First Ventures Grants Application Webinar

Program

Are you a student or recent graduate at a University of Applied Sciences (FH) in Switzerland? Do you plan to start your own startup?

Then check out the FIRST VENTURES program and win up to CHF 150,000 in support to make your startup dream come true!

Tuesday, April 23
17:00-18:00
online via Zoom

In our upcoming webinar, we will inform you on how to prepare your application, for a maximum chance of winning the grant money and additional coaching. Venturelab is pleased to welcome the Deputy Director of Gebert-Rüf-Stiftung, Marco Vencato, who will explain in detail how to prepare the documents for the application. We will also have the pleasure to listen to Tobias Kistler, co-founder of TOP 100 Swiss Startup Luya Foods - Tobias will explain how First Ventures helped him to start his company which is now one of the fastest-growing foodtech firms in Europe.

Meet our speakers:



Marco Vencato is responsible for the program management of «First Ventures» and «Scientainment» at Gebert Rüf Stiftung. The foundation is driven by its mission statement  «making science effective», it supports entrepreneurial projects which are committed to achieving an impact. The foundation has an annual funding budget of CHF 15 million to help new technologies achieve a breakthrough, but also to lay the foundations for an entrepreneurial attitude and a broad interest in innovation by promoting education and transfer projects.



Tobias Kistler is a co-founder of Luya, a foodtech startup creating deliciously sustainable vegan alternatives to meat. He holds an MA from the ETH Zürich and previously worked as a researcher at the Berner Fachhochschule. Luya benefitted from funds from the Gebert Rüf Foundation when they participated in the First Ventures program, in Venture Kick, and in Innobooster. In between programs, Luya also raised a bridge round with GRS acting as an intermediary, and raised venture capital from Redalpine.

About First Ventures:

• PROOF up to CHF 25,000 Check project idea for feasibility
• VALIDATE up to CHF 50,000 Validate business case
• EXECUTE up to CHF 150,000 Implement product/service on the market

The «First Ventures» program not only provides financial support, but also individually tailored business training and coaching sessions as well as access to a broad start-up network. The curriculum is designed to equip the potential company founders with the tools they need to successfully put their business idea into practice.

• Applications are open to Bachelor’s and Master’s students of all departments and disciplines and to graduates of universities of applied sciences up to six months after graduation.
• Graduates of continuing education master's degree courses are not considered.
• Project leaders and any members of the project team are employed by the university of applied sciences for the duration of the project. They are explicitly involved in the project. An appropriate letter of support must be enclosed with the application. Projects from the following schools can apply:
  • BFH Berner Fachhochschule
  • FHGR University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons
  • FHNW Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz
  • HES-SO Haute école spécialisée de Suisse occidentale
  • HSLU Hochschule Luzern
  • OST Ostschweizer Fachhochschule
  • SUPSI University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland
  • ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences
  • ZHdK Zürcher Hochschule der Künste
• The duration of the project is between a few months to a maximum of two years, depending on the funding amount and the budget that ranges from CHF 25,000 («Proof»), CHF 50,000 («Validate») to a maximum of CHF 150,000 («Execute»). The different funding amounts can be cumulated, but up to a maximum of CHF 150,000 per project.
• Funding will be used primarily for the salaries of the project managers and project team members employed by the UAS. The use of university funds is welcomed.
• As part of and up to a maximum of 10% of the «First Ventures» budget, a voucher can be reserved for infrastructure services, supervision, expertise and coaching. This voucher can be used for services within and outside the university.
   

• We are looking for innovation projects with high impact potential for the economy and society that offer concrete solutions to problems and at the same time meet the quality standards of the respective research and development area.
• The applicants are distinguished by their professional expertise, willingness to take risks and personal commitment.
   

1. Before submitting a proposal, applicants interested in participating are requested to contact the First Ventures program management.
2. Projects can be submitted to Gebert Rüf Stiftung by one of the quarterly deadlines (1 February, 1 May, 1 September, 1 December) in accordance with the guidelines for submitting an First Ventures proposal.
3. Please use our web portal for your first stage application and upload all the required documents there (project proposal form «First Ventures», support letter of UAS and elevator pitch).
4. Applicants for «Proof» or «Validate» grants of up to CHF 50,000 are invited to present their project to the board of trustees via Zoom within one month of submitting their project. The funding decision will be communicated within 1-2 days of the presentation.
5. Applicants applying for an «Execute» grant of CHF 150,000 will be invited to present their project to the board of trustees after the first round of evaluation. The funding decision will be communicated within 1-2 days after the presentation. These selected candidates can complete a pitch training programme. Next training is on Monday, 17.06.2024 for projects that are presenting to the jury on Wednesday, 03.07.2024
    

Thank you to the Gebert Rüf Stiftung for supporting this event.



Learn more about Luya Foods:




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