Switzerland is known for its precise clocks, breathtaking mountains and, of course, its efficient administration – at least in theory.
However, anyone who has ever taken the step of founding a company in Switzerland knows that the reality is often different. Today, we at Twin Ventures are sharing our experiences with you - between authorities, banks and unwanted confusion.
The bureaucratic jungle
It all starts with the question: “Where do we start?” In Switzerland, there are many authorities involved in setting up a company – from the commercial register to the AHV and VAT registration.
Each of these places has its own requirements and forms. It is often a scavenger hunt to gather the right documents.
A highlight of our founding journey was the registration in the commercial register. Due to the high workload at the commercial register, it took a full four weeks until our entry was completed.
In total, it took us two months to set up the company. Luckily, we had the support of a start-up support company that helped us with the numerous administrative procedures and formalities.
Our experience with the bank
Working with the bank was an interesting lesson, to say the least. After a personal meeting with the customer advisor, where we presented our vision and our company, we received an email. The content? A surprisingly formal "Dear Mr. Greiner."
Anyone who knows us knows that we are two sisters who founded Twin Ventures - there is no "Mr. Greiner" anywhere in sight. This faux pas not only shows how important attention to detail is, but also got us thinking: How can we ensure that our company is taken seriously when the basics - like our gender - are already being addressed incorrectly?
If you want to read more about this experience, please check out our LinkedIn post about it: LinkedIn post by Kim Cheyenne Greiner .
What we learned from it
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Patience is a virtue: dealing with authorities and making inquiries takes time. It often helps to be persistent and ask multiple questions.
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Precision is crucial: in Switzerland, details are important. Mistakes, no matter how small they seem, can have major consequences.
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Respect is key: Good cooperation is based on mutual respect – whether at the bank or with authorities. Small things like the correct name in an email make a big difference.
Our conclusion
Starting a business in Switzerland is not an easy process. There are many challenges, but also valuable lessons. Our goal is to encourage other founders to realize their vision - despite (or perhaps because of) the hurdles that lie along the way.
What are your experiences with starting a business in Switzerland? Share them with us in the comments or write to us directly. We look forward to hearing from you.
