Kickstart is one of Europe's largest zero equity, multi-corporate ecosystem innovation platforms that runs a scale-up program for high-growth startups with a goal to accelerate deep tech innovation in Switzerland. In its fifth year, Kickstart’s initiative for later-stage tech startups takes a fresh look at the Circular Economy and expands into the Romandy. The application period for the 2020 edition starts today.
Since its launch in 2015, Kickstart has grown into one of the largest European innovation platforms, implementing open-innovation for later-stage startups with numerous leading Swiss and global companies. Every year the program includes some innovations. This year the most important new feature of the program is a focus on sustainability. “Sustainable solutions for the challenges of the digital and globalized age cannot be discovered in isolation. Rather, innovation needs different players. Only the fusion of the technological vision of the startups combined with the expertise of successful companies and institutions can move us forward," says Katka Letzing, Co-Lead of Kickstart Innovation.
Circular Economy is a new initiative, tackling new solutions across all verticals of the program. One or two participating startups from each vertical will be part of the new initiative. This will be implemented in cooperation with Impact Hub Switzerland, as part of the Circular Economy Transition initiative. The new focus will also lead to a stronger presence in Western Switzerland. Several events will take place in the French-speaking-part of the country.
“The goal is to support startups working with the organizations in public and private sectors in Switzerland and beyond, to implement more circular models and practices. Innovations based on technologies can significantly accelerate the transition to a circular economy in Switzerland,” according to Holger Schmid, Swiss Director of MAVA Foundation, which supports Kickstart.
The other verticals of the program include: EdTech & New Work, FinTech & InsurTech, Food & Retail Tech, Smart City & Technology, HealthTech.
The application period for this year's innovation program is from 6 April to 4 May. . Applications are welcome from startups based anywhere in the world or within Switzerland, provided they meet these requirements:
- A product or technology is available (preferably with patent)
- previous investment has been secured
- The venture is ready for collaboration with Kickstart partners
- At least one of the founders or senior executives to be present during key events (Final Selection, Planning Sprint, CEO Dinner, Opening and Closing Ceremony, key partnership negotiations)
- At least one team member to be present 50% during the whole Collaboration Sprint
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