Active portfolio of
27 loans totalling
CHF 7.8 Mio.
The SECO Start-up Fund (SSF)
provides loans
- To investors with domicile in Switzerland
- for start-up business projects and for financing the first expansion phase of companies in emerging economies (see country list)
- the financed projects must be commercially viable (SSF does not finance feasibility studies, pilots or prototype development) and meet recognized environmental and social standards
- maximum amount of the loan: up to two thirds of the investment costs in the target country; maximally two times the amount contributed by the borrowers/investors, maximally CHF 500'000 (all three criteria must be fulfilled)
- for repayment within 7 years
The SSF is a facility for development loans established by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO. SSF offers loans for start-up business projects of Switzerland domiciled entrepreneurs/enterprises in emerging economies (economies under development or in transition). The management of the SSF is delegated to FINANCEcontact in Zurich.
Investments in emerging economies involve business risks beyond those generally encountered in Western countries. This is particularly true for young enterprises. With its loans SSF aims to share the financial burden of such ventures with the investors.
Impact
Portfolio
Job Creation
Over 16'950
new jobs created
new jobs created
Investments
CHF 31 Mio. committed,
CHF 396 Mio. mobilized
CHF 396 Mio. mobilized
Latest News
Like a phoenix from the ashes
After a destructive fire, an entrepreneurial couple builds back better
From a philanthropic project to a commercial business
At the IC Forum 2022 in Geneva on April 1, experienced entrepreneurs from Uganda, Zambia and Senegal shared how they are trying to combine business with social impact...
Read more From a philanthropic project to a commercial business
SECO Start-up Fund presents itself - the new video is out
An easy to watch video explains how the SSF works, check it out at SECO Start-up Fund Video
Read more SECO Start-up Fund presents itself - the new video is out
Quick Links
Loan applications
Here you find more details on the eligibility criteria and the loan approval process
Impact
SSF regularly measures the impact of its investments: more and better jobs, private capital mobilization…
Download and links
Find downloads and links related to start-up investing, business planning, financing enterprises in emerging economies
What our Clients say
FINANCEcontact brings in their expertise in an efficient and constructive manner and helped me and my team to pursue a clear strategy and focus on the key success factors right from the start.
Batchimeg Gadola
Founder Magic Design LLC, Mongolia
The SSF team has made a significant contribution to advising us in challenging times, regardless of the financial support. The view from the outside and the numerous discussions have prompted us to question and adapt our assumptions and processes on several occasions. For young companies, this exchange is of great value and we have greatly appreciated it.
Bojan Simic
Founder and CEO of BAD SISTEMS LLC, Serbia
The SECO Start-up Fund played for us a decisive role in establishing our international presence and maintaining a comprehensive product offering to our clients. We appreciated FINANCEcontact as experienced an pragmatic partner.
Schneeberger Edwin
Founder Tissa Textiles d.o.o., Bosnia and Herzegovina
The SECO Start-up Fund helped us build our mineral water company from scratch to a strong brand: In our early days we filled 200’000 bottles per year, now we produce this amount in a day!
Miho Svismonishvili
Founder and CEO of Cqali Margebeli, Georgia