Seed loans for innovative projects
Public Foundation of the Canton of Fribourg
In figures
CHF millions invested
start-ups supported
current projects
Our mission
The Seed Capital Fribourg Foundation was created in 2010 with the aim of promoting innovation in the Fribourg economy, in particular by contributing to the financing and development of companies or future companies in high value-added, scientific and technological fields of obvious economic interest to the canton of Fribourg.
Seed Capital Fribourg’s seed loans are part of the support measures for companies in the Canton of Fribourg under the Law on Economic Promotion (LPEc), which aims to improve the attractiveness and competitiveness of regions, generate added value and create and maintain jobs while respecting sustainable development.
Selection criteria
Project financing
The Seed Capital Fribourg Foundation is responsible for granting seed capital loans as defined in the Economic Promotion Regulations (RPEc).
Innovative and sustainable
Your project is innovative or high value-added, and can demonstrate potential sustainability. Innovative character refers to the technology, production process or business model that the project incorporates. An assessment of the project's sustainability will also be taken into account when granting the loan.
In the start-up phase
Your project is in the process of confirming its technical and commercial validity. Your product or service has yet to be finalized and your market not yet confirmed. For example, funding will enable project leaders to better define market needs by meeting potential customer companies, define product specifications and produce an initial prototype that will serve as an effective demonstration that the idea has real commercial potential.
Fribourg
Your project must be incorporated (Sàrl or SA registration) in the canton of Fribourg within 12 months of loan approval. In the event of departure from the canton, the balance of the repayment and accrued interest will fall due immediately.
Conditions
Loan terms and conditions
The maximum amount of a seed loan is CHF 100,000.
Interests
The interest rate is 0% for as long as the project does not generate sales, but for no longer than 3 years. After this period, or as soon as the project generates sales, the interest rate is set at 5%.
Timetable
Loans are disbursed in 3-5 instalments and are conditional on the achievement of milestones. Repayments are made on the basis of a repayment schedule finalized as part of the contract. However, the loan can be repaid at any time if the project owner so wishes. As soon as the project has raised total capital of over CHF 1 million, repayment of the loan is due in principle (otherwise, the interest rate increases to 10%).
Warranties
50% of the loan must be guaranteed by one or more natural persons by means of a joint and several guarantee. The project also has a duty to inform the Foundation (submission of annual accounts, etc.). All information may be shared with Promotion Economique, Fri Up and Capital Risque Fribourg.
More than 30 projects funded to date.
Since its creation, the Foundation has funded over 30 projects or start-ups in a wide variety of fields: digital platforms, AI-based forecasting models, plasma and injection technology, etc.
Selection process
How does it work?
The team responsible for analyzing loan applications pays particular attention to the following points:
Project promoting innovation in the Fribourg economy | High added-value, scientific or technological field | Project sponsor demonstrating entrepreneurial vocation | Identified commercial potential | Funds used to confirm technical and commercial viability | Respect for sustainable development.
Online registration
The project owner registers online using the loan application form. Fri Up makes an initial selection based on eligibility criteria.
File preparation
If your project meets the various criteria to benefit from a seed loan, Fri Up will support you in the process of preparing the project to be presented to the Foundation Board. The Foundation's Executive Secretary will decide which projects will be submitted to the Foundation Board.
Submission to the Board of Trustees
The Foundation has a Board of Trustees which makes decisions in support of the projects presented to it. The project leader has 15 minutes to make his or her presentation and propose funding milestones, before answering the Board's questions. The Board deliberates and informs the applicant of the outcome within a few days. The Board is made up of public and private sector members with entrepreneurial, industrial and academic backgrounds.
Financing agreement
If the project is selected, the Foundation and the project owner sign a number of documents: a letter of intent outlining the overall commitment to the loan, a loan contract with the conditions and commitments of the first milestone, and a back-to-back personal guarantee contract.