Venture Kick Ranked Among Europe’s Top 5 Startup Hubs by the Financial Times

This top-five position places Venture Kick among Europe’s most impactful early-stage funding initiatives and confirms its leading role in strengthening Switzerland’s innovation ecosystem. 

Notably, Venture Kick operates as a philanthropically funded initiative, supported by foundations and private donors committed to advancing Swiss innovation. The recognition by the Financial Times highlights the effectiveness of this independent, impact-driven model in generating measurable economic and societal value. 

The Financial Times ranking evaluates more than 200 startup hubs across 25 countries, selecting the 180 strongest programs based on alumni recommendations, expert assessments, and performance indicators. Securing the 5th position overall reflects both the quality of Venture Kick’s structured support model and the long-term success of its alumni companies. 

Building Switzerland’s Next Generation of Global Companies 

Since 2007, Venture Kick has supported 1,251 Swiss startup projects with CHF 102 million in funding provided by private donors. Through its structured, milestone-based funding model, providing staged financial support, hands-on coaching, and investor access, the initiative has contributed to the creation of: 

• 986 incorporated startups 

• More than 16,100 jobs 

• CHF 10.2 billion in follow-on investments raised by alumni 

• 66 companies featured in the Top100 Swiss Startups 2025 ranking 

By intervening at a decisive early stage, Venture Kick enables founders to validate their business models, sharpen their strategy, and position their ventures for scalable growth. The strong follow-on funding figures demonstrate the program’s multiplier effect within the Swiss economy. 

A Long-Term Vision for Sustainable Impact 

The #5 ranking is not only recognition of past achievements, it reinforces Venture Kick’s long-term ambition. 

By 2035, the initiative aims to: 

• Support 3,000 startups 

• Enable CHF 50 billion in follow-on investments 

• Contribute to the creation of 100,000 jobs 

In 2026, Venture Kick plans to increase the number of supported projects by 15%, further expanding access to early-stage capital and entrepreneurial expertise. This growth is made possible through the continued commitment of foundations and private donors who believe in the power of Swiss innovation. 

A Strong Signal for Switzerland’s Innovation Ecosystem 

Being ranked among the top five startup hubs in Europe is not only a milestone for Venture Kick, it is also a strong signal for Switzerland as a global innovation hub. 

The recognition confirms that early-stage support, when combined with rigorous selection, structured funding, and close founder engagement, creates measurable and lasting impact. Venture Kick continues to play a key role in transforming cutting-edge research and bold entrepreneurial ideas into globally competitive companies. 

The #5 position in the Financial Times ranking stands as both an achievement and a commitment: to keep backing ambitious founders, to strengthen Switzerland’s international visibility, and to accelerate the next generation of high-impact startups.