Canton of Zurich innovation support (AHEAD, DIZH)
Kanton Zürich – Innovationsförderung (AHEAD, DIZH)
Status not published
AHEAD advisory is available on a rolling basis; DIZH runs periodic calls requiring a Zurich university partner.
The canton's own offer is primarily advisory: AHEAD provides free innovation consulting for founders and SMEs from idea through feasibility assessment. DIZH (Digitalization Initiative of the Zurich Higher Education Institutions) funds digitalisation research and innovation projects that involve a Zurich-based university; DIZH project amounts are set per call.
Kanton Zürich, Amt für Wirtschaft – Standortförderung
public · regional
Deadline: rolling — AHEAD advisory is available on a rolling basis; DIZH runs periodic calls requiring a Zurich university partner.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Moderate — a form and supporting documents.
Who can apply
- Sectors: ai, any, deeptech
- Stage: idea, pre_seed, seed, growth
- R&D activity required
- Locally registered entity required
Founders and SMEs in the Canton of Zurich. Projects must show a verifiable degree of innovation, economic potential and clearly defined objectives; a university partnership is mandatory for the Innosuisse and DIZH routes.
How to apply
- Clarify the innovation concept and whether a university partnership is needed. — link
- Contact AHEAD for consulting, or DIZH/Innosuisse for project funding. — link
- Select the appropriate programme and submit.
What you will need
- Project description
- University partner confirmation (if applicable)
Source. https://www.zh.ch/de/wirtschaft-arbeit/unternehmensportal/opu/firma-leiten/steuern-und-finanzen-regeln/innovationsvorhaben.html — checked 2026-08-14
"praxisnahe Begleitung: von der Idee über die Machbarkeitsklärung"