Business Incubator Y-START

Accelerate Your Growth with the Y-START Incubator

The Y-START incubator offers technology start-ups turnkey premises (offices and workshops) in private modules (from 15 m²) or coworking spaces.

In addition to an all-inclusive offer that includes all amenities (internet, cafeteria, conference rooms, printers), start-ups benefit from a support service for developing their activities and the opportunity to participate in thematic workshops and networking events.

  • The missing link

    Created in 2011 by Y-PARC Swiss Technopole SA with the support of its economic and academic partners, the Y-START incubator is the bridge between the research and industry worlds.

    Pictogramme "The missing link"

  • A generalist and technology incubator

    Consistent with Y-PARC’s mission, the incubator is positioning itself in the field of innovation and new technologies.Open to any sector of activity, the incubator's value lies in the diversity and complementarity of the skills that can be found within its walls.

    Pictogramme "A generalist and technology incubator"

  • Y-START is a public incubator

    Unlike a private incubator, Y-START does not seek to make a return on its investments by taking equity in start-ups. The incubator pursues a public purpose: creating jobs and added value!

    Pictogramme "Y-START is a public incubator"

  • Plug & Play Facilities

    More than 1,000m² of furnished private modules (offices and workshops) and common areas (cafeteria, conference rooms) are available on flexible terms adapted to the evolving needs of start-ups.

    • Spaces from 15 m²
    • 3-month commitment and renewable from month to month
    • All-inclusive package of CHF 260./m²/year with all amenities included (furniture, internet, printers, cleaning of the premises, and access to common areas)
    Meeting interne dans un incubateur

  • Workshops, Coaching, and Networking

    In addition to the thematic workshops (human resources, communication and marketing, intellectual property, etc.) and regular project monitoring, incubated start-ups benefit from support and networking with experts.

    Events are regularly offered to start-ups and alumni in order to strengthen cohesion and sharing of experience.

  • Access to the Industrial Fabric and R&D Institutes

    The Y-START incubator benefits from the many synergies with companies based in the park, a pool of talent and know-how that provides an extraordinary potential for collaboration.

    In addition, start-ups have privileged access to the technical, scientific, and entrepreneurial skills available within the applied research and development institutes of the School of Engineering and Management of the Canton of Vaud (HEIG-VD). Finally, within a 50-kilometer radius, there is a wealth of internationally renowned universities (EPFL, UNIL, HES-SO, IMD, UNINE, etc.).

    Toiture solaire Y-park

Admissions

Eligibility criteria

Access to the Y-START incubator is reserved for companies with:

  1. Incorporated less than a year ago
  2. Registered with the Registre du Commerce du Canton de Vaud (or in the process of being registered)
  3. Active in the qualified sectors of Medium and High Technology (MHT) or Knowledge Industry (KI) according to commonly accepted definitions.
  4. That collaborate with a teaching and research institution (IER)

Procedure

The decision of acceptance is taken by an ad hoc selection committee which, on the basis of the application file and an oral presentation by the project leaders, shall consider the following criteria:

  • Degree of technical/technological innovation
  • Economic potential (job creation)
  • Business model relevance/funding capacity
  • Capacity/motivation of project leaders

Incubation time

The service contract is concluded for a minimum of 3 months, tacitly renewable from month to month. However, incubation is limited to 2 years, with no possibility of renewal.

Write to us or request eligibility

    Y-PARC Swiss Technopole is dedicated to hosting technological activities in Research & Development, industrial production, and training that complement the ecosystem.

    Each application for establishment is reviewed by an eligibility commission, which ensures that the proposed on-site activities meet the criteria of the Plan Partiel d’Affectation (PPA).

    To verify your eligibility, we invite you to contact us or submit your application by completing the form available below directly. You will receive a response within 30 working days.