In retail the money is gone before the funding starts

Goods, minimum order quantities, shop fittings, an e-commerce system: retail projects tie up capital very early. That is exactly where the trap sits. Many programmes only pay if the application was submitted before the first order – a signed production commitment already counts as a project start. Direct grants are rare in retail; the money sits in advice, digitalisation, development loans and guarantees.

Goods, minimum order quantities, shop fittings, an e-commerce system: retail projects tie up capital very early. That is exactly where the trap sits.

What gets clarified first

1

Have you already ordered anything?

We check whether contracts, orders or registrations are already running. If they are, several programmes drop out permanently – the report says which ones and from when.

We check whether contracts, orders or registrations are already running.

2

Which level is responsible for you?

Retail is rarely funded nationally. What counts is your canton and your municipality – and whether your registered office matches exactly.

Retail is rarely funded nationally.

3

Do you need money or security?

Anyone pre-financing stock usually fails over missing collateral, not over the interest rate. Then a guarantee is worth more than a grant.

Anyone pre-financing stock usually fails over missing collateral, not over the interest rate.

Which types of funding apply here

The method in detail
  • Coaching & adviceSubsidised start-up and sales advice is the most common realistic match in retail – the provider covers part of the fee.
  • GuaranteeCovers missing collateral so the bank goes along with pre-financing your stock.
  • GrantUsually tied to digitalisation, an e-commerce system or sustainability – rarely to the goods themselves.

Typical funding purposes

  • Start-up advice
  • Online shop & digitalisation
  • Shop fittings
  • Pre-financing stock
  • Sustainable production
  • Trade fair presence

Who funds here

  • Business development of canton and region
  • State programmes for digitalisation in retail
  • Guarantee bodies for SMEs without collateral
  • Development banks with start-up and investment loans

Official sources: Innosuisse, Cantonal business development, Guarantee cooperatives, SECO, Fedlex, Swiss foundations

Which package fits

Find funding

For a first look the free check is enough – above all it tells you what you must not order yet. As soon as you finance goods, a space or an e-commerce system, you need programme names, amounts and deadlines: that starts with Find funding.

For a first look the free check is enough – above all it tells you what you must not order yet. As soon as you finance goods, a space or an e-commerce system, you need programme names, amounts and deadlines: that starts with Find funding.

Pricing
FAQ

Frequent questions from the industry

As a rule, no. What gets funded is advice, digitalisation, sustainability and investment in fittings or equipment. For buying stock a development loan and a guarantee are the realistic route – the report covers both with documented terms.

No, but individual programmes are gone. The report marks per programme whether signing counts as a project start, and shows which programmes are still open to you.

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Find the funding

Between your idea and your own company there is often nothing but money that is already waiting for you. The free check shows you which – and what you must not sign until then.

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