CHF 10 Billion for Swiss Startups
25.02.2026
Since 2007, Venture Kick has been a philanthropic initiative that supports science-based startups. With 1,271 funded projects, Venture Kick is considered the leading startup hub in Europe by the Financial Times. The funded startups have a survival rate of 84% and have raised more than 10 billion CHF from investors from all over the world.
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“We started 19 years ago with a bold belief in Swiss science. Today, our alumni transform breakthrough research into global companies and real economic impact. And this is only the beginning, the next generation of founders will push Switzerland’s innovation even further.” notes Beat Schillig, Co-Managing Director of Venture Kick.
With the funding of its 1,271st project, Venture Kick has now invested a total of CHF 103 million into early-stage startups with research background. Over 720 jury sessions, 986 companies were incorporated, creating 16,108 jobs and attracting CHF 10.2 billion in follow-on financing.
In a landscape where around half of startups cease operations within five years, Venture Kick stands out with a survival rate of 84% for incorporated companies, showing the effectiveness of the funding process and the direct guidance provided to founders.
Since its launch, Venture Kick has become a nationwide engine for science-driven entrepreneurship, growing deeptech, biotech, medtech, ICT, and cleantech ventures that strengthen Switzerland’s economy and global competitiveness.
And the journey is far from over. By 2035, Venture Kick aims to support 3,000 startups, cumulatively raising CHF 50 billion in capital and creating 100,000 jobs. Thanks to the continued contribution of foundations and private donors, Venture Kick will increase the number of funded projects by 15% in 2026, providing more research teams across Switzerland with the resources and guidance needed to develop their ideas as independent companies.
> Download the Venture Kick Magazine 2025.
About Venture Kick
The Venture Kick philanthropic initiative provides up to CHF 150,000 seed funding to Swiss startups and offers a well-structured entrepreneurial path toward building a winning business. Startups pitch to expert juries in three stages to obtain financing, gain direct feedback, and access an international network of 250 successful entrepreneurs and international investors. Winners of Venture Kick are eligible for an InnoBooster grant of CHF 150,000 and an additional CHF 850,000 investment from the Kickfund.
Since its launch in 2007, Venture Kick has supported 1,271 Swiss startup projects with CHF 103 million from private donors. Thanks to financial support, coaching, and networking with investors, this initiative has led to the emergence of 986 thriving startups and the creation of 16,100+ jobs. Venture Kick alumni companies have attracted investments of CHF 10.2 billion and represent 66 companies ranked in the Top100 Swiss Startups in 2025.
Venture Kick is an initiative by the Kick Foundation, launched and supported by a private consortium, operated by Venturelab. The supporting foundations and private philanthropic partners include Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Fondation ALCEA, Hauser-Stiftung, André Hoffmann, Hansjörg Wyss, Martin Haefner, Fondation ProTechno, ESA BIC Switzerland, Swisscom, Lichtsteiner Foundation, and Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation.
Find more information on venturekick.ch, with all startup projects supported by Venture Kick, and follow the success stories of our startups on LinkedIn.
With the funding of its 1,271st project, Venture Kick has now invested a total of CHF 103 million into early-stage startups with research background. Over 720 jury sessions, 986 companies were incorporated, creating 16,108 jobs and attracting CHF 10.2 billion in follow-on financing.
In a landscape where around half of startups cease operations within five years, Venture Kick stands out with a survival rate of 84% for incorporated companies, showing the effectiveness of the funding process and the direct guidance provided to founders.
Since its launch, Venture Kick has become a nationwide engine for science-driven entrepreneurship, growing deeptech, biotech, medtech, ICT, and cleantech ventures that strengthen Switzerland’s economy and global competitiveness.
And the journey is far from over. By 2035, Venture Kick aims to support 3,000 startups, cumulatively raising CHF 50 billion in capital and creating 100,000 jobs. Thanks to the continued contribution of foundations and private donors, Venture Kick will increase the number of funded projects by 15% in 2026, providing more research teams across Switzerland with the resources and guidance needed to develop their ideas as independent companies.
> Download the Venture Kick Magazine 2025.
About Venture Kick
The Venture Kick philanthropic initiative provides up to CHF 150,000 seed funding to Swiss startups and offers a well-structured entrepreneurial path toward building a winning business. Startups pitch to expert juries in three stages to obtain financing, gain direct feedback, and access an international network of 250 successful entrepreneurs and international investors. Winners of Venture Kick are eligible for an InnoBooster grant of CHF 150,000 and an additional CHF 850,000 investment from the Kickfund.
Since its launch in 2007, Venture Kick has supported 1,271 Swiss startup projects with CHF 103 million from private donors. Thanks to financial support, coaching, and networking with investors, this initiative has led to the emergence of 986 thriving startups and the creation of 16,100+ jobs. Venture Kick alumni companies have attracted investments of CHF 10.2 billion and represent 66 companies ranked in the Top100 Swiss Startups in 2025.
Venture Kick is an initiative by the Kick Foundation, launched and supported by a private consortium, operated by Venturelab. The supporting foundations and private philanthropic partners include Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Fondation ALCEA, Hauser-Stiftung, André Hoffmann, Hansjörg Wyss, Martin Haefner, Fondation ProTechno, ESA BIC Switzerland, Swisscom, Lichtsteiner Foundation, and Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation.
Find more information on venturekick.ch, with all startup projects supported by Venture Kick, and follow the success stories of our startups on LinkedIn.