Kickfund Ventures fund I injects CHF 70 Million to elevate Swiss deeptech startups
10.01.2024
Kickfund Ventures Fund I, a new investment fund dedicated to supporting Swiss deep tech startups, has successfully raised CHF 70 million in its first closing. The fund, backed by a diverse group of investors, including anchor investors Ernst Göhner Stiftung and Gebert Rüf Stiftung, will provide up to CHF 850,000 per company to Venture Kick alumni. Kickfund Ventures Fund I will play an essential role in boosting Switzerland's dynamic deeptech ecosystem and supporting innovative Swiss startups to global prominence.
 Bruno Dallo, Thomas Möller, Wanja Humanes, and Goran Radin
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The Fund includes investments from a diverse group of Venture Kick-supported founders, mentors, and leading Swiss business angels, alongside anchor investors Ernst Göhner Stiftung and Gebert Rüf Stiftung. Known for their long-standing support of entrepreneurship and innovation in Switzerland, these anchor investors are pivotal to the fund's success. With full funding achieved, the final closing is slated for early 2024 and qualified investors might still be accepted to the partnership.
The unique concept of the Kickfund is based on many years of experience and successful collaboration among key supporters of the Kick Foundation initiatives being a crucial part of Switzerland's dynamic startup and innovation landscape. It is uniquely positioned to leverage the success of the esteemed Venture Kick competition, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2022 and saw its 1000th company complete the program earlier this year. Exclusively targeting companies that have graduated from the program, Fund I aims to invest in ventures often recognized as some of the best in Switzerland. Venture Kick alumni notably comprised 64 of the TOP100 Swiss startups in 2023 and cumulatively they have created more than 13’000 jobs since the beginning of the programme.
Switzerland's reputation for educational and scientific excellence, with a significant portion of its students attending globally ranked universities, underpins the fund's strategy. This academic environment, conducive to technological advancements and innovation, is a fertile ground for deep tech development. The role of venture capital in this landscape is indispensable, not only in fostering highly skilled employment opportunities but also in nurturing the ambitions of entrepreneurial students, encouraging them to transform their ideas into successful ventures.
Wanja Humanes, CEO of Kickfund, states: "The Kickfund Venture Fund effectively builds on the work of Venture Kick, providing crucial funding and long-term support to startups. Our commitment includes offering up to CHF 850,000 per company, providing a valuable community network while offering our investors access to a carefully curated portfolio of promising Swiss deep tech startups."
Bruno Dallo, Chairman of Kickfund, comments: "We are immensely thankful to our anchor investors for their crucial role in launching this fund focused on Swiss deep tech startups. Their commitment reflects our shared goals of promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth in Switzerland. This fund represents our collective belief in the power of investing in groundbreaking technology and brilliant minds, not only as a driver of innovation but also as a profitable venture for
our investors.”
Roger Schmid, Managing Director of Ernst Göhner Stiftung, is convinced: "Our role as one of the anchor investors in Kickfund Ventures Fund I epitomizes our commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Switzerland. We are proud to support visionary entrepreneurs and contribute to Switzerland's evolving economic landscape."
Vincent Forster, investor and founder of Versantis, shares his journey: "Benefiting from Venture Kick was a turning point in my entrepreneurial path. Having guided my company to a successful sale, I am now honored to reinvest in this fund, supporting a new generation of Swiss innovators and entrepreneurs. Coming full circle allows me to give back to the ecosystem that was instrumental in my own success."
Pascal Vonmont, head of the strategy council of Venture Kick, adds: "Venture Kick and the Kickfund are a unique and powerful combination of charitable funding and investment. Together, we're propelling innovative Swiss deep tech university spin-offs to global tech leaders. This partnership strengthens our impact on the startup and innovation ecosystem and cements Switzerland's role as a deep tech nation."
Bruno Dallo, Thomas Möller, Wanja Humanes, and Goran Radin
The unique concept of the Kickfund is based on many years of experience and successful collaboration among key supporters of the Kick Foundation initiatives being a crucial part of Switzerland's dynamic startup and innovation landscape. It is uniquely positioned to leverage the success of the esteemed Venture Kick competition, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2022 and saw its 1000th company complete the program earlier this year. Exclusively targeting companies that have graduated from the program, Fund I aims to invest in ventures often recognized as some of the best in Switzerland. Venture Kick alumni notably comprised 64 of the TOP100 Swiss startups in 2023 and cumulatively they have created more than 13’000 jobs since the beginning of the programme.
Switzerland's reputation for educational and scientific excellence, with a significant portion of its students attending globally ranked universities, underpins the fund's strategy. This academic environment, conducive to technological advancements and innovation, is a fertile ground for deep tech development. The role of venture capital in this landscape is indispensable, not only in fostering highly skilled employment opportunities but also in nurturing the ambitions of entrepreneurial students, encouraging them to transform their ideas into successful ventures.
Wanja Humanes, CEO of Kickfund, states: "The Kickfund Venture Fund effectively builds on the work of Venture Kick, providing crucial funding and long-term support to startups. Our commitment includes offering up to CHF 850,000 per company, providing a valuable community network while offering our investors access to a carefully curated portfolio of promising Swiss deep tech startups."
Bruno Dallo, Chairman of Kickfund, comments: "We are immensely thankful to our anchor investors for their crucial role in launching this fund focused on Swiss deep tech startups. Their commitment reflects our shared goals of promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth in Switzerland. This fund represents our collective belief in the power of investing in groundbreaking technology and brilliant minds, not only as a driver of innovation but also as a profitable venture for
our investors.”
Roger Schmid, Managing Director of Ernst Göhner Stiftung, is convinced: "Our role as one of the anchor investors in Kickfund Ventures Fund I epitomizes our commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Switzerland. We are proud to support visionary entrepreneurs and contribute to Switzerland's evolving economic landscape."
Vincent Forster, investor and founder of Versantis, shares his journey: "Benefiting from Venture Kick was a turning point in my entrepreneurial path. Having guided my company to a successful sale, I am now honored to reinvest in this fund, supporting a new generation of Swiss innovators and entrepreneurs. Coming full circle allows me to give back to the ecosystem that was instrumental in my own success."
Pascal Vonmont, head of the strategy council of Venture Kick, adds: "Venture Kick and the Kickfund are a unique and powerful combination of charitable funding and investment. Together, we're propelling innovative Swiss deep tech university spin-offs to global tech leaders. This partnership strengthens our impact on the startup and innovation ecosystem and cements Switzerland's role as a deep tech nation."
Bruno Dallo, Thomas Möller, Wanja Humanes, and Goran Radin