The Canton of Ticino is the second-largest innovation ecosystem in Switzerland, it provides an ideal environment for the creation and development of innovative startups, and offers a wide range of measures to support them at every stage of their journey.
The Agire Foundation, the cantonal innovation agency, supports startups from the initial phase to their consolidation in the international market. It especially assists them in drafting and refining business plans, securing initial investors, developing prototypes, and preparing for their launch and growth on an international scale.
The Boldbrain Startup Challenge is a key element in the startup support strategy. This accelerator program focuses on innovative early-stage startups. It is organized by the Agire Foundation in collaboration with the USI Startup Centre and plays a pivotal role in fostering the growth and development of emerging businesses.
Startups can take advantage of spaces provided by incubators during the initial phase (e.g., USI Startup Centre, for startups emerging from the academic sector). Once they become fully operational companies, they have the opportunity to move to facilities such as the Tecnopolo Ticino in Manno, managed by the Agire Foundation, or other infrastructures like Impact Hub or similar structures.
These facilities offer startups access to all the tools and services necessary for their growth, including professional networks, technical resources, and mentoring programs. This ecosystem supports startups in scaling their operations and transitioning to sustainable business models, ensuring they have the resources needed to thrive in a competitive market.
Support in the research of investors is a central aspect of a startup's growth, as it is inherently a scalable business requiring a significant initial capital to launch products or services in a global market. In this context, initiatives such as “Scouting for Investors”, organized by the Agire Foundation, have been developed to help startups in introducing themselves to potential investors.
An important player in this field is TiVentures, owned by the Fondazione del Centenario BancaStato, which invests in early-stage companies with innovative technologies and high growth potential.
Startups that meet the innovation requirements outlined in the Regolamento della legge tributaria of the Canton of Ticino can benefit from significant tax incentives, offering an advantage that reduces costs and enables greater reinvestments in business development.
To further encourage investment, people that resides in Ticino who decide to invest in innovative startups within the Canton—i.e. by purchasing company shares or equity—can also benefit from tax incentives, as a result, the idea of financially supporting new entrepreneurial ventures has become more appealing.
This fosters a virtuous ecosystem where innovation and investment mutually reinforce each other, promoting the growth of a dynamic and expanding entrepreneurial landscape.
