Food & Hospitality by EHL

In 2019, the Foundation for Innovation and Technology (FIT) and the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne have set up a programme dedicated to digital-based start-ups and projects in the Food & Hospitality sector. The aim is to jointly support Food & Hospitality entrepreneurship in the broadest sense.

Launched in 2019 with the name “FIT Digital by EHL”, the Food & Hospitality by EHL programme is co-financed by the EHL Innovation Foundation and the FIT, and is open to start-ups established or wishing to establish themselves at the EHL Innovation Hub. Based on the classic FIT Digital aids, the programme offers grants and loans for amounts ranging from CHF 20’000 to CHF 200’000, subject to acceptance by the Selection Committee and according to the criteria presented below.

THE EHL INNOVATION HUB

EHL's Innovation Hub offers startups an expansive ecosystem enriched by the international expertise of EHL in the hospitality industry. This dynamic network includes alumni (representing more than 25’000 individuals), investors providing financial support, students injecting fresh perspectives, and business professionals offering industry connections. This multifaceted ecosystem forms a fertile ground for startups, encouraging collaboration, and enabling them to harness the collective wisdom, resources, and support of a diverse range of stakeholders.

Learn more

Food & Hospitality by EHL for start-ups

Become a member of the extended community of the world’s leading university in Hospitality & Leisure management and participate in exclusive events

Join an ecosystem of innovation focused on Food and Hospitality with entrepreneurs, students, professors, consultants, researchers and EHL Alumni;

Obtain visibility in the media, in the EHL network of 30’000 Alumni and its partners

Access to a network of partners, including the donors of the EHL Innovation Foundation: Nestlé, HôtellerieSuisse, Fondation Casino Barrière and Marriott International

Have a workplace in historic 19th century buildings surrounded by a green space very close to EHL

The freedom of financial aid with no entry into the capital

Are you eligible for one of the Food & Hospitality by EHL 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

- Specialisation: Food & Hospitality

- 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: EHL Innovation Hub

- 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

- Specialisation: Food & Hospitality

- Team: 2 to 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: EHL Innovation Hub

- 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

- Specialisation: Food & Hospitality

- 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: EHL Innovation Hub

- 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

See the process and timeline

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, Switzerland. During an interview of about 1 hour, the start-up and Innovaud review the project.

3. Establishment of the startup in the EHL Innovation Hub

4. Validation of the application by FIT

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

5. 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.

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

7. Signing of contracts and provision of funds

8. Monitoring of KPIs (+3 months)

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:

Apply online