertainties, restricts access to international capital, and threatens Switzerland’s competitiveness. We strongly urge the Council of States to reject this proposal.

Read our full press release for more details

Consultation 16.442

Startup employees with shares are exempt from working time recording

Employees of start-ups with shareholdings in the company should be released from the obligation to record their working time.

Learn more about this consultation
Learn more about this initiative

Startup Visa

We want to break down barriers for starting a business in Switzerland.

Launching a business in Switzerland is relatively easy  for C-Permit holders (ie. Swiss permanent residents). However, when it comes to foreigners, the rules tend to be stricter.

Facilitating admission for foreigners with Swiss university degrees.
Learn more about this initiative and how it tackles skilled worker shortages. Let’s unlock Switzerland’s workforce potential together.

ESOP Tax burden

Improvement and unification in the taxation of employee shares

For many startups, it´s usual to create a so-called “Employee Stock Option Plan” (ESOP) to make sure that key or even all employees receive a benefit for their commitments.

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Nevertheless, the framework conditions in Switzerland are not yet ideal.

The Swiss Startup Association fights for you, so these conditions will improve.

News

Swiss Startups facing Financial Challenges

While early-stage funding remains accessible in Switzerland, raising larger amounts is challenging, forcing startups to seek funds abroad.

During the Swiss Economic Forum 2024, Raphael Tobler, President of the Swiss Startup Association and some Startup founders briefly explain the current situation regarding the financing of start-ups and scale-ups in Switzerland.

Check out the SRF story about this topic

News

Swiss Position Paper on FP10

The Swiss Position Paper on the 10th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) was prepared by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, with input from Swiss R&I stakeholders, including the Swiss Startup Association.

The EU Framework Programmes are crucial for Switzerland due to its strong engagement history, shared principles, and central location in Europe, which promote scientific exchange and collaboration. This paper outlines key principles to be addressed in FP10 from a Swiss perspective.

Learn more reading the paper here.

News

Creation of an innovation fund

The Federal Council is commissioned to create an innovation fund that will be funded from various sources. This fund is intended to make it possible to invest in startups that need to develop in order to bring novel products and services to the market.

The topic will be discussed in the Council on Thursday, September 28, 2023.

Learn more reading the motion and this document.

99% Initiative

We have been advocating for the concerns of startups in this important vote.

The success of the 99% initiative would have been damaging for the Swiss startup ecosystem.

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The capital income tax discourages investors. Already today, eight out of ten start-ups fail on average, and the investors lose their investment if it does not work out. If it does, they have to get their return, because they ultimately bear the financial risk. However, if the majority of the proceeds go to the state, the incentive to be entrepreneurial dwindles and as a result, less is invested.

We are happy that the initiative have been rejected.

Relevant Blogposts

Position on the Juso Tax Initiative (99% initiative)
Position on the Juso Tax Initiative (99% initiative)
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Standpunkt Zur Steuer Initiative Der Juso (99% Initiative)
Standpunkt zur Steuer-Initiative der Juso (99%-Initiative)
Read more

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