applying work permit for a non-EU from a startup

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
1
Hi folks,

I am going to finish my PhD in ETH soon. As a non-EU, looking for a job afterwards is always a headache. Luckily, the startup (AG, ETH spin-off) where I worked as an intern wants to offer me a full-time position. I am very happy with that but I am worried about few things in the meanwhile:

(1) Is the chance very low for a startup (less than 5 people) secures a work permit (ideally B permit) for a non-EU? or it's better to try a larger company?

(2) I have heard that: graduating from Swiss University, the company can skip the process of justifying why hiring non-EU instead of Swiss and EU. is it really true? if so, I guess it would help in my case?

(3) The startup seems to be willing to hire me either in the end of this year or the beginning of next year, which I can choose. I assume its better to choose beginning of next year considering the quota for working permit?

(4) Also happy to hear any other suggestion for my case

Thanks in advance

2
As a graduate of a Swiss university you can indeed be hired shortly after graduation without regards for the order of priority if you work in a field of "high academic or economic value". That works if either your employer applies for the new permit while you are on your student permit, or if you get the 6-month post-graduation job search L permit.

AFAIK you still count towards immigration quotas though.

I don't think working for a startup disqualifies you, but of course a large company is more likely to have HR people familiar with the permit application process, and who know how to justify the "high academic or economic value" of the position.

Beginning of a year is generally safer for quotas, but I was told the Federation normally release them in batches, not all at once at the beginning of the year, and quotas have in recent years generally not been exhausted, so it really might not make a difference.