Your launchpad for launching
a business
Entrepreneurship –
because change requires know-how
because change requires know-how
Anyone with an entrepreneurial mindset recognises that every organisation needs to make changes from time to time, whether to its strategic alignment, its processes or its products and services. Sometimes, the situation calls for totally new, rival companies to be set up.
Given the global challenges that we are facing, the pressure for change has arguably never been greater than it is today. The people you encounter and the approaches you learn about at the University of St.Gallen (HSG) can help you develop your ideas into businesses that make a difference. What do brands like On, Planted, Formo and reBelle have in common? They are innovating their markets, making an impact on society, and all originated at the University of St.Gallen. The founders all studied at HSG, where they learned about viable business models and used the inspiration and momentum provided by the entire HSG community to found their own start-ups. In principle, all degree courses, institutions and initiatives at HSG have the potential to produce founders. However, specific programmes are also in place to promote entrepreneurship and support start-ups:
HSG’s incubator and the first point of contact for entrepreneurs and innovators who are looking to put their business ideas into practice. The initiative offers coaching, female mentoring, co-founder programmes, matching initiatives, scale-up guides and much more. HSG students can also apply for CHF 4,000 early-stage funding – even during their studies. Start-up@HSG is a good example of the many community effects that are generated by close collaboration between faculty, students, alumni/alumnae and partners from the realm of working life. The initiative’s dedicated website provides an overview of the latest University of St.Gallen spin-offs.
Every year at the START Summit, Europe’s largest student-run start-up fair, one delighted entrepreneur is named Founder of the Year and receives CHF 10,000 in prize money. The Hall of Fame provides a good idea of the scope of entrepreneurship at HSG and includes brands that have already become familiar names on the international start-up scene:
2022 | Raffael Wohlgensinger / Formo |
2021 | Dorina Thiess / Piavita |
2020 | Julian Teicke / wefox |
2019 | Kilian Wagner / VIU |
2018 | Valentin Stalf / N26 |
2017 | Lea von Bidder / Ava |
2016 | Caspar Coppetti / On |
Once a year, founders, investors, students and businesses meet in St.Gallen to network. The START Summit is Europe’s largest student-run start-up fair. The summit is overseen by the START Global initiative, which also organises a hackathon (START Hack) during the fair, a business framework for sustainability (ROSE) and a fellowship programme, specifically designed to cultivate start-ups – a whole universe for entrepreneurs and start-ups. By students, for students. With support from the HSG community.
The MakerSpace in the main building at HSG is designed for developing and workshopping ideas. In addition to generous rooms with modern furnishings, you will also find a 3D printer and a special start-up library.
The University of St.Gallen is a supporter of the “Startfeld” innovation cluster in St.Gallen. Its aim is to strengthen the start-up scene throughout Eastern Switzerland by providing expertise and funding in all start-up stages.
