The SECO Start-up Fund (SSF)

The SSF is a facility for development loans established by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO.  SSF offers loans for start-up projects of Swiss entrepreneurs or enterprises in emerging economies (economies under development or in transition). The management of the SSF is delegated to FINANCEcontact in Zurich.

What does SSF offer?

  • loans for start-up business projects and for financing the first expansion phase of companies in emerging economies (see country list)
  • to investors with domicile in Switzerland
  • 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; up to two times the amount contributed by the borrower/investor, up to CHF 500'000 (all three criteria must be fulfilled)
  • for repayment within 7 years

 

What are the advantages of a SSF loan?

  • Long-term financing with portable interest charges
  • No dilution of ownership
  • Unsecured loan – does not limit the possibilities for further bank financing
  • Independent assessment of the business plan by the Experts Committee of SSF
  • Network of Swiss representations in the target countries of the SSF

Priority Countries

South East Europe

Albania
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Kosovo
North Macedonia
Serbia

former USSR

Azerbaijan
Armenia
Georgia
Moldova
Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan
Ukraine
Uzbekistan

Latin America

Bolivia
Colombia
Cuba
Haiti
Honduras
Nicaragua
Peru

Africa and Middle East
Benin
Burkina Faso
Chad
Egypt
Ghana
Kenia
Lesotho
Malawi
Mali
Morocco
Mozambique
Niger
Somalia
South Africa
Swaziland
Tanzania
Tunisia
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Asia

Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Cambodia
Indonesia
Laos
Mongolia
Myanmar
Nepal
Pakistan
Vietnam