Venture Kick : CHF 5,000,000 to kick Swiss startups to global markets
The philanthropic initiative Venture Kick provides up to CHF 150,000 in seed funding to Swiss startups. In addition, it offers a well-structured entrepreneurial path towards building a winning business. Startups pitch to expert juries at three stages to obtain funding, gaining direct feedback, and access to an international network of successful entrepreneurs and investors. Venture Kick was launched in 2007 with the vision to double the number of spin-offs from Swiss universities, to accelerate their speed-to-market and to raise the attractiveness of these young companies among professional investors and industry partners. Selected members from a jury pool with more than 150 leading startup experts in Switzerland evaluate 20 startup projects at different stages at three sessions every month. The need and utility of Venture Kick pre-seed program was demonstrated again, as alumni companies raised CHF 3.5 billion in capital, created 7,000 new jobs by end of 2019, and represent 54 companies ranked in the TOP 100 Swiss Startups 2019. They kick startup ideas to global success with all the necessary support for the founders to advance their business. This entrepreneurial mindset applies equally to Venture Kick as an initiative. In 2019, they implemented a new model offering convertible loans of up to CHF 150,000 per startup and increased the financial support to CHF 4.35 million. The new model was very well perceived, as it simplified and accelerated the process for startups. More information in the Venture Kick annual report.
Venture Kick Life Science vertical
In 2020, they will not only increase the total support amount for startups to CHF 5 million, which enable them to boost 80 new projects. Also, with a pilot project they aim to strengthen the startup and innovation ecosystem in Switzerland. ’Venture Kick Life Science‘ is a special track for biotech and medtech, both key assets of our country. This track allows them to leverage the support, network and visibility for life science projects. Starting the year with specific jury sessions for stages 2 and 3, this pilot will evolve over time. On top of this they also plan to give more visibility to deep tech startups that provide relevant technological solutions for a sustainable environment and the nutrition of tomorrow.
Awarded by the Swiss Biotech Association
Each year, the Swiss Biotech Association awards companies or individuals in recognition of outstanding achievements. The award winners for 2020 are Actelion, Debiopharm, Helsinn, Venture Kick, >>Venture>>, Venturelab, and the noble prize-winner Professor Werner Arber. Read more here.
The Venture Kick Foundation is supported by Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Hauser-Stiftung, André Hoffmann, Hansjörg Wyss, Martin Haefner, Igor Fisch, Fondation Pro Techno, ESA BIC Switzerland, Engagement Migros, and Swisscom.
Find more information on venturekick.ch, with all startup projects supported by Venture Kick, and follow the success stories of their startups on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Venture Kick takes applications at any time! Apply now here to Get the Kick!
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675 startup projects supported 29,250,000 francs start capital from Venture Kick 7,000 active jobs created 3,500,000,000 francs raised by supported startups 73% survival rate 46% have women in founding team |
Categories: Technology Platform
