Contact 
About us 
Magazine In Graubünden
Start a business
We are very pleased with our positive relationships with the authorities, the Canton and Swissmedic. These enable us to achieve the strategic goals we have set ourselves.
Sergio Dusci Managing Director, InfoRLife SA
Support on the path to starting your business
Personal point of contact
Starting a business involves a wide range of questions and decisions. Graubünden provides founders with targeted guidance, highlights suitable support options and directs them to relevant specialist bodies and partner organisations.
This gives businesses straightforward access to information and specialist expertise on topics such as legal structure, financing, location selection and permits.
Support is confidential and free of charge, and is available to founders and companies in the start-up phase.
A strong environment for business
Starting a business in Graubünden
In 2023, more than 1'000 founders have choosen Graubünden as the location for their business. With more than 21'000 established companies (2024) and a diverse economic structure, the canton offers a strong environment for new business ideas and entrepreneurial growth.
Everything you need to get started
Services and benefits
From financing to legal and organisational matters, starting a business involves numerous issues that need to be clarified and coordinated at an early stage.
Graubünden offers a broad network of specialist bodies and partner organisations to help address them. The canton provides guidance and indicates which services and points of contact may be relevant to each specific need. The overview below summarises the main support available for starting a business.
Overview
| Legal structure | Introductions to specialist bodies that can advise on selecting the appropriate legal structure and the next steps in setting up a business. |
|---|---|
| Financing and funding | Guidance on financing options and funding instruments, and connections to the relevant contacts. |
| Permits | Overview of regulatory requirements and introductions to the responsible authorities. |
| Tax and legal | Introductions to specialists for tax, legal and corporate law matters. |
| Innovation and networks | Access to universities, research institutions, industry organisations and other network partners |
From idea to business
A structured path to starting your business
The industry, business model and legal structure determine which requirements need to be considered when setting up a company. Careful preparation provides the foundation for addressing key questions early and taking the necessary steps in a focused way.
Graubünden can provide targeted guidance, relevant information and referrals to suitable points of contact.
Funding the journey from idea to business
Financing and funding
Financing is a central part of planning a business start-up. The options available depend on factors such as the business model, capital requirements and stage of development - from equity and bank financing to guarantees and public funding instruments. A robust business plan provides an important basis for financing discussions.
Graubünden offers guidance on available financing and funding options and identifies relevant specialist bodies and financing partners.
Overview
| Funding programmes | A range of funding programmes support business start-ups, innovation and investment, depending on the project, industry and stage of development. |
|---|---|
| Guarantees | Guarantees can make it easier to access debt financing by securing loans with financial institutions and reducing financing risk. |
| Loans | Depending on the project, low-interest or supplementary loans may be available to finance investment and business development. |
| Innovation funding | Under certain conditions, companies may benefit from tax relief, for example in connection with relocation or investment projects. |
| Tax relief | Unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen können Unternehmen von steuerlichen Erleichterungen profitieren, beispielsweise bei Ansiedlungs- oder Investitionsvorhaben. |
| Contacts with financing partners | We connect businesses with banks, investors, funding institutions and other financing partners, and support them in preparing for financing discussions. |
Connecting knowledge and business
Innovation and networks
Exchange with companies, industry organisations and specialist bodies can provide valuable impetus for building and developing a business. Graubünden points founders towards relevant networks and contacts, making it easier to access experience and specialist expertise.
For innovative projects, additional capabilities are available through the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons, members of Academia Raetica and other innovation partners. Depending on the issue, this can lead to valuable contacts with companies, potential customers, project partners or public institutions.
Targeted support for start-ups
Innovative business ideas often need more than a successful launch. Graubünden supports start-ups as they grow and provides access to networks, innovation partners and suitable programmes.
Successfully founded in Graubünden
Success stories
Setting up the company is only the beginning. In the first few years, the focus is on developing the offering, acquiring customers and establishing a market presence. As the business evolves, new questions often arise - for example around investment, innovation or additional locations.
Graubünden remains a point of contact after incorporation, advising companies on their next development steps or connecting them with suitable support services.
Oblamatik
(Viega Schweiz AG)
Oblamatik was founded as a limited liability company in Chur on 25 January 1999 by electrical engineers Roland Obrist and Edo Lang. What began as a "living-room start-up" specialising in precision laser measurement technology developed into a sensor technology specialist. Oblamatik joined Viega in 2011 and has operated as Viega Schweiz AG since 2023
dhp Technology AG
dhp was founded in Zizers on 1 May 2015 by Gian Andri Diem and Andreas Hügli. The founders acquired a folding system from Liechtenstein, substantially redeveloped it and secured a patent. This became the solar folding roof, whose first commercial installation went into operation in Chur in 2017.
Inventx AG
Inventx was founded in Chur in 2010 by former T-Systems executives Hans Nagel and Gregor Stücheli. In a management buyout, they acquired the banking IT division of an international IT service provider, together with its 90 employees. Operations commenced on 1 October 2010.
