Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Here you will find a compilation of the most frequently asked questions by founders and young entrepreneurs.
Company incorporation
At ifj.ch/incorporate you choose your legal form and you will be forwarded to our incorporation portal. In the portal you enter your data step by step in simple input masks and establish your LLC, sole proprietorship, Ltd or general partnership (General) including the registration by the Commercial Register from your home. Our experts, lawyers and notaries will accompany you throughout the entire process. This way you can be 100% sure that no mistakes will happen during your incorporation. Whether you decide to start your own business, you will find yourself at the right place, simply and even free of charge.
Thanks to our role as a startup supporter in Switzerland and our partners PostFinance and Swisscom, your foundation is free of charge. The base price for the establishment of a sole proprietorship or general partnership is of CHF 200, for a LLC or Ltd is of CHF 500. And it gets even better: With the starting credits of other partners such as Atlanto, Helvetia, FLYERALARM, Google, Swiss Post or Volvo, your start is additionally financially supported.
Thanks to our systems and processes, which have been optimized over many years, and our comprehensive expert knowledge, it only takes a few days to set up a company with IFJ. Registering by the commercial register takes up the most time; this varies according to season and canton. Calculate therefore for the complete foundation at least two weeks.
Simply enter your incorporation data in the incorporation portal. Even if you still have uncertainties with e.g. company name, purpose, address or functions. Our experienced team first checks your data, calls you, answers all your questions and adjusts the foundation data for you. Afterwards everything will be checked again by lawyers and finally our notaries will carry out the foundation for you.
No. Thanks to our foundation system and our process, you can start your new company from the comfort of your own home. Our team, our lawyers and notaries will take care of everything for you.
With the starting credits you save money. Well-known IFJ partners (such as Atlanto, Helvetia, PostFinance, Swisscom, FLYERALARM, Google, Swiss Post or Volvo) support your company launch financially - in the form of vouchers, discounts, credits or withdrawals. You decide freely, during and after the foundation, when and if you want to use the offers. Completely independent of the incorporation.
The consultation is free: call us on +41 (0)71 242 98 98, write us an e-mail to gruenden@ifj.ch or visit the intensive course to prepare for your incorporation in your region. If you would like a consultation with an IFJ expert in person, it costs CHF 150 per hour.
The choice of the suitable legal form for the establishment of your own company must be well thought out. Founders usually choose a limited liability company (LLC), sole proprietorship, limited company (Ltd) or general partnership (General). When deciding which legal form best suits the planned business activity, various criteria such as seed capital, taxes, risks, independence and social security must be considered. Our table of legal forms gives you an overview of the four legal forms most frequently chosen by founders in Switzerland. We will be happy to advise you on the right legal form for your project. You can also attend our company foundation course and get the know-how directly on site, together with other prospective founders.
Funds from the pension fund (LPP) may only be drawn when establishing a sole proprietorship or general partnership (General). Self-employment must be your main occupation and the cantonal compensation fund (AVS) must recognize you as a self-employed person. With the formation of a LLC or Ltd, it is not possible to withdraw your pension fund.
Check your employment contract to see if there is a notification requirement for a sideline job. Then you need to get your employer's consent. If the employer is not competing with your secondary employment and the work performance does not suffer as a result, this will normally be granted.
If only foreign shareholders are involved in the company, at least one person with Swiss domicile, individual signature and as managing director or director must also be registered. For persons from non-EU/EFTA states and third countries, there are other special requirements that you can find at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO.
Accounting
All companies are obliged to keep orderly accounts (complete balance sheet and income statement including receipts), which must be registered in the commercial register. The financial situation, debts, receivables and operating results must be shown in the accounts per year. The following must be entered in the commercial register:
- LLC, Ltd, cooperatives and associations (on foundation)
- General partnerships (General) and limited partnerships
- Sole proprietorships with an annual turnovre of CHF 100,000
From an annual turnover of CHF 500,000, double-entry accounting is required by law. Until then you are obliged to document your income and expenses. However, every entrepreneur has an interest in being well informed about the course of business at all times. We recommend using a web-based accounting solution such as Atlanto.
The business software covers the entire administration of start-ups and SMEs in a cloud solution: Starting with order processing, including the preparation of quotations, through automated invoicing and dunning runs, to integrated e-banking and online accounting with direct access for trustees. With Atlanto, small businesses are demonstrably paid faster, have more time for their customers and spend less time in the office. More information is available at ifj.ch/get-started/accounting
This must be clarified separately and, depending on the individual case, with the trustee. As far as the investments were made expressly on behalf of the company to be founded, yes. However, it is always possible to charge the company's startup costs, even if they have been paid in advance.
The IFJ
Since the foundation of the IFJ in 1989, the hybrid business model has been put into practice. Renowned partners from industry and the public sector rely on the cooperation with IFJ. With these funds and services the national startup support is ensured for you. Partners benefit from visibility, prospective customers, fulfillment of orders and seize the opportunity to make a lasting strong name for themselves as a committed promoter of the Swiss economy. Today, this type of business model is widespread, such as the free newspapers 20 Minuten or Blick am Abend.
Our offers are available to all persons who intend to establish a new company or are already running a startup in Switzerland.
Very simple: Here you will find initial information. Or contact our team at info@ifj.ch and tell us briefly what your project is and why you would like to work with us.
Our headquarters has been in St. Gallen since 1989. Today we operate branches in Schlieren, the well-known startup space, in Lausanne and in Lugano. Thanks to over 250 webinares, courses and events every year, you will meet our employees in all regions of Switzerland.
PREMIUM PARTNERS
Attractive premium discounts
Helvetia supports start-ups with a premium discount up to 50% on individual insurance solutions.
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PostFinance start-up package
PostFinance gives you the tools to get started – Benefit from two years of free account management and discover additional offers that make your business life easier.
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Free months for new start-ups
Swisscom will cover your subscription costs for up to 6 months plus CHF 300.- credited to your Swisscom bill.
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