Looking back at 2023: How the Venture Challenge workshops inspired the innovators of tomorrow
In 2023, more than 100 students, PhDs, postdocs, and graduates participated in the Venture Challenge at ETH and EPFL. In twelve workshops, these future entrepreneurs were introduced to the skills and know-how that will help turn their tech startup ideas into concrete businesses. Now it's your turn to start your business!
Ever dreamed of turning your innovative idea into a reality? The Venture Challenge workshop series, hosted at ETH Zurich and EPFL, is your one-stop shop to develop a rock-solid business case and kick-start your startup journey.
The program provides mentorship from successful entrepreneurs, allowing you to learn from their personal experiences, mistakes, challenges, and best practices. Alumni from ETH and other prestigious universities coach the next generation of science-rooted startup founders.
We skip theory and go directly to action: How to define the idea, find co-founders, and convince customers and investors to invest their money. In addition, we connect startup-minded people at ETH (and beyond) to support each other on their journey, forming a peer group of new entrepreneurs.
"The Venture Challenge, created by founders for founders, accelerates aspiring student and scientist entrepreneurs' learning from successful ETH alumni. It's a fast track to validate ideas, build teams, secure initial customers, and raise financing," said Raffael Kellner, program manager at Venturelab.
If you're a student at a Swiss university, PhD, or PostDoc with a burning business idea, this program is for you. Don't miss out and turn your vision into a thriving startup today!
Looking back at 2023
Here’s a glimpse of what participants can expect:
Venture Challenge #1: The story of your startup
"It might seem small what you have achieved in 1 year, however don't underestimate what you can achieve in 5 years"
— Venturelab (@venturelab_ch) April 26, 2023
Martin Eichenhofer, CEO and Co-Founder of #ETH Spin-off 9T Labs speaks at the Venture Challenge: https://t.co/62F19VJU3B#SwissStartups pic.twitter.com/LA1ZEN2DdG
Venture Challenge #2: What it takes to build a dream team
"Lead, manage, command. Different situations require different styles. Management tools are like a piano."
— Venturelab (@venturelab_ch) November 5, 2023
David Christen, founder of quitt and Julia Capital AG, on building a dream team, speaking at the Venture Challenge at ETH: https://t.co/USxXdEMgZE#SwissStartups pic.twitter.com/XOhhNhdyLS
Venture Challenge #3: Sales for startups
Read the inspiring tips Dominik Tarolli, director of smart cities at Esri, shared with future entrepreneurs and watch the video to learn how to rock the world of sales."8 out of 10 sales happen after you've had at least 5 contacts. The most successful B2B companies are relentless about their follow-ups"
— Venturelab (@venturelab_ch) November 13, 2023
Dominik Tarolli, co-founder of ETH spin-off Procedural (@Esri), live-streaming from California to @ETHSPH: https://t.co/H9y1CHUZFC pic.twitter.com/P1l5Klviva
Venture Challenge #4: Raise the first investment
"We saw great pitches tonight, with clear value propositions. Next, quantify them: you are X times faster / cheaper / more effective...!"
— Venturelab (@venturelab_ch) November 17, 2023
Philip Kneis of @Redalpine VC coaching the next generation of tech entrepreneurs at ETH Student Project House: https://t.co/fh13p0oicv pic.twitter.com/X43WnbSAem
Venture Challenge #5: Financing strategies and negotiating deal terms for your financing round
"Founder shares can save you a huge amount of taxes down the road"
— Venturelab (@venturelab_ch) May 26, 2023
Thierry Barbey and Désirée Egli of @Kellerhals_ch Startup Desk share best practices on company set-up, investor negotiations, and IP strategy at the Venture Challenge at ETH: https://t.co/kApB5gOsVR#SwissStartups pic.twitter.com/vSpTDf44K6
Venture Challenge #6: How to do the perfect pitch and feedback session
How to #pitch for millions in investments: Olga Peters, now accelerating startups at ABB, shares best practices from her founder career at @QualySense - coaching the next generation of tech entrepreneurs, at ETH Student Project House: https://t.co/LLORyIgV3L pic.twitter.com/gwOqS0RJTz
— Venturelab (@venturelab_ch) December 2, 2023
Attendees' successful stories
25 alumni who took part in the Venture Challenge workshop series went on with the Innosuisse Start-up Training and 11 won the prestigious Venture Kick program. Among them, Murielle Schreck, Co-Founder and CEO of qCella. The startup's innovative technology secured CHF 150,000 in the third stage of Venture Kick, aiming to revolutionize the heating of products ranging all the way from heated shoe insoles to heated airplane seats.
From left to right: Olga Peters (Head of ABB Motion Ventures and Co-Founder of QualySense) and Georgina Jones (Community Manager of ETH Student Project House)Apply for the next Venture Challenge series.
