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We foster public interest tech.

More inclusion, sustainability and participation: With these projects, we strengthen the public good in Switzerland. Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to know about the next round.

Climate Gains
Crossroads
Demokratis
ExoDAO
Bootis

We create experimental spaces for innovations that serve the public good in Switzerland. The Prototype Fund supports you in solving societal problems with open source projects.

As a developer or a team of technically skilled, engaged and creative collaborators, you will receive up to CHF 100,000 to develop your public interest tech idea from concept to the first prototype.

With this grant, you and your team can spend six months writing code and building a prototype of your open source software. In addition, we – Opendata.ch and the Mercator Foundation Switzerland – coach, consult and connect you with various communities.

The application phase for this round runs from 5 April to 15 May 2022. The prototyping phase begins in September 2022 and lasts until 23 February 2023. Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to know about the next round.

Public Interest Tech

We foster open technologies by and for the people. By public interest tech, we mean open source technologies that solve societal problems and serve the public good. In addition to participation (civic tech), topics can include e.g. sustainability, diversity, open knowledge, data literacy or security. 

Who do we fund?

We support self-employed developers and small, interdisciplinary teams (software developers, hackers, data journalists, politicos, activists, creatives, etc.) with a work permit for Switzerland.

How do we support?

We will support your project with a maximum of 100,000 CHF as well as workshops, coaching and our network. The Prototype Fund is an experimental space, human-centered, interdisciplinary and open. You will have 6 months to develop a prototype from your concept.

Open Source

Your results must be made publicly available under an open source license. By publishing the source code, your project will be more trustworthy, effective and sustainable, as others can examine your prototype, build on it and develop it further.

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The Prototype Fund is a joint initiative by Opendata.ch and Mercator Foundation Switzerland.