Strengthening Switzerland as a leading innovation hub by empowering entrepreneurial talent.
From first ideas at school to venture scale-up:
The Kick Foundation supports every stage of the entrepreneurial journey through one fully integrated entrepreneurship pipeline.
12’000 CHF
to IdeaKick
805’773 CHF
to TalentKick
9'367’916 CHF
to Venture Kick
10’185’689 CHF
Kick Foundation total
Our integrated pipeline delivers measurable results. Key Figures Impact:
Talent Kick
since 2021
3 Mio. CHF
Support
121
Teams
45 Mio. CHF
Raised
Venture Kick
since 2007
100 Mio. CHF
Support
16'108 Jobs
By 986 Startups
10'200 Mio. CHF
Raised
Vision
In 2021, the Ernst Göhner Stiftung (EGS) and the Gebert Rüf Stiftung (GRS) established the Kick Foundation
with a shared vision: to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and strengthen Switzerland’s position as a leading innovation hub.
The Kick Foundation operates Switzerland's only fully integrated entrepreneurship pipeline, spanning schools, universities and the startup ecosystem. Through its initiatives Idea Kick, Talent Kick and Venture Kick, the Kick Foundation provides education, funding, coaching and networks at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey. The independent Kickfund complements this pipeline through a systematic investment process, ensuring a continuous pathway from innovation to impact.
Initiatives
One ecosystem. A continuous entrepreneurial journey.
From entrepreneurial inspiration at school to building and financing high-growth companies, the Kick Foundation connects initiatives across the entire entrepreneurial journey.
Each programme serves a specific purpose while contributing to a coordinated ecosystem that helps entrepreneurial talent access opportunities, expertise, funding and networks at the right moment.
Every initiative supported by the Kick Foundation:
-
has national or international reach
-
demonstrates a strong track record or exceptional potential
-
actively contributes to the Kick Foundation ecosystem
Sustainably supporting the Kick pipeline
Team creation
Business case
implementation
Business case
implementation
Sustainable Kick Value Chain
Offer the value chain as a funnel for entrepreneurship, technology and innovation for the best talents in Switzerland as an exemplary ecosystem.
Bundle and cross-link existing initiatives, development and expansion of initiatives in existing gaps.
Generate vigor and visibility for the Swiss innovation ecosystem
Idea Validation
Team creation
.png)
Business case
implementation
Business case
implementation
Idea Kick supports young entrepreneurs from school-level initiatives and links them to follow-up programs. It also includes Startup Spirit @ School, bringing real-world entrepreneurial experience into school classrooms.
Talent Kick promotes committed students and doctoral students interested in entrepreneurial implementation with a 1 to 2 year support programme based at the university.
Venture Kick is a 9-month funding programme for entrepreneurial scientists at universities to take their promising business idea from research to the market.
