Venture Kick to award 5.5 million Swiss francs

Venture Kick plans to grow its impact in 2021 and is increasing the budget for startups by 10 percent to 5.5 million francs. According to a press release, this will allow Venture Kick to support 86 new innovative projects and bring it closer to its “Mission 2027”.  This aims to create 1,000 high-tech startups in Switzerland by then, generating 15,000 active jobs, as Jordi Montserrat, Venture Kick’s co-managing director, explained

Since the philanthropic Venture Kick Foundation was launched in 2007, juries of successful entrepreneurs and investors have chosen 755 startup projects from close to 4,700 applications. The seed acceleration program has reportedly already invested 34.25 million francs since its inception. 

“I’m delighted to see how Venture Kick was able to successfully continue its mission in 2020. Our alumni show every day how impactful the seeds planted 10 years ago have been and how society benefits from it today,” said Pascale Vonmont, who presides Venture Kick’s strategy board.

An intense year awaits juries at Venture Kick this year, with four jury sessions planned per month, so 48 overall. The juries will select 86 new projects that will enter the Venture Kick process in 2021 and join previous winners from 2020 for the next stages. In 2021, 163 “kicks” will support the financial and business acceleration of spin-offs.

Venture Kick’s maximum support is 150,000 francs, though this continues to be complemented by Gebert Rüf Stiftung’s InnoBooster program. Candidates approved by Venture Kick can apply for an additional grant of 150,000 francs, so receive as much as 300,000 francs in seed financing.

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 Schweiz, Engagement Migros and Swisscom.