Paul Scherrer Institute: launchpad for science spin-offs
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With 2,300 employees and an annual budget of CHF 460 million, the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) is Switzerland’s largest natural sciences and engineering research institute. As part of the ETH Domain, PSI is a key pillar of the Swiss research landscape, advancing work in future technologies, energy and climate, health innovation, and the fundamentals of nature. Based in Villigen, Aargau, the institute is geographically between the startup hubs of Zurich and Basel and massively contributes to their scientific and technological base.
For many years, Venturelab has been a partner of PSI, to support scientists who turn their research into startups. 2024 offered PSI-based entrepreneurs new opportunities on two ends: firstly, Park Innovaare opened its doors, an all-new innovation campus that cost CHF 160 million, now offering 23,000 m² of the very best infrastructure for research and industrialization on campus. In addition, PSI and Venturelab teamed up to offer a special PSI Entrepreneurship Course to teach the essentials of science entrepreneurship and help the next generation of entrepreneurs to apply for the famous Founder Fellowship program.
Top right: Naomi MacKenzie (co-founder of Kitro and Venturelab Trainer)
Down left: Rafael Kellner (program manager at Venturelab) and Matthias Erhart (co-founder of AssetOS)
Down right: Thierry Barbey (serial entrepreneur, attorney, and startup advisor)
PSI boasts many impressive spin-offs, including Tandem Therapeutics, Astra Therapeutics, Focal Biosciences, XRnanotech, Araris Biotech, and many more. These companies not only won the Founder Fellowship, but also got the backing of venture capital investors, and grants and support from institutions like Innosuisse, Venture Kick, ESA BIC, Gebert-Rüf-Stiftung, CERN, Venture Leaders, De Vigier, and Venture.
“The key is that our projects connect with the larger startup ecosystem – use the excellent infrastructure we have at PSI, but also approach customers and investors in all of Switzerland and internationally,” says Angelo Sozzi who leads the PSI Entrepreneurship support together with John Millard, Head of Tech Transfer. Sozzi adds: “The fact that we have our huge campus in Villigen is both an asset and a challenge. Our startup teams can stay very focused on their development, yet they also need to build their business – and for that, they need to move beyond the campus.”
The PSI Entrepreneurship Course implemented with Venturelab thus followed three principles:
• Connect PSI startups and the wider Swiss ecosystem: the program has been open for entrepreneurs from PSI and external, to allow for more diversity and exchange among the participants.
• By entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs: all trainers are themselves (co-)founders of successful Swiss companies, sharing their own best practices, advice, and stories with the new founders.
• Focus on the essentials: the course touched on the 6 topics that make or break a startup: the founder as a person, the team formation, winning customers, raising financing, legal considerations, and mastering the art of pitching.
While nobody will deny the challenges of entrepreneurship, there can be great rewards for scientists who become founders of their startups. “Keep the spirit high and enjoy the exciting time” says Florian Döring, founder of XRnanotech, a PSI spin-off that is now the leading Swiss manufacturer of highest-quality X-ray optics. A total of 55 talents followed Florian’s example and joined the PSI Entrepreneurship Course in 2024. It remains to be seen how many will take the next step, apply for the Founders Fellowship, and get ready to start their spin-offs. “Give it your best shot. We are here to help you” encourages Angelo Sozzi.
Ready for more?
Apply for the PSI Founder Fellowship
Visit the Switzerland Innovation Park Innovaare
Meet the experts from the PSI Entrepreneurship Course