Yearly since 1987, the W.A. De Vigier foundation awards 5 innovative startup companies with CHF 100’000.00 (à fonds perdus). Which is really not bad for a startup! You can read more about the 2012 winners here.
William A. de Vigier was a successful Swiss entrepreneur, who has transformed the building industry. He started the foundation with one simple idea in mind: give back and help young entrepreneurs to realize their dream.
“Never spend seed money – spend income”. W.A. De Vigier
Wise quote still relevant… that entrepreneurs have to keep in mind. Investors’ money is not a goal, it’s a mean… to help you try to seize a market opportunity.
For last year edition, 202 startups registered, with a dominance of ICT companies (36%), followed by biotech&medtech (32%). Average age of applicants was 35 years, with a massive proportion of male (90% – women, where are you? Start technology businesses!).
The requirements to register your company are pretty simple and straightforward: innovative concept, company based in Switzerland, full-time commitment of the founder, who has to live in Switzerland.
Selection criteria are pretty common in startup world (innovation, entrepreneur, feasibility,
market relevance), but with an little emphasis on the potential job impact in Switzerland.
The selection’s committee will select potential winners in 2 phases. First cut will be processed until end of October (20-25 startups remaining). A second selection will be done until mid-December and the last 10 applicants will get the chance to pitch to the Board of Directors, which will award the 5 winners in April 2013. The award ceremony will then take place in June at De Vigier Sommerhaus in Solothurn.
As a proud ambassador of De Vigier, I can only recommend you to seize this unique opportunity to win CHF 100’000.-. Moreover, you can gain a bit of fame if you are selected, which can only be positive for the success of your company. Lastly, WA De Vigier foundation can afterwards offer you to invest directly in your startup.
Additional benefits from the De Vigier award is to be part of a community. 25 years of awarding Swiss startups created an amazing network of entrepreneurs, who regularly meet for alumni events (I’ll post a review of July alumni event soon).
Applications close end of September (you just have 3 days left to finalize your Business Plan and submit it), so you’d better hurry up to register!