Gebert Rüf Stiftung supports university-based, high-potential businesses from its Venture Kick programme with the aim of substantially accelerating their market entry.
The funding line is calling for top talents with convincing proposals of how a research & development or design boost can speed up a successful market penetration of their deep tech business.
Support Criteria for Innobooster projects
- The project has reached at least stage 1 in the Venture Kick programme or has recently completed the programme.
- The project needs to show a proof of concept, secured IP, first customers, strategic partners and pilot projects.
- The project must provide proof of scientific excellence, innovation and market potential through letters of endorsement from a funding programme (BRIDGE Proof of Concept, Pioneer Fellowships, Innogrant, Innosuisse or similar) and from (potential) customers, investors and/or industry partners.
- The project has to be rooted at a Swiss university or research institution (ETH Domain, cantonal university, university of applied sciences), funding goes to the university and not directly to startups already founded.
- Budget of a maximum of CHF 150,000 for no more than 1.5 years: No infrastructure costs or overheads are financed, only salaries and materials costs directly related to the project.
- Applicants allow GRS the right to obtain information on assessments from Venture Kick.
- Grantees commit themselves to complete the Venture Kick programme within the allotted time span; if they quit it deliberately, the InnoBooster grant has to be reimbursed.
Application process
Projects can be submitted to Gebert Rüf Stiftung four times a year. The selection process takes a maximum of three months, from submission of the project proposal and elevator pitch video (step one) to the final decision after the project presentation to the board of trustees (step two).