Behind the Jury: Perspectives from the Venture Kick Jury Member Luca Bolliger
30.07.2025
Venture Kick has played a pivotal role in shaping Switzerland’s startup landscape by empowering ambitious founders and accelerating high-potential ventures. At the heart of this initiative is a diverse jury of seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders who bring their experience, insight, and commitment to every stage of the selection process. In this interview series, we speak with members of the Venture Kick jury to explore what motivates them, what they look for in promising startups, and how they see the future of Swiss innovation unfolding. Meet Lucca Bolliger, former Vice-President of the Swiss Biotech Association.
 Luca Bolliger, Vice President Swiss Biotech Association
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What brought you to the Venture Kick jury, and what has kept you engaged over the years?
I was introduced to Venture Kick by Igor Fisch while he was still CEO of Selexis, and I was Head of Business Development at NovImmune. What I truly appreciate about Venture Kick is that it’s a genuinely national and secular initiative. It stands out for being pragmatic and straightforward, with no unnecessary complexity. Its structure sets a high standard and fosters strong cross-fertilization thanks to its agnostic and integrative approach. The network effect, high quality, and real impact of the program are compelling. Most of all, I value the high-quality ideas it brings forward and the spirited, dedicated Venture Kick team behind it. -
What makes the Venture Kick program stand out in the Swiss startup ecosystem?
I would highlight many of the same reasons mentioned above: its national scope, its pragmatic and straightforward nature, and the consistently high quality it delivers. -
What do you enjoy most when interacting with founders during the jury sessions?
I enjoy being exposed to new ideas and engaging with interesting people. The exchange of perspectives and the opportunity to offer constructive challenges make the experience both rewarding and stimulating. -
In your opinion, what are the three key success factors a startup should fulfill?
First, a startup should address a real problem, though in rare cases, creating a new need can also be valid. Second, it must be led by an upright and competent management team. Lastly, the team should be able to communicate clearly and remain open and receptive to feedback from their audience. -
Which global developments do you believe offer the most opportunities for Swiss startups today?
I see major opportunities emerging in engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, and the development of new materials. These areas are advancing rapidly and offer fertile ground for innovation and global relevance. -
What are some of the most pressing challenges that Swiss founders face today?
Raising capital remains a key challenge, along with an overly narrow focus on the Swiss and DACH markets. Broadening their vision beyond these regions could unlock greater potential. -
What keeps you optimistic about the next generation of startups?
I’m encouraged by the sheer abundance of real-world problems that still need—and can—be solved. Coupled with the curiosity and drive of new founders, this creates a strong foundation for innovation and impact. -
If you could add one thing to the Swiss startup ecosystem, what would it be?
I would like to see more vision, courage, unity, and boldness across the ecosystem, including from investors. Switzerland has too many small institutions; we need fewer, but larger ones with the financial capacity and strategic mandate to back high-risk, high-impact innovation. For instance, pension funds should have the ability to invest a portion of their capital locally, rather than exclusively abroad, to support Swiss startups with global potential.