Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Thinking outside the box takes your ideas further, but you’ll need a solid platform on which to stand. Since its inception, swissnex Boston organized discussions, workshops, programs and visits in innovation and entrepreneurship. With an unparalleled network of contacts in one of the world’s most cutting-edge innovation ecosystems, we connect Swiss researchers to their Boston-area counterparts to discuss pioneering ideas. As we promote Switzerland’s entrepreneurial spirit, we also work in tandem with entrepreneurs launching ventures with Swiss-based technologies, while advising decision-makers on policies to boost innovation.

In doing so, we can report back to Switzerland about entrepreneurial activities at universities and other institutions, such as the economic development agency (read more about collaboration with the Cantons of Fribourg or Basel).

Given our broad understanding of innovation, we also promote the Swiss system of vocational education and training under this topic.

Venture Leaders

Annually since 2000, swissnex Boston has partnered with venturelab to bring twenty promising Swiss entrepreneurs to Boston for a business development course. Apart from being immersed for 10 days in one of the most dynamic innovation hub in the world, the members of the so-called “Swiss national start-up team” will follow an intense entrepreneurship trainings aiming to strengthen their leadership and managerial skills.

From a four-day course offered by Babson College, the US top-ranked school in entrepreneurship, to engaging workshops in negotiations and leaderships and tailored networking events, the 20 entrepreneurs get a real taste of the local start-up scene and a better understanding of the successful approaches to the US market, while fine-tuning their business pitches.

Former Venture Leaders confirm that the program has positively impacted their development towards becoming start-up leaders. And the track record of successful companies alumni of the program speaks for itself: Doodle with their online planning platform, Celereton through their ultra-high-speed electrical driver system or Lemoptix with their laser micro projection systems are just a few of the many success stories the Venture Leaders program has managed to develop.

If you want to find more information about the team of 20 Swiss entrepreneurs that qualified for the 2013 program that will take place from June 11 to June 21 in Boston check out our Venture Leaders website here.

For more questions about the Venture Leaders program, please contact Niccoló Iorno at niccolo@swissnexboston.org.

CTI US Market Entry CAMP

The CTI Start-up US Market Entry CAMP is a three-month acceleration program for Swiss startup companies looking to enter the US market. The program is open to all Swiss startups in the CTI Start-up coaching program (pre- or post-label).

This initiative is made possible by CTI, and the travel and housing stipend is funded by CTI and the Gebert-Rüf Stiftung.

For the past six years, swissnex San Francisco and swissnex Boston have assisted the most promising Swiss technology startups in coming to the United States by providing them with a tailored program to help them establish a foothold in the US market.

CAMP Perks

• A desk in our great co-working spaces with other startups and creative entrepreneurs
• Fast traction through access to local networks, mentors, advisors, and professional organizations
• Tailored advice from the swissnex team
• Access to dedicated workshops and classes
• Travel and housing stipend

Terms

• Three months in Boston, San Francisco, or a combination of both
• Up to two participants per company
• Each participant will receive a stipend of CHF 4,000 to help cover travel and housing expenses; the company is responsible for all other expenses
• Must define measurable milestones prior to entering the US Market Entry CAMP
• Applications are accepted on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis. Turnaround from nomination to decision is approximately two to four weeks

How do I Apply?

• Contact the swissnex team to receive the application form
• Application is reviewed by a board composed of representatives from our US partners, CTI, and swissnex
• Acceptance is based on defined thresholds for quality, maturity, and fit for the US market

A selective program that gives a CTI start-up a three-month stay in the swissnex office in Boston. Apart from a partial stipend for travel and accommodations, swissnex staff supports participants by organizing one-on-one training modules, making targeted introductions, hosting networking events and facilitating US market entry based on pre-defined milestones.

Past CTI US Market Entry Campers:

Biognosys

Biognosys is a supplier of original technology for bio-science researchers and companies. They offer a next generation proteomics platform, targeted proteomics (MRM), that can quantify proteins from any organism across experimental conditions, on a multiplexed scale.

For more information go to www.biognosys.ch

NextWidgets

NextWidgets provides global brands and retailers the latest in cutting edge technologies for transactional advertising, next-generation affiliation systems, social recommendations and viral promotions.

For more information go to www.nextwidgets.com

QualySense

QualySense develops high-end solutions for grains, seeds and beans sorting.The unique and proprietary devices enable sorting grains, seeds and beans reliably by biochemical and/or geometrical properties. Our sorting devices, the QSorter series, generate outstanding benefits in quality control, process optimization, and risk management.

For more information go to www.qualysense.com

Dualsystems Biotech

Dualsystems Biotech is a provider of custom screening services for industry and academia. They provide innovative solutions to identify protein interactions on a molecular level and help their clients to increase the efficiency of their research and development programs.

Corporate Membership Program

A customized program for a small group of innovative Swiss companies. Members benefit from tailored services such as events to source new partners in the Boston area or to discover new trends and innovations. We also offer talent-scouting, corporate branding and promotion of the company in the Boston area. more...