FIRST VENTURES

Youtube Playlist «First Ventures»

«First Ventures» focuses on entrepreneurial UAS students such as Remo Waser and Simon Maranda (HSLU, First Ventures 2018-2020) who want to pursue their innovation projects immediately after graduation. The project contributions of a maximum of CHF 150,000 pave the way for the establishment of their own spin-off. For the duration of the First Ventures project, the project managers are employed by the University of Applied Sciences and have full budget autonomy.

Gebert Rüf Stiftung encourages talented Bachelor’s and Master’s students not only to contemplate obtaining a degree, but also to embrace the idea of launching a startup. The financial stimulus gives the UAS graduates the chance to turn their own ideas into new products and services. The goal is to promote a culture of science entrepreneurship among students and strengthen business potential at universities of applied sciences.

The «First Ventures» programme not only provides financial support, but also individually tailored business training and coaching sessions designed to equip the potential company founders to successfully put their business idea into practice. The curriculum will include training in entrepreneurial practice, reviewing the business idea, concrete guidelines for setting up and running startup companies, as well as needs-led coaching from experienced experts in the respective sector. The training programme will be geared to the specific requirements of the selected project managers and is intended to give them access to a broad startup network.

• 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.
• The ideal time to apply is while working on the bachelor’s or master’s thesis.
• Project teams are welcome, formally, only one person can be project manager.
• 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.
• The duration of the project is between one and a maximum of two years, the budget is between CHF 50,000 and a maximum of CHF 150,000. Additional course offerings and coaching services amounting to CHF 5,000 can be claimed per project.
• The support provided by the tutors at the university of applied sciences can be suitably reimbursed through the project budget.
• 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. Infrastructure, equipment and material should in any case be provided by the university.
• Projects can also be co-sponsored by third parties (e.g. federal government, cantons, foundations, business). However, the object of this programme is not to plug funding gaps.
• Concrete plans regarding financing after expiry of the grant funding period should also be submitted.

We are looking for projects with high innovation potential for business 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.

​​​​​Before submitting a proposal, applicants interested in participating are requested to contact the First Ventures programme management.

Projects can be submitted to Gebert Rüf Stiftung by one of the quarterly deadlines (1February, 1 May, 1 September, 1 December) in accordance with the guidelines for submitting an First Ventures proposal.

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).

After the first selection round the preselected applicants are invited to present their project to the board of trustees. The project applicants selected for the final round can complete a pitching training:

• Decisions on the award of grants will be announced within 1-3 days after the presentation.
• A support agreement will be concluded with the project managers whose applications are approved.
• All copyrights will be retained by the projects.

Dr. Marco Vencato, Deputy Director, Gebert Rüf Stiftung, St. Alban-Vorstadt 5, 4052 Basel, marco.notexisting@nodomain.comvencato@grstiftung.notexisting@nodomain.comch, tel. +41 61 270 88 20

Programm description
Webportal
Guidelines to submit a project proposal «First Ventures»
Project proposal form «First Ventures»

Postcard
Startupticker: Programme Presentation
Startupticker: First Ventures Project «Kühlen mit Köpfchen»
Youtube Playlist «First Ventures»

The winning projects of the seventh call for proposal are the following:

A total of 23 draft applications and 15 valid project proposals were submitted, 5 of them were from HES-SO, 4 from FHNW, 2 from BFH and 1 each of HSLU, OST, FHGR and ZFH. 1 applicant applied with a Master's degree, 12 had completed their Bachelor studies at the time of submission and 2 were still studying. Of the 15 candidates, 4 were women.