The support covers:

• Needs-based start-up financing
• Strategic support

Eligible participants:

• Start-ups and NPOs based in Switzerland that are driving forward qualitative consolidation with innovative solutions and that also meet most of the following criteria:  

• The project…
  • … is currently under development. The problem-solution fit has already been largely validated. In the case of tech start-ups, the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is between 3 and 6.
  • ...  is about to enter, or has only recently entered, the market.
  • ...  is sustainably scalable, with a plan in place for generating substantial revenues within two to three years.
  • ... is located in a capital-weak market that is highly relevant for the common good, and is demonstrably exposed to difficult fundraising conditions.
  • For AGs/GmbHs: The founders hold the majority of shares. 
     

Step 1: Participation

• Fill out the participation form.
• Submit a short video: 2-minute pitch video (a selfie clip is sufficient).
  • Which social problem in the area of building, living and life do you want to solve? 
  • What is your approach to solving it? 
  • What impact do you want your project to have on your target group/society?  
  • Few information about the team

Estimated total time commitment: Completing the form and creating the pitch video should not take much time. If a project qualifies for further review, a personal meeting will be arranged and a project dossier will be created. Six weeks are allocated for the preparation of this dossier. The time required for joint iterative development with the personal contact person from the Migros Pioneer Fund team is approximately 5-7 working days in total. The time and effort required on the part of the projects will not be remunerated.

Step 2: Initial selection

• The most promising projects will be contacted.
• A project dossier will be compiled with the support of a personal contact person from the Migros Pioneer Fund team. 
• This step will take around seven working days, spread over approximately six weeks. The projects will not be compensated for their time and effort.  

Step 3: Funding decision
The official decision-making body of the Migros Pioneer Fund decides on funding based on the project dossiers.

Timing

• Call for ideas begins: 3 February 2026
• Submission deadline: 15 March 2026
• Initial selection: by the end of March 2026
• Preparation of project dossiers: April to mid-May 2026
• Funding decision: by 10 June 2026 at the latest

Since 2012, the Migros Pioneer Fund has complemented Migros' social commitment with an entrepreneurial approach to funding. It provides start-up financing for young companies that want to tackle social challenges and bring about positive change with their innovative business ideas. The fund has around CHF 15 million at its disposal each year and is supported by Migros Group companies such as Denner, Migros Bank, Migrol, migrolino and Ex Libris.
With its ‘From 0 to 100’ initiative, the Migros Pioneer Fund addresses key issues for the future. As part of a ‘mission’, it focuses its support on a socially relevant topic for a specific period of time. With its mission ‘Building. Housing. Living.’, the Migros Pioneer Fund is addressing the question of how Switzerland can cope with population growth without losing quality of life, sustainability and social cohesion.