Credit Suisse and UBS have launched with the Foundation of the Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation (Swiss EF) a Fund, to invest in Swiss companies. The furniture is 100 million Swiss francs in the first Investor. The Fund is supposed to be 500 million Swiss francs gross. The financial market Supervisory authority Finma has approved the Fund at the end of January. As the other investors in the Fund, the founders hope to encourage institutional investors such as pension funds, high net worth individuals and Family Offices.

The Swiss EF was founded in 2017 under the patronage of the Federal Council, Johann Schneider-Ammann . Since the beginning of this year, under the patronage of his successor as Minister of economic Affairs, Federal councillor Guy Parmelin. Schneider-Ammann as its honorary President.

The Foundation promotes on the one hand, companies in a growth phase, with 50 experts. On the other hand, it brings together Start-up entrepreneurs with representatives from the national policy to provide for a better framework. “Start-ups are for the success of Switzerland as a model is an important pillar,” said Johann Schneider-Ammann. “Young companies should be founded in Switzerland and are being developed.” Start-ups had been ahead of his time as a Federal Council, a “Hobby”. A good climate for business start-UPS and company growth is important for Switzerland. “The Jobs have to stay here,” said Schneider-Ammann.

For companies with Swiss headquarters

the two winners of the Foundation, the two big banks Credit Suisse and UBS to lay a private Fund, directly or through third-party funds in those companies in the growth phase can invest. In the foreground of investment rounds, each 5 to 15 million Swiss francs during 5 years. The majority of the investment is to be made in companies which have their main seat or “a significant proportion of their value added in Switzerland,” the founders write.

The Goal is that 50 to 66 percent of the investments in Swiss companies are incorporated, in addition to primarily in companies from neighboring countries investing. The direct investments are expected to amount to at least 20 percent of the total investment, 65 to 80 percent of the funds are invested in third party funds. The Fund of funds should be balanced in different stages of development, so in venture capital, in investments in fast-growing companies, as well as in small to medium-sized Buy-outs.

The Fund will benefit from the activities of the Foundation and Vice versa, the Foundation will receive a portion of the Fund fees. The Fund is expected to deliver a return of 10 to 15 percent.

In Switzerland there is a funding gap for innovative growth companies in the stage after the establishment, namely between the Start-up and established companies, Lukas Gähwiler, Chairman of the Board of UBS Switzerland AG, and Board member of the Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation. “This is a gap that we close with the new Fund.”

With Material of SDA

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 07.02.2019, 12:59 PM