What Fri Up does

Association Fri Up is the officially mandated start-up and entrepreneurship support organization for the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. Operating from the BlueFactory campus in Fribourg with secondary offices across Bulle, Murten, Bossonnens, St-Aubin, and Marly, Fri Up delivers free consulting, business coaching, workshops, and networking services to early-stage companies and prospective entrepreneurs throughout the canton. Its core product surface is service-led rather than software-led: a Start-up Support and Acceleration Program, Business Creation Coaching, Financing Support Services connecting entrepreneurs to Seed Capital Fribourg (up to CHF 100,000), Capital Risque Fribourg (up to CHF 1.2 million), and PromFR subsidies, plus two specialized one-stop-shops for Bioeconomy and FoodTech/AgriTech verticals that grant access to specialized infrastructure at HEIA-FR labs, Marly Innovation Center, AgriCo, and Grangeneuve. Recent add-ons include AI-assisted GPT tools ("Mes GPT's") for business-plan structuring and a tiered membership program (Gold/Silver/Sponsors) for ecosystem partners.

Fri Up's portfolio of 50+ supported start-ups since 2020 spans Healthcare (Bewe/Neuria, Xemperia, Elionova, Spirecut, Vixelia), Biotechnology (Bionomous, Bloom Biorenewables), Cleantech (Separatic), AgriTech/FoodTech (Hysswiss, Algaltek, Cormo, Lowimpact Food), LegalTech (Neur.on AI Solution), Nanotechnology (Nanolockin), Security (Mitipi), and Materials (Bcomp, named a global cleantech leader). The organization runs a programmatic engine of free events — a Start-up Lunch series, thematic workshops on financial planning, marketing, legal forms, and digital tools — combined with active distribution via its website (friup.ch, multilingual FR/DE/EN) and social channels on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

The business model is that of a non-profit association under Swiss law rather than a venture-backed entity. Services to entrepreneurs are provided at no charge; revenue derives from an undisclosed canton of Fribourg subsidy plus recurring membership dues from Gold (CHF 5,000), Silver (CHF 3,000), and Sponsor (CHF 500) tiers. Governance is exercised by a committee composed of senior representatives from Capital Risque Fribourg, PromFR, CCIF, HES-SO Fribourg, University of Fribourg, BlueFactory, Groupe E, and Swiss Marketplace Group, reflecting the organization's role as the operational arm of cantonal industrial and innovation policy rather than an investor-return business.

Name

Fri Up

Legal name

Association Fri Up

Website

https://friup.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fri Up is the canton-mandated non-profit association providing free startup coaching, business creation advising, networking events, and funding access for entrepreneurs in the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland, including specialized one-stop-shops for Bioeconomy and FoodTech/AgriTech verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Fribourg

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public funding and membership fees: Fri Up operates as a not-for-profit association funded by public sources from the canton of Fribourg government. They generate revenue through membership fees (Gold partners from CHF 5,000, Silver members from CHF 3,000, Sponsors from CHF 500) and government subsidies. Services to entrepreneurs are provided free of charge.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Fri Up is the official, canton-mandated non-profit association that provides free business coaching, startup acceleration, networking events, and financing access for entrepreneurs and early-stage companies in the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. It operates one-stop-shop programs for bioeconomy and FoodTech/AgriTech startups with access to specialized infrastructure, and runs themed workshops and member events to connect founders with investors, experts, and ecosystem partners.

Product overview

Fri Up is the official business support organization mandated by the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. It is not a software technology company but rather provides advisory, coaching, and networking services for start-ups and entrepreneurs. The organization offers a portfolio of services including: a core Start-up Support and Acceleration Program with business coaching and strategic guidance; Business Creation Coaching with free advisory consultations; regular Networking Events and Workshops (including the 'Start-up Lunch' series); Financing Support Services connecting entrepreneurs with canton funding programs; and two specialized One-Stop-Shop programs for Bioeconomy and FoodTech/AgriTech start-ups with dedicated infrastructure access. Additional offerings include knowledge resources like the Independent's Guide, AI-powered GPT tools for business planning, and a tiered Membership Program for ecosystem participants. All services are designed to support entrepreneurship and innovation within the Fribourg economic ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Start-up Support and Acceleration Program Comprehensive advisory program helping startups define viable business models, develop strategies, conduct fundraising, and gain visibility through business coaching, networking activation, and strategic partnerships with investors and ecosystem partners.
• Business Creation Coaching Free advisory consultations that help aspiring entrepreneurs launch businesses by addressing questions about starting, business planning, funding needs, location, and legal structure.
• Networking Events and Workshops Regular events including the 'Start-up Lunch' conferences with expert presentations, startup pitches, and networking opportunities, plus thematic workshops on topics such as fundraising, elevator pitches, and digital marketing.
• Financing Support Services Assistance accessing funding through convertible loans (up to CHF 100,000), grants (up to CHF 150,000), and growth financing (up to CHF 1.2 million) via canton programs and partner organizations such as Seed Capital Fribourg, Capital Risque Fribourg, and PromFR.
• Bioeconomy One-Stop-Shop Dedicated support for bioeconomy startups providing financing up to CHF 350,000, networking, strategic guidance, and access to specialized infrastructure including ChemTech, Biofactory Competence Center (BCC), and iRAP labs at HEIA-FR.
• FoodTech and AgriTech One-Stop-Shop Dedicated ecosystem for FoodTech and AgriTech startups offering business coaching, financing solutions, premises, and access to a network of startups, experts, partners and investors through the Fribourg Agri&Food initiative.
• Independent's Guide Practical guide for becoming self-employed in the canton of Fribourg covering independent status, commercial register registration, social insurance, VAT, accounting, taxes, and regulated activities.
• GPT-based AI Tools (Mes GPT's) AI-powered GPT-based protocols designed to help entrepreneurs structure their business projects and develop solid business plans, offered as supportive tools alongside coaching sessions.
• Membership Program Tiered membership program (Gold from CHF 5,000, Silver from CHF 3,000, Sponsors from CHF 500) providing access to Fri Up events, innovation workshops, startup connections, visibility benefits, and voting rights at general assemblies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 81 startups/projects supported in 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers42 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tech Transfer Uni (University of Fribourg)coreTechnology or IntegrationSupports research projects looking to commercialize innovations through startups, part of Fri Up's ecosystem for academic spin-offs.
• Tech Transfer HES-SO (HEIA-FR)coreTechnology or IntegrationSupports research projects from the School of Engineering looking to commercialize innovations through startups or existing companies.
• Cluster Food & NutritioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional and national networking platform strengthening collaboration between agri-food ecosystem players, combining food processing knowledge with nutrition, health, and emerging technologies in circular economy.
• Food Research and Innovation Center (FRIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic interdisciplinary platform for food science at University of Fribourg focusing on sustainable raw material use, new food research, sustainable production, and food-health interactions.
• Fribourg Agri&FoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanton's agri-food strategy organization offering financial aid for innovation development, prototyping services, specialized laboratories, and annual project calls for systemic projects and innovation vouchers.
• Food Ecosystem Institute | HEG FribourgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenter of expertise and innovation in management and entrepreneurship for agri-food industry players, conducting consulting missions, research projects, and annual reports with partner companies.
• Grangeneuve Technology HallcoreTechnology or IntegrationPilot equipment and laboratories simulating main operations in dairy and agri-food industries for evaluating technological choices against legislative and quality requirements.
• ChemTech Institute | HEIA-FRcoreTechnology or IntegrationChemistry institute with sophisticated pilot hall for transitioning laboratory concepts to industrial-scale pre-production, particularly for bioeconomy startups.
• Biofactory Competence Center (BCC) | HEIA-FRcoreTechnology or IntegrationBiotechnology facilities and bioprocess engineering including clean rooms for designing and testing processes before GMP transfer, ideal for high-value biotech product development.
• iRAP | HEIA-FRcoreTechnology or IntegrationLaboratories and expertise in biobased polymers and bioplastics, supporting design, prototyping, and industrialization with lifecycle and sustainability integration.
• BlueFactory FribourgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral campus gathering over 1,000 people offering stimulating environment for startups, fostering collaboration, innovation, and networking with academic and industrial actors.
• Marly Innovation CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner7,000 m² of laboratories and technical spaces for innovative project development with modular resources and environment conducive to industrial growth.
• AgriCocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSite dedicated to agri-food and biomass with 100 hectares of agricultural land for large-scale trials, hosting startups like Cormo, Alver, PlasmaSeed, and Lowimpact Food.
• BCF (Banque Cantonale de Fribourg)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCantonal bank providing banking advice consultations at Fri Up offices during scheduled sessions.
• Baloise InsuranceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInsurance company providing consultation sessions at Fri Up offices for entrepreneurs on insurance matters.
• Innovation Booster Future Food Farming | InnosuisseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creation program enabling radical idea development with other actors that can be tested through funding.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Innosuisse: Swiss federal innovation agency promoting science-based innovation through funding, training, and startup support programs. Comparable as a public innovation funding enabler that partners with regional startup support organizations like Fri Up.
• Greater Zurich Area: Official investment promotion agency for the Greater Zurich region supporting company founding, expansion, and relocation. Comparable as a publicly-mandated regional economic development and startup support body, though broader in scope than Fri Up.

Direct peers

• EPFL Innovation Park: Innovation hub at EPFL hosting and supporting startups with infrastructure, coaching, and investor connections. Comparable as an innovation campus-based startup support ecosystem offering similar infrastructure access and business coaching.
• Venturelab: Swiss national startup support organization running flagship programs and events for early-stage founders. Directly comparable as a publicly-supported startup accelerator/ecosystem builder operating across Switzerland, with a similar coaching, events, and investor-introduction value proposition.
• Genilem: Swiss non-profit association supporting innovative startups in western Switzerland (Vaud/Geneva) with personalized coaching over a multi-year program. Comparable as a peer non-profit startup support association offering free long-form coaching.
• IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen: St. Gallen-based institute supporting young entrepreneurs with coaching, business plan support, and capital connections. Comparable as a regional startup support organization offering free advisory and financing access.
• Innovaud: Vaud cantonal innovation and startup support agency offering coaching, events, and ecosystem programs for early-stage companies. Closely comparable as a cantonal public-private startup support organization serving a defined Swiss region.
• BaselArea.swiss: Business and innovation promotion agency for the Basel region supporting startups, scale-ups, and foreign companies. Comparable as a regional publicly-mandated innovation support organization offering coaching, events, and investor introductions.
• be-advanced: Bern cantonal platform supporting innovative startups and SMEs with coaching, financing access, and ecosystem connections. Closely comparable as a cantonal innovation intermediary with similar service mix to Fri Up.

Emerging players

• MassChallenge Switzerland: Global zero-equity accelerator with a Swiss presence running cohort-based programs for early-stage startups. Comparable as a structured startup accelerator offering cohort programs, mentorship, and corporate partner connections.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/friup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fri-up
• Instagraminstagram.com/friup.ch
• Xx.com/friup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 Fri Up