Geneva expands innovation support with new FIF Digital and Impact funding

Geneva expands its innovation support, awarding new FIF Digital and Impact funding to four start-ups developing AI, retail tech, procurement tools and water solutions.

Geneva has awarded new funding to four early-stage innovation projects through the FONGIT Innovation Fund (FIF), marking one of the first concrete outcomes of the canton’s new Innovation Masterplan. The funding round reflects a major expansion of the FIF, made possible by the doubling of public resources dedicated to innovation voted by the Grand Council in June 2025.

With this increase, Geneva has introduced two new thematic tracks, FIF Digital and FIF Impact, to complement the existing technology-focused scheme. FIF Digital aims to accelerate the emergence of cutting-edge digital technologies, while FIF Impact supports early-stage projects generating measurable social, environmental or economic benefits.

CHF 50,000 FIF Seed Digital awarded to Ovomind

Ovomind is transforming the video game industry by enabling developers to integrate players’ emotional responses directly into gameplay. The platform quantifies physiological indicators, such as excitement, stress or calmness, into a real-time emotional map, helping studios create more immersive experiences.

Selected among the Top 100 Swiss Startups 2025, Ovomind will use the CHF 50,000 FIF Seed Digital loan to accelerate commercialization of its neuro-interaction technology, which blends generative AI, neuroscience and biometric analysis.

CHF 50,000 FIF Seed Digital awarded to ZenOwn

ZenOwn helps consumer brands optimize their presence in physical stores through an AI-powered SaaS platform that automates shelf audits, planogram creation, and shopper behavior analysis. Already deployed across 23 brands in 31 countries, the solution increases in-store visibility and customer engagement.

The CHF 50,000 FIF Seed Digital loan will support new hires and enterprise integrations as the company scales globally.

CHF 50,000 FIF Seed Digital awarded to DiPriMa

DiPriMa streamlines contract and pricing management through an AI platform that identifies price-adjustment clauses, refines pricing formulas and automates the integration of external data such as commodity indices. This approach enhances transparency, compliance and traceability in procurement operations.

With help from the CHF 50,000 FIF Seed Digital loan, DiPriMa will strengthen the financial and technological foundations of its next growth phase.

CHF 20,000 FIF Seed Impact awarded to NanoAid

NanoAid, developed by the Geneva-based non-profit Antenna Technology Association, offers a pocket-sized, sustainable water purification tool for regions with limited access to clean water. Already deployed in nine countries, NanoAid will use the CHF 20,000 FIF Seed Impact grant to launch its first industrial production phase.

Strengthening Geneva’s innovation ecosystem

The FIF is a key instrument of Geneva’s “Plan directeur cantonal de l’innovation”, designed to reinforce the canton’s position as an international hub for science- and technology-based entrepreneurship. Between 2025 and 2027, more than CHF 8 million in public funding will support innovative companies across tech, digital and impact sectors. Since 2021, the FIF has supported nearly 80 projects, while FONGIT has assisted more than 500 start-ups, contributing to the creation of over 1,800 jobs.