Behind the Jury: Perspectives from the Venture Kick Jury Member David Kurmann
08.09.2025
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 David Kurmann, member of the executive team at the EGS Beteiligungen AG, the investment arm of the Ernst-Göhner-Foundation.
 David Kurmann, Partner and Member of the executive team at the EGS Beteiligungen AG
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David Kurmann is part of the executive team at EGS Beteiligungen AG, the investment arm of the Ernst Göhner Foundation. EGS Beteiligungen invests with a long-term perspective in leading Swiss SMEs and Scale-ups.
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David, what brought you to the Venture Kick jury, and what has kept you engaged over the years?
I represent the Ernst Göhner Foundation, a partner and supporter of the Kick Foundation/Venture Kick, where I serve on the Venture Kick jury. I always look forward to the jury sessions, as they showcase a unique blend of outstanding start-ups presenting their ideas. The insightful inquiries and challenges from my esteemed fellow jury members make these events truly inspiring.
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What makes the Venture Kick program stand out in the Swiss startup ecosystem?
The breadth and impact of Venture Kick are impressive; just look at the number of Top 100 start-ups that have participated in the program each year. As a founder, you can begin your journey with Talent Kick, progress to Venture Kick, and hopefully, eventually benefit from the latest initiative, the Kickfund!
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What do you enjoy most when interacting with founders during the jury sessions?
A founder's genuine excitement for their product or service is contagious to me!
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In your opinion, what are the three key success factors a startup should fulfill?
You won't be able to succeed on your own—especially since this is a marathon. A strong and complementary team is essential. Entrepreneurship is not a straightforward journey; there will be obstacles, surprises, and often it will take longer than expected. Therefore, resilience and stamina are crucial characteristics for success.
Even if you are operating in a blue ocean market, competition will inevitably enter. Other start-ups and large corporations will emerge, and to maintain your initial advantage—beyond just technology—a start-up must be agile. This means being able to respond to customer needs and adapt its go-to-market strategy effectively.
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Which global developments do you believe offer the most opportunities for Swiss startups today?
In a divided yet interconnected world, trust, "neutral" technologies, and stability are essential. This is likely where Switzerland's global reputation is at its strongest. I am confident that this positive image serves as an excellent launchpad for startups emerging from Switzerland.
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What are some of the most pressing challenges that Swiss founders face today?
Although we at EGS Beteiligungen are working on it with our growth investments, I believe access to growth capital within Switzerland remains a challenge for Swiss founders.
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What keeps you optimistic about the next generation of startups?
The next generation of founders is not only building companies; they are on a mission to address fundamental global challenges. By combining their raw talent and entrepreneurial spirit with the cutting-edge technology developed at academic powerhouses like ETH Zurich and EPFL, they create a powerful recipe for success.
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If you could add one thing to the Swiss startup ecosystem, what would it be?
Increased access to growth capital in the short term, leading to a Swiss/European IPO market in the future!