The canton of Vaud provides direct financial assistance to companies operating in industry, production-related services and leading edge technologies. (list of eligible sectors).

Made available by the canton's business, accommodation and tourism agency (SELT), these subsidies are intended to help SMEs and start-ups carry out development projects in the canton.

The following assistance is available:

Investment support

• Loans guarantees

By issuing guarantees for bank loans, the canton encourages the implementation of large-scale industrial projects and promotes both innovation and job creation. The guarantee underwrites an investment loan granted by a bank or other lender (insurer, financial company, pension fund). This assistance may be supplemented by coverage for interest payments.

• Partial coverage of bank interest

Besides guarantees, further assistance is available in the form of coverage for interest payments, depending on criteria related to the project (nature, cost, financing, etc.) and the geographical location of the requesting party. The partial coverage of interest may be granted independently of any guarantee.

Innovation support

• Acquiring intellectual property rights (up to CHF 5,000)
• Developing new products, improving or developing plant, obtaining certification or homologation (up to CHF 30,000)
• Training of technical or scientific staff (up to CHF 15,000 / employee)

Commercialisation and internationalisation support

• Market analysis, new business opportunities (up to CHF 30,000)
• Attending exhibitions or business conventions (up to CHF 5,000)

The hyperlinks above are currently only available in french. To get details in english, please refer to the publication opposite.

Office for Economic Affairs (SELT)
Economic Promotion
Rue Caroline 11
CH - 1014 Lausanne

Phone :  +41 (0)21 316 58 20
Fax : +41 (0)21 316 61 52
E-mail : info.selt(at)vd.ch