Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Partners with Venture Kick to Support Swiss Leading Technologies
13.12.2024
Venture Kick has set an ambitious mission of supporting 3,000 science-based startups by 2033, aiming to create 100,000 jobs. To achieve this goal, the foundation is expanding its partner consortium. Venture Kick is pleased to welcome the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation as a new partner to further enhance startup support, thereby strengthening Switzerland’s innovation and global competitiveness in the long term.
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The Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation aims to improve the ecosystem for Swiss deep tech startups, scale-ups, and investors in a sustainable way. Over the next decade, it plans to mobilize around CHF 5 billion annually for these startups—doubling the current investment level. This effort is expected to indirectly create up to 100,000 jobs and strengthen Switzerland’s role as a global leader in deep tech innovation.
The Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation will join the existing partner consortia supporting the Venture Kick, an initiative of the non-profit Kick Foundation. Other partners in this consortium include Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Fondation ALCEA, Lichtsteiner Foundation, Hauser-Stiftung, André Hoffmann, Hansjörg Wyss, Martin Haefner, Fondation Pro Techno, ESA BIC Switzerland, and Swisscom.
“Venture Kick does outstanding work in helping young companies move from early ideas to market readiness,” said Joanne Sieber, CEO of the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation. “We’re thrilled to support this key accelerator, as our missions—promoting Swiss innovation and creating sustainable high-tech jobs—align perfectly.”
“The involvement and commitment of the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation reinforce the shared objectives of our partnership consortium,” added Pascale Vonmont, President of the Venture Kick Strategy Board. “Venture Kick lays the foundation for turning promising business ideas into global enterprises, contributing to Switzerland’s economic development. We are pleased to welcome the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation as a key supporter.”
“Over the past 17 years, Venture Kick has supported more than 1,100 startups, which have collectively raised over CHF 9 billion from investors and created more than 15,000 jobs. Recognized as a benchmark model for early-stage startup funding, its alumni have achieved notable market success while addressing global challenges. Venture Kick has played a key role in providing credibility, visibility, and access to a wide network of investors and industry partners. Looking ahead, the Venture Kick team plans to expand its successful model over the next decade.”
“The primary driver of Venture Kick’s growth is the growing demand from highly qualified researchers motivated to turn their lab innovations into real-world solutions,” highlighted Beat Schillig and Jordi Montserrat, Co-Managing Directors of Venture Kick. “Previously, one in three applicants received support—today, only one in ten is selected. To support more promising startups from Swiss universities, Venture Kick requires additional partners.”
About Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation
The Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation focuses on promoting and commercializing Swiss innovations. Its mission is to strengthen the global competitiveness of Swiss startups and create sustainable high-tech employment opportunities, ensuring Switzerland’s economic and technological leadership over the long term.
The foundation is an independent, non-profit organization established through a private initiative by founding members Swisscom and UBS, with additional support from partners including Rolex, Julius Bär, SIX, SwissRe, SICPA, Vaudoise Assurances, the University of Zurich, and ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
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 200 successful entrepreneurs and 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 1,121 Swiss startup projects with CHF 90 million. Thanks to financial support, coaching, and networking with investors, this initiative has led to the emergence of 800 thriving startups and the creation of 15,000 jobs. Venture Kick alumni companies have attracted investments of CHF 9 billion and represent 66 companies ranked in the TOP 100 Swiss Startups in 2024 (www.top100startup.swiss).
Venture Kick, an initiative of the Kick Foundation, is supported by Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Fondation ALCEA, Lichtsteiner Foundation, Hauser-Stiftung, André Hoffmann, Hansjörg Wyss, Martin Haefner, Fondation ProTechno, ESA BIC Switzerland, Swisscom, and Deep Tech Nation Switzerland.
Find more information on venturekick.ch, with all startup projects supported by Venture Kick, and follow the success stories of our startups on Facebook, X/Twitter, and LinkedIn.
The Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation will join the existing partner consortia supporting the Venture Kick, an initiative of the non-profit Kick Foundation. Other partners in this consortium include Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Fondation ALCEA, Lichtsteiner Foundation, Hauser-Stiftung, André Hoffmann, Hansjörg Wyss, Martin Haefner, Fondation Pro Techno, ESA BIC Switzerland, and Swisscom.
“Venture Kick does outstanding work in helping young companies move from early ideas to market readiness,” said Joanne Sieber, CEO of the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation. “We’re thrilled to support this key accelerator, as our missions—promoting Swiss innovation and creating sustainable high-tech jobs—align perfectly.”
“The involvement and commitment of the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation reinforce the shared objectives of our partnership consortium,” added Pascale Vonmont, President of the Venture Kick Strategy Board. “Venture Kick lays the foundation for turning promising business ideas into global enterprises, contributing to Switzerland’s economic development. We are pleased to welcome the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation as a key supporter.”
“Over the past 17 years, Venture Kick has supported more than 1,100 startups, which have collectively raised over CHF 9 billion from investors and created more than 15,000 jobs. Recognized as a benchmark model for early-stage startup funding, its alumni have achieved notable market success while addressing global challenges. Venture Kick has played a key role in providing credibility, visibility, and access to a wide network of investors and industry partners. Looking ahead, the Venture Kick team plans to expand its successful model over the next decade.”
“The primary driver of Venture Kick’s growth is the growing demand from highly qualified researchers motivated to turn their lab innovations into real-world solutions,” highlighted Beat Schillig and Jordi Montserrat, Co-Managing Directors of Venture Kick. “Previously, one in three applicants received support—today, only one in ten is selected. To support more promising startups from Swiss universities, Venture Kick requires additional partners.”
About Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation
The Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation focuses on promoting and commercializing Swiss innovations. Its mission is to strengthen the global competitiveness of Swiss startups and create sustainable high-tech employment opportunities, ensuring Switzerland’s economic and technological leadership over the long term.
The foundation is an independent, non-profit organization established through a private initiative by founding members Swisscom and UBS, with additional support from partners including Rolex, Julius Bär, SIX, SwissRe, SICPA, Vaudoise Assurances, the University of Zurich, and ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
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 200 successful entrepreneurs and 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 1,121 Swiss startup projects with CHF 90 million. Thanks to financial support, coaching, and networking with investors, this initiative has led to the emergence of 800 thriving startups and the creation of 15,000 jobs. Venture Kick alumni companies have attracted investments of CHF 9 billion and represent 66 companies ranked in the TOP 100 Swiss Startups in 2024 (www.top100startup.swiss).
Venture Kick, an initiative of the Kick Foundation, is supported by Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Fondation ALCEA, Lichtsteiner Foundation, Hauser-Stiftung, André Hoffmann, Hansjörg Wyss, Martin Haefner, Fondation ProTechno, ESA BIC Switzerland, Swisscom, and Deep Tech Nation Switzerland.
Find more information on venturekick.ch, with all startup projects supported by Venture Kick, and follow the success stories of our startups on Facebook, X/Twitter, and LinkedIn.