The venture kick initiative closes a gap in the innovation chain. Many research projects pursued at Swiss universities could and should be turned into promising businesses. Unfortunately, the step from academia to the market often fails due to a lack of business interest or know-how from the potential entrepreneurs, as well as due to insufficient pre-seed capital, which is required for exploring market potential and structuring a strong business case in order to attract investors.
venture kick aims at early identification, structuring and promotion of promising business ideas with a clear vision: to double the number of spin-offs at Swiss universities, to accelerate the founding process and raise the attractiveness of these young companies for professional investors.
GET CHF 130‘000 FOR YOUR START-UP
In order to receive the entire start capital of CHF 130’000, you must prove the potential of your business idea in three phases. Each phase ends with a presentation in front of a highly-qualified panel of investors, entrepreneurs and technology experts. If you are successful in convincing the jury with your pitch, you will receive a grant to help you further develop your business idea and you will benefit from professional guidance.
CHF 10‘000 FOR A BRILLIANT BUSINESS IDEA
Stage 1: You apply with a vision and a clear idea of how you intend to turn your research project into a sustainable business. Applicants with the most exciting business ideas are invited for an interview. Eight projects are selected to present their business ideas – four of the most promising projects enter the support process.
CHF 20‘000 FOR A SOLID BUSINESS CASE
Stage 2: During three months, you will have the time to structure your business idea, target initial customers and strategic partners, collect feedback and work out a convincing investor presentation. You will then present your project again to a panel of experts. Only two projects out of the four pass on to the next phase.
CHF 100‘000 FOR YOUR SUCCESSFUL START-UP
Stage 3: Six months later you are ready for the market. You have written a convincing business plan, formed a team and secured your intellectual property. Now all that remains to be done is to convince a panel of experts and investors. If you are successful, you will win CHF 100’000 for your company.
CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
The program is open to individuals having a business idea and currently enrolled in a Swiss academic institution (student, PhD student, post-doc, assistant or professors etc.), in any scientific field, and who wish to start their company in Switzerland. Also, applicants must not have already received any venture capital.