Raising Your First Check in Zurich

Fundraising in Zurich

Zurich's fundraising scene is finance-heavy. Crypto Valley (nearby Zug) attracts web3 capital. Innosuisse offers government grants for Swiss-based R&D.

European fundraising is relationship-driven. Cold emails work, but warm intros convert 5x better. Start 3–6 months before you need money.

Where the Money Is

Local investors, accelerators, and funding sources for your stage. For curated links, see the Zurich playbook on the main page.

• •Innosuisse offers government grants for Swiss-based R&D
• •Venturelab connects Swiss startups with investors
• •Dealroom has Swiss and Crypto Valley funding data

Legal Instruments: Swiss Structure

Switzerland is not in the EU — fundraising norms differ. Innosuisse offers government grants for Swiss-based R&D.

Crypto Valley (nearby Zug) attracts web3 capital. Venturelab connects Swiss startups with investors.

• •Innosuisse offers government grants for Swiss-based R&D
• •Venturelab connects Swiss startups with investors
• •Dealroom has Swiss and Crypto Valley funding data

• Innosuisse
• Venturelab

Building Your Investor Pipeline

European fundraising is relationship-driven. Here's how to build your pipeline in Zurich.

• •Use Crunchbase and Dealroom to find investors who back companies at your stage and sector
• •Attend demo days and local events — Swiss Startup Day is the main annual ecosystem event
• •Build in public on X/Twitter and LinkedIn — European VCs are very active on both
• •Ask portfolio founders for intros — this is the #1 way to get a meeting

The Unwritten Rules

European fundraising has cultural norms that nobody tells you about. Here are the ones that matter.

• •Europeans value humility over bravado — show ambition through substance, not hype
• •Follow-up is expected and respected — European investors often need 3–5 touchpoints before committing
• •Government grants and co-investment are not 'charity' — top European founders stack them strategically
• •Valuations are lower, but so is dilution — European founders often retain more equity through exit