Get 1 Million Plus
Every year about 100 new high-potential spin-off projects from Swiss universities receive funding from Venture Kick. The funding starts with CHF 10,000 before company incorporation and can increase to CHF 1,150,000. Participants are invited to present their startup project to the Venture Kick jury in three stages, with a 50 percent chance of selection at each stage. Winners of stage 1 can apply for a CHF 150,000 Innobooster grant. And the winner of the final stage will have access to additional funding of up to CHF 850,000 by Kickfund.
Venture Kick offers much more than just money. Participants receive guidance for business development and fundraising, support for execution, and access to a network of successful entrepreneurs, industry partners, experts, and investors through structured entrepreneurial paths and kickers camps after each stage.
After 1,000 startups kicked, Venture Kick boasts a portfolio of about 700 successful and growing high-tech companies that have raised more than CHF 8 billion from investors around the globe and created 13,000 jobs. Ask former Venture Kick participants about their Kickers experience.
We are taking applications at any time!
Conditions of participation
Confidentiality agreement
FAQ
Get access to resources and tools
CHF 10,000
PITCH YOUR BUSINESS IDEA
Eight projects are selected to present their business ideas at each jury session, which take place several times throughout the year. Five of them will receive 10,000 francs each, so you've a 62.5% chance of passing the Stage 1. If you want to know whether your idea will make it, just apply!
JOIN THE KICKERS CAMP STAGE 1
PUMP UP YOUR EXECUTION PLAN
CHF 40,000
PRESENT YOUR BUSINESS CASE
Within the first three months, project teams structure their business ideas, target initial customers and strategic partners to build a solid business case, and are invited to convince the jury they deserve to be among the three projects, from the five pitching, selected to receive the second kick.
JOIN THE KICKERS CAMP STAGE 2
BOOST YOUR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
CHF 100,000
KICK-START YOUR STARTUP
Within another six months, the teams have to be ready for the market: they have demonstrated their entrepreneurial capacity, have built solid foundation for successful execution of the venture and can back up their vision with tangible market feedback. A 50% chance to get the final kick!
JOIN THE KICKERS CAMP STAGE 3
WE KEEP KICKING YOU TO SUCCESS
It's all about kicking the next generation
Venture Kick is a private and philanthropic initiative that offers entrepreneurs funding, media exposure, credibility, kickers camps, and access to an incredible network of investors and industry professionals. The first CHF 10,000 is offered as a non-repayable grant, and entrepreneurs make a moral pledge to return the money in case of success. The second CHF 40,000 and final CHF 100,000 kicks are offered as convertible loans with startup-friendly conditions, which convert at the company's next significant equity round.
Venture Kick reinvests all proceeds from success contributions, loan repayments, and share sales into promoting the next generation of entrepreneurs, following the tradition of our donors who made their fortune as successful entrepreneurs and now kick some of it forward to the next generation of science entrepreneurs.
Read the conditions of participation or register. We look forward to inviting you to a Kickers Briefing to tell you more and get you ready for the first Kick!
The Jury: 200+ investors and industry experts
At each stage, you will have the chance to present your case in front of the Venture Kick jury: feedback, exposure, network and potentially your financial kick !
Bettina Ernst, PRECLIN Biosystems SA
"Venture Kick is the very best initiative in supporting start-up companies. Offering cash, hands-on coaching and networking - entrepreneurial at heart!"
Diego A. Braguglia, VI Partners AG
„Venture Kick is definitely one of the best supports a young entrepreneur could find. Not only money but lot of expertise and networking is accessible.“
Philip Bodmer, Bodmer & Partner Consultants AG
„Venture Kick is a great program for young entrepreneurs, helping them to build successful businesses which result in vital contributions to the growth of the Swiss economy.“