Green Funding for Swiss Businesses

In 2024, nearly CHF 500 million were loaned to businesses in new ways outside of traditional banking. A growing amount of this money now goes to companies that help the environment. For small and medium-sized businesses in the CleanTech and AgriTech fields, this trend creates both new chances and new challenges.

Two popular ways to get this funding are green loans and sustainability-linked loans. They both provide money to businesses that focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. However, they work in different ways.

What Are Green Loans and Sustainability-Linked Loans?

Green Loans

A green loan gives you money for a specific project that helps the environment. For example, a solar company could use a 200’000 Swiss franc loan to install new solar panels. The money must be used only for that green purpose, and its use is tracked.

Sustainability-Linked Loans

A sustainability-linked loan is different. You can use the money for any general business need. But, your interest rate is tied to your green goals. If you hit your target, like using 20% less pesticide, your interest rate might go down. If you miss a goal, it might go up. This loan type connects your borrowing cost directly to your environmental performance.

New Rules Help Green Businesses Get Loans

Switzerland’s financial regulator, FINMA, has new rules for banks. These rules, starting in 2026, are about “nature-related financial risks.” This term means risks to businesses and banks from things like the loss of nature or clean water.

This new focus means banks will ask businesses for more data about how they affect the environment. If your small business helps protect nature, like an AgriTech company improving soil, you become a safer and more attractive borrower for banks. This change helps lenders meet their own requirements.

How to Get a Green Loan

To get a green loan, you need to show proof of your positive impact. You must measure and report on how your business helps the environment.

What to Measure

• CleanTech Companies: These businesses focus on clean technology. They should measure things like how much carbon they reduce or how much energy they save. Companies like Exnaton and Bloom Biorenewables are good examples.
• AgriTech Companies: These businesses focus on farming technology. They should measure how they use resources more efficiently. This measurement could be how much water they save or how much less pesticide they use. Companies like Ecorobotix and Agrosustain track these details.

A tool called esg2go can help small and medium-sized businesses in Switzerland report their impact simply. Having good data makes your loan application much stronger.

Government Programs Can Also Help

Private loans are not the only option. Government programs can provide extra support for your green business.

• Innosuisse: Switzerland’s innovation agency. It provides money to new companies with science-based ideas. In 2023, it provided 492 million Swiss francs in funding.
• BRIDGE Program: This program helps researchers turn their ideas into businesses.
• Regional Programs: Local groups like CleantechAlps in Western Switzerland or programs at the EPFL Innovation Park also offer help.

Sometimes, these government grants take a few months to arrive. A short-term loan can provide the cash you need to start working while you wait for the grant money.

Why People Invest in Green Businesses

Investors today want more than just a financial return. Many want their money to make a positive impact on the world. A 2025 study showed that 47% of Swiss bank clients now express a preference for green or social investments.

Investing in green companies is also smart. Businesses that care about the environment often have lower risks. They are better prepared for new regulations and are managed well.

Investors look for clear proof of impact. They want to see real numbers, like tons of carbon reduced or cubic meters of water saved. When a company can provide this data, it shows they are serious about their mission.

Why Online Platforms Make Getting Loans Easier

Traditional banks can sometimes be slow or have strict rules that make it hard for new types of businesses to get loans. Recent bank mergers in Switzerland can also make it harder to get personal service.

Online lending platforms solve these problems. They let businesses apply for funding from anywhere in the country. These platforms often specialize in areas like CleanTech or AgriTech, so they understand the business model better than a traditional bank might.

This digital access means a company’s good idea and positive impact are more important than where its office is located.

The Future of Green Financing

Green loans are becoming more common in Switzerland and around the world. The trend is clear: businesses that can measure and prove their positive environmental impact will find it easier to get funding.

The focus is also getting broader. It is no longer just about climate change. Now, it includes protecting nature, using water wisely, and managing land. A company that helps with any of these goals will be in a strong position.

For both business owners and investors, the key is to be honest and clear about your environmental impact. Good measurement and reporting are the keys to success in the world of green finance.

For Swiss investors looking to build a balanced portfolio, navigating these opportunities is key. Many high-growth CleanTech and AgriTech ventures represent higher-risk bets. Platforms like CapiWell help investors manage this by offering a multi-asset approach, allowing them to combine these exciting opportunities with more stable alternative investments, such as private debt or real estate.