University of Engineering and Architecture of Friborg

What University of Engineering and Architecture of Friborg does

HEIA-FR (Haute école d'ingénierie et d'architecture de Fribourg) is a Swiss public University of Applied Sciences founded in 1896 and located in Fribourg, Switzerland. It operates under the HES-SO (Haute école spécialisée de Suisse occidentale) framework, the largest Swiss UAS network, and is a bilingual French-German institution. The institution delivers 6 Bachelor programs (Architecture, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science and Communication Systems) plus 4 Master programs in partnership with other HES-SO sites, and runs continuing education for working professionals. Students are recruited primarily from the Fribourg canton and broader Western Switzerland, with information sessions, educational fairs, open days, and a multilingual website (FR/DE/EN/IT) as primary go-to-market channels.

Beyond teaching, HEIA-FR operates 10 applied research institutes (ChemTech, ENERGY, HumanTech, iCoSys, iPrint, iRAP, iSIS, iTEC, SeSi, TRANSFORM) that perform industry-funded R&D and provide practical training infrastructure including industrial-scale chemistry facilities, 3D modeling and simulation labs, and telecommunications labs. Research revenue grew from 5.7M CHF (2004) to 18.8M CHF (2019), reflecting the institution's evolution from a skills-oriented school into a research-active partner for regional industry. Customer segments are horizontal: degree-seeking students (CHF 800/semester for Swiss/Liechtenstein residents), regional industry seeking applied R&D collaborations, and continuing-education professionals. Revenue comes from a combination of cantonal/HES-SO government funding, modest tuition, industry contract research, and continuing education fees.

The institution is embedded in the Fribourg regional innovation ecosystem through partnerships with blueFACTORY, Innosquare, and regional industrial clusters (injection cluster, ICT cluster), with Swisscom, BCF/FKB, and Groupe E serving as principal institutional partners. Historical collaborations extend to Telecom PTT (CHF 535,000 lab investment) and Sauber F1 (FEA training). The institution holds EUR-ACE® accreditation for its Chemistry program and is governed as a cantonal public entity with no private equity or venture capital ownership.

Name

University of Engineering and Architecture of Friborg

Legal name

Haute école d'ingénierie et d'architecture Fribourg

Website

https://heia-fr.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1892

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

HEIA-FR is a Swiss public University of Applied Sciences in Fribourg delivering 6 Bachelor and 4 Master programs in engineering and architecture, operating 10 applied research institutes serving regional industry and government, with bilingual French-German instruction under the HES-SO framework.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education and Applied Research

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Engineering higher education
• Applied research services
• Architecture degree programs
• Technology transfer services
• Continuing professional education

Headquarters

HQ city

Fribourg

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HEIA-FR is a public University of Applied Sciences that delivers higher education degree programs (six Bachelor and four Master's) in engineering and architecture disciplines, alongside applied research and development services executed through ten specialized research institutes. The institution combines theoretical coursework with practical laboratory training and industry-integrated projects, primarily serving the bilingual canton of Fribourg and Western Switzerland.

Product overview

HEIA-FR (Haute école d'ingénierie et d'architecture de Fribourg) is a University of Applied Sciences offering a unified portfolio of educational programs and applied research services. The institution provides six Bachelor degree programs in Architecture, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science and Communication Systems, plus four Master programs through HES-SO partnership. Education is enriched by ten research institutes (ChemTech, ENERGY, HumanTech, iCoSys, iPrint, iRAP, iSIS, iTEC, SeSi, TRANSFORM) that collaborate with industry and provide practical training opportunities for students. The institution also offers continuing education programs. This is not a technology product company but an educational institution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architecture Bachelor Program Three-year full-time Bachelor degree program in Architecture exposing students to design principles, construction techniques, and architectural heritage preservation through theoretical courses and practical workshops. For prospective engineering and architecture students in the Fribourg region.
• Chemistry Bachelor Program Three-year full-time Bachelor program in Chemistry that prepares students to develop and optimize industrial processes for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, materials and everyday products. Holds EUR-ACE European accreditation.
• Civil Engineering Bachelor Program Bachelor degree program in Civil Engineering covering structural design, construction management, and infrastructure development with practical laboratory work.
• Electrical Engineering Bachelor Program Bachelor degree program in Electrical Engineering with laboratories and practical training in electrical systems and power engineering.
• Mechanical Engineering Bachelor Program Bachelor degree program in Mechanical Engineering covering design, manufacturing, and thermal sciences with hands-on practical components.
• Computer Science and Communication Systems Bachelor Program Bachelor degree program in Computer Science and Communication Systems covering software development, networking, and communication technologies.
• Master Programs (HES-SO Partnership) Four Master's degree programs offered in partnership with HES-SO (University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland) for advanced engineering and architecture studies.
• Continuing Education Programs Professional development and continuing education programs for working professionals in engineering and architecture fields, delivered through the Fribourg campus.
• ChemTech Institute (Applied Research Services) Institute of Chemical Technologies conducting applied research in chemistry with close ties to industry through the Biofactory Competence Center. Offers contract research services to industry partners.
• ENERGY Institute (Applied Research Services) Applied Research Institute in Energy Systems focusing on sustainable energy solutions and integrated energy systems. Delivers contract research to energy sector clients.
• HumanTech Institute (Applied Research Services) Technology for Human Wellbeing Institute conducting research on technologies that improve quality of life and health outcomes. Provides contract research to healthcare and assistive technology sectors.
• iCoSys Institute (Applied Research Services) Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Complex Systems focusing on AI research, machine learning, and complex system modeling. Delivers contract AI research services.
• iPrint Institute (Applied Research Services) Institute of Printing conducting research in digital printing technologies and printed electronics. Provides contract research to the printing and electronics industries.
• iRAP Institute (Applied Research Services) Institute for Applied Plastics Research focusing on polymer science and plastic processing technologies. Provides contract plastics R&D services.
• iSIS Institute (Applied Research Services) Institute of Smart and Secured Systems conducting research on intelligent systems, cybersecurity, and network technologies. Delivers contract research to the IT and security sectors.
• iTEC Institute (Applied Research Services) Institute of Construction and Environmental Technologies focusing on building technologies, geotechnics, and sustainable construction. Provides contract research to the construction industry.
• SeSi Institute (Applied Research Services) Sustainable Engineering Systems Institute conducting research on sustainable engineering practices and environmental technologies. Delivers contract research for sustainability-focused clients.
• TRANSFORM Institute (Applied Research Services) Institute of Architecture focusing on heritage preservation, construction techniques, and user-centered building design. Provides contract architecture and heritage research services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Research revenue grew from 5.7 million (2004) to 18.8 million (2019), demonstrating significant growth in applied research impact over 15 years.
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SwisscomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwisscom is the Principal Partner (Partenaire principal) of HEIA-FR's 125th anniversary celebrations. As Switzerland's leading telecommunications company, Swisscom supports the institution's educational and research missions, demonstrating a strategic commitment to regional technology education and innovation.
• BCF/FKB (Banque Cantonale de Fribourg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCF/FKB is a Platinum Partner of HEIA-FR, providing financial support for institutional activities and events. As the cantonal bank of Fribourg, this partnership reflects strong regional economic engagement with the university's education and research mission.
• Groupe EcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroupe E is a Platinum Partner of HEIA-FR, supporting institutional activities. As a regional energy company, this partnership likely supports energy-related research and education initiatives at the institution.
• RadioFrminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadioFr serves as Media Partner for HEIA-FR's 125th anniversary celebrations, providing media coverage and communication support for institutional events and achievements.
• HES-SO (Haute école spécialisée de Suisse occidentale)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHEIA-FR is a member of the HES-SO domain of Engineering and Architecture. HES-SO is Switzerland's largest university of applied sciences, spanning cantons of Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Valais, Vaud, Geneva, Bern, and Jura. HEIA-FR offers four Master's programs in partnership with other HES-SO sites.
• University of FribourgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with the University of Fribourg's Philippe Gugler in 2005 to establish an industrial cluster seminar, creating the foundation for regional innovation networks. The two institutions share the Fribourg academic ecosystem.
• blueFACTORYcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHEIA-FR's research institutes are strongly inserted into the blueFACTORY innovation district in Fribourg. This strategic location facilitates industry collaboration, technology transfer, and regional innovation ecosystem development.
• InnosquarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnosquare succeeded the PST-FR (Pôle Scientifique et Technologique) as the innovation support entity for Fribourg. It provides funding and support mechanisms that boost the activities of HEIA-FR's research institutes.
• Industrial Clusters (Fribourg Region)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHEIA-FR played a foundational role in creating industrial clusters in Fribourg, including the injection cluster (2005) and ICT cluster. These clusters unite researchers and company development directors to launch collaborative projects, driving regional innovation.
• Sauber (Formula 1 Team)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical collaboration with Sauber for FEA (Finite Element Analysis) training of Malaysian engineers, demonstrating international reach of the institution's technical expertise in the 1980s.
• Telecom PTT / Swiss Post and TelecomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTelecom PTT provided significant infrastructure investment (approximately CHF 535,000 for telecommunications laboratory equipment) and ongoing operational costs, enabling HEIA-FR to become a leader in telecommunications education and research.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ETH Zürich: Swiss federal institute of technology offering engineering, architecture, and natural sciences programs with substantial applied research. Closest structural peer in terms of engineering/architecture education and research, but with materially larger scale and global prestige.
• FHNW (Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz): Swiss University of Applied Sciences delivering engineering, architecture, and applied research across multiple cantons. Comparable as a multi-campus UAS peer with similar institute structures and industry engagement.
• HES-SO Valais-Wallis: Fellow HES-SO member institution delivering engineering and applied research programs in Western Switzerland. Comparable as a HES-SO UAS peer, sharing research institute structures and continuing education offerings.
• EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne): Swiss federal polytechnic institution offering engineering, computer science, and architecture programs with strong applied research output. Directly comparable as a Swiss engineering/architecture higher-education and research peer, though operating at significantly larger scale and federal rather than cantonal funding.
• ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences: Swiss University of Applied Sciences offering engineering, architecture, and applied research with multiple research institutes. Comparable as a German-language Swiss UAS peer with strong industry partnerships and institute-based research model.
• Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH): Swiss University of Applied Sciences and fellow HES-SO network member offering engineering, architecture, and applied research programs. Directly comparable as a HES-SO UAS peer serving a Swiss canton with bilingual and applied-research positioning.
• SUPSI (Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana): Swiss University of Applied Sciences serving Italian-speaking Switzerland with engineering, architecture, and applied research programs. Comparable as a HES-SO sister institution offering the same UAS education model in a different linguistic region of Switzerland.
• OST – Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences: Swiss University of Applied Sciences offering engineering and architecture programs with applied research institutes in Eastern Switzerland. Comparable as a fellow Swiss UAS peer operating institute-based research and industry collaboration.
• Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU): Swiss University of Applied Sciences offering engineering and architecture programs with applied research centers. Comparable as a German-language Swiss UAS peer with continuing education and industry-focused applied research.

Regional players

• University of Fribourg: Public research university sharing the Fribourg campus and academic ecosystem with HEIA-FR, including co-hosted events (e.g., DocEng 2026). Comparable as a regional higher-education and research peer with broader disciplinary coverage but less engineering/architecture specialization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/heiafr.htafr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/heiafr
• Instagraminstagram.com/heiafr
• Xx.com/HEIAFR

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about University of Engineering and Architecture of Friborg