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FIT Digital

The FIT Digital programme aims to support entrepreneurs established in the Canton of Vaud who develop projects with an innovative business model, based on digital technology, which are difficult to imitate and have strong growth potential.

This tool has been designed to identify not only promising digital startups, but also the talented entrepreneurs who will be in charge of creating the jobs of tomorrow.

We want to give you the chance as an entrepreneur to test new innovative business models, to quickly gather evidence of success and to support you financially in the early stages of your development.

Are you eligible for any of the FIT Digital supports?

Digital Grant

Grant of CHF 20'000
Test the business model hypotheses and validate the client's problem

Digital Seed

Loan of CHF 50'000
Validate the value proposition and acquire the first clients

Digital Growth

Loan of CHF 200'000
Set up and execute first growth strategies

Objectives:
- Validate the hypotheses of the business model and the customer problem
- Validate the entrepreneur's ability to create a team
- Validate the execution of the product by moving from a prototype to an MVP

Objectives:
- Validate the value proposition and acquire the first clients
- Validate the entrepreneur's ability to consolidate a team
- Validate the execution of the product by moving from an MVP to a scalable version

Objectives:
- Implement and execute first growth strategies
- Validate the entrepreneur's ability to complete the team
- Validate the entrepreneur's ability to raise funds and generate a turnover of about 30'000 per month

Pre-requisites: 
- Innovation: ability to demonstrate that the business model is innovative, difficult to imitate and with strong growth potential

- Team: 2 to 5 people (no full-time obligation), including at least one person domiciled in the Canton of Vaud

- Product: mockup or working prototype

- Funds available: the startup must have at least CHF 20,000 - max CHF 50,000

- Location: job creation in the Canton of Vaud

- Company status: before creation or 6 months after (RC)

Pre-requisites:
- Innovation: ability to demonstrate that the business model is innovative, difficult to imitate and with strong growth potential

- Team: 2-5 people (FTE 2) with in-house technology expertise

- Product: MVP

- Funds available: the startup must have a minimum of CHF 50'000 - max. CHF 200'000

- Location: potential of 10 jobs created in the Canton of Vaud

- Company status: max 12 months after creation (RC)

Pre-requisites:
- Innovation: ability to demonstrate that the business model is innovative, difficult to imitate and with strong growth potential

- Team: 5+ people (FTE 3) with in-house technology expertise

- Product: functional, scalable and replicable version

- Funds available: fundraising of min. CHF 200'000 - max. CHF 2 million by the startup

- Location: potential of 10+ jobs created in the Canton of Vaud

- Company status: max 36 months after creation (RC)

No financing terms

Financing terms :
- 0% interest
- Repayable over 6 years
- 20% personal guarantee

Financing terms:
- 8% interest (2% upon signature + 6% kicker)
- Repayable over 6 years

What is the process?

1. Application via the online form 

2. Pre-evaluation of the project by Innovaud 

Innovaud is the innovation and investment promotion agency of the canton of Vaud in Switzerland. During an interview of about 1 hour, the start-up and Innovaud review the project. 

3. Validation of the application by FIT

During an interview lasting approximately one hour, FIT examines the project with the start-up. 

4. Pitch to the Selection Committee

The session starts with a 10-minute pitch for the startup, followed by a 10-minute Q&A by the FIT Digital Committee. 

5. Definition of milestones and validation of the use of funds with FIT

6. Signature of contracts

7. Release of funds

8. Monitoring of KPIs (+3 months) 

Key dates

Submission of applications:

Selection Committee:

09 March 

12 May 

24 August 

15 November 

30 March 

09 June 

14 September 

06 December 

To apply for FIT support, register via Innovaud (the innovation and investment promotion agency for the canton of Vaud), which is responsible for the pre-selection of candidates:

Active in Food & Hospitality?

The Food & Hospitality programme, launched by the Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT) in association with EHL, targets digital start-ups active in the hospitality industry which includes travel, tourism and entertainment. Start-ups participating in this programme will benefit from the infrastructure and network of the EHL Innovation Village.