Switzerland’s first Cyber Security accelerator launches in Geneva

Rising Star is an invitation only accelerator that will identify and select the 'best-in-class' Swiss and European pre-seed / seed stage Cyber Security start-ups for its initial program. The selected teams will benefit from a tailored, 24 week’ program that will help fast track their businesses from ‘proof of concept’ to ‘market entry’. This comprises 13-weeks of learning through dedicated courses, company specific workshops and guest speakers, followed by a ‘Demo Day’ and 11-weeks’ active, fund-raising support.

RS will initially operate 5 programs from 2017 to 2019: it is sponsored by KPMG and is endorsed by the State of Geneva. The RS Accelerator Technology Partner 2017 is Hewlett Packard Enterprise. RS benefits from the support of Fongit, id est avocats, the Office for the Promotion of Industries and Technologies (OPI), and the Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP).

The inaugural program will commence on September 4, 2017.

Pierre Maudet, Geneva State Councillor in charge of the Department of Security and Economy, said: “Geneva’s ecosystem for IT–security related solutions is continuing to grow with the welcome addition of the Rising Star Accelerator. With important IT and financial economic sectors, security is key to the performance of our economy. I wish to congratulate the private partners that have joined forces to set-up this initiative and assure them of the strong support of the State of Geneva.”

“Our relationship with the Rising Star Accelerator is a key part of our program to promote innovation across Geneva. Cyber Security is an important element in the Geneva strategic agenda and the Rising Star Accelerator will help us develop start-ups and early stage ventures in this space to complement the extensive strength in depth that Geneva offers among more mature IT businesses. We look forward to working with the projects that will be accelerated and to playing a supportive role as these start to flourish, securing investment and creating high value jobs: we look forward to continuing this successful partnership over the coming years”, said Antonio Gambardella, Director of Swiss start-up incubator Fongit.

Ruedi Noser, Member of the Swiss Council of States, Member of the Board of Directors of Noser Management AG, President of ICT Switzerland, Entrepreneur, said:“The Rising Star Accelerator is a welcome addition to the Cyber Security ecosystem in Switzerland. By choosing Switzerland, Rising Star and its selected innovators join an ecosystem of World Class researchers, ICT corporations and investors, as well as the leading organisations in internet governance: they will be uniquely positioned to identify, accelerate and scale innovative solutions in Cyber Security. I welcome this initiative and trust that, with access to Switzerland’s broad industry network and its Cyber Security expertise, the accelerated start-ups will reach their potential and deliver much needed 'cutting-edge' Cyber Security solutions.”

(Press Release)