Bern Economic Development Agency

What Bern Economic Development Agency does

The Bern Economic Development Agency (Standortförderung Kanton Bern) is the official cantonal government economic development organization of the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, operating as a public-sector entity within the Canton of Bern's Department of Economic Affairs, Energy and the Environment. The agency helps companies start, expand, or relocate to the canton and serves startups, SMEs, large enterprises, tourism operators, and regional development projects through grant administration, site selection, coaching, and ecosystem brokerage. It is funded by the Canton of Bern under four legislative acts: the Economic Development Act (WFG), the New Regional Policy (NRP), the Tourism Development Act (TEG), and the Innovation Support Act (IFG). In 2024 and 2025 the agency supported 131 and 120 projects respectively, distributing CHF 24.6M and CHF 13.5M in promised contributions, and catalyzed approximately CHF 340M and CHF 170M in private investment from project partners.

The agency's service portfolio comprises four non-repayable grant instruments (Startup Grants of CHF 7,500-150,000, SME Grants of CHF 12,500-300,000, R&D Project Grants of CHF 12,500-200,000, and Export Project Grants of CHF 10,000-80,000) plus NRP project loans, event support under TEG, and free site-selection consultation. Strategic partners include the be-advanced innovation agency, Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne (with four competence centers: Swiss Smart Factory, Swiss Advanced Manufacturing Center, Swiss Battery Technology Center, and Swiss Healthtech Center), and research institutions such as Empa Thun, sitem-insel AG, and CSEM Bern. The agency operates two offices (Bern headquarters at Münsterplatz 3a and a regional office in Biel/Bienne) and is led by President Simon Enderli, with Vice-Presidents Daniel Wüthrich (Tourism and Regional Development) and Jean-Philippe Devaux (berninvest), and a team of senior project managers.

Distribution is direct-to-business through a "No-Wrong-Door" consultation policy, a network of regional partners spanning Bern-Mittelland, Berner Jura, Seeland-Biel/Bienne, Emmental, Oberaargau, Oberland-Ost, and Bergregion, plus international partners Switzerland Global Enterprise and Greater Geneva Bern area. International bilateral agreements with Shenzhen (since 2015) and Santa Catarina, Brazil (signed 2025) support cross-border investment and trade promotion. In 2025 the agency added a Circular Economy and Innovation Unit led by Virve Resta and a U.S. tariff support voucher program serving 70+ companies, signaling continued product expansion within its statutory mandate.

Name

Bern Economic Development Agency

Legal name

Bern Economic Development Agency

Website

https://berninvest.be.ch

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Bern Economic Development Agency is the official cantonal economic development body of the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. It administers non-repayable grants, site-selection support, coaching, and ecosystem brokerage for startups, SMEs, multinationals, and tourism operators in the Bern region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Public Administration (92)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Growth, Trade & Private Sector Development Programs (BPADABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Program & Project Implementation (TA Delivery) (BPADAEAA), Results-Based Financing (RBF) & Performance-Based Grants (BPADAOAF), Intergovernmental Affairs & Federal Grants Administration (BPAIAAAC)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Business grant programs
• SME support services
• Innovation funding
• Location promotion

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Bern Economic Development Agency is the official economic development body of the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. It provides non-repayable grants (CHF 7,500 to CHF 300,000) to startups, SMEs, R&D projects, and export initiatives under four legislative acts (WFG, NRP, TEG, IFG). The agency also delivers site selection assistance, coaching, permit facilitation, and connection to research and innovation partners for companies starting, expanding, or relocating to the Canton of Bern.

Product overview

The Bern Economic Development Agency operates as the economic development body of the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, offering a portfolio of grant programs and business support services. The agency's core offerings include four distinct grant instruments funded under Swiss legislation (WFG, NRP, TEG, IFG): Startup Grants for new ventures (CHF 7,500-150,000), Grants for Bernese Companies/KMU Grants for SME growth and innovation (CHF 12,500-300,000), Grants for R&D Projects supporting industrial research (CHF 12,500-200,000), and Grants for Export Projects (CHF 10,000-80,000). Complementing these are NRP Project Funding for regional development via interest-free loans, Event Support under the Tourism Development Act, and site selection and coaching services. Strategic partners include be-advanced (innovation agency) and Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne (with four specialized centers: Swiss Smart Factory, Swiss Advanced Manufacturing Center, Swiss Battery Technology Center, Swiss Healthtech Center). The "Hello Business" campaign provides communication outreach while the Shenzhen Partner Agreement facilitates international business connections. The 2025 launch of the Circular Economy and Innovation Unit expanded services to support companies in developing circular business models.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Startup Grants
• Grants for Bernese Companies (KMU Grants) Non-repayable grants for investment projects of small, medium, and large enterprises. Designed for companies growing or innovating their products, markets, or processes, including projects promoting sustainability and circular economy. Grant amounts range from CHF 12,500 to CHF 300,000. Investment must reach at least CHF 150,000 over 12-24 months with internal salaries not exceeding 2/3 of total costs.
• Grants for R&D Projects Grants for Bernese companies with R&D projects, including those carried out in collaboration with external partners. Eligible projects must reach at least CHF 150,000 over 12-24 months and must differ from usual ongoing R&D activities. Grant amounts range from CHF 12,500 to CHF 200,000.
• Grants for Export Projects Grants for Bernese companies planning export projects. Companies must be planning to enter at least one new export market with a transparent, coherent export strategy. Grant amounts range from CHF 10,000 to CHF 80,000, with eligible costs of at least CHF 150,000 over 12-24 months.
• NRP Project Funding (New Regional Policy) Interest-free loans for developing infrastructure and financial assistance for innovative, growth-oriented projects aligned with the federal government's New Regional Policy (NRP). Supports infrastructure projects, development projects, feasibility studies, and supra-cantonal/international cooperation projects.
• Event Support (TEG) Support for events that generate substantial added value, funded under the Tourism Development Act (TEG). The Canton of Bern supports events that contribute to value creation in the region.
• Site Selection Services Free consultant services helping businesses find the right site with up-to-date selection of available office, commercial, and storage space. Organizes evaluation visits for businesses relocating to the Canton of Bern.
• Coaching Services Needs-oriented coaching for Bernese startups and companies provided through partnership with be-advanced, covering the entire business life cycle from establishment through growth and innovation phases.
• Business and Industry Hub Services Comprehensive services including site selection assistance, infrastructure information, core competencies and technology information, professional workforce connections, research and development partnerships, international schools information, and quality of living resources for businesses considering Canton of Bern as a location.
• Circular Economy and Innovation Unit Specialized service supporting companies in unlocking the innovation potential of the circular economy. The unit identifies innovation potential in the circular economy across Bernese companies and regions, supports the development of practical circular business models, and implements regional support measures for circular economy transition.

Quantifiable outcome

• CHF 170 million in private investment generated in 2025 with 800+ new jobs expected
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• be-advanced AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMain partner to Bern Economic Development Agency, guiding entrepreneurs through Bernese ecosystem with coaching services covering entire business life cycle. Offers free initial consultation for startups and companies seeking innovation support. Primary innovation agency of Canton of Bern.
• be-connectedcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBernese networking platform for innovation and entrepreneurship, connecting businesses with resources and contacts in the regional ecosystem.
• Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne (SIPBB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHighly specialized industry partner helping startups and businesses get products ready for market. Offers services through four competence centers: Swiss Smart Factory, Swiss Advanced Manufacturing Center, Swiss Battery Technology Center, and Swiss Healthtech Center.
• Switzerland Global EnterprisemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational export and location promotion organization supporting international market access for Swiss companies and foreign companies considering Switzerland.
• Greater Geneva Bern areamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional economic development organization for international company attraction and cross-border business development in Greater Geneva Bern area.
• Shenzhen (China)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agreement since 2015 between Canton of Bern and Shenzhen, promoting investment, exports, and technological exchange. Particularly relevant for precision industry (watches, instruments, surfaces, miniaturization, automation) and medtech/life sciences sectors.
• Santa Catarina (Brazil)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation agreement signed in 2025 between Brazilian state of Santa Catarina and Canton of Bern to promote investment, exports, and technological exchange.
• RegiosuissemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss network for regional development providing NRP project database, key criteria documentation, and implementation program support for New Regional Policy projects.
• sitem-insel AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationTranslational center providing technology transfer and research commercialization support, contributing to Bern's innovation ecosystem.
• Empa ThuncoreTechnology or IntegrationSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology research facility in Thun supporting industrial innovation and R&D collaboration.
• CSEM BerncoreTechnology or IntegrationSwiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology providing technology transfer and innovation support in Bern.
• Wyss Academy for NaturemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institution collaborating on regional development projects including Berner Bergbahnen strategic transformation study.
• University of Bern Research Unit in TourismmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing tourism research expertise for regional development projects and studies.
• Bern University of Applied SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading institution for applied research, involved in CircuBAT Innosuisse flagship project and battery technology initiatives.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• be-advanced: The Canton's principal innovation agency and core coaching partner to BEDA, serving the same startup and SME population with business life-cycle coaching and innovation advisory services.
• St. GallenBodenseeArea: Regional economic development partnership covering Eastern Switzerland / Lake Constance area, focused on company attraction and innovation support; comparable to Greater Geneva Bern area in its joint regional mandate.
• Switzerland Global Enterprise: Switzerland's national export and location promotion organization — a formal GTM partner of BEDA. Operates the national equivalents of BEDA's export grants and FDI attraction services.
• Regiosuisse: National competence network for regional development and NRP implementation in Switzerland. A strategic partner of BEDA for New Regional Policy projects, providing program-level support and project databases across all Swiss regions.
• Wirtschaftsförderung Kanton St. Gallen: Cantonal economic development agency of St. Gallen, providing grants, innovation support, and FDI services comparable in scope and statutory structure to BEDA, serving the Eastern Switzerland region.
• Greater Zurich Area: Lead economic development agency for the Greater Zurich region covering Zurich and surrounding cantons. Competes with BEDA for international company attraction (FDI) and corporate relocation decisions within Switzerland.
• BaselArea.swiss: Cantonal and regional economic development agency covering Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Jura, and Solothurn. Operates with a directly analogous mandate to BEDA — providing grants, site selection, and innovation support — making it the closest cantonal peer in Switzerland.
• Wirtschaftsförderung Kanton Luzern: Cantonal economic development agency of Lucerne, performing equivalent functions (SME funding, location promotion, innovation support) to BEDA within Central Switzerland.
• Greater Geneva Bern area: Bilingual regional economic development organization covering the Canton of Bern and Canton of Geneva. A formal partner of Bern Economic Development Agency for international company attraction and cross-border business development, operating with a closely aligned mandate and shared client companies.

Regional players

• Shenzhen Promotion Agency: Counterpart economic development / investment promotion agency on the Shenzhen side of BEDA's long-standing twinning agreement since 2015, focused on outward investment promotion from Shenzhen into European markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xbe.ch/x
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@standortforderungkantonbern
• Facebookfacebook.com/ktbern
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bern-economic-development-agency

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments2 records

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Frequently asked questions about Bern Economic Development Agency