2018 Startup GUIDE - 10th Edition

COVER STORIES 13
Gebert Rüf Stiftung launches “InnoBooster”
A New Boost for
Deep Tech Spin-Offs
20 years, CHF 70 million: With great perseverance, commitment
and success, Gebert Rüf Stiftung worked on the funding gap between
research and the market. Now this gap has been closed
by the BRIDGE programme established jointly by the SNSF and
Innosuisse, allowing Gebert Rüf Stiftung to reposition itself:
With “InnoBooster” it is launching a funding programme that
calls for top talents with convincing proposals of how an R&D or
design boost can speed up the success of their deep tech business
case. The support addresses university-based, high-potential
business cases from the Venture Kick programme with the
aim of substantially accelerating market entry. The sum of CHF
2.5 million p.a. has been reserved for this purpose, with the first
submission deadline on 1 December.
One mission accomplished, and on to the
next one
When a goal has been achieved, it is time to refocus the strategy.
And Gebert Rüf Stiftung is no exception. Since it was founded
in 1997, the foundation has addressed the long-familiar funding
gap between the Swiss National Science Foundation and today’s
Innosuisse (formerly CTI), known as the “valley of death”. This is
where the funding chain breaks down for many innovative projects,
when no more basic research funding is available and venture
capital is not yet accessible.
The “Pilot projects” programme created by GRS in 1998 was a
support vehicle with no topic restrictions for particularly original,
innovative and surprising projects of a proven pilot nature with
Swiss-wide significance. Initial funding was used to realize several
small-scale beacon projects offering groundbreaking qualities,
major potential and a conduit for developing thematic areas
of activity.
The launch of the BRIDGE funding programme jointly managed
by the SNSF and Innosuisse marked the closure of this gap after
20 years. GRS has thus met its objective: the bridge has been built.
This allows GRS to turn its attention away from promoting pilot
projects and instead to channel resources into the “InnoBooster”
programme to address a new and promising gap area with huge
potential. GRS remains faithful to its role as initial funder: “Wissenschaft.Bewegen”
(making science effective) is now also a key
feature of the foundation’s visual identity.
InnoBooster – Accelerating Market Entry
of Deep Tech Spin-Offs
With the InnoBooster support programme, Gebert Rüf Stiftung
is addressing a new gap in the innovation chain. The aim is to
bring more innovative ideas to market more quickly. While application-oriented
research projects can now be funded by the
BRIDGE programme, InnoBooster is positioning itself in the already
competitive but still risky pre-seed phase. In addition to
the Venture Kick programme focused on business development,
Gebert Rüf Stiftung exclusively supports young, university-based
Prosperity by innovation
What Heinrich Gebert promoted as an entrepreneur,
he also wanted to see implemented as a philanthropist
for Switzerland as a top business location and as a
place to live. He wanted to make a difference. In line
with this vision and after the sale of the internationally
successful family business Geberit, he founded the Gebert
Rüf Stiftung, Switzerland‘s largest private science
foundation. As a patron, he proved to be just as innovative
as he had been as an industrialist. By establishing
the foundation he transferred the concept of entrepreneurship
to the not-for-profit promotion of science with
a clear mission: translating scientific innovation into job
creation as the basis for social and economic prosperity.
In their early stages, innovations carry high risks. This
phase is an ideal gap for support with great leverage
for a private funding commitment.
spin-offs that need a further boost in R&D or design for their rapid
market entry.
Only business ideas from Venture Kick are eligible for the new
programme. Gebert Rüf Stiftung seeks to speed up innovative,
science-based deep tech business cases with high market potential.
Up to CHF 150,000 for a maximum of 1.5 years can be granted
to top talents with a clear plan and funding need for accelerated
market entry. The new funding line is calling for convincing
proposals which show how a further boost in research & development
or design can drive business success.
Detailed information: grstiftung.ch
SWISS STARTUP GUIDE 2018