We Fund More Sustainable Tech Projects.

More sustainability, inclusion, and participation: Since 2020, we have been strengthening the common good in Switzerland with open-source projects. This funding round focuses on projects that reduce Switzerland’s ecological footprint through or with digital technology.

 

Climate Gains
Crossroads
Demokratis
ExoDAO
Bootis

HOW WE FUND – AND WHY

Digital technology can create value for all of us. However, in Switzerland, the development of public-interest projects lacks funding due to missing business models and limited state support.

Supposed solutions are often developed in silos (and following a waterfall model), without involving the people affected and with a fear of making mistakes. Others believe that the next hype technology or Elon Musk will solve all our problems—often without even understanding the technology.

This is where the Prototype Fund comes in. We provide a structured space for experimentation, enabling human-centered, open, and community-focused innovation in Switzerland. We support you in solving societal challenges with open-source projects, thus strengthening the common good.

As an independent developer or a team of tech-savvy, creative, and committed collaborators, you can receive up to CHF 100,000 from us to develop your Public Interest Tech idea into a prototype within six months.

With this funding, you can create a prototype of your open-source solution – whether software, hardware, or other approaches. In addition to financial support, we coach, advise, and connect you with the tech community and beyond.

In 2025, we will fund at least three projects with a focus on Sustainable Digitalization and Digital Sufficiency. We are looking for ideas that help reduce the absolute level of resource and energy consumption or emissions in Switzerland through or with digital technology. Additional focus topics for future rounds will be announced in due course. To stay updated, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Mastodon or LinkedIn.

Want to learn more? You can find all the details about the program schedule, selection criteria, our jury, the Prototype Fund team and our FAQ online. If you still have questions, feel free to contact us via email: info@prototypefund.ch.

PUBLIC INTEREST TECH

We fund open technologies by and for civil society. Public Interest Tech refers to open-source technologies that address societal problems and strengthen the common good. Examples include participation (Civic Tech), education, diversity, health, open knowledge, and data literacy or security. In the current funding round, we focus on sustainable digitalization and digital sufficiency: On the path to net zero, digital technology should be part of the solution—not the problem.

WHO WE SUPPORT

We fund independent developers and interdisciplinary teams (software developers, hackers, data journalists, activists, scientists, creatives, and more) with a work permit in Switzerland.

HOW WE SUPPORT YOU

We fund your project with up to CHF 100,000. Additionally, we support you with workshops, coaching, and access to our network. The Prototype Fund is an experimental space: human-centered, interdisciplinary, and open. You will have six months to develop your concept into a prototype, where making mistakes and learning from them is part of the process.

WHEN WE FUND YOU

We hold one funding round per year. Applications can be submitted within a specific time window. Our jury selects the project teams for funding, and shortly afterward, the six-month program begins, during which you develop your prototype.

OPEN SOURCE

Your results must be developed based on open-source software or hardware and made publicly accessible and documented under an open-source license. By publishing the source code and documentation, your project becomes more trustworthy, impactful, and sustainable, as others can review, build upon, and further develop your prototype.