University of Fribourg launches new start-up grant for its spin-offs

The University of Fribourg has announced a new start-up grant to support the marketability and fundability of its spin-offs, focusing on early-stage IP protection and advanced project development.

To further promote innovation and entrepreneurship, the University of Fribourg is launching a new start-up grant to help innovative spin-offs protect intellectual property at an early stage. From 15 September 2024, this initiative will complement the University’s existing proof of concept grants, which already support the technological and economic feasibility of start-up ideas.

The Knowledge and Technology Transfer Service of the University of Fribourg is leading this new initiative, which will offer favorable licensing terms to start-ups created by the University’s researchers. With one or two projects eligible per year, the grants will provide up to CHF 150,000 in funding, giving these start-ups crucial support to improve their market readiness and increase their chances of securing venture capital funding.

Valeria Mozzetti Rohrseitz, Head of the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Service at the University of Fribourg, explained the importance of the new funding program: “While the proof-of-concept grants are designed to increase the chances of success for projects at an early stage, the start-up grant aims to increase the chances of success for our spin-offs that have already secured competitive federal funding. Our goal is to improve their market readiness and ability to attract venture capital funding.”

From September 15, 2024, employees, students, trainees and alumni of the University of Fribourg will be able to apply for the new grant. The University’s track record in fostering successful spin-offs includes companies such as Seprify, NanoLockin, LSinstruments and Neuria, all of which have made significant progress in their respective fields.

This new funding initiative marks the University of Fribourg’s ongoing commitment to fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem and ensuring that promising start-ups have the resources and support they need to move from idea to market. By focusing on intellectual property protection and advanced development, the University is providing an essential tool for entrepreneurs to overcome the challenges of early-stage commercialization.