Information for Companies
The specific objective to participate in an EU funded programme is to stimulate sustainable economic growth by increasing the level of innovation in SMEs, covering their different needs over the whole innovation cycle for all types of innovation, and thereby creating faster growing, internationally active SMEs.
Horizon Europe
The research framework program Horizon Europe runs from 2021-2027. Participation of companies incl. start-ups is still possible in most collaborative projects. Funding for Swiss project partners (incl. companies) in positively evaluated projects is guaranteed by SERI.
Further information can be found at www.euresearch.ch/companies.
The highly attractive instrument EIC Accelerator, as a mono-beneficiary grant, is currently not open for a Swiss participation, see link below to "Status of Switzerland in Horizon Europe". However, the Swiss Accelerator will be available from April 1, 2022. This is a national transitional measure aimed at individual start-ups and SMEs that want to carry out innovation projects with significant innovation potential and the goal of quickly and efficiently commercializing novel products and services. The Swiss Accelerator is offered by Innosuisse.
SERI provides information on the current status of Switzerland in Horizon Europe.
Please contact us for any questions you might have.
SME registration and definition
Registration
In order to apply for and to participate in an EU project, Swiss SMEs need to be registered (PIC-number, Participant Identification Code). You may check easily if your organisation is already registered.
Please find more information about SME definition on this website.
In a nutshell, EC defines SMEs as follows:
To count as an SME, your organisation must be engaged in an economic activity and must have:
- fewer than 250 employees and
- an annual turnover of no more than €50 million and/or an annual balance sheet of no more than €43 million.
Please note: Whether you count as an SME may depend on how you count your workforce, turnover or balance sheet (see links below). Please note that you must take account of any relationships you have with other enterprises (autonomous, partner, linked). Depending on the category in which your enterprise fits you may then need to add some, or all of the data. For more details: Recommendation 2003/361/EC.
Eurostars
The Eurostars programme is a joint programme of EUREKA and the European Commission and the first European funding and support programme specifically aimed at SMEs. Eurostars encourages SMEs to manage international collaboration and innovation projects by providing simplified access to support and funding. The financing is handled by Innosuisse, cf. Innosuisse: Eurostars
Project Funding by Innosuisse (National Funding Programme)
Innosuisse is the Swiss Agency for Innovation Promotion. It offers start-up coaching and training and promotes science-based innovation projects between companies and research partners. The two instruments Swiss Accelerator and Start-up Innovation Projects offer direct funding to start-ups and it is not necessary to have an academic partner.
Enterprise Europe Network
The Enterprise Europe Network, EEN, helps innovative companies and researchers to find partners for business and projects.
Technology Database
Online database – Offers and requests from European enterprizes and research institutions
Technology e-Alert
Upon registration you will receive actual information about innovative offers and requests by email.
Technology Promotion
Erstellen Sie Ihr Technologie-Angebot oder Ihre Technologie– Nachfrage.
Brokerage Events & Company missions
Meet your potential partners at Brokerage Events and Company Missions
Joint Innovation Support for Companies and Start-Ups in the Basel Area
Euresearch Basel and the University of Basel are part of the "Platform Research and Innovation to support SMEs and Start-Ups in the Basel Area". Stakeholders in this platform work closely together in order to serve SMEs and Start-Ups best.
