Start-up Elevate Program
Drive forward your deep-tech start-up with CSEM expertise.
CSEM's Start-up Elevate Program helps incorporated deep-tech start-ups reduce technical risk through one focused project with CSEM specialists. Five start-ups are selected each year. Each receives a Technical Lift: CHF 50,000 worth of CSEM project support to assess, develop, test, validate, or improve a critical part of its technology. Build the evidence you need for customer adoption, industrialization, further development or your next funding round while your company remains independent.
Part of CSEM TechBridge. Need another type of support? Explore our Spin-off Program or the Digital Journey Award.
Applications are open! Deadline: November 30, 2026
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K CHF project support for each selected start-up
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Start-ups selected for each annual cohort
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CSEM experts to help guide you
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Patent families
How Elevate works
From technical challenge to credible evidence.
Is Elevate right for your start-up?
Elevate is designed for start-ups that are:
✅ Legally incorporated
✅ Developing a deep-tech product or technology
✅ Ideally pre-Series A
✅ Facing a clear technical challenge
✅ Connected to at least one area of CSEM expertise
✅ Able to define a realistic technical milestone
✅ Building a technology with the potential to scale
✅ Able to show potential value for customers, industry, society or the environment
Elevate is not designed for:
🚫 Individual founders without an incorporated company
🚫 Pure academic research projects
🚫 General business coaching
🚫 Unrestricted cash funding
🚫 Projects without a clear technical component
🚫 Start-ups looking only for office space or incubation
🚫 The creation of a CSEM-based spin-off
Looking for a different type of support?
Our Spin-off Program supports entrepreneurs that want to build a company around CSEM tech or know-how. The Digital Journey Award is for Swiss SMEs ready to turn a digital challenge into measurable business impact.
Technology fit
Your project connects directly to relevant CSEM expertise.
Technical need
You can identify the uncertainty, performance gap, or engineering challenge where CSEM could make a meaningful contribution.
Clear milestone
You know what the project should demonstrate, develop, measure, or help you decide.
Project feasibility
Your start-up can provide the necessary technical inputs, project leadership, and internal commitment.
Scale potential
Your technology has a credible path to scale beyond one prototype, pilot, or customer.
Impact potential
Your company could create meaningful value for customers, industry, employment, society, or the environment.
How to apply
1. Check your eligibility
Review your start-up stage, technology fit, and project readiness. Unsure? Contact us before you apply.
2. Prepare your application
Prepare a concise application of up to three pages. Include basic company information, your technical challenge, your target milestone with CSEM, your team’s contribution, expected impact, scale potential, and what success would unlock. Important: your application must be submitted in English only.
For more detail, see the FAQ below.
3. Submit your application
Click Apply and send your application by email. Applications close on November 30, 2026.
4. Jury evaluation
CSEM checks eligibility, technology fit, technical need, feasibility, scale potential, and expected impact. Shortlisted applications go to jury evaluation in December 2026, and five start-ups are selected.
5. Start your technical lift
Selected start-ups define the project scope with CSEM and begin their Technical Lift in January 2027.
6. Use the results to move forward
Your start-up remains independent and uses the project results to support market adoption, industrialization, investment, or further development.
FAQ
What is a Technical Lift?
Do we receive CHF 50,000 in cash?
Can start-ups from outside Switzerland apply?
Can we contact CSEM before applying?
What should I include in my application?
What is the application and selection timeline?
Can I use AI to write my application?
Does our start-up become part of CSEM?
Does CSEM take equity? Will we keep our IP?
What if my company is not selected?