PSI Entrepreneurship Course

Are you involved with a research project that has business potential? Are you wondering how to turn your science into a product or solution that makes real-world impact?

The Paul Scherrer Institute, together with its partners Park Innovaare, UBS, Health Innovation Hub Aargau, and Venturelab offer a premier opportunity for you: the PSI Entrepreneurship Course – with the chance to qualify for the PSI Founders Fellowship worth CHF 150’000 in funding for starting your own spin-off company.

 

In addition, we are very happy to have the support of active investors acting as mentors in this program, from the venture capital firms:

- QBIT Capital

- InnoQube Switzerland / DigitalTwins Capital

- Apprecia Capital

 

In addition, we are in touch with other institutions that may provide grants and other financing options for your project – including Innosuisse / BRIDGE, Venture Kick, Gebert-Rüf-Stiftung, DeVigier, and more. 

This program is deeply integrated in PSI’s strategy of technology and knowledge transfer, fostering spin-offs, with value and impact for Switzerland, as well as offering an alternative and challenging career path for talented alumni of the Paul Scherrer Institute.
 

Get industry-relevant skills: 

- Turn your research idea into a business concept

- Validate your idea with colleagues, industry & investors

- Learn how to raise funding for deep tech ideas (grants & venture capital)

- Master the art of pitching your startup idea

The program builds on the success of the PSI Entrepreneurship Course 2024, as well as on the experience of numerous PSI spin-offs supported in previous years:

Invited to participate are entrepreneurial-minded scientists, as well as other entrepreneurial personalities that are interested in joining science-based startups. (Note: a PSI affiliation is not mandatory, however only PSI spin-offs can qualify for the Founder Fellowship financial support). Even if you have your startup idea not defined yet but want to generally learn about the entrepreneurial journey, you are warmly invited to apply.

 

Are you interested? Then don’t hesitate to apply. The course is free of charge. In case of questions, reach out to Angelo Sozzi (angelo.sozzi@psi.ch).

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AGENDA:

Workshop #1: from Scientist to Entrepreneur

Thursday, 24.4., 15:30-17:30, at PSI / Park Innovaare 

- The motivation: why to turn from scientist to founder

- Understanding market needs, identifying customer pain points, and defining your value proposition

- Ideation & problem-solution fit

- Overcoming challenges and setbacks until you succeed

 

Workshop #2: Go Clinical – work with partners

Tuesday, 6.5., 15:30-17:00 at Health Innovation Hub Aargau
- How (medtech) startups can enter agreements with hospitals and industry

- Access to medical knowledge and everyday clinical practice

- Discover the Startup Hub at Baden Cantonal Hospital

 

Workshop #3: Technology Validation & Sales

Thursday, 22.5., 15:30-17:30 at PSI / Park Innovaare

- Assessing technical feasibility and early-stage prototyping

- Finding your first paying customers

- Exploring viable business models and revenue streams for deep-tech ventures

 

Workshop #4: Funding Deep Tech Innovation with Grants

Wednesday, 28.5., 15:30-17:30at PSI / Park Innovaare

- Overview of financing options for projects, with focus on instruments from public and philanthropic sources - PSI Founder Fellowship, Innosuisse / BRIDGE, Forschungsfonds Aargau, Venture Kick, Gebert-Rüf-Stiftung

- Advice on the different grants and how to apply

Workshop #5: Funding Deep Tech startups with Venture Capital

Thursday, 5.6., 15:30-17:30 at PSI / Park Innovaare

 

- Understand the different financing options for your startup

- Financial planning for reaching your next milestone

- Secure grants, loans, and investments

- How to handle tough deal negotiations and financial pressure 

 

Workshop #6: Pitch for Success best practices for applying for grants and pitching your project

Friday, 13.6., 15:30-17:30 at PSI / Park Innovaare

- Define a compelling narrative for the audience you meet: investors, grant institutions, partners, customers

- Master the art of pitching

- How to handle challenging Q&A

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Get ready! Meet XRnanotech - a PSI spin-off:



About Innovation Ecosystem at PSI / Park Innovaare




Register now to get invited for the course: