Need advice or support to help you set up your business? Here’s a list of organizations you can call on.
General information about setting up a business
CVCI - Information from the Vaud Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Genilem - Advice, support, and training on starting a business
Venturelab - National initiative to support startups and other young companies
SECO - Online portal for setting up a company in Switzerland
SECO - Information on the Swiss government’s SME policy
Innosuisse - Swiss Innovation Agency
CODEV – Website of Vaud’s regional economic development agencies
SPECo - Information on local government support for businesses
General information about taking over a business
CVCI - Information from the Vaud Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Relève -PME - Information on business succession
Administrative steps
OAV - Association of Vaud lawyers
ANV - Association of Vaud notaries
EXPERTsuisse
Fiduciaire Suisse - Vaud section of the Swiss association of fiduciaries
Financing and guarantees
Cautionnement romand – This company provides guarantees to help self-employed workers and SMEs take out a loan in cases where they fall short of downpayment or collateral requirements.
SPEI - Vaud department of economic development and innovation
Microcrédit Solidaire Suisse - Support for small businesses unable to get a bank loan
Business Angels Suisse
Intellectual property
IPI - Information from the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property
Corporate taxation
AFC - Information from the Federal Tax Administration on a range of taxes (including VAT, withholding tax, and direct federal tax)
Social security
OFAS - Information on Swiss social security from the Federal Social Insurance Office
DGCS - Vaud office for social cohesion
CVCI - Information on social security, accident insurance, income-replacement insurance, maternity benefits, family allowances, etc.
Centre patronal - Provides social security and occupational pension coverage
FVE - Information on occupational pensions
Innovation and tech transfer
INNOVAUD - Vaud-based organization promoting innovation
Alliance - Facilitates partnerships between companies and research centers in Western Switzerland
Innosuisse - Swiss Innovation Agency
FIT - Supports innovative tech projects linked to a university of applied science
Platinn - A network of qualified coaches that help startups and small businesses achieve success
Training
GENILEM - Learn the basics of setting up a company at a Genilem workshop or through one of its immersive online courses.
Others
Centre Patronal - A private company that supports businesses and professional groups. It assists, informs, and advises business leaders.
FVE – Helps construction companies fulfill their obligations under relevant collective employment agreements. Its services include legal advice, collective income-replacement insurance, payroll services, and regular information updates.
EPFL Innovation Park - Supports high-tech startups and hosts companies on the EPFL-UNIL campus
Y-Parc - The Yverdon-les-Bains technology park supports innovation in the region.
Here are some useful addresses if you are seeking the services of a fiduciary, notary, or lawyer, or if you need financing that cannot be offered by a bank.
Conseils spécialisés
EXPERTsuisse
Fiduciaire Suisse - Vaud section of the Swiss association of fiduciaries
Association des notaires vaudois (ANV) - This site provides a wide range of information on notaries’ roles and responsibilities, particularly when it comes to real-estate transactions.
OAV - Association of Vaud lawyers
Financing support
Cautionnement romand – This company provides guarantees to help self-employed workers and SMEs take out a loan in cases where they fall short of downpayment or collateral requirements.
Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT) – - Works with tech startups, providing select firms with financing support, advice, and rental premises at EPFL’s Science Park.
Coordination de Développement Economique Vaudois (CODEV) -CODEV is the umbrella organization for Vaud’s regional economic development agencies. In addition to helping companies obtain government support, these agencies provide information and other services to local companies and municipal governments (including advice on setting up a business, forging partnerships, and relocating to Vaud).
If you’re involved in the import-export business, here's a list of organizations that help small businesses expand into the international market. We also provide contact information for other organizations that can help companies grow their business.
SPEI – This cantonal department promotes economic development, tourism, and innovation in Vaud, helping companies, municipal governments, regional agencies, and tourism providers gain access to related government services (aid, subsidies, guarantees, etc.).
Vaud Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CVCI) – The go-to organization for information, support, and advice on starting a company, relocating to Vaud, exports, and legal and tax matters.
Switzerland Global Entreprise - Provides companies in Switzerland with export-related advice
SERV - To insure your exports against political and credit risk
Tax information bureau
Eigerstrasse 65
3003 Berne
Tél.: 031 / 322 71 48
Conseil pour le Développement Economique du Canton de Vaud (DEV) - Supports, advises, and informs companies looking to relocate to Vaud.
Centre Patronal (et FPV) - A private company that provides administrative services to the Fédération Patronale Vaudoise and around a hundred other professional associations. It also informs and advises business leaders.
The FPV is an umbrella organization bringing together local companies and professional associations.
Vaud Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CVCI) – The go-to organization for information, support and advice on starting a company, relocating to Vaud, exports, and legal and tax matters.
Femmes PME Suisse Romande - Supports and promotes female business leaders, highlighting the critical role they play in the country’s economy.
Service Cantonal de Recherche et d'Information Statistiques (SCRIS) - SCRIS is the Canton’s office for statistics. It processes, analyzes, and stores public statistical data on the labor market, the economy, consumer prices, and imports and exports. Most data are available on the SCRIS website.
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) – The Swiss Federal Government’s department for both domestic and international economic affairs, providing information and support to cantonal governments, businesses, economic development organizations, and other partners in Switzerland.
Zefix – The national business name index