Record-high startup support by Venture Kick in 2022

Venture Kick, the leading seed support program in Switzerland, continues to grow its impact with the budget increase. Over the past 15 years, juries of successful entrepreneurs and investors have chosen 841 startup projects from close to 5,400 applications. The competitive seed acceleration program has already invested CHF 39.71 million since its inception in 2007.

“Being able to further increase the support in 2022 is a tribute to the impressive achievements of the supported entrepreneurs to date: They illustrate how impactful our support has been and provide us with the confidence that we can continue to bring more value in future,” said Pascale Vonmont, Venture Kick’s strategy board president. “The year 2022 will also be marked by the celebration of our 15th anniversary! We look forward to welcoming our alumni and thank all the long-term donors that are enabling this fantastic effort.”

The path to CHF 1,000,000+ in seed funding

Venture Kick plans 51 jury sessions—one per week. The jury will select 89 new projects that will enter the Venture Kick process in 2022 and join previous winners from 2021 for the next stages. This year, 173 “kicks” will support the spin-offs’ financial and business acceleration. Being selected for Venture Kick gives the selected start-up access to a potential CHF 1,000,000+ in funding comprising Venture Kick’s CHF 150,000, Gebert Rüf Stiftung’s InnoBooster program’s CHF 150,000 for candidates passing Venture Kick Stage 1, and up to CHF 850,000 from the Kick Fund for start-ups selected at stage 3.

Support that goes beyond money

Over the years, entrepreneurs benefiting from Venture Kick keep emphasizing that the “kicking” goes beyond the money. “The Venture Kick process has been a transformative experience. During that full year, the challenging jury and the Kickers Camps helped us tremendously to develop the company and our entrepreneurial skills,” said Denys Sutter, co-founder and CEO of Venture Kick winner condenZero. The credibility offered by the selection and the direct and structured feedback are major contributions to the development of the start-ups. “Venture Kick provided us with extensive visibility and support to grow our network and find a path in the value chain. The kicks at the Kickers Camp were memorable and very helpful! Venture Kick laid the foundation for our future market entry with a solid pipeline with relevant partners and customers,” said Margaux Peltier, co-founder and CEO of Venture Kick winner Enerdrape.

Venture Kick is on a mission

“What started 15 years ago as a small initiative has become a reference in the early stage support, and thanks to the feedback of the supported start-ups, we find the motivation to continuously improve,” explains Jordi Montserrat, Venture Kick’s co-managing director. “We’re ready to implement the ambitious objective set for 2022 and we keep our ‘Mission 2027’ in sight: to create 1,000 high-tech start-ups in Switzerland, generating 15,000 active jobs.”

The philanthropic initiative Venture Kick provides up to CHF 150,000 in seed funding to Swiss startups and offers a well-structured entrepreneurial path towards building a winning business. Startups pitch to expert juries at three stages to obtain funding, gaining direct feedback, and access to an international network of 200 successful entrepreneurs and investors. Winners of Venture Kick are eligible for CHF 850,000 investment from the Kickfund and for an InnoBooster grant of additional CHF 150,000. The Venture Kick Foundation is supported by Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Hauser-Stiftung, André Hoffmann, Hansjörg Wyss, Martin Haefner, Fondation Pro Techno, ESA BIC Switzerland, Engagement Migros, and Swisscom.