SCHWEIZERISCHE AGENTUR FUR INNOVATIONSFORDERUNG

Their core work

Innosuisse is Switzerland's federal innovation agency, responsible for funding and supporting innovation across the Swiss economy. Within H2020, they primarily operated as the Swiss node of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), helping Swiss SMEs access EU innovation instruments such as the SME Instrument and Fast Track to Innovation. They also co-funded transnational research programming in energy systems and forest-based bioeconomy, acting as a national funding body that bridges Swiss innovators with European research networks.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Innosuisse's early H2020 involvement (2017-2018) centered on basic EEN services — SME key account management and innovation capacity building — alongside a stake in forest-based bioeconomy research funding. From 2018 onward, their scope widened to include smart energy systems, regional energy networks, and direct support for the European Innovation Council's SME instruments. Their EEN mandate also grew significantly, with the final SwissEENissme project receiving nearly three times the funding of the first.

Innosuisse is scaling up its role as Switzerland's gateway to EU innovation programmes, with increasing budgets and a broadening mandate that now includes energy transition and EIC instruments.

How they like to work

Innosuisse predominantly leads projects (3 of 5 as coordinator), reflecting its role as a national agency that runs rather than joins initiatives. With 56 unique partners across 27 countries, their network is remarkably broad for just five projects — a hallmark of coordination and support actions that connect many actors. They are a network hub, not a research performer: their value lies in connecting Swiss innovators with European partners.

Despite only five projects, Innosuisse has built connections with 56 partners across 27 countries, spanning nearly all of the EU and associated states. This exceptionally wide network reflects their role as a national innovation agency operating pan-European support programmes.

What sets them apart

As Switzerland's federal innovation agency, Innosuisse offers something rare: direct access to Swiss SMEs and the Swiss innovation ecosystem from within EU framework programmes. For consortium builders, partnering with Innosuisse means gaining a credible, government-backed bridge to Switzerland's high-value industrial and research base. Their growing EEN mandate also makes them a practical entry point for any organization seeking Swiss partners or market access.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SwissEENissme3.0
  Largest project by far (EUR 664,626), showing significant scaling of Switzerland's EEN innovation support mandate under the European Innovation Council.
• EN SGplusRegSys
  A long-running ERA-NET Cofund (2018-2023) on smart regional energy systems, representing Innosuisse's commitment to co-funding transnational energy research.
• ForestValue
  Demonstrates Innosuisse's reach beyond energy into forest-based bioeconomy, co-funding research across a six-year ERA-NET programme.