INNOJURA ACCELERATOR
The program preparing startups for industry partnerships
Helping ventures in manufacturing-driven industries, such as medtech, prepare for SME partnerships through coaching, group sessions and bootcamps.
Discover the InnoJura Accelerator
Nothing gets you further in industry than collaborating with the companies already paving the way. Supporting industrial ventures in fields such as medtech in building SME partnerships for manufacturing and innovation, the InnoJura Accelerator is your first step on the Jura innovation journey.
Through a mix of coaching, group sessions and bootcamps, you’ll build entrepreneurial skills, refine your business model and prepare for real-world collaborations with Jura SMEs.
Who is the program for?
The InnoJura Accelerator is designed for startups shaping the future of advanced manufacturing in the Canton of Jura and beyond. Whether you’re building cutting-edge production technologies, developing smart solutions for industry and automation, or innovating in medtech manufacturing, this program gives you the tools, network, and industry access to scale fast.
If you are creating technologies that push production efficiency, precision or digital transformation to the next level, this accelerator is built for you.
Why you should apply
Get yourself industry-ready with the skills, mindset and practical experience necessary to take your startup from early-stage idea to partnership-ready business.
Learn by doing, not just listening
Through hands-on coaching, group sessions and bootcamps, you’ll refine your business model and strengthen your entrepreneurial skills.
Get ready for industry partnerships
Understand how to work with established companies – from communication and pitching to aligning goals and co-creating value in industrial settings.
Grow without giving up equity
Access up to CHF 40k in in-kind support to accelerate growth and explore new market opportunities, letting you scale up without selling out.
Our impact in their words
How does it work?
An accelerator combining expert coaching, business sparring and SME collaboration to prepare your startup for real-world partnerships.
Build your foundation
Join a tailored program designed to sharpen your strategy, value proposition and go-to-market plan with practical guidance from experts.
Train for collaboration
Learn how to approach, pitch to and engage with SMEs through bootcamps and real-world exercises that simulate partnership dynamics.
Take the next step
Graduate ready to join the InnoJura Platform, where you’ll meet SMEs ready to co-develop innovative solutions and unlock new growth.
Your pathway to open innovation
The InnoJura Program bridges startups and SMEs in the Jura to accelerate progress in advanced manufacturing sectors, such as medtech. Startups bring bold ideas; SMEs bring real-world expertise – together, they create the next wave of industrial innovation.
Designed as a three-step journey, startups and SMEs begin their development independently, building the skills and readiness they need, before their paths converge to co-create real-world solutions.
InnoJura Accelerator
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The first step for startups, helping ventures in manufacturing-driven industries prepare for SME partnerships through coaching, group sessions and bootcamps.
InnoJura Academy
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The first step for SMEs – helping them harness outside innovation and collaborate effectively with startups through expert-led workshops and practical modules.
InnoJura Platform
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The final step for both startups and SMEs, matched to tackle real-world challenges in advanced manufacturing – creating solutions and partnerships that last.
Interested in InnoJura Accelerator?
This program takes your startup looking partnerships in advanced manufacturing fields such as medtech from idea to industry. Build real partnerships, gain expert coaching, and grow without giving up equity.
We are currently not accepting applications for InnoJura Accelerator. In the meantime, we recommend you get in touch with us to express your interest, and consider applying to join our VentureConnect program.
Frequently Asked Questions
The InnoJura Accelerator, powered by Basel Area Business & Innovation, helps startups looking for partnerships in advanced manufacturing fields such as medtech build strategic partnerships with established SMEs in the Jura region. It supports ventures in refining their business models, developing collaboration skills, and preparing for real-world manufacturing and innovation projects.
The program is tailored for early-stage startups working on technologies relevant to advanced manufacturing applications, such as in medtech. It’s especially valuable for founders aiming to connect with production partners, test prototypes, or co-develop solutions with Swiss SMEs.
Through workshops, coaching sessions, bootcamps and events, startups learn how to structure collaboration agreements, align on technical goals, and manage joint projects. The program also provides access to business mentors and innovation experts who guide founders through the process of working with established companies.
Unlike traditional accelerators that focus only on scaling or funding, the InnoJura Accelerator emphasizes partnership readiness. Startups don’t just pitch to SMEs — they build tangible pilot projects and prototypes together. This approach bridges the gap between innovation and implementation.
After completing the accelerator, startups can advance to the InnoJura Platform, where they’re paired with specific SMEs to co-create solutions. This two-step pathway helps transform early collaboration concepts into real-world, revenue-generating partnerships.
No – the InnoJura Accelerator does not provide direct funding to startups. Instead, participants benefit from a rich set of in-kind advantages, including access to SME partners, dedicated coaching, expert-led workshops, networking with potential investors, and visibility within the regional innovation ecosystem. Startups also receive guidance on identifying suitable public or private funding sources and preparing strong applications for future financing.
Calls for Applications are opened periodically by Basel Area Business & Innovation. Interested startups can apply online by submitting information about their technology, team and partnership goals. Selected participants receive personalized support at no cost.