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.

Am I eligible for any of the FIT Digital supports?

Digital Grant

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

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

Prerequisites :
- 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: closed or open beta with initial test customers

- Funds available: the startup must have at least CHF 20,000 - max CHF 200,000. The project must not have received a public or private grant exceeding CHF 20,000.

- Location: job creation in the canton of Vaud and incorporation of the company in the canton of Vaud

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

No financing terms

Digital Seed

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

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

Prerequisites :
- 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: an initial version of the product (v1) with first paying customers

- Funds available: the startup must have a minimum of CHF 50'000 - max. CHF 500'000

- Location: potential of 10 jobs created in the Canton of Vaud and incorporation of the company in the canton of Vaud

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

Financing terms :
- 0% interest
- Repayable over 5 years
- Conversion option on 25% of the loan at the next round price. Exercise of option within 10 years in the event of a liquidity event
- On maturity of the option, without prior exercise of the option, repayment of the 25% nominal amount + a bonus of CHF 12,500

Digital Growth

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

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

Prerequisite :
- 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 and incorporation of the company in the canton of Vaud

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

Financing terms:
- 2% interest
- Repayable over 5 years
- 10-year conversion option on 25% of the loan, at the share price of the round that the FIT matches
- Minimum payback of 25% nominal + CHF 30K

What is the process?

1. Application via the online form

2. Pre-evaluation of the project

During an interview of about 1 hour, the project is reviewed.

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)

When should I submit my application?

The FIT Digital program operates on a rolling selection process. Applications can be submitted at any time of the year.

Applications are reviewed during five selection sessions per year and processed in the order in which they are received. Once the capacity for a session has been reached, subsequent applications are automatically carried over to the next session.

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as your project is ready so that it can be considered for the next available session.

To apply for FIT support, fill out your application on the following platform:

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