FSRM

What FSRM does

FSRM (Fondation Suisse pour la recherche en microtechnique) is a Swiss non-profit foundation established in 1978 and headquartered in Neuchâtel. It operates as a continuing-education and professional-training organization serving engineers, technicians, and managers in industrial companies across the Swiss Arc Jurassien. Its core offering is a catalog of more than 150 short, intensive courses per semester covering microtechnology, nanotechnologies, materials, production, quality, medical devices, watchmaking, management, and emerging technologies such as generative AI and Industry 4.0. Courses are delivered by a network of more than 200 specialist trainers drawn from industry, research, and academia, and are offered in French, German, and English via open enrollment, customized in-company training, and the FSRM-Kids outreach program for children aged 7-13.

The foundation monetizes its services through three primary streams: open-enrollment course fees (CHF 690-1,500 per attendee depending on duration and early-bird status), bespoke in-company training delivered on-site at client facilities (used by 300+ recurring corporate clients including Audemars Piguet, TAG Heuer, Straumann, Logitech, Bobst, and CSEM), and professional services for conference organization and EU project dissemination (managing events such as MNE 2026, Swiss NanoConvention, and EFTF 2024, and leading dissemination work packages in Horizon Europe and predecessor framework projects). Auxiliary services include association secretariat management (Micronarc, sensors.ch, Swiss MNT Network, Solar Swiss Connect), the publicly-funded Innovation Tour across four cantons, and the Micronarc platform. Pricing follows a pay-as-you-go model with 20% discounts for additional company attendees, students, and Canton of Neuchâtel firms affected by US tariffs. With only 9 staff, FSRM operates as a lean, network-driven foundation that monetizes its institutional position as the hub of the regional microtechnology ecosystem rather than as a scaled labor business.

Distribution is single-country (Switzerland) and primarily direct-to-consumer through the FSRM website (fsrm.ch), email registration, and on-site delivery. The foundation is governed by a Foundation Council and operates as a neutral, independent private-law entity with public and private backing from the Swiss Confederation, cantons, cities, and 24 founding companies. Recent material events include the death of long-tenured Director Philippe Fischer on August 8, 2025, and the appointment of Sebastian Gautsch (formerly Vice-Director Microtechnology Section at EPFL) as Director effective September 1, 2025, alongside a Spring 2026 program expansion that adds a dedicated AI training category.

Name

FSRM

Legal name

Fondation Suisse pour la recherche en microtechnique

Website

https://fsrm.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FSRM is a Swiss non-profit foundation (founded 1978, Neuchâtel) that delivers 150+ short continuing-education courses annually in microtechnology, watchmaking, medtech, management, and AI to engineers and technicians from 300+ industrial companies, supported by a 200+ trainer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Training and Continuing Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Project, Quality & Operations (PMP PDUs, Six Sigma, Quality CE) (EDAAALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC), Compliance, Certification & Continuing Education LMS (EDAFAAAD)

Keywords

• Professional training services
• Microtechnology education
• Watchmaking courses
• Industry continuing education
• Precision manufacturing training

Headquarters

HQ city

Neuchâtel

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Course Registrations: Professionals and companies register and pay for open-enrollment training courses. Revenue is per-course and per-attendee. Registration is via the website or email, with payment required before the course begins. Over 150 courses are offered per semester across technical, horological, and management topics.
2. Customized In-Company Training: Tailored courses developed and delivered on-site at client companies. Courses are priced upon request. Over 300 companies regularly engage FSRM for in-company training.
3. Congress and Event Organization: FSRM organizes scientific congresses, conferences, and seminars as a service to clients. Examples include MNE 2026 (700+ attendees), Swiss NanoConvention (275+ attendees), and EFTF 2024 (475 attendees). Services include registration, websites, accounting, proceedings management, and exhibition coordination.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FSRM operates as a non-profit Swiss foundation that delivers more than 150 short, intensive continuing education courses per semester for engineers, technicians, and industry managers, covering microtechnology, nanotechnologies, watchmaking/horology, materials, production, quality, medtech, AI, and management. The foundation supplements its core course catalog with customized in-company training delivered on-site at client facilities, full-service congress and seminar organization, association secretariat management, and EU research project dissemination services.

Product overview

FSRM (Fondation Suisse pour la recherche en microtechnique - Swiss Foundation for Microtechnology Research) is a professional training organization that operates as a unified platform offering over 150 short, intensive, and immediately applicable training courses for industrial professionals. The portfolio spans core training courses in microtechnology, nanotechnologies, AI, management, and quality, supplemented by customized company courses, events organization services, management expertise, and EU research dissemination services. FSRM also operates outreach programs including FSRM-Kids and manages platforms like Micronarc and the Innovation Tour project. Founded in 1978, the organization has trained over 20,000 engineers and technicians across industries including watchmaking, microtechnology, production, medical devices, and management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FSRM Training Course Catalog Open-enrollment continuing education catalog of more than 150 technical, watchmaking, and management courses per semester, designed for engineers and technicians in industrial companies. Courses cover microtechnology, nanotechnologies, materials, production, quality, medtech, horology, AI, and management, delivered in French, German, and English.
• Customized In-Company Training Tailored training programs developed and delivered on-site at client company facilities, designed to meet specific organizational needs with practical, immediately applicable content. More than 300 companies regularly engage FSRM for in-company training.
• Congress and Event Organization Services Full-service congress and seminar organization for scientific and industry events, including registration management, professional website development, e-marketing, accounting, exhibition coordination, and proceedings management. Notable events include MNE 2026 (700+ attendees), Swiss NanoConvention (275+ attendees), and EFTF 2024 (475 attendees).
• Association and Project Management Expertise Logistical and administrative support for professional associations and project managers, including multi-partner project management, association secretariat, and expert opinions in the micro/nanotechnology domain. FSRM manages secretariats for Micronarc, Swiss MNT Network, sensors.ch, and Solar Swiss Connect.
• European Research Project Dissemination Services Communication, dissemination, and project management services for EU-funded research projects (e.g., Horizon Europe), including impact section development, communication strategy, intellectual property structures, and work package leadership for training, dissemination, and exploitation in micro/nanotechnology research consortia.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20,000 engineers and technicians have deepened their competencies through FSRM courses since 1978.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers26 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Swiss MNT NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM serves as the secretariat and accounting manager for the Swiss MNT Network. The organization is a founding member. The network connects Swiss micro and nanotechnology actors.
• sensors.chcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM ensures the presidency and secretariat of the sensors.ch association, which is the Swiss sensors community platform.
• Solar Swiss ConnectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM is represented on the committee and assumes the secretariat and accounting of the Solar Swiss Connect association.
• Swiss ePrintminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM is co-organizer of the Swiss ePrint Conference on Printed Electronics and Functional Materials (held 2011-2023, approximately 80 participants).
• Swiss NanoConventioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM co-organizes the Swiss NanoConvention, a major annual event for nanotechnology in Switzerland (e.g., SNC 2025 in Brugg with 275 participants, SNC 2023 in Neuchâtel with 275 participants).
• Microcity SAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM is a stakeholder of Microcity SA, a technology park and innovation hub in Neuchâtel that hosts EPFL's microtechnology research activities. FSRM holds some watchmaking courses at the Microcity EPFL site.
• arcjurassien.ch (Arc Jurassien Intercantonal Regional Policy Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM leads the Innovation Tour project, which is supported by the Arc Jurassien intercantonal regional policy program and funded by the Swiss Confederation and the cantons of Bern, Jura, Neuchâtel, and Vaud. The project organizes economic missions to innovation poles across the region.
• MNE 2026 (Micro-Nano Engineering)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM is co-organizer of the MNE 2026 conference (Micro-Nano Engineering) to be held in Interlaken, expected to host 700 participants.
• Swiss Electronics ClusterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM is a founding member of the Swiss Electronics Cluster.
• EPFL AlumniminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM is a partner of EPFL Alumni for training activities, collaborating on lifelong learning programs for EPFL graduates.
• Association Suisse de Normalisation (SNV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM is a partner of the Swiss Association for Standardization (SNV), Switzerland's standardization body.
• SATW (Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM is a member of the SATW academy, contributing to and benefiting from Switzerland's engineering sciences network.
• EMPA-AkademieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM co-organizes German-language courses with EMPA-Akademie, leveraging EMPA's research expertise for professional training.
• CTI (Swiss Innovation Agency / KTI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM organizes the annual Micro Nano Day for CTI (now Innosuisse), the Swiss innovation promotion agency.
• fablab-neuchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM collaborates with fablab-neuch for its practical 3D printing course, leveraging the fablab's prototyping equipment and community.
• Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM collaborates with the FHH on practical watchmaking courses, leveraging the foundation's industry expertise and networks.
• CleantechAlpsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM is a project partner of CleantechAlps, responsible for dissemination and communication activities in the cleantech domain.
• Swiss Plastics ClusterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM is a partner of the Swiss Plastics Cluster for training activities in plastics and polymers for industrial applications.
• Association PME et Créateurs d'EntreprisesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFSRM is a member of the Association PME et Créateurs d'Entreprises, a network supporting SMEs and entrepreneurs in the region.
• ChipScope (EU Project)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM led the Communication, Dissemination, and Exploitation work package for the ChipScope EU research project.
• EuroTraining / EuroTraining-MST (EU Projects)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM was the coordinator of both EuroTraining and EuroTraining-MST EU research projects.
• Nano2Life (EU Project)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSRM led the Dissemination, Exploitation, and Training work package in the Nano2Life EU project.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SGS Academy: SGS is Swiss-headquartered and operates a global training academy for industrial and quality professionals. SGS Academy's course catalog overlaps with FSRM's quality, ISO, and regulatory compliance training for industrial clients.
• VDI Wissensforum: VDI Wissensforum is the training arm of Germany's largest engineering association, offering courses for engineers across technical, quality, and management disciplines. Comparable to FSRM's association-driven, specialist-trainer model.
• TÜV Rheinland Akademie: TÜV Rheinland Akademie offers certified continuing education for engineers and technicians across technical, quality, and safety domains. Comparable instructor network structure and quality/regulatory training catalog to FSRM.
• Haus der Technik: HDT is a German continuing education provider for engineers and technical professionals, offering short, intensive, immediately applicable courses across mechanical, production, and management topics — closely matching FSRM's positioning.
• Technische Akademie Esslingen: TAE is a German technical continuing education institution offering short, intensive courses for engineers and technicians in production, materials, and management — a near structural analogue to FSRM's catalog.
• DEKRA Akademie: DEKRA Akademie provides technical, quality, and management training to industrial professionals across Europe. Its combination of open enrollment and in-company programs parallels FSRM's distribution model.
• EMPA-Akademie: EMPA's training arm co-organizes German-language courses with FSRM and serves the same Swiss technical audience. Both are publicly funded Swiss technical academies offering courses for industrial engineers and technicians.
• TÜV SÜD Akademie: TÜV SÜD Akademie delivers continuing education for engineers and technicians across technical, quality, and management topics. Its focus on certified compliance training mirrors FSRM's regulatory course portfolio (ISO 10993, CE marking, EU MDR).
• DIN-Akademie: DIN-Akademie is the training arm of the German Institute for Standardization, offering standards-based continuing education. FSRM's regulatory compliance training (ISO, CE, NIHS) overlaps directly with this niche.

Broad incumbents

• Bureau Veritas Training: Bureau Veritas is a global TIC firm with a substantial training services line. While broader than FSRM, it competes in industrial quality, regulatory, and management training for the same European engineering audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@FSRM
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fsrm-swiss-foundation-for-research-in-microtechnology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FSRM