Since it was established, Gebert Rüf Stiftung has released a total of CHF 319 million in funding, CHF 292.4 million of which has been invested in direct project support (as at 31.12.2025). The annual funding volume developed as follows:
IMPACT
Key Figures to Underline the Impact of Support
Since 28 years, Gebert Rüf Stiftung has been providing risk capital in the form of targeted initial funding and making projects eligible for follow-up financing. In certain cases it will support projects through to the consolidation phase and until they achieve financial independence. Gebert Rüf Stiftung is currently supporting and monitoring over 125 projects – with varying levels of funding and coaching. Since its establishment, Gebert Rüf Stiftung has financed a good 1452 projects, providing a total of CHF 292.4 million in grants, 1327 of which are now closed.
Funding
Providing fresh impetus
Gebert Rüf Stiftung sees it as its task to take risks and provide financing in order to help innovations get off the ground. By supporting projects with a clear identity, it strives for measurable leverage.It positions its funding in selected funding gaps where innovative and early-stage projects need a boost for the benefit of Switzerland’s economy and society.
Thanks to its flexible support strategy, Gebert Rüf Stiftung is able to provide education, research and innovation with fresh impetus where government support bodies leave gaps due to an institutional aversion to risks. Under its areas of activity, Gebert Rüf Stiftung regularly launches new themes. Success is ensured if these themes become sustainably embedded in the funding landscape.
Showing impact
GRS evaluates the impact of its funding among all its partners in relation to the foundation’s core criteria: Gap function, Effectiveness and Trigger.
The following summary is a synthesis of the evaluation of approximately 70 % of all closed projects, updated by the end of 2025. Projects covering specific areas of activity were evaluated separately and as a whole.
Projects have to ...
- ... 95 % closed a crucial innovation gap; 79 % of which in terms of innovation, 85 % in terms of stimulus.
- ... 65 % of which created a new product.
- … 35 % in the launch of a startup.
- ... 74 % established a new partnership: 51 % with industry, 39 % with service providers and 64 % with the public sector.
- Leverage effect: The closed projects supported by the foundation with a total of CHF 264 million generated further financing totalling CHF 9056 million.