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Conditions of participation,
process and use-of-funds

Conditions of participation

To be eligible for Venture Kick you should fulfil all the following conditions:
  • You are developing a highly innovative business idea, or are transferring the results of Swiss academic research to global markets.
  • You, or a co-founder, are currently or were very recently affiliated (no longer than 6 months ago) to a Swiss academic institution or research center. A research collaboration with a Swiss academic institution may also be considered.
  • You will establish your company and create jobs in Switzerland.
  • You haven’t launched yet your company by the time of applying to Venture Kick. Recently incorporated companies may be considered, provided they don’t have employees or revenue from commercial activities.
  • You haven’t received funding from professional investors.
If you have a great project and want to kick it forward, apply now and our team will contact you.

Venture Kick process

Three stages over nine months:
  • Applicants are invited to a Kickers’ briefing day. You learn how to prepare for the jury, we answer all your questions on the process, expectations and financing model.
  • If selected by the jury at Stage 1, you are invited to present at a Stage 2 date within three months.
  • If selected by the jury at Stage 2, you are invited to present at a Stage 3 date within six months.
  • At each stage, the top 50% of presenting cases receive Venture Kick financing.
  • Venture Kick sets the dates for each stage.

Use of funds

Receive 150,000 francs of start capital and an additional grant of 150,000 francs for research.
  • CHF 10,000 at stage 1 is paid as a grant. It may only be used to cover expenses related to busi-ness development. It can’t be used for incorporation capital or to pay salaries to founders or per-manent employees.
  • CHF 40,000 at stage 2 is offered as a convertible loan, which converts at the same valuation as the next investment round (no discount), with a 5% interest rate.
  • CHF 100,000 at stage 3 is offered as a convertible loan, which converts at the same valuation as the next investment round (no discount), with a 5% interest rate. Your company has to be incorporated to receive the third stage.
  • Furthermore, candidates passing Venture Kick stage 2 may qualify for an additional grant of 150,000 francs from Gebert Rüf Stiftung’s InnoBooster program.
Important note: Venture Kick won’t have any liability toward applicants to present their project should Venture Kick assess that the project doesn’t match the expected quality level.

Apply here to get kicked!