The foundation > Vision

VISION

Gebert Rüf Stiftung carries forward the entrepreneurial vision of its founder through its mission. It promotes innovation for the benefit of Switzerland’s economy and society. With an annual funding budget of CHF 15 million, the foundation helps breakthrough technologies gain traction and lays the groundwork for an entrepreneurial mindset and broad-based innovation culture through targeted education and knowledge transfer initiatives. With over 25 years of grant-making experience, the foundation is open to partnerships and additional endowments from philanthropists who share its vision of a forward-looking, innovative Switzerland.

Enabling Swiss Innovation

Gebert Rüf Stiftung sees itself as an active enabler of innovative, entrepreneurial model projects. It does not support established initiatives, but rather pioneering ventures that form part of a larger context. Because innovative ideas, when implemented with entrepreneurial drive, create the foundation for a sustainable future — economically, ecologically, and socially.

Lean, professional, and entrepreneurially structured, the foundation is anchored across Switzerland. Since its inception, it has supported more than 1,400 projects with a total of CHF 270 million — always with a clear focus on impact, quality, and model character. Every project and funding process is carefully accompanied and evaluated by the foundation.

Those seeking to support emerging talent and advance cutting-edge ideas in technology, education, or science communication will find a competent and committed partner in Gebert Rüf Stiftung. We translate your philanthropic goals into concrete programs — driven, effective, and developed in close collaboration with you.

stiften@grstiftung.notexisting@nodomain.comch

Promoting Tomorrow's Talents Today

Taking advantage of its special position as a private, non-institutional and politically independent organization, Gebert Rüf Stiftung finances and supports the implementation of entrepreneurial innovation projects with outstanding pioneering potential. It is not intended as a source of funding for projects that aim to optimize existing approaches following the «faster, higher, better» mode. The focus is on ambitious initiatives led by young talents who are eager to effect change and implement it in an entrepreneurial manner.

Shaping the Future

Gebert Rüf Stiftung intends to provide groundbreaking, fresh impetus to science and society. For this reason, the foundation places top priority on synergizing and networking individual projects, which are in turn anchored to specific areas of activity. In order to achieve this, the foundation employs its resources in a flexible yet focused manner. Its aim is neither long-term nor serial financing of projects. Gebert Rüf Stiftung sees itself not as a mere sponsor or distributor of funds, but as a partner and an active member of the project team. Thus, conventional grant allocation goes hand-in-hand with strategic and effective action.