University spin-offs are drivers of innovation and economic wealth. They create jobs and marketable solutions for the future, thereby strengthening the regional ecosystem. The HSG Best Founders Programme provides targeted support to talented students, graduates and researchers at HSG on their entrepreneurial journey from the initial idea to the establishment of their own company.
Ambitious founders are a key factor in the success of start-ups and spin-offs. Students, graduates and researchers at HSG are characterised by a high degree of initiative. The HSG Entrepreneurship programme equips them with the skills they need as entrepreneurs. At the same time, it gives them access to a relevant business network. The HSG Best Founders Programme supports members of the university who want to turn their entrepreneurial ideas into reality at every stage of the start-up process.
The HSG Best Founders programme promotes entrepreneurial thinking and action at HSG by inspiring and motivating students, graduates and researchers to become active entrepreneurs. Specifically, this is achieved through the following (and other) services:
Ideation: New ideas and business models are developed in a guided process. Impulses and a broad network help to identify market needs. Corporate partners are integrated into the ideation process.
From idea to proof of concept (incubation): A Grant 1 (Talent Fellowship) worth CHF 5,000 and intensive support help budding entrepreneurs with the best ideas to move forward. A solid foundation is laid for implementing ideas so that they can be turned into promising business models.
Company formation (spin-off): A Grant 2 (Champion Fellowship) worth CHF 100,000 enables the best graduates and researchers (champions) to adapt their business model to market needs, acquire their first customers and prepare for the formation of the spin-off. Close coaching and links to the HSG community provide support along the way. Special support is given to projects involving mixed teams from HSG and technical universities such as ETH Zurich.
“Students and researchers at HSG are committed to finding entrepreneurial solutions to problems in business and society. Apply to the HSG Best Founders Programme and become part of our community of top entrepreneurial talent.”
The grants awarded to talented entrepreneurs as part of the HSG Best Founders Programme are financed exclusively by third-party funds. We would like to thank all donors and funding partners, and in particular the Fondation Alcea and the Jacques and Gloria Gossweiler Foundation, without whose valuable support the programme would not be possible.
Thanks to our initial funding partners, the programme will start in the autumn semester of 2025. However, we are also dependent on further support in the medium to long term. If you would like to support the promotion of entrepreneurial talent at the HSG, please contact the HSG Foundation in confidence.