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Funding for businesses
One positive factor, both then and now, is that the authorities have always supported our projects constructively.
Arnim Brüchle Managing Director, TRUMPF Schweiz AG
Turning new ideas into success
Funding options explained
Different funding instruments are available depending on the project. Relevant factors include the degree of innovation, economic impact, location, project stage and the requirements of the respective funding programme. Graubünden informs companies about potential funding instruments and identifies the programmes, contact points or partner organisations that may be relevant to a specific project. It helps put the different options into context and sets out appropriate next steps.
Legal notice & funding principles:
Support is always provided within the applicable legal framework, in particular the Act on the Promotion of Economic Development in the Canton of Graubünden (GWE), the associated Ordinance (VWE) and the guidelines for innovative projects. Applications are assessed against criteria such as the degree of innovation, value creation, impact on the location and market potential. There is no legal entitlement to funding contributions or tax relief; applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis according to their specific circumstances. Straight replacement purchases or standard measures without a material impact on innovation and value creation are not eligible for funding.
Overview of funding options
| Economic Development and Tourism Agency Graubünden (AWT) 🡥 | The main point of contact for questions about cantonal economic development funding. AWT provides information on funding opportunities, assesses applications for cantonal funding and, where appropriate, identifies other responsible funding bodies. |
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| SME Centre Graubünden 🡥 | Supports SMEs and founders with business-related questions and the further development of their companies. |
| GRdigital 🡥 | The point of contact for promoting digital transformation in Graubünden. It supports networking, knowledge transfer and digital transformation projects. |
| New Regional Policy (NRP) 🡥 | A federal and cantonal funding instrument for projects that strengthen innovation, value creation and competitiveness in the regions. |
| Innosuisse 🡥 | The Swiss Innovation Agency supports science-based innovation projects and knowledge transfer between research and business. |
| BG OST-SÜD 🡥 | Provides advice, networking and financial support, particularly to young companies in Graubünden. Its focus is on innovative businesses and start-ups, especially in technology and tourism. |
| INNOZET 🡥 | Supports high-performing SMEs with strong development potential by providing guarantees, helping them access bank financing for investments, growth or business succession, for example. |
| Other institutions | Depending on the project, other national or regional funding bodies, universities, research institutions or financing partners may also be relevant. |
Different funding approaches
Different funding options and points of contact may be relevant depending on your plans. Select the area that best describes your project. You do not need to know which specific funding programme is right for you at this stage.
Use the contact form to describe your project in no more than 600 characters and select the relevant topic. This information will help identify suitable funding options and the appropriate point of contact for your project.
Digitalisation & automation | Digital technologies and automation can significantly advance processes, products, services and business models. Specific funding opportunities are available in Graubünden for digital transformation projects. Potential topics include, for example:
Your point of contact: GRdigitalGRdigital 🡥 is the central point of contact for promoting digital transformation in Graubünden. The organisation supports project sponsors in developing project ideas and preparing funding applications. | How to proceed:
| Key factors in assessing a digitalisation project include its potential for transformation and innovation, its expected impact and the associated costs. To prepare your application, you should have information ready on:
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Research & development | Research and development provide the foundation for new or significantly improved products, processes and services. Depending on the project, cantonal funding instruments as well as national programmes such as those offered by Innosuisse may be available. Potential topics include, for example:
Your point of contact: AWT or InnosuisseIf you are planning an innovative project with commercial implementation in Graubünden, the Economic Development and Tourism Agency Graubünden (AWT) 🡥 is a suitable first point of contact at cantonal level. If the project is to be carried out in collaboration with a Swiss university or research institution, funding instruments offered by Innosuisse 🡥 may be relevant. | How to proceed:
| In particular, you should prepare the following information:
For cantonal grants or loans for innovative projects, the additional requirements of the AWT also apply. |
Growth & investment | Investments may be eligible for funding if they are linked to an innovative project and contribute to competitiveness, value creation and economic development in Graubünden. Potential topics include, for example:
Your point of contact: AWTFor grants and loans for innovative projects, the AWT is the central point of contact at cantonal level. The AWT assesses the project and the submitted documentation and, following a positive assessment, prepares the application for submission to the competent decision-making authority. | How to proceed:
| For an application for cantonal grants or loans, the AWT requires, in particular, a business plan covering the next three to five years. This should include, among other things:
For start-ups and spin-offs, additional documents relating to the key individuals involved may be required, for example:
Depending on the project, additional documents may be required. Important: Get in touch at an early stage. For cantonal grants and loans for innovative projects, work relevant to the funding application or construction work should generally not begin before a funding decision has been made. Any early start must be clarified and, where required, approved in advance. |
Regional development projects | Projects with a cross-company or regional economic impact may be supported under the New Regional Policy (NRP) of the Swiss Confederation and the canton. The focus is on projects that strengthen innovation, value creation and competitiveness in the regions. Potential topics include, for example:
Your point of contact: Regional development office in your region and AWTRegional development offices are available in all regions of Graubünden. They provide support in developing and coordinating regional economic projects and serve as an important link to the AWT. The Economic Development and Tourism Agency (AWT) is responsible for implementing the NRP in the canton of Graubünden. | How to proceed:
| Depending on the type of funding, an NRP application requires the following in particular:
Additional project-specific documents may be required. Important: The application must be submitted before any work relevant to the funding begins. |
Tax incentives | In addition to direct grants and loans, tax incentives may also be relevant for companies. The options available depend on the company, the specific project, the location and the applicable legal requirements. Potential instruments include, for example:
Your point of contact: AWT and the Cantonal Tax AdministrationIf you would like to explore the possibility of tax relief in connection with the establishment of a new company or a significant change in business activities, the relevant application must be submitted to the Cantonal Tax Administration 🡥 during the planning phase of the project. | How to proceed:
| An application for tax relief should include the following information in particular:
The patent box and the additional deduction for research and development expenditure are not conventional forms of project funding. They are claimed as part of corporate taxation and are subject to the applicable tax law requirements. |
Not sure which funding option is right for you? | You do not need to make a final assessment of this at the first stage. Describe your project in the contact form 🡥 in no more than 600 characters and select the topic that you consider most appropriate. The information provided will be used for an initial assessment of your project. | The following four pieces of information are particularly helpful:
| Following the initial assessment, we will inform you which funding option may be suitable, which authority is responsible and which documents you need to prepare for a formal application. |
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