Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Switzerland, recognized for its economic and political stability, offers fertile ground for ambitious entrepreneurs. In 2024, the country achieved a historic record with 52,978 new businesses created, demonstrating unprecedented entrepreneurial dynamism. This entrepreneurial fervor is no accident but the result of a favorable ecosystem and thriving sectors in full expansion. Let’s dive into the opportunities available for visionary entrepreneurs on Swiss soil.
Swiss Innovation Gems: Thriving Sectors to Explore
Switzerland continuously reinvents itself, offering an ideal playground for bold entrepreneurs. Here are the sectors currently energizing the Swiss economy:
1. Precision craftsmanship: ancestral know-how reinvented
With 5,555 new entities created in 2024, representing 10.4% of total startups, Swiss craftsmanship demonstrates its capacity for reinvention. From bakeries to carpentry, through hairdressing and mechanics, this sector combines tradition and innovation. The growing demand for authentic, quality products paves the way for innovative concepts, such as collaborative manufacturing workshops or platforms connecting artisans with customers.
2. Consulting: catalyst for digital transformation
With 5,256 registrations in 2024, the consulting sector is riding the digitalization wave. Swiss companies, whether multinational corporations or SMEs, are constantly seeking expertise to navigate the digital era. Opportunities abound in areas such as digital strategy, online marketing, and digital finance consulting.
3. Real estate: a sector in transformation
Despite challenges, Swiss real estate remains dynamic with over 4,800 new companies in 2024. Demographic pressure and housing demand, particularly in urban and tourist cantons, fuel this sector. Innovations like proptech (property technology) or sustainable housing concepts open new perspectives for visionary entrepreneurs.
4. Reinvented retail commerce
With 4,585 new entities, Swiss retail commerce demonstrates its resilience. E-commerce and hybrid store concepts (physical and digital) offer new opportunities. Entrepreneurs who can combine in-store customer experience with digital advantages will have a head start.
5. B2B and B2C services: the era of personalization
4,379 new businesses emerged in this sector in 2024. The focus is on customized services, whether corporate concierge, personalized coaching, or workplace wellness solutions. The key to success lies in the ability to offer highly personalized, high-value-added services.
Good to know:
Switzerland offers fertile ground for innovation in traditional sectors like craftsmanship, as well as in evolving fields like digital consulting or real estate. The key to success lies in the ability to combine tradition and innovation.
The Technological Revolution: The Future Takes Shape in Switzerland
Beyond traditional sectors, Switzerland is establishing itself as a leading technological innovation hub in Europe. Here are the areas particularly attracting investor and entrepreneur attention:
Artificial intelligence: the new engine of Swiss innovation
In 2024, over one in five funding rounds (22%) was invested in AI-related startups, double the previous year. This explosion demonstrates the enthusiasm for this revolutionary technology. Opportunities are vast, ranging from algorithm development for the financial industry to creating AI solutions for the healthcare sector.
Medtechs: at the forefront of medical innovation
Switzerland, with its cutting-edge medical ecosystem, offers fertile ground for medtech startups. Innovations in telemedicine, connected medical devices, and personalized medicine are attracting attention from investors and major pharmaceutical groups.
Fintech: reinventing financial services
Building on its reputation in the banking sector, Switzerland is positioning itself as a premier fintech hub. Opportunities abound in areas such as blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and innovative payment solutions.
Cleantech: toward a sustainable future
With 28 funding rounds recorded in 2024, the cleantech sector is gaining importance. Innovations in renewable energy, waste management, and sustainable mobility offer promising prospects for entrepreneurs committed to ecological transition.
Industry 4.0: the industrial revolution underway
Switzerland, with its strong industrial fabric, is positioning itself at the forefront of Industry 4.0. Opportunities are numerous in areas such as industrial Internet of Things, advanced robotics, and additive manufacturing.
Good to know:
The Swiss technological ecosystem is buzzing, with particular attention paid to AI, medtechs, and fintech. Entrepreneurs capable of bringing innovative solutions in these fields benefit from an environment conducive to their development.
The Lifeblood: Funding Your Entrepreneurial Project in Switzerland
Having an innovative idea is one thing; funding it is another. Fortunately, Switzerland offers a dynamic and diversified funding ecosystem. Here are the main options available to entrepreneurs to bring their projects to life:
Venture capital: the fuel of innovation
Despite a slight decline in 2024, venture capital remains a major funding source for Swiss startups. With a funding volume of 2.3 billion Swiss francs recorded last year, opportunities remain numerous for innovative projects. Healthcare, software, and analytics sectors particularly attract investor attention.
Business angels: more than just funding
Business angels play a crucial role in the Swiss entrepreneurial ecosystem. Beyond funding, they bring expertise, networks, and experience. Networks like Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC) or BAS (Business Angels Switzerland) facilitate connections between entrepreneurs and investors.
Crowdfunding: the power of the crowd
Crowdfunding is gaining popularity in Switzerland, offering an interesting alternative for innovative projects. Platforms like Wemakeit or Crowdify not only allow fundraising but also validate market interest for a product or service.
Bank loans: a traditional but effective option
Swiss banks, aware of the importance of SMEs in the economic fabric, offer adapted financing solutions. Institutions like the Entrepreneurs Center of the Raiffeisen Group provide personalized support, from project clarification to business plan development.
Public assistance: a welcome boost
The Confederation and cantons offer various support programs for entrepreneurs. The Innosuisse agency, for example, provides grants for innovative projects, while cantonal economic promotion offices can offer financial and logistical support.
Good to know:
Switzerland offers a diversified funding ecosystem, ranging from venture capital to public assistance. The key lies in the ability to intelligently combine these different funding sources according to the company’s development stage.
Launching a business in Switzerland isn’t just about finding an innovative idea and funding. It’s also about knowing how to navigate a rich and complex ecosystem. Here are some keys to maximizing your chances of success:
Leveraging innovation cluster potential
Switzerland hosts numerous innovation clusters, true incubators for startups. Hubs like the Switzerland Innovation Park in Zurich or the EPFL Innovation Park in Lausanne provide an environment conducive to innovation, facilitating collaborations between startups, large companies, and research institutions.
Benefiting from dual education
The Swiss dual education system, combining theory and practice, is a major asset for businesses. It provides access to a skilled workforce adapted to each sector’s specific needs. Savvy entrepreneurs will leverage this system to train and retain their talent.
Riding the internationalization wave
Switzerland, though a small country, offers an ideal springboard for internationalization. Organizations like Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) support companies in their international expansion, offering strategic advice and facilitating access to new markets.
Cultivating open innovation
Open innovation is gaining ground in Switzerland. Large companies like Nestlé or ABB have established acceleration programs to collaborate with innovative startups. For entrepreneurs, this is the opportunity to benefit from resources and expertise while maintaining their agility.
Capitalizing on Swiss reputation
“Swiss Made” remains a globally recognized quality label. Entrepreneurs who can capitalize on this reputation for excellence, while bringing an innovative touch, will have a significant competitive advantage in international markets.
Good to know:
Succeeding in Switzerland requires more than just an innovative idea. It’s about leveraging the country’s unique ecosystem, from its dual education to its reputation for excellence, through its innovation clusters and internationalization opportunities.
Conclusion: Switzerland, Land of Opportunities for Visionaries
Switzerland, far from the static image sometimes attributed to it, is establishing itself as fertile ground for innovation and entrepreneurship. With a record 52,978 new businesses created in 2024, the country demonstrates its capacity to reinvent itself and embrace 21st-century challenges.
From traditional sectors like craftsmanship reinventing themselves, to cutting-edge technologies like AI exploding, through evolving fields like real estate or fintech, opportunities abound for visionary entrepreneurs.
The key to success lies in the ability to combine Swiss excellence with disruptive innovation, to skillfully navigate the country’s unique ecosystem, and to leverage the numerous resources available, whether funding, training, or support.
Switzerland offers more than just a framework for entrepreneurship: it provides a true springboard to global success. It’s up to entrepreneurs to seize this opportunity and transform their visions into realities that will shape tomorrow’s world.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
