Initial Coaching grants you a voucher worth up to CHF 10,000 for coaching sessions with Innosuisse accredited coaches over a period of up to twelve months.
Requirements
In order to be eligible for Initial Coaching, your start-up must meet the following requirements:
Innovative and science-based business idea
Start-up has already set up a business in Switzerland within the last five years or the last ten years in justified cases (e.g. time-intensive life science start-ups) or about to incorporate a company in Switzerland (existing Swiss address required)
Business idea has high market potential and is defendable (IP, know-how, speed to market, etc.)
Business model is scalable and executed by an ambitious team with the potential to achieve the goals
What your application should include
The application is to be submitted online in the Innosuisse online tool and should include:
Description of the innovative business idea
Value proposition of offered product/service
Explanation of the competitive advantage
Description of the team and their commitment
Any relevant company documents (e.g. investor pitch deck, company presentation, etc.)
Submit application
Do you meet the requirements? Then enter your application in the Innosuisse online tool.
If you are logging in for the first time, you will need to register. If you are already registered, you can go directly to the Initial Coaching application form after logging in.
After the application has been submitted, Innosuisse will start the evaluation process.
Through the Federal Administration’s eIAM system (“electronic identity and access management”), you can register for access to the application platform Innosuisse Analytics. eIAM manages a user’s access rights. This step is only necessary when registering for the first time.
The code is generated by the Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication FOITT. You can click on “Neuen Bestätigungscode anfordern” to request a new confirmation code. The codes sometimes take a short period of time to arrive. You can also follow the instructions on the CH-LOGIN Help under “SMS reception affected (mTAN has not arrived”. If this does not work, please contact the FOITT helpdesk at +41 (0) 58 465 88 88 or email servicedesk@bit.admin.ch.
1st step: Use Firefox or Microsoft Edge, ensuring you are running the latest version available 2nd step: Delete cookies and browsing history (Firefox/Microsoft EDGE) 3rd step: Use the correct URL for the role. Link for applicants: research centres, companies, start-ups and other organisations: https://analytics.innosuisse.ch/pub
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On the platform Innosuisse Analytics under “My Applications”, enter the code under “Enter Code”. The invitation code can be used to add new project members to projects.
Under “Collaborators” the “Admin” (point 1 in the picture) can check if the code is still valid; (point 2 in the picture). If the code is invalid, the admin can trigger a new code by clicking on the “re-send invitation” letter icon.
The user who locks the screen must first return to the overview, then log out. If the browser window is closed directly then the system will block editing. If this should unintentionally happen then log in again, open the application and exit correctly via “Overview” -> “Logout”.
(In the case of start-up coaching, this only applies in status “NEW” before the application is submitted.)
You can change your postal address directly on the platform Innosuisse Analytics under “My profile”. The changes are automatically applied to the application if it is in status “New”. Please contact the relevant team in charge of your project to change an address for current projects/vouchers.
Innovation cheque or innovation project: innoprojects@innosuisse.ch
Start-up Coaching: startup@innosuisse.ch
If you are granted a voucher, you can search for coaches using the platform Innosuisse Analytics. Various search functions and the coaches’ skills profiles are available to help you find a suitable coach for your project. You will also find the coaches’ contact details so that you can enquire about a potential partnership with a relevant coach in advance. As soon as you have found a coach, you can use Innosuisse Analytics to invite this coach to support you during the coaching programme.
When initially being granted a voucher, Innosuisse will assist you in choosing a lead coach by issuing a recommendation to help you begin you coaching programme. Furthermore, at any time in the programme, if you have trouble finding a suitable coach, Innosuisse or your lead coach will be glad to help you.
N.B.: The voucher can only be redeemed with coaches in Innosuisse’s list of qualified coaches.
Coaches are paid for their flexible coaching services on an hourly basis at a standard hourly rate of CHF 200 (all inclusive). Special coaches are paid at set flat rates which depend on the service. This service is typically a bundled package e.g. in form of a clearly defined workshop.
When a coach invoices for hours worked, a notification will appear on your dashboard under the heading “new payment requests”, marked with an orange exclamation point. If you click on the exclamation mark, you can access the invoice details and directly approve or reject it.
The relationship between you and Innosuisse will be a funding relationship. The associated rights and obligations are set out in the "ruling" you will receive when your application has been approved.[1]
Your partnership with a coach is governed by a standardised contract model from Innosuisse. This is available under the heading "Documents" on the platform Innosuisse Analytics. Every additional partnership with another coach or special coach requires an additional contract. You need to set the portion of your budget that you want to give to each of your coaches as compensation for their services. This amount will be agreed directly between you and the coach concerned. If necessary, the budget can be changed at any time by mutual agreement online on the platform Innosuisse Analytics.
The contract is usually concluded between you and a coach without any involvement from Innosuisse. However, Innosuisse may request evidence that a suitable contract has been concluded. Innosuisse must also be informed by e-mail (startup@innosuisse.ch) if you or the coach wish to amend the contents of the contract template. This is required so that Innosuisse can check whether the amended agreement is still compatible with the legal basis.
[1] A ruling is a legal term for the paper document that Innosuisse sends to the applicants. This document contains the decision as to whether an application for coaching was approved or rejected.
You will find a copy of the contract in the “Documents” section of your voucher on the platform Innosuisse Analytics. When you invite a coach for coaching activities, you must accept the terms of the contract that will bind you to the coach.
The voucher is managed solely via the platform Innosuisse Analytics. This tool shows your milestones, which coaches you are working with and how much of your budget you have left. You can also use this tool to perform tasks such as inviting more coaches to work with you on your start-up.
All Innosuisse coaches have a proven track record of their expertise. Further information on the individual coaches is provided in the Innosuisse online tool. Extensive interviewing is therefore not expedient. However, it is recommended you contact and briefly discuss the match with a specific coach. Innosuisse can support you with the selection if you are unsure.
The relationship between you and Innosuisse is a funding relationship. The associated rights and obligations are set out in the “decision” you will receive when your application has been approved. A "decision” is a legal term for the paper document that Innosuisse sends to the applicants. This document contains the decision as to whether an application for coaching was approved or rejected.
Your partnership with a coach is governed by a standardised contract, which is implemented in the IT tool and automatically becomes effective as soon as that coach decides to accept your invitation to work together. You will need to specify a portion of your budget to be assigned to each coach for their services. The budget amount is to be agreed between you and the relevant coach directly. If necessary, the budget can be amended at any time in the Innosuisse online tool by mutual agreement.
Under certain circumstances it is possible to change the lead coach. This matter should first be discussed with the lead coach and subsequently requested with Innosuisse by email (startup@innosuisse.ch).
Coaches are paid for their flexible coaching services on an hourly basis at a standard hourly rate. The whole payments process is managed directly and electronically in the Innosuisse online tool.
The voucher is managed solely via the Innosuisse online tool provided by Innosuisse. There you can see which coach(es) you are working with and how much of your budget you have left.
You can complete the programme at any time but must finish it by the defined end date. In order to complete the coaching programme, you have to submit a specific evaluation report for review using the Innosuisse online tool. You can do this as soon as you are ready to answer the questions in the form, but by no later than the end date of the specific coaching voucher.
Yes, both start-up companies (as an overall organisation) and their founders (as individuals) are eligible to submit an application to Innosuisse for Start-up Coaching.
The Innosuisse platforms are used to submit and manage applications to Innosuisse. Project partners and start-ups can submit applications. Innosuisse members can access the projects and cases assigned to them.
With an approved application from Innosuisse for Start-up Coaching, take advantage of a free Assisted Patent Search from the Intellectual Property Institute.
All about Swiss start-ups. Startupticker is the source of information for this ecosystem. Find out more about the successes of start-ups, the most important events or training offers and support programmes.
