Behind the Jury: Perspectives from Venture Kick Jury Member Christer Bergstroem
17.09.2025
Venture Kick plays a pivotal role in shaping Switzerland’s startup ecosystem by supporting ambitious founders and accelerating high-potential ventures. Central to this initiative is a diverse jury composed of experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, who contribute their knowledge, perspective, and dedication to every stage of the selection process. In this interview series, we speak with members of the Venture Kick jury to understand what drives them, what they seek in promising startups, and their vision for the future of Swiss innovation. Meet Christer Bergstroem, Managing Partner at Capital Rewards Partners, a Swiss-based private equity firm he co-founded in 2015, and a jury member since 2017, who brings more than 20 years of global experience in talent management and organizational leadership.
 Christer Bergstroem, CEO at Capital Rewards Partners
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A brief introduction of Christer Bergstroem
Christer is a seasoned HR executive with 20+ years of global experience in talent management and organizational leadership. Based in Switzerland and originally from Sweden, he has a proven track record of driving high-impact talent strategies.
Since 2015, Christer has been Managing Partner at Capital Rewards Partners, a Swiss-based private equity firm he co-founded, focusing on lean startups across Europe. He serves as a Jury Member for Venture Kick in Zurich and has held board positions with multiple startups in Sweden and Switzerland.
What brought you to the Venture Kick jury, and what has kept you engaged over the years?
During a startup event in Zurich, I had the pleasure of meeting Beat Schillig, who encouraged me to join Venture Kick in 2017. I continue to be impressed by this philanthropic initiative, which provides early-stage Swiss startups with over one million CHF in pre-seed funding, mentorship, and access to a professional network. This support is instrumental in transforming research ideas into successful global businesses, acting as ‘a force that shapes futures’.
Additionally, Venture Kick has proven to be a valuable source for our investment pipeline. I've also found the informal interactions among jury members and the various events organized by Venture Kick to be very valuable.
What makes the Venture Kick program stand out in the Swiss startup ecosystem?
I want to highlight some key aspects. Its three-stage funding process, high-impact alumni, and significant contributions to job creation and investment attraction within the Swiss startup ecosystem truly make it a benchmark model for early-stage startup accelerators.
Venture Kick plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between academic research and market innovation, particularly by supporting a significant number of startups originating from Swiss universities such as ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne.
Another unique and compelling aspect is that funds generated from successful startups, through loan repayments or share sales, are reinvested back into the program. This ensures continuous support for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
What do you enjoy most when interacting with founders during the jury sessions?
While providing my professional experience and business knowledge, I've also gained significant insights into their innovative ideas and unique approaches to solving complex problems I hadn't previously encountered.
In your opinion, what are the three key success factors a startup should fulfil?
When evaluating a startup, I consider these three key factors. First, a product or service must address a real market need with a significant benefit to target customers. Second, a collaborative and communicative team with strategic leadership and a strong drive for execution is essential. And third, a well-defined business model clearly outlining how the company will generate revenue and grow is crucial.
Which global developments do you believe offer the most opportunities for Swiss startups today?
Global developments creating significant opportunities for Swiss startups could include the widespread adoption of AI, particularly generative AI for content and automation, the growing need for Climate Tech and Sustainability solutions driven by a focus on climate change, or advancements in Fintech and Decentralized Finance, offering new financial services and lending models. Also, there is continued innovation in Logistics and Manufacturing through AI and automation. Additionally, the burgeoning fields of Healthtech, Cybersecurity, and Edtech are expanding rapidly, driven by digital transformation and increased demand for virtual solutions.
What are some of the most pressing challenges that Swiss founders face today?
Let me share some key challenges that Swiss startup founders frequently highlight. The most prominent issues include the complexity and cost associated with bureaucracy and regulations, as well as a notable lack of access to capital, even with existing support schemes.
Additionally, founders often struggle to attract and retain skilled talent, and expanding internationally from the relatively small Swiss market presents a significant hurdle.
What keeps you optimistic about the next generation of startups?
Several key factors drive my optimism for the next generation of Swiss startups. Switzerland benefits from a strong talent pipeline originating from its top universities and demonstrates leadership in innovation and deep tech. Additionally, a supportive ecosystem and an abundance of real-world problems provide fertile ground for impactful startups to emerge.
If you could add one thing to the Swiss startup ecosystem, what would it be?
We have to recognize that the Swiss startup ecosystem is ranked among the top 10 globally. While Switzerland may not have the largest startup ecosystem, it's regarded as one of the most innovative. Maybe adding a new financing model for startups and scaleups, a system that requires less involvement from traditional institutions and offers better opportunities for managing investor secondaries, ultimately better supporting the capital needs of new startups.
Christer is a seasoned HR executive with 20+ years of global experience in talent management and organizational leadership. Based in Switzerland and originally from Sweden, he has a proven track record of driving high-impact talent strategies.
Since 2015, Christer has been Managing Partner at Capital Rewards Partners, a Swiss-based private equity firm he co-founded, focusing on lean startups across Europe. He serves as a Jury Member for Venture Kick in Zurich and has held board positions with multiple startups in Sweden and Switzerland.
What brought you to the Venture Kick jury, and what has kept you engaged over the years?
During a startup event in Zurich, I had the pleasure of meeting Beat Schillig, who encouraged me to join Venture Kick in 2017. I continue to be impressed by this philanthropic initiative, which provides early-stage Swiss startups with over one million CHF in pre-seed funding, mentorship, and access to a professional network. This support is instrumental in transforming research ideas into successful global businesses, acting as ‘a force that shapes futures’.
Additionally, Venture Kick has proven to be a valuable source for our investment pipeline. I've also found the informal interactions among jury members and the various events organized by Venture Kick to be very valuable.
What makes the Venture Kick program stand out in the Swiss startup ecosystem?
I want to highlight some key aspects. Its three-stage funding process, high-impact alumni, and significant contributions to job creation and investment attraction within the Swiss startup ecosystem truly make it a benchmark model for early-stage startup accelerators.
Venture Kick plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between academic research and market innovation, particularly by supporting a significant number of startups originating from Swiss universities such as ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne.
Another unique and compelling aspect is that funds generated from successful startups, through loan repayments or share sales, are reinvested back into the program. This ensures continuous support for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
What do you enjoy most when interacting with founders during the jury sessions?
While providing my professional experience and business knowledge, I've also gained significant insights into their innovative ideas and unique approaches to solving complex problems I hadn't previously encountered.
In your opinion, what are the three key success factors a startup should fulfil?
When evaluating a startup, I consider these three key factors. First, a product or service must address a real market need with a significant benefit to target customers. Second, a collaborative and communicative team with strategic leadership and a strong drive for execution is essential. And third, a well-defined business model clearly outlining how the company will generate revenue and grow is crucial.
Which global developments do you believe offer the most opportunities for Swiss startups today?
Global developments creating significant opportunities for Swiss startups could include the widespread adoption of AI, particularly generative AI for content and automation, the growing need for Climate Tech and Sustainability solutions driven by a focus on climate change, or advancements in Fintech and Decentralized Finance, offering new financial services and lending models. Also, there is continued innovation in Logistics and Manufacturing through AI and automation. Additionally, the burgeoning fields of Healthtech, Cybersecurity, and Edtech are expanding rapidly, driven by digital transformation and increased demand for virtual solutions.
What are some of the most pressing challenges that Swiss founders face today?
Let me share some key challenges that Swiss startup founders frequently highlight. The most prominent issues include the complexity and cost associated with bureaucracy and regulations, as well as a notable lack of access to capital, even with existing support schemes.
Additionally, founders often struggle to attract and retain skilled talent, and expanding internationally from the relatively small Swiss market presents a significant hurdle.
What keeps you optimistic about the next generation of startups?
Several key factors drive my optimism for the next generation of Swiss startups. Switzerland benefits from a strong talent pipeline originating from its top universities and demonstrates leadership in innovation and deep tech. Additionally, a supportive ecosystem and an abundance of real-world problems provide fertile ground for impactful startups to emerge.
If you could add one thing to the Swiss startup ecosystem, what would it be?
We have to recognize that the Swiss startup ecosystem is ranked among the top 10 globally. While Switzerland may not have the largest startup ecosystem, it's regarded as one of the most innovative. Maybe adding a new financing model for startups and scaleups, a system that requires less involvement from traditional institutions and offers better opportunities for managing investor secondaries, ultimately better supporting the capital needs of new startups.