The Foundation for Innovation and Technology celebrates 30 years of supporting Swiss start-ups

Celebrating three decades of fostering innovation, the FIT has invested CHF 70 million in Swiss start-ups, generating thousands of jobs and raising nearly CHF 2.9 billion. The foundation announced a rebranding to reflect its evolving focus.

The Foundation for Innovation and Technology (FIT) marked its 30th anniversary at a celebratory event on the EPFL campus, attended by over 150 industry representatives, partners, and government officials. Since its creation in 1994, FIT has become a pillar of innovation in the canton of Vaud, distributing more than CHF 70 million in support of start-ups and creating nearly 6,000 jobs, half of them in the canton.

In a keynote address, FIT Director Julien Guex reflected on the foundation’s impact, highlighting the creation of 3,000 jobs in Vaud that generate CHF 20 million in annual tax revenue – a tenfold return on the canton’s contributions. FIT-supported start-ups, known as #startupFIT, have raised CHF 2.9 billion in funding since 2014, an impressive leverage ratio of 52:1 on FIT’s initial support. With 40 exits to date and 83% of alumni still active, FIT’s legacy underscores its role in driving the regional economy.

The event featured addresses from key figures, including State Councillor Isabelle Moret, who lauded FIT as an essential force in the canton’s innovation landscape: “FIT is a crucial element in the dynamic engine of our canton, fostering talent and supporting innovative enterprises that define our forward-looking identity.” Pascal Kiener, CEO of BCV, recalled the bank’s longstanding partnership with FIT, emphasizing its role in connecting young startups with academic institutions, further strengthening the ecosystem.

FIT has supported over 300 start-ups across various fields, initially focusing on life sciences but now branching into cleantech, food, sports, and social impact. The foundation’s strategic evolution reflects the shifting landscape of Swiss innovation. “We’re proud of our alumni and the funds they’ve raised. In the past decade, #startupFIT companies have accounted for 70% of the funding raised by all Vaud start-ups,” Guex added.

To align with its expanded support for impactful, low-tech projects, FIT unveiled a rebranding: the “Fondation pour l’innovation et la technologie.”