Behind the Jury: Perspectives from Venture Kick Jury Member Dr. Bettina Ernst
01.10.2025
Venture Kick plays a crucial role in shaping the startup ecosystem in Switzerland by providing support to ambitious entrepreneurs and facilitating the acceleration of high-potential ventures. Central to this initiative is a diverse jury comprised of seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, who contribute their expertise, perspectives, and commitment at every stage of the selection process. In this interview series, we engage with members of the Venture Kick jury to gain insights into their motivations, the criteria they employ to identify promising startups, and their vision for the future of innovation in Switzerland. Meet Dr. Bettina Ernst, a biotech entrepreneur and investor who has spent the past decade supporting healthcare companies.
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A brief introduction of Dr. Bettina Ernst
Dr. Bettina Ernst serves on the boards of several early-stage biotech companies and the Swiss Biotech Association. She is also a member of the Innovation Council of Innosuisse and an expert for the Lichtsteiner Foundation. Before pursuing her entrepreneurial and investment activities, Dr. Ernst worked in fundamental immunology research in the US and Europe for 10 years. She has co-founded three biotech companies.
What brought you to the Venture Kick jury, and what has kept you engaged over the years?
What drew me to Venture Kick in the first place was the unique chance to accompany startups on a year-long journey. Watching how a team and its project evolve over those 12 months—how ideas mature, challenges are tackled, and founders grow—is incredibly rewarding and keeps me engaged year after year.
What makes the Venture Kick program stand out in the Swiss startup ecosystem?
For me, Venture Kick stands out because of its professionalism and structure. It is exceptionally well-managed, and the jury is composed of highly experienced individuals. Combined with the fact that only top-quality startups are selected, this creates a unique and very high-caliber platform.
What do you enjoy most when interacting with founders during the jury sessions?
I love the energy in the room. Founders come with so much passion and determination—it’s contagious. In many ways, these sessions feel like a window into the future, as only the most innovative business opportunities are selected for the program.
In your opinion, what are the three key success factors a startup should fulfill?
At the core, it always comes down to three things: a strong and committed team, a technology that is truly superior, and a market where there is both a clear need and real opportunity.
Which global developments do you believe offer the most opportunities for Swiss startups today?
I believe every global challenge brings with it opportunities. Even in difficult or uncertain times, there is always space for innovation and fresh solutions—Swiss startups are well-positioned to seize those moments.
What are some of the most pressing challenges that Swiss founders face today?
Without a doubt: funding. This is particularly true in life sciences, where companies face financing challenges at every stage—from the earliest startup phase all the way through scale-up.
What keeps you optimistic about the next generation of startups?
What makes me optimistic is the extraordinary talent and creativity coming out of our universities. The level of innovation we see from young founders is very encouraging—it’s a strong signal for the future.
If you could add one thing to the Swiss startup ecosystem, what would it be?
I would wish for more venture capital firms to be based in Switzerland, especially those with a deep commitment to biotech. Having stronger local investors would make a big difference for founders here.
Dr. Bettina Ernst serves on the boards of several early-stage biotech companies and the Swiss Biotech Association. She is also a member of the Innovation Council of Innosuisse and an expert for the Lichtsteiner Foundation. Before pursuing her entrepreneurial and investment activities, Dr. Ernst worked in fundamental immunology research in the US and Europe for 10 years. She has co-founded three biotech companies.
What brought you to the Venture Kick jury, and what has kept you engaged over the years?
What drew me to Venture Kick in the first place was the unique chance to accompany startups on a year-long journey. Watching how a team and its project evolve over those 12 months—how ideas mature, challenges are tackled, and founders grow—is incredibly rewarding and keeps me engaged year after year.
What makes the Venture Kick program stand out in the Swiss startup ecosystem?
For me, Venture Kick stands out because of its professionalism and structure. It is exceptionally well-managed, and the jury is composed of highly experienced individuals. Combined with the fact that only top-quality startups are selected, this creates a unique and very high-caliber platform.
What do you enjoy most when interacting with founders during the jury sessions?
I love the energy in the room. Founders come with so much passion and determination—it’s contagious. In many ways, these sessions feel like a window into the future, as only the most innovative business opportunities are selected for the program.
In your opinion, what are the three key success factors a startup should fulfill?
At the core, it always comes down to three things: a strong and committed team, a technology that is truly superior, and a market where there is both a clear need and real opportunity.
Which global developments do you believe offer the most opportunities for Swiss startups today?
I believe every global challenge brings with it opportunities. Even in difficult or uncertain times, there is always space for innovation and fresh solutions—Swiss startups are well-positioned to seize those moments.
What are some of the most pressing challenges that Swiss founders face today?
Without a doubt: funding. This is particularly true in life sciences, where companies face financing challenges at every stage—from the earliest startup phase all the way through scale-up.
What keeps you optimistic about the next generation of startups?
What makes me optimistic is the extraordinary talent and creativity coming out of our universities. The level of innovation we see from young founders is very encouraging—it’s a strong signal for the future.
If you could add one thing to the Swiss startup ecosystem, what would it be?
I would wish for more venture capital firms to be based in Switzerland, especially those with a deep commitment to biotech. Having stronger local investors would make a big difference for founders here.