A Philanthropic and Private Initiative
Venture Kick is an initiative by the charitable Kick Foundation, supported by a private consortium and operated by Venturelab. Currently, Venture Kick is supported by the following private partners, all sharing the same vision of supporting the next generation of successful entrepreneurs for the prosperity of Switzerland: Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Hauser-Stiftung, Fondation Alcea, André Hoffmann, Hansjörg Wyss, Martin Haefner, Fondation ProTechno, ESA BIC Switzerland, Swisscom, Lichtsteiner Foundation, and Deeptech Nation Switzerland Foundation.
Venture Kick was launched in 2007 with the vision to double the number of spin-offs at Swiss universities, to accelerate the time-to-market and to raise the attractiveness of these young companies to professional investors. Venture Kick offers a
nine-month kicking process to effectively support young entrepreneurs with high-potential business ideas on their journey from science to market. We identify, structure and promote promising businesses with a unique approach and program. The focus on business development together with the tightly structured program, results in a flourishing development of the entrepreneurs.
We understand our role to be one of an agenda setter and catalyst. Starting small in 2007, we had a big vision and believed in the business potential of great science at Swiss universities. With this mindset, we built Venture Kick as an independent organization with a structure and governance designed for growth from the first day. This means welcoming new partners to step in and be an equal part of a joint effort towards a successful evolution.
Foundation
Kick Foundation
Fonds Venture Kick
St. Alban-Vorstadt 12
4052 Basel
Consortium
”Venture Kick closes a key gap in the innovation chain by early identification and promotion of high-risk, high potential business ideas to create the markets of the future. The highly respected promotion channels guarantee national and international visibility for the startups.“ Dr. Pascale Vonmont, CEO, Gebert Rüf Stiftung
About Gebert Rüf Stiftung
”Venture Kick’s unique program and the expertise of those involved offers the opportunity for promising business ideas to become global shapers and to contribute to the development of Switzerland.“ Dr. Suzanne Avedik, Deputy CEO, Ernst Göhner Stiftung
About Ernst Göhner Stiftung
”In the next 10 years, I would like Venture Kick to be a springboard for the emergence of projects focused on products, services and new technologies related to the sustainable development of our planet, because this parameter is now essential if we reason in the long term.“ André Hoffmann
About André Hoffmann
”In the next 10 years of Venture Kick, I hope that we see the establishment and growth of many more companies that not only sell their ideas and initial products but also turn into large successful global companies that create thousands of jobs.“ Eric Lohrer, Hansjörg Wyss
About Hansjörg Wyss
”Venture Kick is unique in its unbureaucratic and very dynamic approach to discovering entrepreneurial talents and is therefore extremely valuable to our economy. Being on the path of growth, Venture Kick should never forget the DNA of its own success.“ Martin Haefner
About Martin Haefner
”In the next 10 years, we hope that many more successful companies will come out of innovative ideas supported by Venture Kick and that the innovation power of Switzerland in the Tech arena will be further strengthened.” Gabriele Giraudi, Member of the Board of Trustees, Fondation ProTechno
About Fondation ProTechno
”In the next 10 years, Venture Kick should continue to go for quality and engage more international and female institutional investors in order to promote Swiss startups.“ Dr. Nanja Strecker, European Space Agency Business Incubation Program (ESA BIC)
About ESA BIC Switzerland
”All successful startups in Switzerland have come out of the tough Venture Kick process. Venture Kick is the most important startup initiative and we’re proud to support this unique private program.“ Roger Wühtrich-Hasenböhler, Chief Digital Officer, Swisscom
About Swisscom
”After several years of supporting startups and entrepreneurs who wish to realise their professional aspirations, Fondation Alcea decided to join Venture Kick, whose partners share the same vision of supporting innovation.“ Jean Donnet, President of Fondation ALCEA
About Fondation Alcea
”We are excited to join this prominent network. Our mission to support health-related innovation aligns with the goals of Venture Kick, and we look forward to pursuing innovative projects together.“ Marco Strahm, President of Lichtsteiner Foundation
About Lichtsteiner Foundation
”Venture Kick does outstanding work in helping young companies move from early ideas to market readiness. We’re thrilled to support this key accelerator, as our missions—promoting Swiss innovation and creating sustainable high-tech jobs—align perfectly.“ Joanne Sieber, CEO of the Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation
Who stands behind Venture Kick
Venture Kick is an intiative by the charitable Kick Foundation, launched and supported by a private consortium . The Kick Foundation is monitored by the Swiss Federal Supervisory Board of Foundations.
Venture Kick gave a mandate to Venturelab Ltd for the operation of the initiative. With its mandate, Venture Kick has an experienced management team with Beat Schillig, Jordi Montserrat and Philip Hassler from Venturelab. They report to the Strategy Board.
The strategy board of successful entrepreneurs and supporting partners’ representatives defines Venture Kick’s medium and long-term objectives and goals. It is composed of Dr. Pascale Vonmont, representing the Gebert Rüf Stiftung, delegate; Dr. Suzanne Avedik, representing the Ernst Göhner Stiftung; Philip Bodmer, representing the Volskwirtsschaftstiftung, and Dr. Jan Lichtenberg, CoFounder and CEO of InSphero AG, and a former winner of Venture Kick.
Become a donor and enable innovation tackling global challenges
At Venture Kick, we believe that entrepreneurship is a catalyst for innovative solutions tackling global challenges. The most innovative and promising startups in Switzerland should have access to the funding, mentorship, and resources they need to succeed and make the world more sustainable. That is why we're inviting you to become a donor and help support the next generation of Swiss startups.
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More about Venture Kick
We are working in close collaboration with all Swiss universities and relevant organisations in the field of hightech entrepreneurship. Our jury, consisting of more than 200 investors and entrepreneurs, plays a major role in the highly competitive selection process. Over Venture Kick’s 17 years existence more than 1,111 startup projects have been supported and we keep kicking even further.
- Win 1 Million Plus
- Discover our experienced jury
- Get the right tools and support to grow faster
- Explore the portfolio of supported startups since 2007
- Read the latest news in our newsroom
- Learn about the impact of 1,111 Startups Kicked