Funding a high-tech start-up company through cooperations

This paper describes a funding alternative of Swiss high-tech start-ups. What resulted from interviews with fourteen Swiss high-tech start-ups is that funding high-tech start-ups through cooperations is a valid alternative mechanism to venture capital, if the product is small and intended for a niche market. Venture capital dominates where complex products afford fast realization. Acquiring new cooperation partners requires more time. Venture capital is not favourable where time, establishment and client confidence are key success factors for the company. Communication between a cooperation partner and the founder is more natural and smooth than between the founder and a venture capitalist. The key factors of success and failure regarding the funding of high-tech start-ups through cooperations are presented in a case study based on a Swiss example.