Prototype Fund Switzerland - We foster public interest tech

HOW, WHAT AND WHY WE FUND

Technology can create added value for all of us. However, in the absence of business models and government support, there is a lack of funding for the development of public interest tech projects in Switzerland.

Alleged solutions are developed in silos (and according to a waterfall model), without involving the affected people and with fear in the back of one’s mind not to make any mistakes. Others believe that the next hype technology or Elon Musk will solve all our problems (often without even really understanding the technology).

This is where the Prototype Fund comes in. We create structured experimental spaces for human-centred, open and non-profit innovation in Switzerland. We support you in solving social challenges with open source projects and thereby strengthen the common good.

As an independent programmer or as a team of technically skilled, committed and creative collaborators, you can receive up to CHF 100,000 from us to develop your public interest tech idea from concept to first demo within six months.

You can use the money to build a prototype of your open source software (or hardware). In addition to the financial support, we will coach, mentor and individually network you with the tech and wider communities.

From 2024 onwards, we will be supporting at least two projects per year in the area of “digital sufficiency“. We are looking for project ideas that aim to directly or indirectly reduce the absolute level of resource and energy demand through or with the help of digital technology. Projects that do not primarily focus on the topic of sufficiency can and will of course also be funded in the future.

To make sure you don’t miss the call for our next funding round, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Mastodon or LinkedIn. If you want to find out more about us, you can find all the information about our selection criteria, our jury, the Prototype Fund team as well as our FAQ online. If after that you still have questions, feel free to contact us by email: .

PUBLIC INTEREST TECH

We foster open technology by and for civil society. By public interest tech, we mean open source technologies that resolve societal problems and strengthen the common good. Topics can include participation (civic tech), sufficiency, education, diversity, health, open knowledge and data literacy or security.

WHO WE SUPPORT

We support independent programmers and interdisciplinary teams (software developers, hackers, data journalists, politicos, activists, scientists, creatives, etc.) who have a work permit for Switzerland.

HOW DO WE FUND YOU?

We will fund your project with up to CHF 100,000. In addition, we support you with workshops, coaching and access to our network. The Prototype Fund is an experimental space, people-centred, interdisciplinary and open. You have 6 months to develop a prototype from your concept. Being allowed to make mistakes and learn from them is an integral part of our funding philosophy.

WHEN DO WE FUND YOU?

There is one funding round per year, for which you can apply during a limited period of time. Our jury selects the project teams that will receive funding and shortly afterwards the 6-month programme starts, during which you will develop your prototype. You can subscribe to our newsletter to be among the first to hear about our next round of funding.

OPEN SOURCE

Your results must be developed on the basis of open source software and made publicly available under an open source license. By publishing the source code, your project will become more trustworthy, impactful and sustainable, as others will be able to review, build on and further develop your prototype.

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